It's once again that time of the year when bright lights adorn homes, trees are dragged into living rooms, and the smell of warm, baked goods wafts out of kitchen ovens. It's that time of the year when music stations play Christmas songs nonstop and an assortment of holiday specials and films are aired and streamed.
Likewise, many anime have a fair deal of Christmas episodes and specials to share as well. Here are some cozy Christmas-themed episodes to watch in between the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and festive decorating.
Horimiya Episode 12, "Hitherto and Forevermore"
Episode 12 of the beloved rom-com Horimiya does a good job of showing off not just its main couple, but its ensemble cast as well. There are several glimpses of the personal lives of Hori and Miyamura’s friends as they each celebrate the holidays in their own way. From Yuki and Toru's budding romance to a surprising friendship blossoming between Yanagi and Yuki's older sister, Miki, everyone gets a chance to shine.
Not letting the spotlight steer too far away from them, the holiday-themed episode’s main plot ultimately focuses on just how close Hori and Miyamura have grown over the past year, with a bit of a surprise twist at the very end.
Shugo Chara! Doki! Episode 60, "Lulu's Flawless Christmas"
In Episode 60 of Shugo Chara! Doki!, Amu and her family are invited to a Christmas party held by her parents' friends, only to find out it's the home of Lulu, the main source of the current appearances of "?" eggs that Amu and her friends have had to deal with recently. However, Amu soon learns Lulu is actually a good host and starts to realize that she may not be as bad as she seems.
Of course, an unsuspecting bystander still falls victim to Lulu's schemes; luckily Amu takes care of it, Christmas is saved, and the two slowly start to develop a genuine friendship despite their differences.
K-ON! Episode 7, "Christmas!"
At the suggestion of K-ON!'s ever-energetic Ritsu, protagonist Yui decides to host a Christmas party in the Hirasawa household with an open invitation to the light music club, their club advisor, and Yui's childhood friend Nodoka. As with most slice-of-life series, no major developments occur.
Instead the girls eat, chat and play around just like any other day in the clubroom, but there's a festive joy in the air that makes this a relaxing watch after a long day of last-minute shopping and extended holiday work hours. Yui even wears a cute Santa Claus-inspired dress during the episode, which would go on to inspire an equally cute scale figure courtesy of Max Factory.
You and Me Season 2 Episodes 2 and 3, "Mary's Christmas" and "Very Christmas"
You and Me, also known as Kimi to Boku, actually has two successive Christmas-themed episodes in its second season. Episode 2 is about Chizuru preparing a Christmas gift for Masaki (or as he calls her, Mary) in hopes that the latter might finally accept his romantic feelings for her. This episode adds more depth to both characters while still maintaining an optimistic tone throughout despite its focus on romance.
Episode 3, meanwhile, has the group taking on some unexpected work after Chizuru accidentally knocks over a Christmas tree in a shopping district. This is definitely the more lighthearted episode of the two as the boys get into all sorts of silly hijinks on the job -- while dressed in an assortment of Santa suits the entire time.
School Babysitters Episode 12
In the season finale of School Babysitters, resident big brother extraordinaire Ryuichi finds himself struggling to figure out how to give his little brother the best Christmas possible -- especially since this will be their first after their parents' passing. He ultimately decides to be Santa Claus, a role previously reserved for his now-deceased father.
But as Ryuichi focuses on making sure his Christmas plan works, his friends and newfound family members make their own plans to ensure the two brothers have an unforgettable Christmas that ultimately ends in them all having a big celebration together. It's sweet, heartwarming, and the perfect way to end such a comfy shojo series.