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Christmas has an especially complicated relationship with the anime medium. While holiday artwork and episodes exist for most popular series, rarely does the holiday play an important part in them (video games can be a different story). There is an exception, however, with Romance anime.
In most series where long-term romances are at the center of attention, Christmas tends to pop up somewhere in the narrative. What is it about Christmas that is especially noteworthy for romance anime and not other genres? It’s a combination of the genre and how Japan as a country views Christmas as a holiday.
What are Some Popular Romance Anime Series?
Romance anime (whether it be comedy, drama, or a mixture of both) has been a staple of the medium since Ozuma Tezuko createdPrincess Knight. Some very popular anime that revolve around romance include:
These are all notable anime for their popularity, critical acclaim, and accessibility across the world. However, there is another thing they all have in common.
What do All of Them Have in Common?
All the anime listed above have Christmas-themed episodes and (in a few cases) specials. While a Christmas special is notentirely uncommonfor an anime, the fact that so many romance-themed anime have them is very significant in terms of not only Japanese culture but the reason behind its significance as well.
Why is Christmas so Important in Romance Anime?
Christmas in Japan is celebrated in a way that is quite distinct from Western traditions, blending their own culture with their own brand of festive cheer. While the holiday lacks religious significance for most Japanese people (a very small percentage of Japanese people identify as Christian), it has evolved into a secular celebration focused on joy, romance, and consumerism (a tradition of buying Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas Eve is a real thing over there).
Like in most countries, cities and shopping districts are transformed with extravagant light displays, decorated Christmas trees, and festive ornaments, creating a vibrant and cheerful atmosphere. Unlike in the West, Christmas Eve in Japan is considered a romantic occasion,much like Valentine’s Day(a holiday with a more obvious purpose for being featured in many romantic anime titles).
Couples often mark the day with intimate dinner dates, exchanging of gifts, and visits to sparkling illuminations or fancy restaurants. Some even book luxurious hotel stays to make the evening special. For families and close friends, Christmas is a time to share traditions like the iconickurisumasu keeki(a light sponge cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries, symbolizing celebration and togetherness). Small, thoughtful gifts are exchanged, but the emphasis is more on meaningful gestures than extravagant spending (there are no such things asBlack Friday salesin Japan).
Finally, there is a superstition in Japan that being in a relationship on Christmas Eve is generally seen as good luck for couples, and it is considered a great time for couples to bond and even make important relationship decisions, like confessing love or giving gifts. For example, a superstition among some young couples suggests that if you celebrate Christmas Eve together, the relationship will be a happy one that lasts into the New Year, especially if both partners are genuinely invested.
This is where you may start to see why so much anime that are primarily about couples who are in the middle of a developing relationship tend to feature Christmas in an episode or two of their show: Because it creates great tension and urgency for characters to get together before Christmas so that their relationship will have a better chance of succeeding (Love Hina,Maison Ikkoku). If the characters are already in a relationship (My Love Story!!, Clannad: After Story),then the romance level is bumped up a notch for the viewers, who can take such episodes as a sign that their favorite couple will not break up.
This isn’t exclusive to romance anime either: If an anime features a prominent love triangle (likeNarutoorBleach) then chances are the writers will incorporate the holiday to stir up some relationship conflicts. What you typically won’t see in any of these episodes are references to Jesus, Hanukkah, or any other religious beliefs that typically center around the holiday around the world. In most cases, these episodes end up being pivotal character development moments, so if there is an anime with a Christmas-themed episode, that means it is probably best not to skip it.
