What’s better than sitting together with your family or friends and watching a good movie?
The winter holidays are a time for many to stay at home and celebrate with their families. It’s obvious that many otaku would want to watch anime, given all the free time — however, they might also want to look at something that fits the tone of the season.
If you are also wondering what to watch — and are in the mood for some movies — perhaps some of these will satisfy your needs.
Tokyo Godfathers is considered the ultimate Christmas anime movie. The reason is simple: it actually takes place during Christmas, and the existence of Christmas miracles is a major theme of the movie.
Following a group of homeless people who find an abandoned baby, Tokyo Godfathers is thoughtful and heartwarming — and definitely a great watch during the holidays. It also has a very unique look to it, as it was directed by the late Satoshi Kon, who to this day is considered one of the best anime directors.
Howl's Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle is the type of movie you probably watched as a kid with your parents. Even if you didn’t, it’s still a great family watch — and an even better one if you do it during the holidays.
The movie, despite dealing with heavy themes, is surprisingly comfy in its own way. Ghibli movies in general make for good family group watch sessions — and this one is no exception.
Winter is often associated with long, long nights. And there aren’t many movies that reflect that feeling as well as the original Ghost in the Shell (Koukaku Kidoutai) from 1995. Set in a cyberpunk futuristic world, it’s quite dark in tone — yet extremely engaging despite that.
If you want something less cozy and more intense for your winter holidays, this one is an excellent pick. If you like it, be sure to watch the sequel movie, Innocence, as well — it’s just as good as the original.
For the fans of Makoto Shinkai, 5 Centimeters per Second (Byousoku 5 Centimeter) is unquestionably the best winter holiday movie from him. His anime rarely focus on the winter season — he clearly seems to prefer summer — but 5 Centimeters per Second is unique in that regard.
Not only is a considerable portion of it actually set in winter, but it’s just a tale of two people and how their lives intertwine. It’s quite a heartbreaking one (as expected from Shinkai), so be sure to have some tissues.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Okay, obviously, you shouldn’t watch this one without both seasons of the TV series first. And if you’ve seen the series, you probably watched the movie as well. Consider this, however: the Haruhi movie is a perfect Christmas-related rewatch.
There’s a good reason many online communities host the group watches of the movie during the winter holidays. Even in Japan, it’s associated with them and often shown on television during December and January — perhaps it’s time for you to see it again as well (or watch the TV series and then watch it).
Laid-Back Camp: The Movie
The Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp△) movie also requires having seen the TV series first. With this one, however, you probably won’t be lost as much — after all, the series is a simple (yet excellent!) slice-of-life anime.
With many having seen the series, the movie got skipped by some — mostly because not all fans want to watch Laid-Back Camp for 2 hours straight. Winter holidays are a perfect time for that — if it’s too cold to go outside, why not watch this movie?
Time of Eve
Time of Eve (Eve no Jikan) is a somewhat obscure movie which was very ahead of its time. Set in a futuristic society where humans and androids coexist — and yet the latter are discriminated against — it follows a cafe where such prejudices are forbidden.
Time of Eve is a very unusual work, following many characters and their troubles and life stories. With no realistic way to tell humans and robots apart, the protagonist ponders the validity of the prejudice. A slow, dialogue-filled movie like that is perfect to watch and think over during the holidays.
Totoro is yet another classic Ghibli movie. A fantasy adventure involving two girls and the spirit of the forest, it’s a movie that’s appropriate for any age. And everyone will possibly find something for themselves in it.
That’s the beauty of Hayao Miyazaki’s films — he makes them with all audiences in mind. Totoro’s magical nature makes it perfect for the holidays — after all, Christmas is magical too, isn’t it?
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
Maquia (Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarou) focuses on the themes of family and immortality. It’s a very touching work, and the somewhat melancholic nature of it makes it perfect for winter.
It’s quite dramatic and often tragic, however, so don’t expect it to be fun. Yes, it is interesting, and happiness is one of the themes of the movie as well — but it may also cause viewers to shed a tear or two.
Planetarian: Storyteller of the Stars
Planetarian expands on the series by the same name — and gives it a proper conclusion. You don’t need to watch the series first, however — the movie covers essentially the same content plus more.
It’s adapted from a work by Key (who is known for series like Clannad, Kanon and Air) — so yes, you should expect sadness from it. Despite that, it’s still an amazing movie, and one that will make you think about it even after you watch it.
What’s better than sitting together with your family or friends and watching a good movie?
The winter holidays are a time for many to stay at home and celebrate with their families. It’s obvious that many otaku would want to watch anime, given all the free time — however, they might also want to look at something that fits the tone of the season.
If you are also wondering what to watch — and are in the mood for some movies — perhaps some of these will satisfy your needs.
Tokyo Godfathers is considered the ultimate Christmas anime movie. The reason is simple: it actually takes place during Christmas, and the existence of Christmas miracles is a major theme of the movie.
Following a group of homeless people who find an abandoned baby, Tokyo Godfathers is thoughtful and heartwarming — and definitely a great watch during the holidays. It also has a very unique look to it, as it was directed by the late Satoshi Kon, who to this day is considered one of the best anime directors.
Howl's Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle is the type of movie you probably watched as a kid with your parents. Even if you didn’t, it’s still a great family watch — and an even better one if you do it during the holidays.
The movie, despite dealing with heavy themes, is surprisingly comfy in its own way. Ghibli movies in general make for good family group watch sessions — and this one is no exception.
Winter is often associated with long, long nights. And there aren’t many movies that reflect that feeling as well as the original Ghost in the Shell (Koukaku Kidoutai) from 1995. Set in a cyberpunk futuristic world, it’s quite dark in tone — yet extremely engaging despite that.
If you want something less cozy and more intense for your winter holidays, this one is an excellent pick. If you like it, be sure to watch the sequel movie, Innocence, as well — it’s just as good as the original.
For the fans of Makoto Shinkai, 5 Centimeters per Second (Byousoku 5 Centimeter) is unquestionably the best winter holiday movie from him. His anime rarely focus on the winter season — he clearly seems to prefer summer — but 5 Centimeters per Second is unique in that regard.
Not only is a considerable portion of it actually set in winter, but it’s just a tale of two people and how their lives intertwine. It’s quite a heartbreaking one (as expected from Shinkai), so be sure to have some tissues.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Okay, obviously, you shouldn’t watch this one without both seasons of the TV series first. And if you’ve seen the series, you probably watched the movie as well. Consider this, however: the Haruhi movie is a perfect Christmas-related rewatch.
There’s a good reason many online communities host the group watches of the movie during the winter holidays. Even in Japan, it’s associated with them and often shown on television during December and January — perhaps it’s time for you to see it again as well (or watch the TV series and then watch it).
Laid-Back Camp: The Movie
The Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp△) movie also requires having seen the TV series first. With this one, however, you probably won’t be lost as much — after all, the series is a simple (yet excellent!) slice-of-life anime.
With many having seen the series, the movie got skipped by some — mostly because not all fans want to watch Laid-Back Camp for 2 hours straight. Winter holidays are a perfect time for that — if it’s too cold to go outside, why not watch this movie?
Time of Eve
Time of Eve (Eve no Jikan) is a somewhat obscure movie which was very ahead of its time. Set in a futuristic society where humans and androids coexist — and yet the latter are discriminated against — it follows a cafe where such prejudices are forbidden.
Time of Eve is a very unusual work, following many characters and their troubles and life stories. With no realistic way to tell humans and robots apart, the protagonist ponders the validity of the prejudice. A slow, dialogue-filled movie like that is perfect to watch and think over during the holidays.
Totoro is yet another classic Ghibli movie. A fantasy adventure involving two girls and the spirit of the forest, it’s a movie that’s appropriate for any age. And everyone will possibly find something for themselves in it.
That’s the beauty of Hayao Miyazaki’s films — he makes them with all audiences in mind. Totoro’s magical nature makes it perfect for the holidays — after all, Christmas is magical too, isn’t it?
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
Maquia (Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarou) focuses on the themes of family and immortality. It’s a very touching work, and the somewhat melancholic nature of it makes it perfect for winter.
It’s quite dramatic and often tragic, however, so don’t expect it to be fun. Yes, it is interesting, and happiness is one of the themes of the movie as well — but it may also cause viewers to shed a tear or two.
Planetarian: Storyteller of the Stars
Planetarian expands on the series by the same name — and gives it a proper conclusion. You don’t need to watch the series first, however — the movie covers essentially the same content plus more.
It’s adapted from a work by Key (who is known for series like Clannad, Kanon and Air) — so yes, you should expect sadness from it. Despite that, it’s still an amazing movie, and one that will make you think about it even after you watch it.
