By Aedan Juvet
The holidays are upon us, which means there’s a chance you have some spare time on your hands. If that applies to you, it’s the perfect time to binge-watch some holiday anime! Whether home with free time or looking for something to make traveling a little easier, it’s always a good time for a little anime marathon.
Let these hand-picked selections warm your heart, keep you on the edge of your seat or make you feel all of the feels. There’s a little bit of holiday anime for everyone.
The Promised Neverland
If you want to get lost in the psychological suspense of a series, The Promised Neverland is a must-watch. At first glance, the series appears to be a quiet, emotional story about children in a loving orphanage — but there is more at play here.
After confronting a gruesome reality, the show’s protagonists Emma, Ray and Norman set out on a quest to protect the others at the orphanage. These three children are remarkably strong, mature leads who each bring something different to the table.
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This dynamic between them is integral to The Promised Neverland, and what makes these 12 episodes such an easy watch. This is a high-stakes, suspenseful series that will keep you guessing all December-long. Thankfully, a second season has been announced for 2020.
Watch The Promised Neverland on Funimation!
My Roommate is a Cat
OK, so maybe something cute and slice-of-life-y is more your speed as far as holiday anime to watch. Look no further than the unbearably cute and incredibly wholesome My Roommate is a Cat.
If the title itself doesn’t sell you, let this emotional journey between the quiet, reserved Subaru Mikazuki and his precious new cat Haru take you on a trip this holiday.
After losing his parents in an accident, Subaru, a 23-year-old mystery writer, has secluded himself. He puts a majority of his energy into writing, and almost any social interaction triggers his anxiety. He’s jaded by his past, but Haru changes all of that.
The story is then told in two parts. One half of every episode is from Subaru’s perspective, and the latter half is from Haru’s perspective. This dynamic makes for a truly unique series that’s utterly pleasant to watch.
Watch My Roommate is a Cat on Funimation!
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
You may have heard of a little series called Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, a supernatural shounen that’s setting the internet on fire with speculation, memes and shares of its incredible animation.
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The series follows Tanjiro Kamado, a boy familiar with trauma after losing his father and becoming the sole provider for his family. To make matters worse, after returning home one day, he discovers his entire family has been murdered by demons, and his sister Nezuko has become one.
But Nezuko hasn’t lost all of her humanity, and Tanjiro sets out on a quest to cure his sister, protect what’s left of his family and join the Demon Slayer Corps to seek revenge for his loved ones.
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It’s a series that spotlights the resilience of its characters. Tanjiro commits himself to terrifying challenges, despite his slim chances of succeeding. On their journey, Tanjiro and Nezuko are joined by Inosuke, a boarhead-wearing warrior and Zenitsu, a loud, cowardly swordsman.
The 24 episodes of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba are packed with emotional moments, incredible animation and tons of climactic battles. It’s a rewarding show that subverts expectations, sprinkles comedy throughout and keeps you guessing the whole way through.
Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on Funimation!
Dr. STONE
Imagine a world where all of humanity has mysteriously turned to stone. Are you in? That’s Dr. STONE.
The series begins with teenaged science genius Senku waking up after 3,000 years of mysterious slumber. He quickly revives his childhood friend, the brawny Taiju, and the two set out to save humanity in a world that’s left in ruin… but the first person they save creates more conflict than resolution.
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Part of what makes Dr. STONE so enjoyable is its tendency to dabble in things that aren’t frequently depicted in anime. The show’s focus on science, for example, creates a new kind of suspense. The importance of a scientific influence is expressed regularly as the driving force behind solving the cure for humanity.
But Dr. STONE isn’t really about conflict. It has conflict in it, but its main theme is focused on rebuilding, and it’s here that the show really succeeds in selling its concept. There’s the rebuilding of society through science, the rebuilding of Senku’s own character through the villagers he meets and the rebuilding of hope in a world that’s never really known it.
Once the series gets going, it’s easy to find comfort in its unique setup. It’s definitely worth a watch this holiday.
Watch Dr. STONE on Funimation!
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