This episode came at the end of the Macross series, and so was actually rather important to the plot. It's a classic story of holiday heartache and joy, plus a little wanton destruction. The Zentradi named Kamjin is preparing to mount an attack but is logistically challenged, and Misa Hayase (Lisa Hayes) is irritated with Hikaru Ichirou (Rick Hunter) because of a certain event from the previous episode, and Lynn Minmay suddenly needs a place to stay. The episode has a little "funny" English and a lot of good old-fashioned melodrama. Though you probably won't get much out of this episode without watching through the series, it is part of an excellent ending.

Boys Be..., being a drama that focuses on relationships, was a perfect candidate for a Christmas episode. But it went about it in an unexpected way. It features the not-so-main character Yoshihiko Kenjo on the day before Christmas, just going about his merry way as always. He runs into popular idol Jyuuna by chance, and she drags him along on a mission to find her boyfriend. Jyuuna drags "Yoshi" around like she's found a new toy, and it's incredibly cute. And as you can imagine, an idol can have some difficulties moving around in public places without hangups. All in all, the episode is amusing and charming. Kenjo even leaves it with a good lesson.

I would like to say there's something special about the Kimagure Orange Road christmas episode, but it's really just business as usual for the show, and that's the charm of it. Each episode of the show typically involves multiple misunderstandings between Madoka, Kyosuke, and Hikaru, and poor Jingoro getting tortured by Kyosuke's sisters. The christmas episode is no different, though it adds in a power that Kyosuke doesn't typically use as a bonus. And since he has a tendency to reflect on events with an alarming frequency, this episode is pretty easy to follow whether or not you're following the show.

This one is one of my favorites among favorites, and requires virtually no knowledge of the show to enjoy. Yuriko and Tylor agree to meet on Christmas Eve for a little outing, and Tylor celebrates the occasion by, well, being irresponsible. He gets tied up dealing with a little boy who pulled a nasty prank, as Yuriko waits patiently.... This episode is filled with the Christmas spirit, and has great music to match.

The Love Hina Christmas special is well liked among anime fans, and even by many who don't like the show. This program is also enjoyable with minimal knowledge, but its sweetness is a little greater if you've seen the series ahead of it. Part of what's good about it is that it regains focus on the romance in the series, after tons of wacky episodes and misunderstandings. The episode features some fresh music, and a cameo from comic creator Ken Akamatsu! Definitely check it out.

A crooked Santa Claus is making off with people's valuables! Until a little girl sees him and tells friendly neighborhood officers Natsumi and Miyuki about it. They're on the case, but they have other problems - namely a man dressed as St. Nick beating up on people committing petty crimes. Trying to sort out the deeds of the criminal Santa element proves to be a daunting task in this action-packed episode. This one relies heavily on in-jokes, so it might not be a good idea to go in cold-turkey. But hey, it's only the 11th episode, so it's easy enough to catch up!

This winter episode of Urusei Yatsura is another "business as usual" episode, so it's easy to get into without prior knowledge. The great thing about this episode is that it's one of the few where the behavior of Ataru and Lum toward each other isn't entirely obnoxious and uncouth. The episode stars off normally enough - Ataru gets a love letter from a girl asking for a date, and of course he has to take her up on the offer, much to Lum's chagrin. But the ending of the episode has something which could be mistaken as charm, giving an ordinarily tortured audience a warm fuzzy.

The Vandread Christmas episode is another fun one for all audiences. Being from a different planet than the women, the men are confused about all the festivities the women are participating in on the Nirvana (their ship). Things are perfectly merry until a strange video tape is discovered, and dread pilot Meia finds something strange inside a comet.... The episode does an interesting take on gift giving, from the perspective of both those used to the practice and those not.

The Nadesico Christmas episode is - like much of the series - a boatload of fun. The show simply does what it's really good at - exploiting stereotypes in anime and making fun of itself in the process. And there's really nothing more to say about it (except that no knowledge of the series is required to enjoy it). :)

Holiday wallpaper, by Nukunuku
(1024x768)

Holiday wallpaper, by Nukunuku
(1024x768)