Top 5 Christmas episodes

So with the other day being Christmas (I've been working and sleeping since so I didn't have time to update anything) I decided that perhaps I'd take some time to list my top five favorite Christmas episodes, but to be fair I haven't seen much in the way of shows with that many Christmas episodes. I try to avoid shows without either a fair deal of humor or a fair deal of plot, so a majority of shows fall far outside of my personal taste range.

With that having been said, I'll begin with number 5 and end with 1. And now, without further ado, the list!

5. K-On!

K-On! isn't the type of show I typically watch, to be perfectly honest. It isn't as if I don't enjoy that sort of hyper-cute shoujo stuff, but I don't actively seek it out. However I have friends that rather enjoy watching every last adorable little show that comes out, despite the repetition inherent in such a hobby. Every now and then they manage to wrangle me into watching them. This one came up in club back in the olden days, which is why I've seen this episode.

K-On! is the sort of adorable show that I can't help but love, and the saccharine sweetness in this episode is enough to melt my cold little heart. Family moments in particular are always particularly moving, and seeing Yui and Ui's sisterly love is something I could watch any day. Throw in the rest of the cast being their adorable little selves and I just can't help but fall in love.

4. Ranma 1/2

Ranma 1/2 was one of the first shows I ever had the pleasure of watching outside of a televised medium, and I loved it. As a child I was always looking forward to if and when Ranma and Akane would finally fess up and voice their feelings, especially since it was so obvious that they cared about one another. As I grew older it lost its touch as I can only watch so many episodes of people tiptoeing around the obvious before I get bored. However there will always be a special little place in my heart that adores these two, and the OVA Christmas episode is one of the many reasons I still adore this couple despite my falling out with the show itself.

The typical elements of humor are there, of course, with Nabiki being her usual money-hungry self and Ryoga getting lost on simple errands. What really makes this such a memorable episode for me is the scene in which Ranma and Akane exchange presents, away from the prying eyes of the other party guests. Akane has made Ranma's gift by hand and, despite her clumsiness and the overall poor quality of the scarf itself, Ranma wears it anyway. It's a truly lovely scene between the two reluctant fiances.

3. Axis Powers Hetalia

Hetalia has had a lot of controversy flung its way in regards to its rather unique take on history. There are several different instances in which the countries celebrate and converse about Christmastime, but the introduction of Finland as Santa Claus is the first and most memorable. The scene takes place in the middle of what would realistically be a rather terrible battle, but instead we're treated to the countries themselves celebrating Christmas together.

What originally starts as a battle between the nations devolves into a last minute celebration between all the present countries due to Italy's remembrance of the holiday and his make-shift Christmas tree. At the end of his countdown he wishes all countries present a merry Christmas and Santa Finland makes his appearance to deliver gifts for everyone. America comments on how he was too busy focusing on the fighting to think about Christmas and the fight is temporarily forgotten in favor of the holiday.

Also, the embarrassment Germany's present brings him is rather humorous.

2. Persona 4

Alright, so I'll admit right here and right now that I don't really remember whether or not Persona 4 Animation had its own Christmas episode or not, but what I do remember rather vividly is the Christmas scene in the game itself and that's enough for me to add it to this list. Personally I loved the characters in this series rather dearly and so seeing them enjoying themselves was a real treat to me, especially considering the game itself has a rather serious tone.

Christmas takes place near the end of the game, meaning that the case has already been solved at this point. After several dramatic twists and turns the characters have been through a real emotional roller coaster, and Christmas is a time for them to enjoy themselves as normal teenagers.

Since I'm most familiar with the game rather than the series I will comment on how I personally enjoy the ability to choose your partners for the event. A personal favorite is the time spent together with all of the other male characters. Seeing the cast of characters laughing and joking around normally is refreshing, and Yosuke in particular has always been a favorite of mine. Kanji and Yosuke have always had a rather great bantering relationship, and that comes out here as well. All in all it's a rather adorable scene.

1. Minami-ke

What really makes an episode memorable in a series is the ability for it to move you. In a comedy series in particular this is a delicate balance to try and maintain, as the episode should both contain the usual humor mixed together with the heartwarming feelings of the holiday. Minami-ke manages to pull this off with flying colors, with both elder sisters working together for the sake of their youngest sibling. Flabbergasted that Chiaki doesn't believe in Santa Claus Kana takes it upon herself to fix this problem.

In order to do this Kana enlists the help of poor kicking boy Fujioka, who has been trying since the first episode to confess his feelings for Kana. Fujioka, of course, comes through for her and dresses the part of Santa so that her little sister can have a magical Christmas, and although he's right there Fujioka winds up leaving without giving Kana the gift he bought for her.

And come the next morning Chiaki is excited to have met Santa Claus, clinging happily to the teddy bear he brought her, before Kana begins teasing her for her childish belief in such things. Everything about the episode is sweet and hilarious all at once, from Kana's roundabout way of showing affection for her sister to poor Fujioka's inability to give Kana her present (and the many misunderstandings that come from it).