Lack of "animes" holidays special. [Archive]

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RAINMAN

12-19-2003, 08:39 AM

What the deal whit the lack of holidays ep`s or special in animes. Big O is the only anime I seen that had a Xmas ep. :confused:

EscaflownePilot

12-19-2003, 09:09 AM

I've never been sure of just how "celebrated" Christmas and the like is over in Japan. I've heard from several people who have lived in Japan (including my Japanese teacher) that Christmas isn't thought of as much of a holiday there (aside from the Christian population there) and that New Year's is more of a bigger holiday... but that Christmas there is nowhere near what Christmas is here.

At the same time, though, I have to question how valid these people's views of Christmas in Japan are after seeing just how many anime series (specifically children's series) get Christmas merchandising like CDs and the like. I really can't imagine there being all that much if Christmas really weren't considered a decent sized holiday. I have no real way of confirming just how big Christmas is in Japan, though.

Even if Christmas is big in Japan, though, I can see why Christmas specials would be rare in most anime series. Look at the type of shows that populate Japan right now - a vast majority of it follows some set continous storyline that can't really afford to take a break for some lighthearted Christmas special. Could you imagine watching a show like Naruto, where some huge conspiracy has just been revealed or the characters are involved in some fight... and it's suddenly interrupted by some Christmas thing? Or, for even a domestic example, look at 24 - Jack Bauer nearly had to shoot his partner because he's pretending to be working for this virus syndicate group type thing. It just wouldn't work well to have this interrupted by a Christmas special. Well, a lot of anime works like 24 does where each episode builds directly upon the previous, and an interruption wouldn't be welcomed.

Now, there are plenty of light hearted shows like Love Hina out there that can afford Christmas specials, and many times these shows do have Christmas specials, so I'm more apt to say it's due to the presence of continous storylines in so much of the anime in Japan that doesn't allow for Christmas specials, but it might also be that Christmas just isn't that big in Japan...
*shrug*
I don't know...

Kouji Tamino

12-19-2003, 09:24 AM

XD I could imagine it now...

Narrator: Will Goku be able to avenge Krillin's death with his new found Super Saiyan abilities?... Find out on the next Dragon Ball Z...

Goku: Hey, guys! On the next Dragon Ball Z, we're taking a break from the fight with Freeza to celebrate Christmas! Can we teach Ebenezer Freeza the true meaning of Christmas? Find out, next time!

*Title Screen: A DBZ Christmas Carol! Let's Celebrate Christmas on Namek!*

... That would be awkward...

StrangerAtaru

12-19-2003, 09:46 AM

As someone else already said, Christmas really isn't much of a holiday in Japan: its mostly just a little secular occasion to have some cake and maybe get some presents. While many anime can't take the time to celebrate the holiday, some series (especially those that don't mind doing something like that for a week) do have an episode that could be taking place around Christmas even if they aren't really about Christmas per se except the timing. (two examples come to mind: the "film noir" episode of Excel Saga and the "nurse Minako" episode of Sailor Moon R: they don't necessarily have to take place on Christmas, but they do) Occasionally, though, a more festive "holiday-based" episode does occur...(such as with Pokemon and Urusei Yatsura...strangely, though, the manga story the UY one takes place with doesn't really take place around the holidays, but the special brilliantly works with it to create a good episode)

Of course, then there was the one year where TV-Tokyo had short New Years greetings from several of their anime, including Hikaru no Go, Prince of Tennis and even Yu-Gi-Oh.....

Ben

12-19-2003, 10:08 AM

New Year's is a bigger holiday, but the whole "tolling bells to remind you to give up worldly desires" thing doesn't mesh well with extreme materialism. New Year is considered a traditional holiday to appreciate the old Japan. So they adopted Christmas so they could have sales on lingerie and make cartoon merchandise. Think of it this way: New Year's is a Kyoto holiday, Christmas is a Tokyo holiday.

Oh, and Jesus? Who's Jesus? :p

lostrune

12-19-2003, 11:17 AM

I've never been sure of just how "celebrated" Christmas and the like is over in Japan. I've heard from several people who have lived in Japan (including my Japanese teacher) that Christmas isn't thought of as much of a holiday there (aside from the Christian population there) and that New Year's is more of a bigger holiday... but that Christmas there is nowhere near what Christmas is here.

At the same time, though, I have to question how valid these people's views of Christmas in Japan are after seeing just how many anime series (specifically children's series) get Christmas merchandising like CDs and the like. I really can't imagine there being all that much if Christmas really weren't considered a decent sized holiday. I have no real way of confirming just how big Christmas is in Japan, though.

Like I've said before, Japanese Xmas is like another Valentine's Day, just another secular excuse to exchange gifts and spend time among lovers.

Since Japan doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, Xmas decorations and sales start way back in autumn (save for a quick time for Halloween, still that's merely a tiny bump). But that's really only to get you to buy more "in the spirit of the holiday." As soon as Xmas is over come the 25th, those decorations and sales quickly go down to make way for the New Year's celebration, which is a bigger holiday and the time to spend with the family.

Even if Christmas is big in Japan, though, I can see why Christmas specials would be rare in most anime series. Look at the type of shows that populate Japan right now - a vast majority of it follows some set continous storyline that can't really afford to take a break for some lighthearted Christmas special.

Many anime are based on the manga, so a lot of it depends on the manga as well as the timing of the ep (a TV ep based on a Xmas chapter of the manga may be "time-shifted" out of order to coincide with Xmas especially as a "special," or a TV ep scheduled to air around Xmas may be "re-scripted" to include Xmas elements in it even if it wasn't a Xmas ep in the manga).

And since Japanese Xmas is all about romance, it's usually the romance shows, or shows that have a bit of romantic element in it, that take advantage of Xmas.

RZetlin

12-19-2003, 12:04 PM

What the deal whit the lack of holidays ep`s or special in animes. Big O is the only anime I seen that had a Xmas ep. :confused:

Then you are not watching enough anime. There are several anime titles that deal with Christmas.

Just to name a few titles with Christmas episodes:

Vandread the Second Stage, Love Hina Christmas Movie, Card Captor Sakura, Nadesico, R.O.D TV, Gundam, Hamtaro,Macross, Kimague Orange Road, Maison Ikkoku, Ramma 1/2, Urusei Yutsura and many more.

RogueMartian

12-19-2003, 12:17 PM

Vandread the Second Stage, Love Hina Christmas Movie, Card Captor Sakura, Nadesico, R.O.D TV, Gundam, Hamtaro,Macross, Kimague Orange Road, Maison Ikkoku, Ramma 1/2, Urusei Yutsura and many more.
I was gonna say, I've seen a ton of christmas specials. Diagnosis: Watch more anime.

TnAdct1

12-19-2003, 12:30 PM

Then you are not watching enough anime. There are several anime titles that deal with Christmas.

Just to name a few titles with Christmas episodes:

Vandread the Second Stage, Love Hina Christmas Movie, Card Captor Sakura, Nadesico, R.O.D TV, Gundam, Hamtaro,Macross, Kimague Orange Road, Maison Ikkoku, Ramma 1/2, Urusei Yutsura and many more.

More shows to add that have Xmas-themed episodes:

Azumanga Daioh (worth watching especially for Osaka's scary tale about a fart that wasn't hers and Sakaki's image of Santa Claus after she hears Tomo and Kagura arguing about whether or not Chiyo-chan still believes in him)
Pokemon (one regular episode and three OVA's)
DiGi Charat

Poser Wannabe

12-19-2003, 12:37 PM

I was gonna say, I've seen a ton of christmas specials. Diagnosis: Watch more anime.Agreed.

The Christmas episode in Those Who Hunt Elves II is my favorite special that I've seen. An entire episode dedicated to Santa Claus, the only thing it needed was more Santa Elf stripping, hehe. ;)

Roger Smith

12-19-2003, 12:56 PM

Well thats true lots of Anime dont have Chrismas Specials and some of us arent dvd buying maniacs ;) so we stick to T.V
And from what i see i had Locomotion they air a lot of chrismas Anime here is a list
-Welcome to Pi'e Carrot (i dont remember the name)
-Those who Hunt Elvis 2
-Ohh my Goddess the Movie

Ben

12-19-2003, 01:10 PM

-Those who Hunt Elvis 2

I realize this was probably an honest mistake, but it's still the single greatest thing you've ever posted. Kudos.

Andrew T. Hingson

12-19-2003, 01:38 PM

Mek

12-19-2003, 02:01 PM

Next week's episode of F-Zero (12/23) is a Christmas-related episode,
as it takes place on the 'Outer Space: Meteor Stream' course during the
'Christmas Cup'. (Even though it's a Black Shadow-centric episode, heh)

Though the preview didn't have any shots of Christmas trees or snow, however. :p

A.Magik

12-19-2003, 03:11 PM

Don't forget Tenchi Muyo: Manatsu No Eve. It begins with a Christmas party, ends with a Christmas party, has a demon creating a twisted version of it, and the celebration of the holiday is a major plot point.

A.Magik

BTW: is Oh! My Goddess the Movie set during Christmas? I think the previous replier actually meant OVA 4 and 5.

Jade_GL

12-19-2003, 04:01 PM

And remember that Big O episode with the killer huge Christmas tree destroying Paradigm City? :D:D:D

Yeah, anime does have some Christmas episodes and movies. I've seen or heard of quite a few. I mean, in our country, it's like everything has a Christmas special (not necessarily a good thing...) and there's just less of it in anime. It's not that it's not there, just not as crazy obsessive as we get over here about Christmas themed JL and Batman, Everybody Loves Raymond, even the news...

At least that's my thinking on it. :)

DianaGohan

12-19-2003, 04:29 PM

I Thought Japan Was Just A Place Of Sin
Where Everyone Goes Around And Puts Needles On Their Skin

And All They Do On December 25th Is Eat A Cake....

"You've been listening to that South Park Christmas Classics DVD to much".

Yeah I have. Anyway, there are some anime christmas specials (already mentioned) but the reason there aren't more is because most anime have far more linear stories then american cartoons that continue the plotline from episode to episode. And they can't just "freeze" the storyline to celebrate christmas, most of the time of course.

MajorTom

12-19-2003, 04:36 PM

trunkschan90

12-19-2003, 05:56 PM

I like the Hamtaro Christmas special :anime:

Artimus Gigan

12-19-2003, 07:00 PM

In Excel Saga Lord Illpalazo makes a reference to Christmas in Volume 2(or was it 3?) yeah but the manga is better for that episode

entitled Night of Nessicary Evil

StrangerAtaru

12-19-2003, 07:17 PM

Digimon had a whole arc that took place durring Christmas (in season 2).

Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz took place durring Christmas as well.

There are some Sailor Moon storys that take place durring Christmas, and Love Hina has a dedicated Christmas special.

So some shows do but not so many. I really wonder why Dragonball never had a Chirstmas special in all the episodes it has had. It'd be neat if Toei threw something together with some character design help from Toriyama.

Digimon: Oh yeah, almost forgot that every episode from 38 to 50 in Adventures 02 took place from Christmas Eve to New Years Eve...but considering what happens in the final episodes, maybe its worth forgetting.

As for the Toei comment for DB/Z, actually its not like the original manga could have forgotten. Sometimes, even if the manga is stuck within a certain time or plot, the manga artist (like in some of the Weekly Jump stories) would have a Christmas-themed picture there just to mark the time in our calendar....(says that while looking at one for One Piece)

ClockStomper

12-19-2003, 07:35 PM

A lot of anime directed at children have at least one holiday specials (Pokemon, Digimon, etc.) Big O had one since it's set in Manhattan (although it was only brought into the public's knowladge by the Rosewaters.)

Arxane

12-19-2003, 10:14 PM

Speaking of Christmas in Japan...

...ever heard of the legend of Santa being crucified on a cross (http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/cross.asp)? :moon: :moon2:

TnAdct1

12-19-2003, 11:08 PM

Speaking of Christmas in Japan...

...ever heard of the legend of Santa being crucified on a cross (http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/cross.asp)? :moon: :moon2:

Oh yeah, the infamous crucified Santa urban legend. Something that probably received a lot of fame thanks to the guys at MST3K making reference to it whether they see a Japanese movie. :anime:

Juu-kuchi

12-20-2003, 12:43 AM

Digimon: Oh yeah, almost forgot that every episode from 38 to 50 in Adventures 02 took place from Christmas Eve to New Years Eve...but considering what happens in the final episodes, maybe its worth forgetting.

Let's not forget that they released CD Singles of the Digimon and their kids singing their own Christmas songs.

jethrek

12-20-2003, 01:09 AM

Well, in Japan christmas is almost purely secular, lacking the religious significance it has in America. Still, many anime do have Christmas specials. Some that come to mind include:

Tenchi the Movie 2 (sorta)
Urusei Yatsura
Ranma 1/2
Maison Ikkoku (which had GREAT specials, mind you)

I mean, it's not like when I think of american shows, I'm thinking of that many more Christmas specials, which are relegated to children's shows in America, very unlike Tenchi the Movie 2 (which is so adult it's outright gross)

For a country with less force behind Christmas then the US, Christmas manages to show a lot of secular power in Japan. Really, I think it's more than one would expect.

Nick Biped

12-20-2003, 01:44 AM

lostrune

12-20-2003, 02:34 AM

Yeah, the fact that there aren't many Christmas specials in anime as compared to American cartoons isn't that surprising. As it's been mentioned here, one problem is that anime shows generally have continuity and can't really just take a break to show a Christmas special, unlike American cartoons. Also, considering how small the Christian population is in Japan, I don't think anime companies really feel like going out of their way to please those few. That's probably why I've never heard of any Hanukkah specials in anime, either, since I think there's even less Jewish people in Japan than Christians.

Yeah, Christians (including the Japanese version of Christianity) and Jews make up only ~1% of Japan's population. But it's not because the anime companies are out to please them. Like people said, Xmas is just another lover's holiday and an excuse to buy gifts. So companies take advantage of Xmas by playing out the romance and getting people to spend money.

Consequently, since Hanukkah doesn't have either tradition (romance or commerce), the Japanese see no reason to play it (certainly not for the few Jews). They don't play Xmas for the few Christians neither. Though if Hanukkah involved either romance or commerce, they'd play it too, for themselves (not for the Jews or Christians).

RAINMAN

12-20-2003, 07:46 AM

I`m aware that most animes have on going storylines. But that should not stop them from making TV special, movie or a OVA. The DB series has 17 movies and 3 TV specials. Yet toei could not have made a Xmas speical out of one of them? I guess it another anime flaw.

A.Magik

12-20-2003, 08:14 AM

As for the Toei comment for DB/Z, actually its not like the original manga could have forgotten. Sometimes, even if the manga is stuck within a certain time or plot, the manga artist (like in some of the Weekly Jump stories) would have a Christmas-themed picture there just to mark the time in our calendar....(says that while looking at one for One Piece)

True, AT drew a group picture of the DBZ cast (Saiya-jin saga-era, minus Vegeta) all dressed in Santa Claus suits bearing bags over their shoulders (Yes, Piccolo, Tien, Chaouzu, Gohan, Chichi, and Bulma are included).

Aren't the last episodes of Gundam Wing set in Christmas? The prologue to Endless Waltz states that the Libra battle occurred on Christmas Eve.

A.Magik

Dudley

12-20-2003, 10:22 AM

What Twage, and lostrune said are correct. People in Japan don't celebrate Christmas for religious reasons. They just do it because it's fun.

Jave

12-20-2003, 12:25 PM

The Christmas episodes of CCS and Ranma 1/2 are beautiful. Watch them.

The Pokemon one was funny and creative, but please don't get me started on Digimon 02...

Swordfish_II

12-20-2003, 01:13 PM

Aren't the last episodes of Gundam Wing set in Christmas? The prologue to Endless Waltz states that the Libra battle occurred on Christmas Eve.

The Gundam 0080 OVA is set right around Christmas.

Ben

12-20-2003, 01:23 PM

It could also be said that Tokyo Godfathers is the exception that proves the rule re: Japanese not understanding "the spirit of Christmas."

Zebi

12-20-2003, 04:47 PM

Another anime that has a Christmas episode is Wedding Peach - the third episode of the "DX" OVA took place on Christmas Eve.

Mynd Hed

12-20-2003, 08:30 PM

Look at it this way: there are a lot more anime Christmas specials than there are American animated specials celebrating the birth of Buddha.

ohmrbill

12-20-2003, 09:55 PM

I don't think there is a celebration for the birth of Buddah...

jethrek

12-20-2003, 10:51 PM

Look at it this way: there are a lot more anime Christmas specials than there are American animated specials celebrating the birth of Buddha.

But there are a lot more anime featuring the week of hanami, which is culturally significant. Celerating the birth of Buddha...I do not know of a place that does it at all.

Mynd Hed

12-21-2003, 12:25 AM

Sweet Jesus, folks, it's called a joke. Lighten up.

Ben

12-21-2003, 05:57 AM

Sweet Jesus, folks, it's called a joke. Lighten up.

I thought it was funny. So if Christian Christmas is where you give people things they really want, would Buddhist Christmas be where you take away things people want, freeing them from world desire? :p

Wanted

12-21-2003, 09:48 AM

Maybe because of the fact that most of the Japanese, if not all, aren't Christians. They just celebrate Christmas to milk all of the money out of the unsuspecting consumers.

Elven Moon

12-21-2003, 01:26 PM

The Pokemon Christmas episode with a hell-bent Musashi is pretty cute ;) I'd say one of the reasons they have Christmas specials is because it has romantic and emotional possibilities and stories they can come up with that makes anime anime.

ohmrbill

12-21-2003, 01:56 PM

I thought it was funny. So if Christian Christmas is where you give people things they really want, would Buddhist Christmas be where you take away things people want, freeing them from world desire? :p

Did you watch this year's Simpsons Christmas episode?

Ben

12-21-2003, 03:57 PM

Did you watch this year's Simpsons Christmas episode?

I wish. Take a glance at my location and guess why not. :p What was it about?

RZetlin

12-22-2003, 01:47 PM

FYI, Anime Dream (http://www.animedream.com/media/121603.shtml) has a feature on anime Christmas episodes.

Cyporiean

12-22-2003, 02:25 PM

I wish. Take a glance at my location and guess why not. :p What was it about?

After talking to Budda (Sp?) Homer steals peoples Gifts..

Xada-Hgla

12-22-2003, 06:14 PM

The point has already been made that Japanese don't really celebrate Christmas becuase the majority of the population is Buddhist (with Shinto overtones) Proof of this is can be seen in the ubiquitous statues of Col. Sanders (at the local KFCs) dressed up as Santa Claus.http://forums.toonzone.net/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

lostrune

12-24-2003, 01:12 AM

Ever wondered how they celebrate the festive season in the land of the rising sun?

Christmas: it’s surprisingly big in Japan ('http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/archived/2003/wk52/news/52news8.asp')

(The article is too long to post here, so just go ahead and read it there and feel enlightened like the Magi. :cool: )