With winter in full swing, the days grow shorter, snowy days become more common, and the world slows down, inviting relaxation and comfortable nights at home. During the days and nights when the snow piles too high, it’s the perfect time to cozy up with your favorite blanket and explore a new anime.
Whether through its wintery landscapes, heartwarming narratives, or introspective storytelling, there are plenty of anime that are perfect for a cold winter’s day. These stories are among many that capture the spirit of the season while offering thrills, suspense, or heartfelt moments, making them must-watch anime for the season.
Yuri! On Ice
Yuri! On Ice follows 23-year-old Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki as he returns home following a crushing defeat at the Grand Prix Final. Uncertain about whether his career will take off, he puts his goals on hold until the legendary skater Victor Nikiforov appears in his hometown, offering to coach him and revive his figure skating career.
The series is known for its groundbreaking animation and portrayal of a developing same-sex relationship, capturing viewers’ hearts from around the world. Paired with themes of ambition, personal growth, and expression, the anime’s 12-episode run makes for a cozy winter night in, offering moments of joy, wonder, and inspiration.
Kanon
Kanon centers on Yuichi Aizawa, a high school boy who returns to a snowy town he barely remembers from childhood and begins reconnecting with people tied to his past. As he begins to settle in, he meets several women who help resurface his memories, revealing tragic events that profoundly shaped the characters’ lives.
The series takes place in winter and is known for its slow, gentle pacing. Kanon is a heartfelt story that emphasizes powerful themes, including love, memory, loss, miracles, and the importance of connection. With 24 episodes, the series is a perfect atmospheric and emotional story for a weekend at home.
Erased
Erased centers on Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist who can travel back in time by a few minutes to prevent tragedies. However, his life is turned upside down when his mother is murdered, sending him eighteen years into the past to stop a serial kidnapper from killing his classmates and to prevent the events that led to his mother’s death.
The story is a psychological thriller and mystery that rewards viewers’ attention to detail. Set in the cold winter months, it also stands out as a perfect, atmospheric watch for fans who enjoy storylines filled with both tension and introspection. Watching Erased on a snowy day is an ideal setting for full immersion in the story.
Erased consists of one season with 12 episodes, making it an easily bingeable anime for any day anime fans who may be snowed in.
Vinland Saga
Vinland Saga follows Thorfinn, a young warrior driven by revenge against Askeladd, the man who murdered his father, Thors, in Viking-era Northern Europe. Thorfinn grows into a brutal fighter, seeking only to one day defeat Askeladd and avenge his father; however, as the series unfolds, it evolves into a deeply introspective story that questions the true meaning of strength.
The series is full of harsh, icy landscapes that reflect the turmoil within Thorfinn’s heart for much of the story. Vinland Saga offers powerful, moving themes as it tells the evolving story of a boy seeking revenge to a man seeking peace.
With two seasons and a total of 48 episodes, and a third on the way, the series is great for anyone looking for a slightly longer anime to watch over the winter.
Nana
Nana follows two young women who share the same name but lead very different lives, and their chance meeting on the same train bound for Tokyo on a winter night. Nana Komatsu is traveling to the city to find love and stability, while Nana Osaki is a punk rock singer looking to make a name for herself.
The series is full of joy, heartbreak, longing, and hope as it explores powerful themes of connection and navigating adulthood. The series is beautiful, messy, and raw, unafraid to explore the realities of life and relationships, making it one of the best drama anime available. With 47 episodes, the series is perfect for a winter weekend at home.
Wolf Children
Wolf Children centers on Hana, a young woman who falls in love with a man who has the ability to transform into a wolf. After he tragically dies in an accident, Hana is left to raise their two children, Yuki and Ame, on her own, learning to navigate raising children who inherit their father’s ability to transform.
Determined to allow her children to live freely and explore their dual nature, she moves her family to the countryside. The story is full of heartwarming moments and genuine moments of joy, as well as the bittersweet nature of motherhood. As an anime film, Wolf Children is an accessible watch that provides a perfect experience for a snowed-in day.
