Christmas in Japan is a weird creature compared to the one we Westerners celebrate. It’s an imported holiday that isn’t as revered a tradition as in the West and doesn’t have the same roots and meaning.
The Japanese do have some similarities between the way they celebrate Noel and the way we do:
We have Christmas trees- real and otherwise- they have Christmas trees- otherwise. We have a shopping season which starts the day after Thanksgiving, they have a shopping season starting the day after Thanksgiving.
We have Christmas carols in English, they have Christmas carols in English. We have public displays of lights, and so do the Japanese. We have a fat, old white dude with a beard, dressed in a red suit delivering gifts and they have, well, some guy in a red suit delivering gifts.
The similarities pretty much stop there, hit a brick wall and explode into a million candy canes. The differences between our Christmas and their’s is beautifully summed up in the latest anime from TNK: Itsudatte (Always) My Santa! – just in time for the Christmas season!
plot summary
Santa is alone on Christmas Eve, and I don’t mean Santa Claus. Santa is the name this kid’s parents dubbed him the night he was born; Christmas Eve. So not only is Santa alone on Christmas Eve, he’s alone on his birthday! But season’s greetings and good cheer bound his way in the form of Mai, a Santa-in-training.
Mai wants to make Santa happy on Christmas, and promises to cheer him up if he spends the night with her. It’s not what Santa thinks, however, as Mai conjures up saury and staffs (anything beginning with “S”) to put a smile on her chosen Scrooge’s face.
Mai works her Santa magic along with the help of her stuffed sidekick, Pedro. The two tirelessly work through the night to grant Santa’s Christmas wishes. Will Santa believe in the magic of Santa Clause before the night’s through?
review
Itsudatte (Always) My Santa! is a cute, two episode long anime about the meaning of Christmas- in Japan. It’s a great example of how the Japanese view and celebrate Christmas and is sure to leave most Westerners, especially Americans, perplexed.
The story is classic anime and blends a couple popular genres to create this short Christmas tale; namely magical girl and magical girlfriend.
Mai wishes to make Santa happy using her magic powers, which also endow her with certain physical attributes. The two end up exploring the true meaning of Christmas through self-sacrifice and Santa power.
Character Design
Who knew Santa Claus was a hottie, or should I say, hotties? The Santa Corp includes well-endowed ladies with a Christmas flair. Very festive. The downtown scenes are decked out in Christmas decorations and lights, a shimmering slice of Japan in winter.
Animation
The animation for this brief OVA, done by TNK, is average but is well done for the brevity of the anime.
Itsudatte My Santa, isn’t a deep anime aimed at creating a Christmas miracle; but it does have enough good cheer to put a smile on any humbug’s face.
Rating
Itsudatte (Always) My Santa! gets 3 outta 4 Hammies!
Additional Reading
Funimation’s My Santa Sub-Site
Buy It!
Buy the My Santa DVD from Amazon.com!
i have been waiting for some ken okamatsu xmas flicks. this is great and thanks for the review
no mention of aya?
Hello.
“The Santa Clause” is a movie starring Tim Allen. “Santa Claus” is a person, and probably who you were referring to.
That’s all. Nice review, otherwise.
tehee! I actually want to watch this for some odd reason?! A perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit! ^_^
@Lss, who would Aya be? I don’t recall one in the anime…
@Anonymous, thanks for catching that!
@lostty, it’s a really cute Christmas anime; I recommend it!
This was a cute x-mas anime, thanks for the review.
PS:Aya is the voice actor for Mai. She is really famous in Japan for doing “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” and “Lucky Star”.
@Risky Penguin, Oh yeah, now I know who Aya is! I’m not really up on all the famous seiyu. Thanks for the info!
Anyone who wants to buy a copy will now have to wait until next year. FUNimation has sent a recall notice to retailers. There was a mistake with the age rating. It was released with a”TV-PG” (parental guidance suggested), but it was intended to have a “TV-MA” (mature audience only). They are planning to re-release it for the 2008 holiday season.
Some good news…those who already have a copy probably have a collector’s item.
There were only a few boob shots…not nearly enough to make it TV-MA, in my opinion. Merry Christmas, LOL! ^_^