Every Christmas in Japan, School Days returns to television, a curious tradition that contrasts with the festive spirit. This anime, known for its controversial plot and dark twist, has become an unexpected classic of Christmas programming, generating debate and attracting both fans and new viewers.
School Days returns as a Christmas tradition in Japan
In Japan, Christmas is not only synonymous with lights, presents and festive songs. For some years now, a surprisingly dark anime has found its place in Christmas programming: School Days. This series, which caused a stir at its premiere for its controversial narrative, is now a curious tradition that is repeated every December, puzzling both anime veterans and those who discover it for the first time at this time of year.
School Days is based on a visual novel of the same name and tells the story of Makoto Itou, a high school student involved in a love triangle with Kotonoha Katsura and Sekai Saionji. What starts out as a typical student romance soon escalates into a series of questionable decisions, infidelities and betrayals, culminating in a shocking denouement that left an indelible mark on the audience.
The anime gained notoriety not only for its content, but also for its coincidence with a tragic incident in 2007, which led to the cancellation of its final episode on several networks. However, this initial controversy seems to have strengthened its legacy, giving it a fame that transcends its narrative.
But why is School Days airing during Christmas, a time usually reserved for heartwarming, family-friendly stories? The answer is not entirely clear. Some believe it’s some sort of joke or cultural irony, while others see it as a way to break away from traditional expectations, offering an experience that contrasts radically with the holiday.
Through a post on X/Twitter where a fan shared on social networks one of the most iconic and controversial scenes from the anime, which quickly caught the attention of other users. In this post the fan comments: “Christmas is coming and it never hurts to remember a Christmas classic”. It quickly went viral where many knew about this famous anime and other users began to reflect on the strange custom and debate its inclusion in the Christmas holiday.
Some defend this choice as a way to subvert holiday expectations, while others are puzzled by the contrast between the dark tone of the series and the Christmas season. This debate became a recurring phenomenon, and every December fans would return to discuss the issue, making the School Days broadcast a curious tradition of anime culture in Japan.
What is indisputable is that this practice has generated a cult following that awaits the series’ return to the screen every year. Social networks are often filled with comments, memes and debates about the plot twists of School Days, proving that, despite its age, it is still a current topic of conversation.
For those unfamiliar with anime, the inclusion of School Days in Christmas programming may seem puzzling, but it reflects one of the peculiarities of Japanese culture: its ability to mix the traditional with the unexpected. Like the custom of eating fried chicken or romantic illuminated walks, the broadcast of this anime is part of a unique cultural mosaic that makes Christmas in Japan a different celebration.
Thus, School Days continues to surprise those looking for light content at this time of year, offering an intense experience that, for many, is already as essential as the decorations and artificial snow.
© STACK・School Days製作委員会 2007