Ken Akamatsu is certainly a man with much talent. Whether it’s taking harem anime to new heights with Love Hina (2000), continuing his winning streak with UQ Holder! (2013 onwards), or his activism for freedom of expression and his political aspirations, you can’t fault him for trying different things. What if you were told, however, that he’s also dabbled in doing holiday-themed works? This is where Itsudatte My Santa! (2005) comes into the picture: a pleasantly weird, if saucy, Christmas Special that only he could have pulled off.
An adaptation of an earlier one-shot manga, this two-episode OVA was done by studio TNK, which would go on to animate the infamous School Days (2007), and directed by Noriyoshi Nakamura. It never saw a televised release in Japan, and though it also made its way across the Pacific, you would be hard-pressed to find Funimation’s English-dubbed DVD, which had no re-releases. Apart from how the original launch copies had to be recalled due to being accidentally rated PG instead of TV-MA, chances are you might not have even heard much about it at the time.
A rare trailer for the OVA, showcasing both the anime’s weaknesses and more entertaining moments. (Source: YouTube)
On the surface, those don’t scream quality, and you’d be forgiven for thinking this is a dud. But while this isn’t exactly Tokyo Godfathers (2003), is this still worth tracking down?
Yuletide Birth-Pains
Itsudatte My Santa!, despite what the title implies, follows a teenaged boy named Santa (Jun Kamei, Chris Burnett), who hates Christmas and has spent much of his life neglected. All of a sudden, however, a strange girl called Mai (Aya Hirano, Brittney Karbowski) appears, offering to spend a full night with him. As it turns out, she’s been sent by the Santa Claus Academy to improve his luck and change his views for the better, as no one deserves to be so miserable. Romantic and ecchi hijinks ensue, amidst a holiday backdrop.
A vague nod to A Christmas Carol aside, what becomes apparent is how predictable the setup seems. The main leads aren’t initially likable, whether it’s the titular Santa’s contrived backstory behind his over-the-top bitterness (being born on Christmas Eve and named after St. Nick), or Mai being incredibly hyperactive, yet inept at almost everything not to do with magic. Even the fanservice and apparent randomness that makes up the better part of the plot — such as a fight scene with stereotypical delinquents, and a shower scene where the hapless lead’s accidentally peaking — wouldn’t be out of place in a Love Hina filler episode. Perhaps it’s not too surprising, given the first episode is based off an early Ken Akamatsu one-shot, which itself didn’t have much room for development. That the OVA-original second half, which adds a harem element, doubles down on all the above does little to shake off that urge to cringe.
Yet dig a little deeper, and you’ll find much to appreciate, surprisingly. Despite the magical cheesiness or romcom triteness, there’s a rather fascinating glimpse at how the Japanese have adapted the Yuletide season beyond just the commercial gift-giving aspect, interpreting Christmas in their own way as a festive time to be with loved ones. Moreover, even if coming from the proverbial birth-pains of the mangaka’s career, a familiar charm shines through. There’s still some rhyme amidst the hijinks, and some genuinely touching moments that manage to tie everything together. Both Santa and Mai are lively enough that they’re not wholly unlikeable. Even the trademark fanservice and cosplay appreciation he’s known for manages to fit neatly into the colorful tapestry without being too overwhelming.
Granted, the story, like the original one-shot, can feel too constrained to expand beyond the 25-minute mark. The jokes can also get lost in translation if watching the dub, such as Mai being able to conjure anything that begins with “san” in their Japanese names. To say nothing of how the entertainment value may depend on how much you’re a fan of Akamatsu’s brand of humor. Yet one thing you can’t fault this anime for is any lack of soul.
Vibrant, if Still, Night
The animation for Itsudatte My Santa! isn’t exactly the best. There’s an overreliance on still shots, occasional recycled footage, and scenes where there’s little actual movement. That’s not to say it’s lazy, despite the evidently limited budget. In addition to keeping the mangaka’s distinct art style intact, the character designs are attractive and eye-catching enough to make the fanservice sequences worthwhile. The overall visuals, meanwhile, really do their best in conveying that festive Christmas spirit, from the vibrant color palette to the at-times excessive use of Yuletide motifs. And at their best, as seen in Mai’s transformation sequence, you wouldn’t know that it’s straight-to-DVD fare at all. While not exactly the most unique imagery out there, it still more than gets the job done.
When it comes to the audio, meanwhile, it’s a mix of cheesy romcom fare and upbeat holiday-esque jingles that are serviceable enough. That being said, you’re better off checking out the Japanese version. On top of being lost in translation regarding comedy, Funimation’s English localization can come off more grating and annoying than exciting. By contrast, the original dub may be more to your liking. While Jun Kamei (in his only known anime role) does decently enough, Aya Hirano’s performance (whether as Mai or her song numbers) does an exceptional job conveying that energetic spirit, more than making up for the script.
While the OVA ultimately came and went, it didn’t take too long for it to gain online notoriety. Whether for its weird take on being a Christmas Special or how it seems mediocre compared to modern classics like Tokyo Godfathers, it quickly became fodder for YouTubers and other online reviewers.
The OVA has, alas, garnered detractors online over the years, whether over its faults or not being fans of the mangaka’s work. (Source: YouTube)
Which is a bit of a pity. Though Itsudatte My Santa! isn’t the best or most poignant Yuletide work out there, it’s still an entertaining piece of anime history that’s worth seeking out. More than capturing a curious chapter in Ken Akamatsu’s career, it also manages to give an over-the-top taste for how the Japanese view the Holiday season. If you’re in for some fanservice and laughs, then don’t be afraid to search this out and chill out to this for the holidays.
