Silent Eve

Silent Eve is the Christmas special episode of the anime series Love Hina, based on the original manga series created by Ken Akamatsu. It originally aired on December 25th, 2000 in Japan. It is available as both a separate DVD and part of a compilation of special episodes.

Like all things Love Hina, its main focus is on the could-happen/will-never-happen romance of Keitaro Urashima and Naru Narusegawa, and the lifes, loves and worries of those ladies who rent rooms at the Hinata-Sou, owned by Keitaro's vacationing grandmother and managed by him in her stead - much to the mixed reception of the young women there.

Christmas Eve in Japan is a night of romance, but it seems like the fate of luckless building manager Keitaro Urashima is to be no different when it comes to the lady residents of the Hinata-Sou, even with the affections of sweet but too-young Shinobu Maehara, who is herself depressed about spending Christmas away from her parents. Despite the as-always dismissive and sometimes abusive nature of Naru Narusegawa, Keitaro finds romantic hope and comedic misunderstanding in an unfinished letter of Naru's, not to mention a legend that a confession of love given on Christmas Eve has special powers. The rest of the residents all find themselves caught up in misadventures of last-minute shopping, money needs and the emotional pursuits of their housemates. Despite slapstick, awkward moments of undress and jumping to conclusions, even fate's chew-toy Keitaro finds himself with a very merry Christmas - and maybe a new path to Naru's shielded heart.

Trivia

 * While the original manga series has chapters about Christmas, the events here are original to the anime.
 * While some fans of the manga are critical of the anime's focus on slapstick, this special is generally well-liked for better keeping to characterization than most Love Hina episodes.