Summary
Paru Itagaki, best known for her hit seriesBeastars, is bringing another unique manga into the world of anime adaptations. GivenBeastars’success in capturing deep social commentary through its anthropomorphic world, fans are eager to see how Itagaki’s storytelling translates into the completely new setting created in the world ofSanda.
Beastarsgained widespread acclaim for its rich character development and exploration of societal themes, andSandaappears poised to continue that legacy in a vastly different context. While the premise may seem more outlandish, Itagaki’s signature psychological depth and world-building remain at the series' core. Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming anime, from its premise and characters, to its production details and expected release window.
What IsSandaAbout?
The True Spirit Of Christmas Has Never Been This Cool Before
Set in a near-future Japan struggling with a devastating birth rate crisis; this is a post-apocalyptic take on the very real concern of actually declining birth rates in Japan.Sandapresents a world where the government enforces strict rules on minors, including pre-arranged marriages and restrictions to delay physical development.
Another important aspect of the government’s overreach is itsshunning of older members of society, who are no longer seen as useful. In this bleak and heavily controlled society, the legend of Santa Claus has faded into obscurity, as Santa himself is too old to be accepted into this ageist society.
The story follows Kazushige Sanda, a seemingly normal middle schooler who discovers that he is a descendant of Santa Claus himself after unknowingly opening a forbidden vault hidden within his school. Inside, he finds a mysterious artifact tied to the lost legend of Santa Claus. When he interacts with it, the seal shatters, unleashing his dormant powers and triggering the events that set him on his journey. With the help of his classmate, Shiori Fuyumura,he embarks on a journey to find their missing friend, Ono Ichie, and additionally plan to restore the lost spirit of Christmas. What begins as a simple search soon unfolds into a battle against the very forces shaping the oppressive world around them.
Who Are The Main Characters inSanda?
Kazushige Sanda is the protagonist who, upon unlocking his Santa lineage, gains the ability to shift between a childlike and adult form. His transformation is triggered by wearing red or consuming jellybeans. We get to follow his journey from an ordinary student to someonecarrying the weight of an ancient legacy, which forms the emotional core of the series. Ayumu Murase (best known for voicing Hinata inHaikyuu!!!and Luck inBlack Clover) is set to voice the role of Sanda.
Shiori Fuyumura, on the other hand, is Sanda’s classmate and the catalyst for his journey. She plays a critical role in uncovering the truth about his heritage and pushes him (initially through violent means) to embrace his identity. Shiori’s determination and emotional depth make her a driving force in the story. There is no confirmed voice actor for this character at the writing of this article.
“The bond between Santa and the children who believe in him are unbreakable. A simple stab wound can’t stand in it’s way.”
Ono Ichie is the missing classmate whose sudden disappearance sets Sanda and Shiori on their path to uncovering the truth behind their world’s dark secrets. Though she does not appear in much of the initial story, her absence looms over the narrative, giving Sanda and Shiori their purpose to drive the plot forward. Whether a voice actor will be needed for this character early on or not is unknown.
And of course, we couldn’t forget Santa Claus himself.While the big guy needs no introduction, we do want to note that the voice actor is none other than Hiroki Tochi (known for Baldroy inBlack Butler, Kokopelli inBokurano, Panther Lily inFairy Tail, and Kugo Ginjo in Bleach), which may just be the perfect casting for this iteration of the jolly holiday figure.
What’s Been Announced About theSandaAnime? (So Far)
It’s Early On, But We Have Some Details Already
TheSandamanga concluded its run in July 2024, spanning 16 volumes. Shortly after, it was revealed that Science SARU, known for works likeDevilman CrybabyandKeep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, would be handling the anime adaptation, which is a fantastic choice to adapt the manga considering Itagaki’sexperimental and rubbery art stylethat’s become synonymous with her name. Tomohisa Shimoyama has been confirmed as the director, with Kimiko Ueno overseeing the script and Tomoyuki Tanaka composing the soundtrack.
Additionally, Titan Comics has acquired the English publishing rights for theSandamanga, with the first volume scheduled for release on Jul 26, 2025. This signals growing international interest in Itagaki’s latest work, especially after the global success ofBeastars,which took considerably longer to get an official English translation for.
To A Degree, Yes! But Also,SandaIs It’s Own Beast
LikeBeastars,Sandacarries Paru Itagaki’s signature blend of social commentary and psychological depth. Both series tackle themes of societal control, identity, and self-discovery through protagonists who must navigate strict, almost dystopian systems. Just asBeastarsused carnivores and herbivores toexplore prejudice and social structure,Sandapresents a society where the natural course of human development is forcibly controlled. The storytelling style, filled with introspection and tension, remains consistent between the two works, makingSandainstantly recognizable as an Itagaki creation alongside her signature art style.
Despite these similarities,Sandasets itself apart by moving away fromBeastars’interpersonal drama and instead delving into a broader dystopian narrative. WhileBeastarsrevolves around internal conflicts, personal desires, and romance,Sandaintroduces a moreaction-driven plot with a clear external antagonistin the oppressive government structure for our protagonists to fight against. The supernatural element, with Sanda’s Santa Claus heritage, also adds a layer of mythos not present inBeastars’grounded world.Sandais set up for more magical shenanigans and powerful battles, rather than realistic depictions of Japanese crime that inspiredBeastars' tension-filled moments.
With Science SARU at the helm and Paru Itagaki’s unmistakable storytelling, and anime fans finally having an anime dedicated to the holiday,Sandais shaping up to be one of 2025’s most anticipated anime adaptations. Fans ofBeastarswill likely find themselves drawn to its familiar themes while being introduced to an entirely new and bizarrely captivating world.Whether you’re eager to see Itagaki’s takeon a dystopian Christmas tale or simply curious about what makesSandaunique, this upcoming anime promises to be an unforgettable experience… even if only on the weird scale.
Sandais due to come out for the Fall 2025 anime season. Stay tuned for updates.
