Sanda: The Dystopian Christmas Anime You Can’t Miss!

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Summary

  • Sanda, a new anime by Paru Itagaki, explores societal control in a post-apocalyptic Japan with a Christmas twist.
  • Sanda features unique characters like Kazushige Sanda, with the voice actor set to be Ayumu Murase.
  • The anime adaptation of Sanda is anticipated for Fall 2025, promising a blend of social commentary and action.

Paru Itagaki, best known for her hit series Beastars, is bringing another unique manga into the world of anime adaptations. Given Beastars’ 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 of Sanda.

Beastars gained widespread acclaim for its rich character development and exploration of societal themes, and Sanda appears 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 Is Sanda About?

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. Sanda presents a world where the government enforces strict rules on minors, including pre-arranged marriages and restrictions to delay physical development.

The government’s overreach includes excluding older individuals, who are deemed less valuable. In this restrictive and controlled society, the tradition of Santa Claus has lost its charm as Santa himself is too old to fit into this ageist culture.

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 in Sanda?

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 someone carrying the weight of an ancient legacy, which forms the emotional core of the series. Ayumu Murase (best known for voicing Hinata in Haikyuu!!! and Luck in Black 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 connection between Santa Claus and those kids who trust in him is indestructible; nothing as small as a mere puncture wound could possibly hinder it.

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 in Black Butler, Kokopelli in Bokurano, Panther Lily in Fairy 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 the Sanda Anime? (So Far)

It’s Early On, But We Have Some Details Already

The Sanda manga concluded its run in July 2024, spanning 16 volumes. Shortly after, it was revealed that Science SARU, known for works like Devilman Crybaby and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, would be handling the anime adaptation, which is a fantastic choice to adapt the manga considering Itagaki’s experimental and rubbery art style that’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 the Sanda manga, with the first volume scheduled for release on September 2, 2025. This signals growing international interest in Itagaki’s latest work, especially after the global success of Beastars, which took considerably longer to get an official English translation for.

Is Sanda Anything Like Beastars?

To A Degree, Yes! But Also, Sanda Is It’s Own Beast

Like Beastars, Sanda carries 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 as Beastars used carnivores and herbivores to explore prejudice and social structure, Sanda presents 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, making Sanda instantly recognizable as an Itagaki creation alongside her signature art style.

Despite these similarities, Sanda sets itself apart by moving away from Beastars’ interpersonal drama and instead delving into a broader dystopian narrative. While Beastars revolves around internal conflicts, personal desires, and romance, Sanda introduces a more action-driven plot with a clear external antagonist in 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 in Beastars’ grounded world. Sanda is set up for more magical shenanigans and powerful battles, rather than realistic depictions of Japanese crime that inspired Beastars‘ 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, Sanda is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most anticipated anime adaptations. Fans of Beastars will 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 take on a dystopian Christmas tale or simply curious about what makes Sanda unique, this upcoming anime promises to be an unforgettable experience… even if only on the weird scale.

Sanda is due to come out for the Fall 2025 anime season. Stay tuned for updates.

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2025-03-15 20:01