©板垣巴留（秋田書店）／SANDA製作委員会Sanda, the new TV anime featuring a muscular Santa Claus seen as a menace in a near-future Japan, has unveiled its main trailer and key visual. The preview offers a general overview and introductions to some prominent characters, including a Santa-hunting “ace,” showcasing a ripped, naked Santa in action and distinctive moments that diverge from the usual anime style for greater effect.
The trailer and visual release also include announcements for the theme songs and new cast members. They are:
• Opening song: yama‘s “Adultic Children” (featured in the trailer)
• Ending song: Soshi Sakiyama‘s “Diary”
• Toshihiko Seki as Hifumi Oshibu, the youth-obsessed principal of protagonist Sanda’s school, who is 92 yet appears much younger due to cosmetic surgery. He has a disdain for adults and is fiercely protective of children.
• Hiroaki Hirata as Saburo Yagiuda, the ace of a specialized Santa-hunting unit.
©板垣巴留（秋田書店）／SANDA製作委員会Sanda is scheduled to debut on October 3 JST. The anime is based on the manga by Paru Itagaki, which started serialization in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shonen Champion in 2021, concluding with its 16th and final volume released in October 2024. Titan Books will publish the series in English beginning this September and describes the story as follows:
In a near-future Japan, Christmas has become a myth, and the birth rate has plummeted to the point that children are now the most valued treasure. Society has artificially prolonged youth to maintain their appearance, and traditional celebrations, like Christmas, are mere tales of yesteryears.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- George Trombley (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 376 Pages - 08/22/2014 (Publication Date) - Learn From Zero (Publisher)
Volume 1 of Sanda introduces Sanda Kazushige, a middle-school student who becomes unexpectedly embroiled in a bizarre and perilous mystery. When his classmate, Fuyumura Shiori, accuses him of harboring a curse that could aid in the search for her missing friend, Ono Ichie, Sanda’s journey takes a surprising turn. Together, they set off on an extraordinary adventure to uncover the truth behind Ichie’s disappearance and discover the lost magic of Christmas itself.
As they probe deeper into the mystery, the pair faces external dangers and internal dilemmas—grappling with questions of loyalty, bravery, and the faith in magic. Throughout their quest, they confront the real essence of friendship, trust, and the potential for magic in a world that has nearly forgotten it.
Combining supernatural elements with heartfelt moments, Sanda Volume 1 kicks off a saga of sixteen volumes that merges mystery, adventure, and emotional complexity. The anime adaptation also allows fans to further explore the world of Sanda.
Tomohisa Shimoyama (Yurei Deco) is overseeing the anime production at Science Saru.
Staff
• Director: Tomohisa Shimoyama (Yurei Deco)
• Series composer and scriptwriter: Kimiko Ueno (Ranma ½ remake series composer and co-scriptwriter)
• Character designer and chief animation director: Masamichi Ishiyama (Yurei Deco Episode 9, 10, and 12 sub-character designer)
• Animation production: Science SARU
Cast
• Ayumu Murase as Sanda
• Hiroki Tochi as Santa Claus
Source: Sanda anime website
- Used Book in Good Condition
- George Trombley (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 376 Pages - 08/22/2014 (Publication Date) - Learn From Zero (Publisher)
