Veteran voice actress Masako Nozawa, renowned for her iconic role as Son Goku in the Dragon Ball franchise, has been officially cast in the upcoming “Sanda” TV anime. She will voice the character Toyo Tetsudome, a 95-year-old school head in the highly anticipated series slated to premiere on October 3, 2025.
An Illustrious Voice Acting Career
Masako Nozawa is a legendary figure in the Japanese voice acting industry, celebrated for her extensive and impactful career spanning decades. She is most famously known for bringing to life Son Goku, along with his male relatives Son Gohan, Son Goten, and Bardock, in the immensely popular Dragon Ball series, a role she began in 1986.
Beyond the world of Dragon Ball, Nozawa’s impressive filmography includes other beloved characters such as Kitarō in GeGeGe no Kitarō (from 1968), Doraemon in the 1973 anime adaptation, and Tetsurō Hoshino in Galaxy Express 999. Her versatility has seen her portray a wide range of characters, from energetic young boys to elderly women. Nozawa is recognized as a pioneer in Japanese voice acting and has been honored with numerous awards, including accolades from the Seiyu Awards, and holds two Guinness World Records for her work on Dragon Ball video games. Her casting in “Sanda” adds significant weight and excitement to the production.
“Sanda”: A Unique Take on a Classic Myth
The “Sanda” TV anime is an adaptation of the manga by Paru Itagaki, acclaimed creator of BEASTARS. The series is being animated by the prestigious studio Science SARU, known for its distinctive visual style and innovative storytelling.
Plot and Setting
The story of “Sanda” unfolds in a near-future Japan grappling with an ultra-low birth rate. In this society, children are considered precious commodities but are simultaneously subjected to intense monitoring and protection. The traditional figure of Santa Claus has been recontextualized as a dangerous, even banned, entity. The plot centers on Kazushige Sanda, a middle-school student and descendant of Santa, who finds himself embroiled in a mysterious and perilous situation when a classmate, Shiori Fuyumura, approaches him with a strange request related to her missing friend and a “curse” Sanda supposedly carries. Sanda decides to embrace his heritage and become Santa to protect children from adults.
Production and Release Details
The “Sanda” anime is directed by Tomohisa Shimoyama, with series composition and scripts by Kimiko Ueno. Character designs and chief animation direction are handled by Masamichi Ishiyama, and the music is composed by Tomoyuki Tanaka.
The series is set to begin its broadcast in Japan on October 3, 2025, within the “Animeism” programming block on MBS, TBS, and BS-TBS. For international audiences, Amazon Prime Video will offer worldwide exclusive streaming starting October 4, 2025. The inclusion of a legendary talent like Masako Nozawa further heightens anticipation for this intriguing and unconventional take on the Santa Claus myth.
