The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Paru Itagaki’s “SANDA” officially premiered on October 4, 2025, in Japan, broadcasting on the Animeism programming block across MBS, TBS, CBC TV, and BS-TBS. Global audiences can stream the series worldwide via Amazon Prime Video, with episodes launching on October 4, 2025, following the Japanese television broadcast. The series, produced by the renowned studio Science Saru, reimagines the beloved figure of Santa Claus within a dystopian future Japan.
A Dystopian Christmas Tale Unfolds
“SANDA” plunges viewers into a near-future Japan, specifically the year 2080, where a drastically declining birth rate has elevated children to an almost revered social status. In this society, traditional holidays like Christmas have faded into myth, and the very concept of Santa Claus has been outlawed and sealed away, deemed a dangerous relic.
The narrative centers on Kazushige Sanda, a middle school student who, on a snowy December 25th, discovers he is a descendant of Santa Claus. This revelation occurs when his enigmatic classmate, Shiori Fuyumura, confronts him, believing Sanda holds a “curse” that can help locate her missing friend, Ichie Ono. Sanda soon realizes that wearing red clothing can trigger a transformation into a muscular, superhuman version of Santa Claus, a power he can revert by consuming jellybeans. Driven by Fuyumura’s desperate plea—”Santa, please find my friend”—and a desire to protect children from the adults who control their future, Sanda embraces his new identity to confront the mysteries surrounding Ono’s disappearance and the forgotten spirit of Christmas.
Visionary Production and Esteemed Creative Team
The anime series is brought to life by Science Saru, a studio celebrated for its distinctive animation style in works such as “Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!” and “Dan Da Dan”. Tomohisa Shimoyama (“Yurei Deco,” “Super Shiro”) directs the series, while Kimiko Ueno (“Delicious in Dungeon,” “Ranma 1/2”) handles series composition and scripts. Masamichi Ishiyama serves as character designer and chief animation director, with music composed by Tomoyuki Tanaka.
The original “SANDA” manga, written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki, serialized in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion from July 2021 to July 2024, collecting 16 tankōbon volumes. Itagaki is widely recognized for her critically acclaimed series “BEASTARS.”
Key Voice Cast Brings Characters to Life
The talented voice cast lending their voices to the compelling characters includes:
- Ayumu Murase as Kazushige Sanda
- Hiroki Tochi as Santa Claus
- Umeka Shoji as Shiori Fuyumura
- Anna Nagase as Ichie Ono
- Yuki Shin as Hitoshi Amaya
- Misato Matsuoka as Niko Kazao
The series also features an opening theme, “Adult Chick Children” by Yama, and an ending theme, “Diary” by Soushi Sakiyama, both of which are designed to complement the dark fantasy and societal breakdown themes of the story.
Global Accessibility on Amazon Prime Video
For international viewers, “SANDA” is exclusively available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. This global release ensures that audiences outside of Japan can follow Sanda’s unique and action-packed journey to redefine the meaning of Christmas in a world where childhood innocence is both treasured and threatened. While its streaming exclusivity on Prime Video has generated discussion among anime fans, the series is poised to offer a fresh, unconventional take on holiday lore.
