SANDA Episode 4, the highly anticipated installment of the anime adaptation based on Paru Itagaki’s popular manga, premiered today, October 25, 2025, at 1:53 AM JST. The episode delves deeper into the series’ dark, fantastical narrative, picking up directly from a dramatic cliffhanger and setting the stage for a pivotal battle and further character development.
Viewers in Japan can catch the episode on MBS, TBS, CBC TV, and BS-TBS via the Animeism programming block. International fans across North America and Europe can stream the latest events on Crunchyroll and Netflix, with Amazon Prime Video also offering the series.
The Brewing Battle: Santa vs. Yagiuda
Episode 4 promises to be a turning point, immediately following the stunning conclusion of Episode 3 where Saburo Yagiuda, a member of the Red-Clad Special Task Force, shot the protagonist, Sanda. This critical moment is expected to reignite Sanda’s Santa Claus transformation, empowering him to confront Yagiuda once more.
The episode focuses on Santa’s struggle during this fierce battle, initially hampered by his fear of his own dangerous powers. However, Yagiuda’s words, reminding Santa that he is “supposed to bring dreams and hope to children,” reportedly reignite Santa’s confidence. The clash culminates in a visually impactful scene where Santa’s fist smashes through a gymnasium roof, leaving him naked before stunned students. This dramatic sequence is not only a highlight of the action but also an important moment for Sanda’s maturation and an exploration of themes surrounding adolescent sexuality and societal scrutiny.
Unpacking SANDA‘s Dystopian Future
The anime is set in a near-future Japan (specifically 2080) grappling with a rapidly declining birth rate. In this society, children are considered national treasures, subject to strict control policies, including arranged marriages from infancy and limitations on sleep to slow development. Paradoxically, young people hold a higher social status than adults.
In this bleak backdrop, the legend of Santa Claus has faded, deemed a dangerous threat, and marked for elimination. Kazushige Sanda, an ordinary middle school student, discovers he is a descendant of Santa Claus. His life takes an extraordinary turn when his classmate, Shiori Fuyumura, forcibly breaks a “seal” on him, causing him to transform into a powerful, bearded Santa figure whenever he wears red clothing. Fuyumura’s motivation is to enlist Sanda’s help in finding her missing friend, Ichie Ono, who still believes in Christmas.
Deep Themes and Unique Storytelling
SANDA is praised for its ability to weave dark comedy with genuinely thrilling action and profound thematic explorations. Episode 4 is anticipated to further concentrate on Sanda’s character maturation, balancing his ordinary life with his new role as a guardian of children. The series delves into complex issues such as the autonomy of young people, the extent of adult control over their lives and development, and the psychological toll of Sanda’s evolving powers, particularly his stressful lie-detection ability.
The narrative skillfully introduces its unique premise from the very first episode, with Fuyumura attempting to stab Sanda to trigger his transformation. Sanda, initially reluctant to reveal his lineage, ultimately agrees to help Fuyumura out of compassion, embodying Santa’s inability to bear the sight of a child crying.
From Acclaimed Manga to Anime Sensation
SANDA originates from the mind of Paru Itagaki, renowned for her critically acclaimed series Beastars. The manga was serialized in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion from July 2021 to July 2024, concluding with 16 tankōbon volumes. The anime adaptation, produced by Science Saru, premiered on October 4, 2025, and has quickly gained attention for its distinctive blend of action, mystery, and profound social commentary.
As SANDA continues to unfold, Episode 4 promises to be a pivotal chapter, further solidifying the series’ unique identity and its unflinching look at a future society grappling with forgotten traditions and newfound powers.
