SANDA, by Paru Itagaki (creator of BEASTARS), is an unconventional Santa Claus action series set in near-future Japan, where extreme measures are taken to protect children amid a sharp population decline. The anime will premiere in Japan on October 3, 2025, with exclusive worldwide streaming on Prime Video beginning October 4 at 2:53 a.m.
Today, the main visual and full promotional video were released. The main visual depicts Daikoku Welfare Academy, where protagonist Sanda and his classmates study, with school principal Hifumi Oshibu—who exerts extreme control over the children—looming in the background. Santa Claus dramatically bursts through glass, symbolizing hope in a bleak future.
The reveal also introduces key characters and cast: Toshihiko Seki voices 92-year-old principal Oshibu, who obsessively clings to youth through repeated full-body plastic surgery, and Hiroaki Hirata plays Saburo Yagiuda, ace of the St. Nick Pursuit Unit dedicated to capturing Santa. Comments from both voice actors are included below.
The promotional video, showcasing Science SARU’s dynamic animation, portrays a world where children are tightly controlled and Santa is freed from a curse through wishes. It also features the first voice lines from the newly revealed characters Oshibu and Yagiuda.
The opening and ending themes have also been announced. The opening theme, “Childlike Adults,” is by yama, and the ending theme, “Diary,” is by Soushi Sakiyama.
Source: Press Release
