An Unconventional Santa Claus Action Series by Paru Itagaki and Science SARU – Main Visual and PV Out Now! (Press release)

© Paru Itagaki (AKITASHOTEN) / SANDA Project

Opening Theme by yama, Ending Theme by Soushi Sakiyama!

Exclusive Worldwide Streaming on Prime Video Begins October 4!

Tokyo – August 25, 2025 – 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 premieres 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. Comments from both artists are included below.

Promotional Video: https://youtu.be/PG9F1afLT-Y

© Paru Itagaki (AKITASHOTEN) / SANDA Project

New Characters and Voice Cast Revealed, with Comments!

■Hifumi Oshibu (Voiced by Toshihiko Seki)

The 92-year-old principal of Daikoku Welfare Academy, where Sanda and his classmates study. Obsessed with youth, he repeatedly undergoes full-body plastic surgery. He has an extreme dislike of adults and goes to abnormal lengths to protect and monitor his students’ every move.

Comment:

1. How did you feel when you were cast as Oshibu in SANDA? And what message do you have for fans looking forward to the series?

Of all Paru Itagaki’s works, SANDA was one I was especially interested in. And among her many characters, Hifumi Oshibu’s personality stands out. I approached the role with a fresh mindset to fully capture his unique presence. Please look forward to it!

2. Since this is an action series featuring Santa Claus, is there anything you’d want to ask him for?

If Santa Claus were like the one in this series, every Christmas would be far more exciting! But if a real Santa Claus existed, I think I’d ask him to promise a future where children everywhere can live in safety.

Profile

Born: Tochigi Prefecture

Major roles: Muzan Kibutsuji in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Medama Oyaji in Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe, and Hansuke Doi in Nintama Rantaro

■Saburo Yagiuda (Voiced by Hiroaki Hirata)

The ace of the St. Nick Pursuit Unit dedicated to capturing Santa. Twenty years ago, he inflicted a serious injury on Santa Claus.

Comment:

1. How did you feel when you were cast as Yagiuda in SANDA? And what message do you have for fans looking forward to the series?

Although my character only appears partway through the story, I was warmly welcomed and had a great time recording. These days, there aren’t many productions where we go out drinking after recording, but with this one, everyone’s a heavy drinker, and I got dragged out until late at night every time. I’m counting on you, Murase!

2. Since this is an action series featuring Santa Claus, is there anything you’d want to ask him for?

Although I’m over 60, I’m still full of worldly desires. I think I’d ask Santa to help me become the kind of person who can say, “I have nothing more to wish for.”

Profile

Born: August 7, 1963, Tokyo

Major roles: Sanji in ONE PIECE, Sha Gojyo in Saiyuki, and Beryl Gardenant in From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman

■Opening Theme Song

“Childlike Adults” by yama (Sony Music Labels Inc.)

Comment from yama:　　

What does it mean to be an adult? Simply growing older does not necessarily make you one. Likewise, I do not believe that being young automatically makes someone a child.

Silently carrying pain is both weakness and fragility, and facing it alone might be a clumsy way of avoiding reality.

I once thought there was virtue in growing older while holding onto that fragility. But in recent years, whether with people close to me or through music, I have gradually begun to open my heart.

The line between myself and others has not changed, yet through connecting with others I discover new sides of myself. I do not think of myself as either an adult or a child, but rather believe that people possess both qualities at any age.

It is not about clinging to one side or deciding what is right or wrong. I have simply realized that I want to trust someone, and that is also a way of trusting myself.

To anyone else who feels caught between the two, I hope this reaches you.

■Ending Theme Song

“Diary” by Soushi Sakiyama (Sony Music Labels Inc.)

Comment from Soushi Sakiyama

I’m honored to perform the ending theme. I felt a deep connection to Kazushige’s inner struggle, caught between adulthood and childhood, and I poured those emotions into the song. In a world without clear answers, where each person’s idea of justice collides, the way Kazushige moves forward with so many voices in his heart has moved me time and again. I hope you enjoy the song together with the anime.

TV Anime SANDA Overview

Broadcast in Japan begins on October 3, 2025!

Exclusive worldwide streaming on Prime Video starts on October 4, 2025, at 2:53 a.m.

Cast

Kazushige Sanda: Ayumu Murase

Santa Claus: Hiroki Touchi

Shiori Fuyumura: Umeka Shoji

Ichie Ono: Anna Nagase

Hitoshi Amaya: Yuuki Shin

Nico Kazao: Misato Matsuoka

Hifumi Oshibu: Toshihiko Seki

Saburo Yagiuda: Hiroaki Hirata

Staff

Original: “SANDA” by Paru Itagaki (Akita Shoten / Shonen Champion Comics)

Director: Tomohisa Shimoyama

Script: Kimiko Ueno

Music: Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM)

Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Masamichi Ishiyama

Art Director: Miki Higaki

Color Design: Saori Goda

Compositing Director: Hikari Itoh

Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose

Sound Director: Keiichiro Miyoshi

Animation Production: Science SARU

Opening Theme song: “Childlike Adults” by yama

Ending Thema song: “Diary” by Soushi Sakiyama

Official Website: https://sanda.red

Official X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/sanda_anime

Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sanda_anime

Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sanda_anime

Original Manga

Volumes 1 through 16 of Paru Itagaki’s SANDA (published by Akita Shoten under the Shonen Champion Comics label) are now on sale!

Copyright Notice: Abovementioned text and images from © Paru Itagaki (AKITASHOTEN) / SANDA Project

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