Santa-Themed Anime Sanda Coming To Prime Video in October

By Elijah Gonzalez  |  August 25, 2025 | 12:30pm
Anime News sanda
Santa-Themed Anime Sanda Coming To Prime Video in October

There truly is a story for all occasions, as further confirmed by Sanda, a manga by Beastars author Paru Itagaki about a buff version of Santa Claus. The comic, which ran from July 12, 2021 to July 11, 2024, is getting an adaptation from powerhouse studio Science Saru. It was just announced today that the series will be streaming on Prime Video worldwide, debuting October 3 at 1:53 p.m. EDT.

Science Saru is behind series like Dandadan, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, The Heike Story, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and more. They’re known for slipping into a loose, experimental visual style as outlined by company co-founder and visionary animator Masaaki Yuasa. The studio is also currently working on TV adaptations of Ghost in the Shell and Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia.

As for the staff working on Sanda, Tomohisa Shimoyama (the animation director on Night Is Short and Walk on Girl) will be directing, Kimiko Ueno (Delicious in Dungeon, Zenshuu, etc.) will be handling the script and series composition, and Masamichi Ishiyama (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) will be the character designer and chief animation director.

Additionally, Titan Books will be handling the upcoming English-language release of the manga and has provided the following plot outline:

Join Sanda and Shiori on an unforgettable journey to restore the magic of Christmas, uncovering secrets, friendship, and adventure in a future Japan.

In a near-future Japan, Christmas has faded into myth, and the birth rate has dropped so dramatically that children are now the most precious commodity. Society has artificially extended adolescence to preserve their youth, and traditional holidays, like Christmas, are a mere legend of the past.

Volume 1 of Sanda introduces Sanda Kazushige, a middle-school student who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a strange and dangerous mystery. When his classmate, Fuyumura Shiori, accuses him of carrying a curse that could help find her missing friend, Ono Ichie, Sanda’s life takes a dramatic turn. Together, they embark on an incredible adventure to unravel the truth behind Ichie’s disappearance and uncover the hidden magic of Christmas itself.

If nothing else, that premise sounds quite unique, and it will be interesting to see how Science Saru brings it to life.

 
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