It has been announced that the TV anime "SANDA", based on the manga by Itagaki Paru, known for "BEASTARS", will be broadcast in the fall of 2025. The main cast has also been announced, with Ayumu Murase playing Mita Kazushige and Tochi Hiroki playing Santa Claus. Mita and Santa are contrasting characters, but they are the same person, with Murase and Tochi playing the same role. The second teaser visual was also released, featuring the adorable boy Mita, who still has a hint of childishness, and the powerful Santa Claus, along with the tagline "Santa, please find a friend."
The main staff was also announced, with Shimoyama Tomohisa (Ghost Deco and SUPER SHIRO) acting as director, Ueno Kimiko (Delicious in Dungeon and Ranma 1/2) as series composition and scriptwriting, and Tanaka Tomoyuki, who has produced music for many artists, in charge of music. This will be Tanaka's first time working on an Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! Inu-Oh, and Dandadan.
A music video depicting the dynamic actions of Santa Claus set to the classic Christmas song "Stille Nacht" has been released on YouTube.
Murase commented, "I felt that this was a work that had the power to hit us with all its might in response to the eternal questions of what is an adult? What is a child? With a powerful storyline and characters, I was extremely happy because I really wanted to play Mita, who is constantly shaken in the middle of all of this! Please look forward to seeing how Paru-sensei's unique personality is portrayed in the anime!"
Higashiji said, "First of all, I really liked the world view and characters of the work. I was very happy when I was chosen for the role! I play Santa Claus, but he is not just an old man; he also has the heart of a boy, so it is a difficult role, but I threw myself into it. Please look forward to it."
Director Shimoyama said, "In adapting the story into an anime, I am making it with the desire to make the light that the characters of 'SANDA' shine even brighter. I hope you look forward to seeing Mita, who struggles with the question of what it means to be an adult and a child, and the characters who manipulate him, come to life!"
Ueno, who is in charge of series composition and scriptwriting, commented, "When I first read the original work, I fell in love with Fuyumura. As I wrote the script, I fell in love with Fuyumura even more. Please watch over the awkward youth of these children who are on the verge of becoming adults. I appreciate your support."
Tanaka, who is in charge of the music, said, "This is actually my first time being in charge of all of the soundtrack for an animation, and I'm having a lot of fun. Even though it's my first time, I proposed a flexible and aggressive method of producing the soundtrack that is completely different from traditional methods, and the director and all the staff accepted it, so I think the result will be a very interesting piece of work. Please look forward to it."
Ishiyama, who serves as character designer and chief animation director, sent the following message: "I focused on designing the fascinating characters created by Itagaki Paru to bring out the charm of the original, so that fans of the original work will feel, 'Yes, this is what they would look like if they were colored and moved!' and so that this work will help first-time viewers to experience Itagaki's work. Don't miss a single moment of this hectic, freezing hot story! I hope it will be a wonderful gift for everyone."
"SANDA" began serialization in "Weekly Shonen Champion" (Akita Shoten) in July 2021, and the final episode was aired in July this year, bringing the curtain down on its approximately three-year serialization. This unique "Santa Claus" hero action story is set in a near-future Japan where children are overprotected in an era of extremely low birth rates.
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Director: Tomohisa Shimoyama▽Series composition and script: Kimiko Ueno▽Music: Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM)▽Character design and chief animation director: Masanobu Ishiyama▽Animation production: Science SARU
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Kazue Mita: Ayumu Murase ▽ Santa Claus: Hiroki Tochi
