SANDA [Season 1]

SANDA Season 1: A Chaotic Christmas Miracle That’s Equal Parts Bizarre and Brilliant

Imagine a future where kids are Japan’s most valuable resource, Christmas is a forgotten myth, and a middle schooler named Sanda transforms into a badass Santa Claus when he wears red. Yeah, SANDA is that anime—and it’s exactly as wild as it sounds. Created by Paru Itagaki (the genius behind Beastars), this 12-episode series from Science SARU dropped in October 2025 and immediately divided fans into two camps: those who ate up its unhinged energy and those who called it “pretentious trash” (looking at you, MAL user who rage-quit the finale). But let’s cut to the chase: if you’re tired of generic isekais and rom-coms, SANDA is a chaotic breath of fresh air that’s impossible to ignore.

First off, let’s talk about the premise. Set in Daikoku Welfare Academy—a boarding school where kids are coddled like royalty but stripped of childhood magic—SANDA kicks off with a bang: Sanda gets stabbed by his classmate Fuyumura. Why? Because she’s desperate to save their friend Ono, who’s been exiled for “growing up too fast.” The twist? Sanda’s not just any kid—when he dons a red hoodie, he becomes a Santa-like warrior with super strength and a knack for quoting forgotten Christmas legends. It’s ridiculous, it’s over-the-top, and honestly? It works. As one fan put it, “This anime is aware of its Santa reference, and it doesn’t hold back.”

The animation? Chef’s kiss. Science SARU (the studio behind Devilman Crybaby) brings their A-game with fluid fight scenes and vibrant, trippy visuals that make every punch feel like a holiday-themed acid trip. The final battle between Sanda and the school’s tyrannical headmaster, Oshibu, is a perfect example: set against a burning shed and a rooftop, it’s equal parts physical brawl and psychological warfare. Oshibu’s ego is off the charts—he’s convinced he’s the “true Santa” because he controls the kids’ lives—while Sanda has to win not just with fists, but by reminding the kids of Christmas’s lost magic. The result? A theatric climax that had fans screaming, “He handled this in the best way possible!”

But let’s get real—SANDA isn’t for everyone. The pacing is all over the place: one minute we’re deep in Fuyumura’s guilt over stabbing Sanda, the next we’re following a subplot about a kid who thinks he’s a reindeer. The finale? Oh, it’s a doozy. Ono, the friend everyone’s trying to save, dies suddenly after “growing up” overnight (don’t ask—this show’s logic is its own thing). Fans were split: some called it a “downbeat but fitting end” to the season’s chaos, while others ranted, “It just ended so abruptly! I know there’s a season 2, but c’mon—give us closure!” Even Itagaki’s Beastars fans were divided: “Mixed feelings, same as Beastars—some stuff just feels off,” one user admitted.

What makes SANDA stand out, though, is its heart. At its core, it’s a story about reclaiming childhood in a world that wants to turn kids into perfect little adults. Sanda’s mission isn’t just to save Ono—it’s to remind everyone that magic isn’t just for legends. When he shouts, “I reject your respect for the elderly!” during his final fight with Oshibu, it’s not just a cool one-liner—it’s a middle finger to a system that crushes kids’ dreams. And let’s talk about Fuyumura: her slow realization that she hurt Sanda to save Ono is gut-wrenching. As one fan noted, “Fuyumura’s breakdown was great—Umeka really nailed it.”

Sure, the show has flaws. The ending feels rushed (seriously, why kill Ono off like that?), some subplots go nowhere, and the “Christmas magic” lore is vague at best. But here’s the thing: SANDA doesn’t care if you get it. It’s weird, it’s messy, and it’s unapologetically itself. As another fan put it, “Anime is able to present stories that are strange, sometimes repulsive, but still make sense in their madness. Western shows are too scared to do that.”

So, who should watch SANDA? If you love Beastars’s dark humor and social commentary, if you’re into shows that make you go “Wait, what?” every five minutes, or if you just want to see a Santa Claus beat up a narcissistic headmaster, this is for you. It’s not perfect, but it’s memorable—and in a sea of generic anime, that’s saying something.

As the credits rolled on the finale, I was left with mixed feelings: sad about Ono, hyped for Sanda’s new wind powers (yes, he can fly now), and desperate for Season 2. Will we get it? MAL users are already speculating, but for now, SANDA Season 1 is a chaotic, Christmas-themed rollercoaster that’s worth every minute. Just don’t forget to wear red while you watch—it might make the experience even better.

Final Verdict: 7.5/10. Bizarre, brilliant, and begging for more. Ho ho holy crap, SANDA is a ride.