SANDA Season 1 Episode 12: The Underdog That Knocked Out Expectations

Let’s cut to the chase: if you haven’t been watching SANDA this season, you’ve been missing out on the most underrated martial arts anime since Kengan Ashura. And Episode 12? It’s the knockout punch that cements this show as a must-watch for anyone who loves heart-pounding fights and characters that feel real.

First, let’s get the basics straight. Based on the manga by Paru Itagaki—yes, the genius behind Beastars—SANDA isn’t your typical shonen brawler. Set in 2080 Japan, it dives into the gritty world of Sanda (also called Sanshou), a Chinese martial art that blends striking, grappling, and even leg sweeps—think Muay Thai but with more throwdowns, as one Reddit martial arts fan put it. This isn’t just about flashy moves; it’s about the discipline behind the punches, the way fighters use every part of their body like a weapon. And Episode 12? It’s where all that training pays off.

The Fight That Broke the Internet

The episode centers on the final tournament bout between two underdogs: Shiori Fuyumura (a quiet teen with a tragic past tied to Sanda) and a mysterious opponent whose style mixes traditional Sanda with modern MMA. If you’ve seen the fan art floating around—Shiori mid-kick, sweat flying, eyes blazing—you know exactly which moment we’re talking about. The animation here is insane: every punch lands with a visceral thud, every takedown makes you wince, and the camera work puts you right in the ring, like you’re dodging blows alongside them.

But what really makes this fight stand out is the emotion. Shiori isn’t just fighting to win—she’s fighting to honor her late father, a Sanda legend who taught her that the art is about “respect, not rage.” When she pulls off that iconic leg catch (a move Reddit users are calling “the Sanda equivalent of Goku’s Spirit Bomb”), the crowd goes wild… and so did we. One MyAnimeList user summed it up perfectly: “I screamed so loud my mom thought I was watching a horror movie. That leg catch? Chef’s kiss.”

Why Fans Are Obsessed

Let’s talk about the fan reaction, because it’s been wild. Over on MyAnimeList, SANDA is suddenly popping up in “Anime of the Season” nominations—right next to heavy hitters like My Hero Academia and Spy x Family. One commenter wrote, “I nominated Shiori for Character of the Season because she’s not just a fighter—she’s a kid trying to find her place. You can see the pain in her eyes when she fights, but also the hope.”

Reddit’s martial arts community is losing it too. “Finally, an anime that gets Sanda right!” one user raved. “Most shows treat martial arts like magic, but SANDA shows the grind—the early mornings, the broken bones, the way you have to outthink your opponent, not just outpunch them.” Another pointed out that Sanda is seriously underrated in the West—UFC fighters like Muslim Salikhov use it, but most people have never heard of it. This anime? It’s changing that.

The Twist No One Saw Coming

But Episode 12 isn’t just about the fight. The ending twist? Chef’s kiss. After Shiori wins, her opponent reveals he’s her father’s old protégé—the same man who blamed himself for her dad’s death. Cue the waterworks. It’s a moment that turns the tournament from a competition into a story about forgiveness. As one fan put it on Twitter: “I came for the fights, stayed for the feels. Shiori’s hug with her dad’s protégé? I cried harder than when Your Lie in April ended.”

Is SANDA Season 2 Happening?

Here’s the good news: producer Kohei Sakita recently teased that SANDA Season 2 is in the works, focusing on “conflicts between kids and adults, and what it means to grow up.” And if Episode 12’s cliffhanger is any indication—Shiori holding up her father’s old Sanda gloves, staring at a new tournament flyer—we’re in for even more epic bouts next season.

Final Verdict

SANDA Season 1 Episode 12 isn’t just a great anime episode—it’s a love letter to martial arts and the underdogs who refuse to quit. It’s got everything: heart-stopping action, characters you’ll root for, and a twist that’ll leave you begging for more. As one MyAnimeList reviewer said: “This show deserves way more hype. Stop sleeping on SANDA—it’s the real deal.”

So what are you waiting for? Grab your snacks, turn up the volume, and watch Episode 12. Just don’t blame us if you start practicing Sanda moves in your living room afterward.

Rating: 9/10 — A knockout finale that leaves you craving more.

P.S. If you loved the fight scenes, go check out the Reddit thread comparing Sanda to other martial arts—you’ll learn why this art is so underrated (and why SANDA is the perfect show to fix that).