Featured Image: (Pacer Graphic / Darby Self)
Sanda is a manga illustrated by Paru Itagaki, initially released on Dec. 8, 2021. Itagaki is most popular for her work with Beastars—and her unique art style certainly carries over in this interesting new story. There has also been an anime adaptation released on Oct. 3, 2025, which continues to have episodes released.
The story follows middle school student Kazushige Sanda through a normal school day in the winter of a close-future Japan, with a ban on Christmas in the background. He is confronted by a girl named Shiori Fuyumura, who is on a bloodlust mission to kill him, all in an effort to get him to wear red.
Upon being stabbed and, on a technicality, wearing red, Sanda transforms into a Santa Claus-like figure. His life is turned upside down when he realizes that he is related to the Santa Claus bloodline in a society that has banned Christmas.
He is tasked with helping Fuyumura find her missing friend while also navigating society with this power.
Sanda is an interesting protagonist to follow, but I am unsure how I really feel about him.
Fuyumura seems to have a lot of motivation to search for her friend and to accompany the main character, Sanda.
The only thing I have any issues with is the buff Santa Claus transformation. It feels really awkward in the moment, and the design is questionable at best. The manga itself is not bad, but questionable.
I am not sure what kind of people I would recommend this to, but I’m sure it will touch some hearts.
The manga is certainly interesting and suitable for the upcoming Christmas season. If you are looking for something on the more unusual side, I highly suggest this.
There have been online reviews calling this show “idiotic,” but that does not mean it is not worth taking a look at.
There are online sources you can use to read the manga, but there is no promise that you will not be dodging ads. These websites are nice to use if you can not afford to buy the physical copies and want to read it for yourself.
Browse here: https://sandamanga.com/
