The new anime ‘Sanda’, based on the manga by Paru Itagaki, has recently premiered on Amazon Prime Video, quickly capturing the attention of anime fans. This project comes after the success of her previous work, ‘Beastars’, and promises to maintain the same level of quality in both animation and humor.
Santa Claus with powers
‘Sanda’ follows the story of Sanda Kazushige, a 14-year-old boy who finds himself in a future where Christmas is just a forgotten legend. From the beginning, the anime sets an intriguing tone by placing the narrative on a December 25th devoid of festive spirit. However, Sanda, the last descendant of Santa Claus, is thrown into an adventure that could revive the Christmas spirit, especially when his classmate, Shiori Fuyumura, awakens his hidden powers.
The initial premise may seem generic, but Itagaki’s distinctive style becomes evident as the plot progresses. Some critics are already drawing parallels between ‘Sanda’ and ‘One-Punch Man’, highlighting its quirky humor and memorable action scenes.
A highlight of the first episode is the transformation of Sanda into a ‘buff Santa Claus’, which is presented with a spectacular animation in the final sequence. The studio Science Saru once again demonstrates its ability to deliver a visually stunning and moving production, effectively adapting Itagaki’s aesthetic.
With a promising start, ‘Sanda’ could become one of the standout animes of the year, offering a mix of comedy and action that will delight many. The series has already generated expectations about how Sanda will manage to restore faith in Santa Claus while facing various challenges, all with the author’s characteristic humor.