Sanda

Works as a good comedy and should've stayed so. Good points: I had some good laughs at this show and it's definitly worth watching. A work with a lot of love dedicated to make, made by the mind of Paru Itagaki, more known for her other manga Beastars. Even though I know nothing about her other work, I can guess why it is so successful. Sanda is a story with a lot of charisma, having a great cast of characters and an unique artstyle, showing that it's possible to write a drama with teenage characters without resorting to cliche. The animation is great, with amazing battle sequences. The antagonists are well developed and so is our main cast, wish I could follow them longer. The couples are really cute and heartwarming to watch also. On the other hand: I don't know what is with seasonal anime that they never do a closed story episodes even though it's all they'll ever get, adding drama and a discontinued plot line in the end (to sell manga, I guess). I doubt this will get a sequel next christmas. But the main criticism I have with this anime is how weakly explored the world lore is. Something I wouldn't mind if it was only a comedy, but a major event happens related to this and it's only explained as a 10-second read footnote and that's it.

(Spanish review on my list) I'm someone who loves Christmas more than you can imagine. I count down the days from December 26th, and I love the celebration for everything surrounding it: the atmosphere, the way people behave, the streets, the lights, and that time of giving, sharing, gratitude, and relaxing with loved ones and even those not so loved. When I heard about the anime Sanda, where the central theme is Santa Claus and Christmas in a society where that celebration has disappeared, it really caught my attention. Then you realize it's by the same author as Furrystars, and the story becomes infinitely stranger than you initially imagined. I mean, if you've ever seen Beastars, you know this author likes broken worlds, bizarre stories, and eccentric things, and that's exactly what Sanda is. Which isn't a bad thing at all. In today's industry, full of isekai and cliché romances, bizarre offerings are very welcome. The bad thing, and the VERY bad thing, is that just like FurryStars, the stories and the world are so vast and the storytelling is so deliberate that it's impossible to adapt it into just 12 episodes. So, to judge the complete work, it would need to be finished, but FurryStars hasn't ended after all these years, so Sanda doesn't have much hope. Focusing on this first season, a lot happens; nothing is entirely rosy. The characters have their traumas and problems and move forward as best they can. The world doesn't help them, and the story only tells you enough to give you a partial understanding of what's happening. Little by little, more of the world is revealed, and you understand the reasons behind some things, but you never stop feeling that something doesn't quite fit or that the world has its many flaws. The Christmas theme is just a bit of an excuse to do fantastical things with an inexperienced Santa who doesn't know how to bring the joy of Christmas to the hearts of the friends he's trying to help. But if you came here (like me) for Christmas, you'll be a little disappointed that it's the least explored theme, haha. And that's about it. I can't really judge the series completely without seeing the ending, but as it stands, it looks promising. It's nice when something out of the ordinary is animated, with pretty good animation quality, a soundtrack that doesn't get old, and a story worthy of the creator of the furry standard (that is, a bizarre psychological story with some pretty risqué themes) :v

This is a really dark story that mainly focuses on questions "What is an adult?" "What is a child?" "Can they love each other?" (sometimes in fair way, like love of Santa-Claus to all children who believe in him. Sometimes in a very creepy way, like principal seeking for attention of his looks. This is not about pedos btw, nothing really sexual happen* in series but for some people attitude of one bad guy in anime can be... triggering. Overall I can't even decide what is bad itself or what I've done differently. Good humor, stunning and unique visuals, OP and ED that I don't want to skip, story that has 0 'deus ex machina moments' or plot armor, everything is character-driven and all characters (well, except one bad guy), were likeable for me. Well, it maybe not a very good choice to watch this with your grandma on Christmas. Still would recommend it to everyone who enjoyed over-the-top absurdity of 'Kill la kill' or dark emotions of 'Takopii no Genzai'. *show has a bit of detour with teenage girls love but it has no fanservice at all.

Sanda is without a doubt the most fascinating anime I've watched this season. It tackles themes regarding what it truly means to be "youthful" or "old" and about the relationships adults do and should have with children, as well as stinging commentaries on how all of those concepts can be perverted into something vile. The topics it touches on can be uncomfortable, but I feel they're generally handled respectfully and artfully. It's clear that the show has a lot to say, and it breaches the taboos it does with intent rather than for mere shock value. While it's clear the show has clear intent regarding its messages and themes, it seems to be less sure of how to actually string those ideas together into a plot. The show is very unfocused, jumping between plot points and themes erratically without much of a clear forward drive. The MC's main motivation is achieved halfway through the show's run, leaving him mostly reactionary for the remainder. There's always something interesting going on in every episode, but the show definitely gets a bit too caught up in posing philosophical questions and forgets it needs to also be an action shounen with a cohesive plot. The show looks amazing, with great art, distinctive character designs, and plenty of stellar animation. Overall, while I think it is a bit of a confused story, it's definitely still a good one. It isn't the best show to come out of the season, but I think it is the one that I'd most highly recommend others to watch just because of how intriguing and unique it is. Verdict: 8/10

I love Sanda! The face premise for the series is a kid who's the descendant of Santa Claus is stupid and the anime itself knows it is! The meat of the series is in the metaphorical nature of its characters, plot, and progression, and how it ties into the very real and serious subject of the importance of childhood and what it means to develop into an adult and the responsibility that comes with it. Sanda (the anime) has personally touched my heart in its simple ties to its metaphors! The plot, without getting into spoilers, progresses fast without wasting any time, we get to know these incredibly well written characters little by little, developing them into one of the best casts in a shonen that I’ve had the incredible pleasure of getting to experience. The villains are also incredible the way so much love was clearly put into them, there isn’t a single character that is meant to be focused on that is ignored. The voice cast, artwork, animation, and music is all top notch for this production, I am so proud and happy for this incredible piece of media that everyone involved was able to create. I hope the same people stay involved for seasons to come, everything and everyone involved with the production of this series made an unforgettable experience for me. Please give the anime a try, I have recognized a lot of (personally) unreasonable critique towards how it presents its ideas and the fast paced rate at which it does so. It might not be for everyone, but I think if you recognize what the writer for the manga (Paru Itagaki) it adapts is trying to express, it may be something that will resonate with you if you are someone early in adulthood or late into adolescence and feel lost. Or maybe you won't feel shit! I liked it a ton, I think it's a masterpiece that provided me with everything I was craving and I'm glad it's over because I've been dying to review it! Bye bye!

Honestly, Sanda was amazing. I loved almost everything about this anime. The story is so unique and different from anything I watched before. The characters are really well written, even the side characters, and I loved their interactions and relationships. The action is great, the comedy is fun, and the story always keeps me interested. I really like how it talks about children, growing up, and how they see adults. The idea of Santa Claus and everything behind it is just so interesting. This anime has its own style and I enjoyed every part of it. I rarely give a 10/10, but Sanda really deserves it. One of the best anime experiences I had.

Story I was actually surprised by how well the side stories were handled here. Instead of pausing the main plot for a random filler episode, multiple character arcs run simultaneously. It feels incredibly natural and shows some genuinely good writing. The problem? The payoff falls completely flat. Because of the strict 12-episode limit, we don't get true resolutions to these arcs—you're just left guessing how things might wrap up. If they had just given us 3 or 4 more episodes, we could have had a satisfying finale instead of a half-baked one. The main plot is still good, but I really wish they had explored Sanda's actual magic powers a bit more. Visuals I always appreciate a show that dares to have its own unique art style. It’s definitely a risky move compared to churning out your typical, generic "2025 seasonal slop," but I personally really liked it. Whether it clicks with you is totally subjective, but you can actually feel the passion behind the animation in certain scenes. It doesn't feel like a studio just clocking in to collect a paycheck; it has real personality. Conclusion Is it worth watching? Sanda is a very specific type of anime, so it’s hard to guarantee it will hit the mark for everyone. Personally, I enjoyed it, even though the story felt a bit rushed and lacked a proper wrap-up at the end. If you're looking for something a little different with a unique visual flair, I’d say it's definitely worth checking out.

In short: If you don't mind a somewhat melancholic and goofy anime, but one that also brings some fun and weird situations involving Santa Claus, this is for you! Intro: This anime is weird. I think the author tried to innovate, exploring something I've really never seen in anime before: the idea of an overpowered Santa Claus. Without giving any spoilers, the story takes place in a school where getting old is seen as extremely bad. Because of a low birth rate and people living a long time, kids are treated almost like "demigods." The author's attempt to innovate is really interesting, putting the MC in a lot of unusual scenarios and exploring themes like puberty. Art: 5 It didn't really click with me. The art has a unique style, but I just didn't find it good-looking. Story: 7 Look, the story is interesting, but honestly, I'm kinda sick of the standard weak MC who "gets strong through a power up" but is still naive, and the plot just happens to mature him in weird ways. There were several parts that explored slightly more sexual themes, but it's kind of a double-edged sword because it just didn't hook me. Characters: 6 Meh, average. It has everything a shonen has. A group of 3 friends where the protagonist has a burden to carry, and his friends are sidekicks with sad backstories that the MC tries to carry too. Besides that, the character development isn't that good. Enjoyment: 5 Honestly, meh. It is bearable to watch because it entertains you more or less. The story is kinda cool, but honestly, it doesn't make you want to keep watching for a long time, and it didn't bring anything special. Maybe the next seasons will be better. Overall: 6 (Average) Nothing much to add here. Watch it for the experience of the author trying to do something different, but don't expect too much from this anime. It is really average, but okay to watch.