Titan Manga has officially released an electrifying trailer for SANDA, the latest manga series from acclaimed creator Paru Itagaki, best known for her hit series BEASTARS. The trailer offers a dynamic glimpse into the dystopian world of SANDA as its English release draws nearer.
A First Look at the World of SANDA
The newly unveiled trailer provides fans with their first visual taste of SANDA‘s unique blend of mystery, action, and social commentary. Titan Manga will be releasing the first volume of SANDA in English on September 9, 2025, a slight adjustment from the initially announced September 2 date. The second volume is slated for release on November 18, 2025.
What is SANDA About?
SANDA transports readers to a near-future Japan in the year 2080, where a dramatically declining birth rate has elevated children to the status of a precious commodity. Society has taken extreme measures, including artificially extending adolescence, to preserve their youth, and traditional holidays like Christmas have faded into mere myth.
The story centers on Kazushige Sanda, a middle-school student who finds his life upended when his classmate, Shiori Fuyumura, confronts him with a shocking accusation: he carries a “curse” that might help locate her missing friend, Ono Ichie. This encounter thrusts Sanda into a perilous and bizarre mystery, leading him to discover a connection to the mythical Santa Claus. Together, Sanda and Shiori embark on an adventure to uncover the truth behind Ichie’s disappearance and potentially rediscover the lost magic of Christmas. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, courage, belief, and the true meaning of friendship in a world that has largely forgotten such concepts. The manga is described as a “Santa Claus action story” with a dystopian setting, exploring the dynamics between adults and children.
From Manga to Anime
SANDA was serialized in Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine from July 2021 to July 2024, concluding with 16 collected tankōbon volumes. The 16th and final Japanese volume shipped in October 2024. Adding to the excitement, an anime television series adaptation produced by Science SARU is set to premiere in October 2025. The anime will be directed by Tomohisa Shimoyama, with Kimiko Ueno handling series scripts and Masamichi Ishiyama as character designer.
The Acclaimed Creator: Paru Itagaki
Paru Itagaki is a renowned manga artist, most famously known for her award-winning series BEASTARS, which also ran in Weekly Shōnen Champion and concluded in October 2020. Her works are celebrated for their unique anthropomorphic characters, complex social themes, and distinctive art style. Before SANDA, Itagaki also penned Beast Complex and Drip Drip. With SANDA, Itagaki once again demonstrates her ability to craft a “deconstructed fantasy” that is both “weird” and compelling.
Titan Manga’s Growing Catalog
Titan Comics, through its Titan Manga imprint, continues to expand its catalog of Japanese manga for English-speaking audiences. The company launched Titan Manga in 2022, partnering with Stonebot Comics, with an aim to bring both established and new manga titles to a worldwide audience. The upcoming release of SANDA further solidifies Titan Manga’s commitment to delivering diverse and high-quality manga to fans globally. The first volume of SANDA is available for pre-order through various retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
