Touyama Akira’s Original Work “SAND LAND: THE SERIES” Embarks on an Adventure to Find the “Phantom Spring”! First Episode Preview Cuts
Details, including the synopsis and preview scene cuts, have been released for the first episode of the anime `SAND LAND: THE SERIES`, titled “Akuma to Ningen no Tabidachi” (Departure of the Demon and the Human), which is scheduled to air on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
`SAND LAND: THE SERIES` is an adventure fantasy anime based on Touyama Akira’s renowned manga `SAND LAND`. The story is set in the mysterious desert world of Sand Land, where demons and humans coexist, and the vital water source, the river, has dried up. The tale begins as a peculiar trio—the demon prince Beruzebubu, the knowledgeable thief Shiifu, and the human sheriff Rao—embark on a journey to find the “Phantom Spring” said to exist somewhere in the vast desert.
This anime series is a collaboration between three acclaimed animation studios: Sunrise, known for numerous works including `Kidou Senshi Gundam` and the `Love Live! Series`; Kamikaze Douga, an animation studio that gained attention for their opening sequences in the `JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken` series and `Poputepipikku`; and ANIMA, a studio specializing in high-quality 3DCG animation.
The series is composed of two arcs, totaling 13 episodes: the “Akuma no Ouji-hen” (Demon Prince Arc) and the “Tenshi no Yuusha-hen” (Angel Hero Arc). The titles for each arc were personally given by the original author, Touyama Akira. The “Akuma no Ouji-hen,” covering episodes 1 through 6, reconstructs the `SAND LAND` movie that was released in theaters in the summer of 2023, adding unreleased cuts and new scenes. Episodes 7 through 13, the “Tenshi no Yuusha-hen,” depict a new adventure for Beruzebubu and his companions set in Forest Land, a location conceived by Touyama Akira.
Episode 1 “Akuma to Ningen no Tabidachi” Synopsis
In Sand Land, a nation consisting of vast deserts and wastelands, the human sheriff Rao seeks allies to help save the people suffering from water scarcity by finding the “Phantom Spring.” He arrives at the “Demon Village” in his search.
Rao gains the cooperation of Beruzebubu, the demon prince, and Shiifu, a knowledgeable and skilled thief, and they set off on their adventure. However, dangerous desert creatures, bandits, and various challenges await them.
Broadcast and Distribution
The first episode of the anime `SAND LAND: THE SERIES`, “Akuma to Ningen no Tabidachi,” will air from 23:45 on Saturday, June 28, 2025, on NHK General TV.
◆Series Information◆
【Title】『SAND LAND: THE SERIES』
【Broadcast】 Airing every Saturday from 23:45 starting June 28, 2025 on NHK General TV
*Broadcast schedule is subject to change.
【Streaming】 World exclusive streaming currently available on Disney+ Star
【Main Staff】
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Original Work, Story Concept, Character Design | Touyama Akira |
| Director | Yokoshima Toshihisa |
| Direction Advisor | Jinshi Hiroshi |
| Series Composition | Mori Hayashi |
| Animation Character Design | Sugano Toshiyuki |
| Mechanical Design | Yamane Kimitoshi, Hoashi Takehiko |
| CG Director | Shigekawa Naoyuki |
| Art Director | Kaneko Yuuji |
| Color Design | Abe Nagisa |
| Director of Photography | Kawashita Yuuki |
| Editor | Tokuda Shun |
| Sound Director | Iwanami Miwa |
| Recording Adjustment | Yamaguchi Takayuki |
| Sound Effects | Koyama Yasumasa |
| Music | Sugano Yuugo |
| Opening Theme Song | Kroi「Water Carrier」 |
| Ending Theme Song | Tempalay「Drive My Idea」 |
| Animation Production | Sunrise, ANIMA, Kamikaze Douga |
| Production | SAND LAND Production Committee |
【Main Cast】
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Beruzebubu | Tamura Mutsumi |
| Rao | Yamaji Kazuhiro |
| Shiifu | Choo |
| Are | Tsuruoka Satoshi |
| Zeu | Tobita Nobuo |
| Suimaazu Papa | Sugita Tomokazu |
| Satan | Ootsuka Akio |
| An | Komatsu Mikako |
| Munieru | Murase Ayumu |
| Bureddo | Genda Tesshou |
(C) Bird Studio / Shueisha (C) SAND LAND Production Committee
《Nakase Koutarou》
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