Autumn Anime `SANDA`: An Unconventional Hero Born in a Hyper-Low Birthrate Society! Additional Cast Seki Toshihiko & Hirata Hiroaki Revealed, Main PV & Theme Song Info Also Released

The TV anime `SANDA` is set to broadcast from October 3, 2025, within the MBS, TBS, and BS-TBS “Animeism” block, among others. Its main visual and main promotional video have now been unveiled. It has also been revealed that Seki Toshihiko and Hirata Hiroaki will voice the additional characters, who were first shown in the main visual. Furthermore, yama’s “Adultチックチルドレン” has been chosen as the opening theme, and Sakiyama Sooshi’s “ダイアリー” as the ending theme.

About the `SANDA` Anime

`SANDA` is a TV anime adaptation of the manga by Itagaki Paru-sensei, the acclaimed creator behind `BEASTARS`, which famously swept four major manga awards, including the “Manga Taishou 2018” Grand Prize. This distinctive Santa Claus hero action story is set in a near-future Japan grappling with a hyper-low birthrate era, where children are excessively protected.

On August 25th, fittingly a summer Christmas, the main visual and main PV for this intriguing series were released. The main visual presents a striking image: Santa Claus dramatically shatters glass, as if breaking through a hopeless future, set against the backdrop of the `Ooguro Aigo Gakuen` (Ooguro Protection Academy) – the story’s main setting, where protagonist Sanda Ichee and his companions attend. Towering behind the academy is Ooshiba Hifumi, the academy principal, who obsessively protects and controls the children.

The main visual also provided the first look at two new characters, whose voice actors have now been revealed. Seki Toshihiko will voice Ooshiba Hifumi, the 92-year-old principal of `Ooguro Aigo Gakuen`, who is fixated on “youth” and undergoes repeated full-body plastic surgeries. Meanwhile, Hirata Hiroaki takes on the role of Yagyuda Saburou, the ace of the “Red Cloak Special Investigation Unit,” specialists in Santa capture. Both Seki-san and Hirata-san have shared their comments on joining the cast.

The main promotional video, filled with Science SARU’s dynamic animation, also features the character voices of Seki-san’s Ooshiba and Hirata-san’s Yagyuda. The PV encapsulates a world where children are meticulously controlled, and Santa Claus finds his curse lifted by a wish. It also highlights the unsettling aura of Principal Ooshiba, symbolizing this abnormal world, and Yagyuda, who plots to capture Santa. These strong, eccentric characters move wildly, promising an exhilarating experience.

In addition to these reveals, the opening theme will be “Adultチックチルドレン” (Adult Chic Children) by yama, and the ending theme will be “ダイアリー” (Diary) by Sakiyama Sooshi. Both artists have also shared their thoughts on contributing to the series.

As peculiar relationships between adults and children intertwine, what will Sanda Ichee, caught between childhood and adulthood, think and how will he act? Beyond the Animeism block, `SANDA` is also set to air on AT-X starting October 6th and on Animax from November 1st. Get ready to enjoy the broadcast and streaming of this exciting new anime!

Comments from the Cast and Artists

Seki Toshihiko (Voice of Ooshiba Hifumi)

(1) How do you feel about being cast as Ooshiba in `SANDA`, and do you have a message for fans looking forward to the series?

`SANDA` is a work by Itagaki Paru-sensei that I’ve been very curious about. Among the characters in her works, Ooshiba Hifumi’s individuality is truly outstanding. I want to approach this role with a fresh mindset, aiming to vividly express his peculiar existence. Please look forward to it!

(2) This is an action series featuring Santa Claus. Is there anything you would ask Santa Claus for?

If Santa Claus in this series were real, every Christmas would certainly be thrilling (laughs). But if there truly is a Santa Claus, I’d probably ask for a future where children all over the world can live in peace and safety, wouldn’t I?

Hirata Hiroaki (Voice of Yagyuda Saburou)

(1) How do you feel about being cast as Yagyuda in `SANDA`, and do you have a message for fans looking forward to the series?

Although Yagyuda is a character who appears midway through the story, I was warmly welcomed and had a lot of fun during recording. Lately, there aren’t many productions where we go out for drinks after recording, but everyone on this team loves to drink, and I was dragged along until late at night every time. I’m counting on you, Murase-kun!

(2) This is an action series featuring Santa Claus. Is there anything you would ask Santa Claus for?

I’ve lived for over 60 years, and I’m still a mass of desires and worldly thoughts. I would ask Santa to help me become the kind of person who can say, “I have nothing left to ask for.”

yama

What does it mean to become an adult? Simply growing older doesn’t necessarily make one an “adult.” Conversely, having youth doesn’t always mean one is a child, I believe. To secretly bear suffering can be a weakness, a fragility… and to resist it alone might be a symbol of an inability to confront reality. I used to think there was virtue in continuing to age while holding onto that fragility. However, in recent years, I’ve gradually started to open up my heart to those close to me and through music. The boundary between “I am me” and “others are others” remains, but I discover parts of myself through interactions with others.
I don’t intend to be an adult, nor do I intend to be a child, but I believe people possess both qualities at any age. Neither being stubborn towards one nor judging it as good or bad, I’ve realized that I want to believe in someone. And that, in turn, is believing in myself. To someone out there, swaying in the same in-between space, I hope this reaches you.

Sakiyama Sooshi

This time, I had the honor of performing the ending theme. I felt a humble sympathy for Ichee-san’s internal struggles, as he wavers between adulthood and childhood, and created this song. In a world with no clear answers, where everyone’s sense of justice collides, Ichee-san’s actions, spurred by countless voices in his heart, deeply moved me many times. I sincerely hope you will enjoy the song along with the anime.

TV Anime `SANDA` Overview

Broadcasting begins October 3, 2025 (Friday)!
On MBS, TBS, BS-TBS “Animeism” block, and other channels.

MBS/TBS/CBC: Every Friday from 25:53 JST
BS-TBS: Every Friday from 26:30 JST
AT-X: From October 6 (Monday), every Monday from 21:00 JST
*Repeat broadcasts: Every Wednesday from 9:00 JST / Every Friday from 15:00 JST
Animax: From November 1, every Saturday from 21:30 JST
*Repeat broadcasts: Every Sunday from 9:30 JST

Worldwide exclusive streaming on Prime Video!
From October 4, 2025 (Saturday), from 2:53 JST

Cast

Staff

(C)Itagaki Paru (Akita Shoten)／SANDA Production Committee

(C)Itagaki Paru (Akita Shoten) 2021

By Nakase Koutarou