Paru Itagaki, best known for creating Beastars, is ready to see another one of her manga titles come to life. Science Saru (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Star Wars: Visions) will adapt her futuristic Santa Claus manga, SANDA, into an anime. While details are scarce, an image was shared by VIZ Media to show fans what to expect from this unconventional Santa hero action story.
SANDA, which has not yet been translated into English, is set in a future where the world grapples with a declining birth rate. The story, described as a “unconventional Santa Claus hero action,” started its run in Weekly Shonen Champion in the summer of 2021 and recently concluded. The fifteenth and final volume will be released in Japan next month.
Itagaki’s previous works, including Beastars, Beast Complex, and Drip Drip, have been licensed in America by VIZ Media. Popularly known as a “darker Zootopia“, the plot of Beastars is enthralling due to its unflinching take on hard-to-swallow themes and societal issues.
The excitement around SANDA’s anime adaptation is palpable, especially given Itagaki’s track record for creating compelling and imaginative worlds. Fans of Beastars and new audiences alike can look forward to a fresh and thrilling take on the Santa Claus mythos when SANDA makes its animated debut.
When Marcus is not trying to full combo a song on his favourite rhythm games, he’s either reading or watching some obscure Japanese mystery show/novel. Don’t ask him how much his Arkham Horror collection costs either, it’s his most closely guarded secret.
Si Jia
