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Sanda Vol.1
Join Sanda and Shori on an unforgettable journey to restore the magic of Christmas, uncovering secrets, friendship, and adventure in a future Japan. Now an anime adaptation!
In a near-future Japan, Christmas has faded into myth, and the birth rate has dropped so dramatically that children are now the most precious commodity. Society has artificially extended adolescence to preserve their youth, and traditional holidays, like Christmas, are a mere legend of the past.
Volume 1 of Sanda introduces Sanda Kazushige, a middle-school student who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a strange and dangerous mystery. When his classmate, Fuyumura Shiori, accuses him of carrying a curse that could help find her missing friend, Ono Ichie, Sanda’s life takes a dramatic turn. Together, they embark on an incredible adventure to unravel the truth behind Ichie’s disappearance and uncover the hidden magic of Christmas itself.
As they delve deeper into the mystery, the duo faces external threats and internal challenges – questions about loyalty, courage, and the power of belief. Along the way, they confront the true meaning of friendship, trust, and the possibility of magic in a world that has all but forgotten it.
With a mix of supernatural elements, heartfelt moments, and a nostalgic quest to restore childhood wonder, Sanda Volume 1 kicks off a sixteen-volume saga blending mystery, adventure, and emotional depth. The series is also being adapted into an anime, so fans can dive further into the world of Sanda.
In a near-future Japan, Christmas has faded into myth, and the birth rate has dropped so dramatically that children are now the most precious commodity. Society has artificially extended adolescence to preserve their youth, and traditional holidays, like Christmas, are a mere legend of the past.
Volume 1 of Sanda introduces Sanda Kazushige, a middle-school student who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a strange and dangerous mystery. When his classmate, Fuyumura Shiori, accuses him of carrying a curse that could help find her missing friend, Ono Ichie, Sanda’s life takes a dramatic turn. Together, they embark on an incredible adventure to unravel the truth behind Ichie’s disappearance and uncover the hidden magic of Christmas itself.
As they delve deeper into the mystery, the duo faces external threats and internal challenges – questions about loyalty, courage, and the power of belief. Along the way, they confront the true meaning of friendship, trust, and the possibility of magic in a world that has all but forgotten it.
With a mix of supernatural elements, heartfelt moments, and a nostalgic quest to restore childhood wonder, Sanda Volume 1 kicks off a sixteen-volume saga blending mystery, adventure, and emotional depth. The series is also being adapted into an anime, so fans can dive further into the world of Sanda.
- GenresManga
208 pages, Paperback
Published September 9, 2025
4 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Paru Itagaki
99 books655 followersParu Itagaki ( 板垣巴留, Itagaki Paru) is a multi-award-winning Japanese manga artist, known mainly for her work Beastars. She is the daughter of Keisuke Itagaki.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 26, 2025
I honestly love Paru's art and insane stories, she's honestly so interesting! This whole entire premise is honestly interesting a dystopia where children are rare and where Santa is a long time myth but also there's a murder squad for him???!! Like Beaststars there's a whole mystery of a character disappearance, but also to the whole society as the school used to be a department store and the principal is a botox junkie and how he has to scrunch up his face with his cane because he cant react anymore is insane but frickin quirky. Also it sends me that frickin Sanda thought Fuyu had a crush on him when she's obviously gay as frick! Also trying to kill him lol I'm so excited for this journey!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
I think Paru Itagaki is so cool, man. What weird fucking comics.
July 21, 2025
Sanda is an interesting manga about, well, Santa Claus. I enjoy Paru Itagaki's mangas, since they are oddly wonky and just as oddly dark. The story is set in the future when Christmas is just a myth in Japan now. The birthrate is down and children are overly important because of it. Our main character is Sanda Kazushige, who's 14 years old and in middle school. His classmate Ono Ichie is missing and a girl named Fuyumura Shiori accuses Sanda of a curse and well, the guy eventually can turn into a Santa Claus and he has weird powers that the two test out. They try to solve the mystery behind the disappearance and well, experience the wonders of friendship and Christmas. The story is fully packed from the beginning, which makes this slightly hard to follow. The idea is marvelous though! The story goes through Japan's societal problems too, like low childbirth rate, which is great.
The art looks great and the movements are awesome. Itagaki's style is recognizable and wonky, which is super great. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it works for me especially. Also, the manga isn't too Christmas-soaked either, which is great. Interesting to see where this will go!
The art looks great and the movements are awesome. Itagaki's style is recognizable and wonky, which is super great. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it works for me especially. Also, the manga isn't too Christmas-soaked either, which is great. Interesting to see where this will go!
January 6, 2026
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
In this seemingly futuristic world, the seasons are wacky and there are no holidays. Children are rare and protected, but Christmas is a thing of the past. Fuyumura is convinced her classmate Sanda is actually a descendant of Santa Claus, and only Kris Kringle can help solve the mystery of her missing best friend. Itagaki's zany Tim-Burton-esque illustrations perfectly complement this outlandish premise where readers are just going to have to go along for the ride and not ask too many questions. Don't expect anything super deep or consequential -- this is a fluff read with over-the-top characters and a plot that is pretty far out there.
Full review in Booklist Magazine.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Adult
In this seemingly futuristic world, the seasons are wacky and there are no holidays. Children are rare and protected, but Christmas is a thing of the past. Fuyumura is convinced her classmate Sanda is actually a descendant of Santa Claus, and only Kris Kringle can help solve the mystery of her missing best friend. Itagaki's zany Tim-Burton-esque illustrations perfectly complement this outlandish premise where readers are just going to have to go along for the ride and not ask too many questions. Don't expect anything super deep or consequential -- this is a fluff read with over-the-top characters and a plot that is pretty far out there.
Full review in Booklist Magazine.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Adult
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews