SANDA release date and time for every region, where to watch, and everything you need to know

SANDA transforms the jolly Santa Claus legend into something darker, deadlier, and entirely unexpected. Paru Itagaki's twisted Christmas mythology comes alive through Science SARU's animation prowess, delivering a dystopian tale where children wield power over adults and Santa Claus exists as a sealed threat. This October marks the beginning of what could redefine holiday-themed anime forever.

SANDA premieres on October 4 at 1:53 AM JST, with Amazon Prime Video launching global streaming on October 4 at 2:53 AM JST. Regional release times differ from North America to early morning in Australia, confirming worldwide accessibility within a 24-hour window of the Japanese television debut.

The most anticipated SANDA anime will simultaneously be available across numerous regions via Amazon Prime Video's global streaming service. Japanese viewers can catch the television premiere on October 3, 2025, during the late-night Animeism programming block.

This anime features music by Tomoyuki Tanaka, molding the atmospheric tone for this dark fantasy series. The opening theme song "Childlike Adults" is performed by Yama, while Soushi Sakiyama delivers the ending theme "Diary." The themes align flawlessly with the story's breakdown of a society where children hold power over adults.

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Release Date and Times by Region

The staggered release ensures global fans can experience this series within hours of its Japanese debut.

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Where to Watch SANDA

Amazon Prime Video holds deluxe worldwide streaming rights for this anime adaptation. The platform will simulcast the series globally, making it the sole legal streaming destination for international viewers.

Japanese television audiences can watch on TBS, MBS, and BS-TBS networks through the Animeism late-night programming block. The television broadcast precedes the global streaming release by several hours.

Prime Video subscribers can access SANDA at no additional cost past their standard subscription fee. The series joins Prime Video's growing collection of anime exclusives, following successful partnerships with other high-profile anime productions.

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Story and Setting

The series takes place in a dystopian future where Japan faces an authoritarian declining birth rate crisis. Children hold a high social status compared to adults in this society. The story centers on Kazushige Sanda, a young boy who uncovers his connection to the legendary Santa Claus.

The protagonist's classmate, Shiori Fuyumura, plans to eliminate him due to a mysterious curse he carries. This curse connects to Fuyumura's missing friend and molds the dark tone for the series. The narrative probes themes of mythology, social hierarchy, and supernatural elements within this unique world-building framework.

Santa Claus lives as a sealed mythical figure in this universe, recasting Christmas into a mere legend. Sanda's discovery of his heritage to this legendary character compels the central conflict forward.

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What Makes This Anime Special

This adaptation honors Paru Itagaki's return to anime after the tremendous success of BEASTARS. Her unique storytelling course melds social commentary with supernatural elements, assembling narratives that resonate with contemporary issues.

The affiliation between Itagaki's innovative vision and Science SARU's ingenious animation style ensures a visually impressive experience. The studio's stature for pushing artistic boundaries makes it an ideal choice for bringing this quirky Santa Claus story to life.

SANDA depicts an untouched take on Christmas lore, bastardizing standard holiday narratives via its dystopian lens. The October 3-4 release window positions this anime as a major fall 2025 anime premiere, contending with other highly anticipated seasonal offerings for viewer attention.