Animation studio Science Saru has shared a new trailer for their SANDA anime, based on the popular manga of the same name by Beastars creator Paru Itagaki.

The second official trailer for the new SANDA anime was showcased over the holidays, confirming a fall 2025 premiere for the new adaptation.

Alongside the new trailer and premiere window is the news of both main characters being cast: Ayumu Murase will play the role of protagonist Kazushige Sanda, the descendant of Santa Claus, the latter of which is played by Hiroki Tochi.

The key staff on the new SANDA anime were also confirmed with director Tomohisa Shimoyama (Yurei Deco, Super Shiro), series composition and screenwriter Kimiko Ueno (Dungeon Meshi, Ranma 1/2), character designer and general animation director Masamichi Ishiyama (Little Witch Academia, SSSS.Gridman), and composer Tomoyuki Tanaka (Fantastic Plastic Machine).

A second teaser visual was also revealed from Ishiyama:

The second visual for the anime shows off the duality between the innocent and young Sanda and the grizzled yet powerful Santa Claus. The tagline for the visual also includes a heartwarming message, “Santa, please find me a friend.”

The second official visual gives a first look at animated footage from Science Saru, and is set to the classic Christmas song Silent Night. Fans can expect lots of Christmas themes all set to the backdrop of explosions and flames.

As mentioned, the original SANDA anime was created by Beastars author Paru Itagaki and began serialization in Weekly Shonen Champion back in 2021, with the series wrapping up back in July 2024. It’s set in the near-future where Japan’s birthrate has declined even further.

In the series, due to the declining birthrates in Japan new policies for minors were enacted including arranged marriages from infancy, not allowing infants to sleep properly, and more. Santa Claus was also sealed away for a long time.

Here’s the second official trailer for the SANDA anime: