SANDA VOL.1 / Script and Art by CHANG SHENG / Translated by MOTOKO TAMAMURO & JONATHAN CLEMENTS / Lettering by BENSIDI AYOUB / Published by TITAN MANGA

In the not-too-distant future, birth rates worldwide have dropped dramatically. Children are a more precious commodity than ever and society has shifted such that adolescence is prolonged for as long as innocence can be preserved. Ironically, this has led to the end of traditional holidays, like Christmas, which were once the focal point of the year for many children.

 Sanda Kazushige is a middle-school student who thinks his classmate and fellow class representative Shiori Fuyumura has a crush on him. This is evidenced by her asking him to meet him before class and chasing after him with a knife and threatening to kill him.

Sanda, it may be gathered, is not that bright. Yet even he does not believe it when Shiori says she thinks he may be heir to a magic curse. One that may help her find her missing friend, Ichie Ono.

It’s completely unthinkable! However, Fuyumura is right! And Sanda is the heir to the power of Santa Claus!

Trapped in the body of an old man, Sanda now finds himself trying to master the strange powers that are apparently his legacy. The search for Ichie leads to further mysteries and challenges. These include the creepy principle obsessed with retaining his youth and the rumors of a secret lab under their school…

Sanda is one of the stranger manga I’ve read and that’s saying something. Indeed, I struggle to find anything to compare it to in terms of story. Paru Itagaki is creative, though there are many moments in this comic (particularly involving Shiori’s behavior), that I find disturbing.

The artwork is also noteworthy in that respect, particularly the transformation scenes, which remind me a bit of Chainsaw Man. This is particularly clear when Sanda discovers the power to give himself sleigh-runners for feet. However, beyond the weird visuals, Paru Itagaki takes great care to give each character a distinctive appearance. Indeed, the notes at the end of this first volume show the individual head designs for each of Sanda and Shiori’s classmates from the backgrounds.

Sanda Vol. 1 is a strange little book. I’m not entirely certain if I like it, exactly. It is memorable, if nothing else, with a unique concept and stunning visuals. I suspect, however, that its offbeat personality will appeal to many comic readers seeking something new.

Sanda Vol. 1 arrives in stores on September 9, 2025.