The anime adaptation of Paru Itagaki's manga Sanda has been released and discussed in a retrospective podcast episode. No further seasons or projects have been announced.
Anime Feminist's podcast released a retrospective episode on the anime adaptation of Paru Itagaki's manga Sanda, recorded on January 29, 2026. Hosts Tony, Caitlin Moore, and Anime News Network contributor Sylvia discussed the series' themes of queer adolescence, body horror, and societal control. The conversation covered the show's depiction of puberty as body horror, the symbolic role of Santa as an idealized adult figure, and the controversial "trauma-free curriculum" concept.
The hosts debated the series' ending, where the queer character Ono dies. Moore argued the death was narratively necessary to illustrate the deadly consequences of societal abandonment of queer children. Sylvia agreed, noting that recent queer anime successes allow room for darker narratives. Tony expressed frustration at losing the character he found most compelling. The group also discussed the villain Oshibu's plastic surgery horror design and hopes for a second season, including further exploration of queer identity and character Amaya's potential development.
A subsequent Anime Feminist weekly round-up from January 28 to February 3, 2026, included a link to a retrospective on Paru Itagaki's manga Sanda, alongside coverage of topics such as Crunchyroll's price increase, Gunpla hobbyists, and the series Orb: On the Movements of the Earth.
Written with AI from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced.
See our editorial policy. Every fact links
the story it came from.
May 30
Anime Feminist's weekly round-up for January 28 to February 3, 2026, covers a range of topics beyond anime and manga. In Japan, emergency contraception is now available over the counter without a prescription, though buyers must take the pill in front of a pharmacist. Crunchyroll raised its subscription prices by $2 per month across all tiers, its second increase since merging with Funimation, following the removal of its free streaming plan at the end of 2025. The round-up also highlights an article on how women have always been central to the Gunpla hobby, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 series Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury drawing in more female builders. Another piece examines Orb: On the Movements of the Earth and its parallels with present-day censorship and authoritarianism. The round-up also includes links to videos, community posts criticizing Crunchyroll's subtitle quality and platform usability, and a retrospective on Paru Itagaki's manga Sanda.
May 30
The Anime Feminist podcast released a retrospective episode on Paru Itagaki's anime adaptation of her manga Sanda, recorded on January 29, 2026. Hosts Tony, Caitlin Moore, and Anime News Network contributor Sylvia discussed the series' themes of queer adolescence, body horror, and societal control. The conversation covered the show's depiction of puberty as body horror, the symbolic role of Santa as an idealized adult figure, and the controversial "trauma-free curriculum" concept. The hosts debated the series' ending, where the queer character Ono dies, with Moore arguing the death was narratively necessary to illustrate the deadly consequences of societal abandonment of queer children. Sylvia agreed, noting that recent queer anime successes allow room for darker narratives. Tony expressed frustration at losing the character he found most compelling. The group also discussed the villain Oshibu's plastic surgery horror design and hopes for a second season, including further exploration of queer identity and character Amaya's potential development.