I’ve been absolutely hooked on SANDA since it first aired, and I know I’m not alone in counting down the days until Episode 5 drops. If you’re like me, you’re probably refreshing your streaming platform every few hours, desperate for any new information about what’s coming next in Paru Itagaki’s latest masterpiece. Well, I’ve done all the digging for you, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve uncovered about SANDA Episode 5!
SANDA Episode 5 Release Date: When Can We Watch?
Let’s get right to what you’re probably most excited about – when we can finally watch Episode 5! I’ve confirmed from multiple sources that SANDA Episode 5 will air on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 1:53 AM Japan Standard Time.
But wait – if you’re outside Japan like me, you’re probably wondering when you can watch it. Great news! For international viewers, this means we’ll get to watch it on Friday, October 31, 2025. The exact time will vary depending on your time zone, but here’s a handy breakdown I put together:
| Time Zone | Release Time |
|---|---|
| GMT | 5:00 PM |
| PT | 10:00 AM |
| ET | 1:00 PM |
| CST | 12:00 PM |
| JST | 1:53 AM (Nov 1) |
I personally love that they’re releasing it on Halloween – it feels like the perfect timing for an episode that’s shaping up to be quite intense!
Where to Watch SANDA Episode 5?
Now that we know when it’s coming, let’s talk about where we can actually watch it. I’ve got some good news and some… well, let’s just say “regional” news.
For my fellow international viewers, Amazon Prime Video has got us covered! The episode will be available exclusively on Prime Video worldwide outside of Japan. I’ve been watching the series there since Episode 1, and I’ve got to say, the streaming quality has been fantastic.
If you’re in Japan, you’ll be able to catch the episode on several TV channels including MBS, TBS, CBC TV, and BS-TBS as part of the Animeism programming block. I kind of envy Japanese viewers who get to experience it live on TV – there’s something special about that communal viewing experience!
Episode 5 Title: “Typhoon in a Snow Globe”
I absolutely love the title they’ve chosen for Episode 5: “Typhoon in a Snow Globe” (or “Snowstorm in the Snow Globe” depending on the translation). There’s something so poetic and metaphorical about it that really captures what SANDA is all about.
When I first heard this title, I immediately thought about how perfectly it represents the show’s central themes. You’ve got this fragile, contained world (the snow globe) being shaken up by something powerful and chaotic (the typhoon). It’s basically the perfect metaphor for Sanda’s life right now – he’s trying to maintain order and protect childhood innocence while all these adult responsibilities and emotions are swirling around him.
What to Expect from SANDA Episode 5?
Okay, this is where things get really exciting! I’ve been gathering information from all the official sources and preview materials, and I’ve got to tell you – Episode 5 is shaping up to be a game-changer. Here’s what I’ve pieced together:
A New Instructor Arrives
One of the biggest developments in Episode 5 is the arrival of a new instructor at the school. But this isn’t just any ordinary teacher – we’re talking about Sabuto Yagiuda from the Red-Clad Special Task Force.
When I read this, my jaw literally dropped. The Red-Clad Special Task Force has been this mysterious, almost ominous presence in the background of the series, and now one of their members is going to be right there in the school with Sanda and the other students. I can’t help but wonder what this means for the story. Is Yagiuda there to help? To monitor? To interfere? The possibilities are endless!
Sanda’s Internal Conflict Deepens
I’ve been really fascinated by Sanda’s character development throughout the series, and Episode 5 seems to be diving even deeper into his internal struggles. From what I’ve gathered, Sanda will continue to grapple with his belief that children should be protected from the harsh realities of adulthood.
This belief has led him to avoid romantic relationships, but as we’ve seen in previous episodes, life (and the government) has other plans for him. His government-assigned fiancée, Nico Kazao, keeps appearing in his life, creating this incredible tension between duty and desire.
What I find most compelling about this is how relatable it is. I mean, who hasn’t struggled with wanting to protect innocence while also having to face grown-up responsibilities? It’s this universal theme that makes SANDA so powerful.
The Typhoon Factor
And speaking of tension – there’s literally a typhoon coming! According to the preview materials, a massive storm will hit the area, creating all sorts of obstacles for our characters.
What I love about this is how it’s not just a weather event – it’s a metaphor. The typhoon represents all the emotional turmoil and external pressures that Sanda is facing. I have a feeling this storm is going to force some characters to confront feelings they’ve been trying to avoid, especially when it comes to Sanda trying to express his true feelings to Nico.
The “God-pa” Phenomenon Continues
If you remember from Episode 4, Sanda’s dramatic entrance at Ono’s funeral led to students creating this whole “God-pa” phenomenon, complete with merchandise and pose imitations. I’m really curious to see how this plays out in Episode 5. Will the students continue to worship him? Will the adults try to put a stop to it? And how does Sanda feel about all this attention?
Character Spotlight: Who’s Who in Episode 5
Let me break down the key players we’ll be seeing in Episode 5, based on everything I’ve learned:
Kazushige Sanda
Our main man continues his journey as Santa Claus, but he’s struggling more than ever with the weight of his responsibilities. I’ve noticed that in each episode, we see more of his vulnerability, and I expect Episode 5 to really dig into his fears about disappointing people who now depend on him.
Shiori Fuyumura
Fuyumura has been such an interesting character – she’s the one who initially awakened Sanda’s Santa powers by asking him to find her missing friend. I’m really curious to see how her relationship with Sanda develops, especially with all this new tension with Nico.
Nico Kazao
The government-assigned fiancée continues to be this fascinating presence in Sanda’s life. There’s something about her that I can’t quite figure out – is she genuinely developing feelings for Sanda, or is she just following orders? Episode 5 might give us some answers.
Sabuto Yagiuda
This is the wild card – the new instructor from the Red-Clad Special Task Force. I’m dying to know what his true motivations are. Is he friend or foe? Or maybe something in between?
Production Details: The Magic Behind the Scenes
I’ve got to take a moment to appreciate the incredible team behind SANDA. Knowing that it’s produced by Science SARU (the studio behind amazing works like DEVILMAN crybaby and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) already tells you we’re in for something special.
The series is directed by Tomohisa Shimoyama, who also worked on Yurei Deco and SUPER SHIRO. And of course, it’s based on the manga by Paru Itagaki, the brilliant creator of BEASTARS. If you haven’t checked out BEASTARS yet, I highly recommend it – Itagaki’s unique storytelling style is really something special.
The voice cast is absolutely stellar too:
- Ayumu Murase as Kazushige Sanda
- Hiroki Touchi as Santa Claus
- Umeka Shouji as Shiori Fuyumura
- Misato Matsuoka as Nico Kazao
- Hiroaki Hirata as Sabuto Yagiuda
What Happened in Episode 4: A Quick Refresher
Before we dive into Episode 5, let me quickly recap what happened in Episode 4 for those who might need a refresher (or for those like me who like to rewatch episodes to catch all the details):
Episode 4, titled “Zeus, Smasher of Textbooks,” gave us some incredible character development. We saw Sanda really embracing his role as Santa Claus, but also struggling with the burden that comes with it. The episode featured some powerful flashbacks about Fuyumura’s relationship with her missing friend Ono, and dealt with heavy themes about adults policing children’s emotional and physical growth.
The most memorable moment for me was when Sanda crashed through the gym ceiling during Ono’s funeral, leading to that incredible “God-pa” phenomenon. The way the students started worshiping him and creating merchandise was both hilarious and deeply symbolic.
But what really got me was the final scene where Fuyumura consoled Sanda, reminding him that despite everything, they were still just children trying to figure things out. That line about “the burden of being an adult” really hit home for me.
My Predictions for Episode 5
Okay, I’ve got to share some of my theories about what might happen in Episode 5. These are just my personal predictions based on all the information I’ve gathered, so take them with a grain of salt!
Theory 1: The Typhoon as a Catalyst
I think the typhoon is going to force some characters into situations where they can’t hide their true feelings anymore. Maybe Sanda and Nico will get trapped somewhere together, giving them the perfect opportunity to finally have that heart-to-heart conversation they’ve been avoiding.
Theory 2: Yagiuda’s True Mission
I have a feeling that Yagiuda isn’t just there to teach – he’s probably investigating the “God-pa” phenomenon or monitoring Sanda’s activities as Santa. But what if he ends up becoming an unlikely ally? That would be an interesting twist!
Theory 3: Fuyumura’s Backstory
We got some hints about Fuyumura’s past in Episode 4, and I think Episode 5 might give us even more insight into her character. Maybe we’ll learn more about her relationship with Ono and how that’s shaped who she is today.
Why SANDA is the Must-Watch Anime of 2025?
I’ve got to say, SANDA has quickly become one of my favorite anime of the year. What makes it so special is how it tackles these really complex themes about childhood, adulthood, and societal expectations, all wrapped up in this unique “Santa Claus hero” concept.
Paru Itagaki has this incredible ability to create stories that are both wildly imaginative and deeply relatable. When I watch SANDA, I’m not just entertained – I’m also thinking about my own life and the pressures we all face to grow up too quickly.
The animation by Science SARU is absolutely gorgeous too. Every frame is filled with so much detail and personality, and the action sequences are just breathtaking. I especially love how they animate Sanda’s transformations – it’s like watching poetry in motion.
How to Prepare for Episode 5?
If you’re as excited as I am for Episode 5, here are some things you might want to do to get ready:
- Rewatch Episodes 1-4: Trust me, you’ll catch so many details you missed the first time around. I just did a rewatch marathon and noticed so many foreshadowing moments!
- Check out the Manga: If you can’t wait to see what happens next, the SANDA manga is available and it’s absolutely fantastic. Just be aware that the anime might take some creative liberties.
- Join the Fan Community: There are some amazing SANDA fan communities on Reddit and Discord where people share theories, fan art, and discussions. It’s great to see how other people are interpreting the story.
- Follow the Official Social Media: The official SANDA anime Twitter account (@sanda_anime) often posts behind-the-scenes content and updates that you won’t want to miss.
FAQ About SANDA Episode 5
When exactly does Episode 5 air in my time zone?
Episode 5 airs on November 1, 2025, at 1:53 AM JST. For most international viewers, this means October 31, 2025. Check the time zone table I included earlier for your specific local time.
How many episodes will SANDA have in total?
SANDA has been confirmed to have a 12-episode first season, so after Episode 5, we’ll have 7 more episodes to look forward to!
Will there be an English dub?
As of now, SANDA is only available with Japanese audio and subtitles. However, given the popularity of Paru Itagaki’s work, I wouldn’t be surprised if an English dub is announced later.
Is SANDA connected to BEASTARS?
While both series are created by Paru Itagaki, they exist in completely separate universes with different characters and storylines. However, you can definitely see Itagaki’s unique storytelling style in both.
Where can I watch previous episodes of SANDA?
All previous episodes are available on Amazon Prime Video for international viewers. If you’re in Japan, you can watch them on the various TV channels that air the series.
Final Thoughts
I don’t know about you, but I am absolutely counting down the days until SANDA Episode 5 airs. Everything I’ve learned about it so far suggests that it’s going to be an incredible episode that really pushes the story forward in exciting ways.
What I love most about SANDA is how it manages to be both wildly entertaining and deeply meaningful. It’s not just another action anime – it’s a story that really makes you think about growing up, responsibility, and what it means to protect the ones you love.
I’ll definitely be watching Episode 5 the moment it drops, and I can’t wait to see how all these plot threads develop. Will Sanda finally confront his feelings for Nico? What is Yagiuda really doing at the school? And how will the typhoon affect everyone?
I guess we’ll have to wait until October 31st to find out! In the meantime, I’d love to hear your theories and predictions in the comments below. What are you most excited to see in Episode 5?
Don’t forget to bookmark this page or follow us for more SANDA coverage as the season progresses. And if you haven’t already, check out some of our other anime reviews for more great content about the shows you love!
Until next time, happy watching, and I’ll see you in the comments section after Episode 5 airs!