Solo Leveling quickly became one of the best anime of 2025. Not only for its outstanding animation but also because Sung Jinwoo’s power has transcended the series itself, reaching a level where he gets weighed up against some of the strongest characters in all anime. However, a character from the Fall 2025 anime season has just redefined the word “overpowered.”
Jinwoo’s transformation from zero to hero has propelled him to the forefront of powerful anime characters in 2025, as his limitless potential for leveling up has left fans eager to see just how invincible he will become. Even so, SANDA put a spin on the hero trope, featuring a Christmas symbol that seems like he came straight out of a superhero comic.
SANDA Mixed Santa Claus With Wolverine To Create One of the Strongest Anime Characters
Although Jinwoo undergoes a massive evolution in Solo Leveling‘s source material in what has been covered by the anime so far, he is still far from indestructible, as his regeneration is limited to non-fatal wounds and his shadow soldiers are conditioned by his mana levels.
On the other hand, in SANDA, Kazushige Sanda is a descendant of Santa Claus who can transform into a reimagination of the Christmas symbol, a much more muscular and dangerous one. When he is Santa Claus, he gains extraordinary brute strength and endurance, being able to break buildings with a single punch and withstand explosions thanks to his fire-resistant body.
But what makes Santa Claus so powerful are his similarities to Wolverine, possessing sharp blades that extend from his legs (representing his sleigh) and a body with an exceptional healing factor that makes him practically immortal, having survived fatal injuries with ease. Although Santa Claus can die, his weakness lies in crossing certain boundaries in his relationship with children.
Furthermore, his greatest disadvantage is his mental state, as the transition from his natural body of 14 to that of an old man is difficult for him to control. Still, Santa Claus has infinite potential for growth, since his strength increases exponentially with every child who believes in him.
The Absurdity of Sanda Elevates Its Overpowered Protagonist
Unlike Solo Leveling, SANDA isn’t a power fantasy but a coming-of-age story. Sanda has a unique power because Santa Claus is a figure who gives hope to kids who are currently living in a dystopia where their every step is controlled by adults and aging is condemned by society. That means Santa rises up as a protector of children.
Santa’s power is similar to the “Trust Value” system in To Be Hero X, where the children’s perception of him determines his strength. Although this premise sounds absurd, it is precisely what might allow Santa to surpass unimaginable limits, since in the first episodes he showcased superhuman force when powered by just three children.
Both Santa’s abilities and the challenges he faces will undoubtedly raise many eyebrows for their sheer weirdness. Nonetheless, SANDA is one of the best anime of Fall 2025, proving that it is possible to create an overwhelmingly powerful hero who is still quirky and interesting and has no shortage of qualities to captivate viewers at the level of Jinwoo.
- Release Date
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October 4, 2025
- Network
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TBS, MBS, CBC
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Ayumu Murase
Kazushige Sanda (voice)
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Hiroki Touchi
Santa Claus (voice)
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Umeka Shouji
Shiori Fuyumura (voice)
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Anna Nagase
Ichie Ono (voice)
