Sanda #3

Sanda, a manga series authored and illustrated by Paru Itagaki, began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Champion in 2021. The series marked Itagaki's follow-up to her internationally acclaimed work Beastars, diverging from animal-centric social commentary to a surreal, high-concept narrative involving the reincarnation of students as adults. This third issue continues the series' signature blend of dark humor and fantastical coming-of-age tropes, maintaining the distinct, scratchy art style that has become synonymous with the creator's visual identity.

The design of the volume reflects the contemporary aesthetic of modern seinen manga, prioritizing stark contrasts and unsettling character expressions to mirror the story's dreamlike atmosphere. Itagaki has noted in interviews that her approach to the series was intended to capture the volatile emotions of puberty through a supernatural lens. Upon release, the volume was received as a continuation of Itagaki’s ability to subvert traditional school manga archetypes, further cementing her status as a singular voice in contemporary Japanese graphic storytelling.