Sand Land, one of the lesser-known works of Akira Toriyama, author of the immensely popular Dragon Ball series, has attracted increasing attention from fans in recent years.
The series has seen a surge in popularity, especially after being adapted into a film in 2023, as well as the announcement of a 13-episode anime series to premiere on March 20, 2024.
The upcoming anime adaptation of Sand Land promises to give fans expectations of a more detailed and realistic depiction of Toriyama’s original manga.
As anticipation grows for the anime’s release, many fans of Toriyama’s works are turning to explore the source material of the upcoming film adaptation.
Meanwhile, there is also curiosity surrounding the current status of the Sand Land manga. Although not as widely recognized as Dragon Ball, the manga continues to impress fans with Toriyama’s distinctive style and storytelling.
As interest in Sand Land continues to grow, fans are eager to dig into the manga and explore the unique world and characters created by the famous mangaka.
Sandland: The Dark Adventure of Akira Toriyama makes its mark in Manga and Anime
After the huge success of the Dragon Ball series, famous mangaka Akira Toriyama once again ventured into Shonen with his Sand Land series.
Serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from May 9, 2000 to August 8, 2000, this short but powerful series wraps up its narrative in just 14 chapters. Its collected volume, or Tankobon, was published on November 2, 2000, encapsulating its entire story.
Although it is one of Toriyama’s lesser-known works, Sand Land has gradually attracted a devoted following of fans over the years. Notably, it received two anime adaptations, the first of which was a feature film released on August 18, 2023.
Produced in collaboration with Studio Sunrise, Anima and Kamikaze Douga, the series received acclaim from audiences, further cementing the series’ popularity.
Furthermore, an original anime series (ONA) based on the Sand Land manga has been announced to be in the works. Slated for release on March 20, 2024, this ONA will reunite the film’s cast and crew, ensuring continuity and fidelity to the source material.
Consisting of 13 episodes, the series will initially retell the events of the film’s plot in the first six episodes, adding additional scenes.
The story then shifts to Toriyama’s original entry in the series, promising viewers a deeper exploration of the Sand Land universe.
Set in a dystopian future ravaged by war, Sand Land paints a vivid picture of a world ravaged by conflict. With its main water supply depleted, the land has turned into a barren wasteland, leaving its residents desperate for a way to survive.
Amid this chaos, a tyrannical king controls precious water reserves, causing conflict and chaos among the population as they compete for access to this vital resource.
Chief Rao, tired of the king’s oppressive rule, seeks help from an unexpected source—the demon king. Gathering the king’s son, Beelzebub, and his ally, the Thief, Rao embarks on a perilous journey through the harsh desert landscape.
Their quest is fraught with danger as they must confront dragons, bandits and other formidable enemies, traversing treacherous terrain in pursuit of justice and liberation for the people of Sand Land.
