The expanded adaptation of Sand Land — originally a theatrical film that debuted in Japan last summer — formally hit streaming services worldwide yesterday (20 March 2024).

Spanning 13 total episodes, the expanded series covers the events of last year’s film (itself covering and expanding upon the events of the original 14-chapter manga series) over the course of the first six episodes in the “Demon Prince arc”, and then moves on to all-new content developed in conjunction with original author Akira Toriyama in the “Angelic Hero arc” for the remainder of the series.

For the series’ streaming debut, the first seven episodes — all six of the first arc, and the first of the brand-new arc — were all posted at once. Moving forward, one new episode will be posted each Wednesday. The series is largely being handled by Disney+ worldwide, with the United States in particular receiving the series via Hulu.

The series also received new opening and ending themes: the opening theme is “Water Carrier” by Kroi, while the ending theme is “Drive My Idea” by Tempalay. Both groups provided new comments alongside the series’ debut:

OPENING THEME
“Water Carrier” by Kroi
Lyrics: Leo Uchida
Composition & Arrangement: Kroi
(IRORI Records / PONY CANYON)

Comment from Kroi
We, Kroi, will be handling the opening theme of SAND LAND: The Series, based on the original work by Akira Toriyama-sensei, with our new single “Water Carrier”!

Actually, it’s actually close to two years ago that we received word of this and recorded the song, so we’re happy to finally be able to share this news with everyone!

The world where Beelzebub & co.’s adventure unfolds is one where what’s “good” and what’s “evil” isn’t clear, and real the truth seems to be something that doesn’t come neat and tidy. We think our song came out as something will allow you to get even more thrills and excitement out of that world!

Please enjoy our song “Water Carrier” alongside SAND LAND: The Series!

ENDING THEME
“Drive My Idea” by Tempalay
Lyrics & Composition: Ryōto Ohara
Arrangement: Tempalay
(unBORDE / Warner Music Japan)

Comment from Tempalay
We love the vehicles drawn by Akira Toriyama-san, and even in private we call them “Akira Toriyama-style”. We were in elementary school during Sand Land‘s original run. The big buzzwords of the time that impacted us as kids were Nostradamus’ Predictions and the Y2K Problem, and in the middle of all that, Sand Land‘s post-apocalyptic vibe left a lasting impression. I think it was an era that balanced excitement with a vague sense of dread.

We hope you’ll get that same double-faceted feeling from the song we’ve provided.

…Which is me trying to sound all cool, but the reality is, I’ve been a super-fan since I was little, so I’m seriously hyped! I hope my classmates stumble upon this comment and read it! KURIRIN!

—Ryōto Ohara (Tempalay)

The project’s official website also includes a lengthy comment from original author Akira Toriyama:

The SAND LAND project started out as a game, and then also got an animated series afterwards. I remember that when I first saw the character designs, I thought it was for a game, but then, as things moved forward, I started realizing it was an animated series after all, and as it moved forward still, I was surprised to realize it was actually both.

As kind of a counter-reaction to my flashy, serialized series Dragon Ball, for my short stories and one-shots, I stuck to what I like and drew nothing but plain, peaceful tales set in small-scale worlds with low-key main protagonists.

At its core, SAND LAND is also like that, but the staff working on the animated series probably thought that it was kind of hard to make that kind of story fit into what is essentially an action series, so they added in a lot of flashy set pieces to the production to add some more depth to it.

When I saw the outline they’d written for the continuation of the original story, the “Angel Hero” arc, it was also drenched in drama and fast-paced developments right from the start.

I then contributed the character designs for some new characters, like the angel Muniel and Ann, the background information for Muniel, as well as some story ideas. And with that, the continuation was completed.

Since the stories I like to draw are more on the plain side, you will likely be able to enjoy these fresh, dramatic story developments that I probably wouldn’t be able to come up with, as well as the new world-building and impactful action scenes.

Beelzebub, Rao, and Thief will embark on a new adventure and encounter these new characters. I hope you’ll all enjoy this exciting and thrilling story revolving around the terrifying power source, “Aquanium,” and would love it if you could all slowly feel a sense of peace welling up within you.

In addition to Toriyama’s comment, the official site had previously featured introductions to and comments from voice actors for characters in the new story arc, Mikako Komatsu (“Ann”) and Ayumu Murase (“Muniel”):

Comment from Mikako Komatsu (Ann):

What are your impressions of your character and the story as a whole?
I’ve been familiar with Toriyama-sensei’s works since I was little, and before I knew it, I got to work on one! This one has a nature theme, but it’s neither a full-on comedy nor a big action spectacle, and the setting is a desert!

There’s the main character, a teenage demon, a bunch of old men, tanks and robots! It’s pretty subdued! But still pretty cool! Before I knew it, I was completely immersed in its world.

Ann is a new character, but since she’s a mechanic, people rely on her a lot. Who knows what kind of part she will play in the story?… Her interactions with Beelz are so funny even I got to have fun recording them.

To the fans:

A fusion of traditional animation and CG! The meticulous depiction of the tanks and robots really shines in this desert world!

This sense of excitement should really resonate with people from all ages!

It also comes with themes that do not lose relevance, no matter how many years pass. Please enjoy it!

Comment from Ayumu Murase (Muniel):

What are your impressions of your character and the story as a whole?
Since it was for an adaptation of a work from Toriyama-sensei‘s, I went into the audition feeling super nervous.

Muniel is an angel, but despite his good-natured personality, he’s still pretty much an angel swindler, or an “angeler” if you will (laughs).

I think he’s a fun character that will be able to bring you tons of excitement!

To the fans:

I’m extremely honored to be able to take part in Sand Land.

I was able to bring some of my own ideas into the recording booth, and I think that Toriyama-sensei‘s worldview was portrayed with a lot of care!

I think it’s definitely something that will be worth watching, so I would be really happy if you’d anxiously wait for the release date.

Following Dragon Ball‘s completion, Akira Toriyama produced various one-shots and short works for Shueisha including Alien Peke and Tokimecha in 1996, and Bubul of Demon Village in 1997. Series with longer runs — serializations that would ultimately comprise a single tankōbon — were also produced, including COWA! in 1997, Kajika in 1998, and Sand Land in 2000.

Sand Land was originally serialized within the pages of Weekly Shōnen Jump in Japan from May to August 2000 spanning 14 chapters. The series was compiled into a single volume that November. A new kanzenban edition was released in Japan last August; that same month, a colorized version of the manga began in Shueisha’s Saikyō Jump magazine in the September 2023 issue.

Sand Land went on to act as a debut series within Viz’s Shonen Jump print magazine in America in 2003, both running to completion and receiving its own collected volume later that same year. The entire manga series is also available as part of Viz’s digital vault service.

The Sand Land theatrical film debuted 18 August 2023 in Japan with animation produced by Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga, and Anima. Its home video release in Japan is due out 29 May 2024.

A video game adaptation from Bandai Namco is out worldwide this April, as well.