If the
recent revelation that the creator of the mythical Gantz was behind this
project in secret was not enough of a surprise, fans of bizarre science fiction
have another reason to celebrate. The anime adaptation of the Thunder 3
manga officially confirmed the production of its second season, which is
scheduled to premiere on screens in 2027.
The
announcement was accompanied by a special illustration drawn by the author
himself to celebrate the continuity of this proposal. After the broadcast of
its first season last July, the story managed to capture the attention of the
public thanks to its peculiar mix of visual styles and an action-packed comic
tone, guaranteeing the return of its crazy protagonists.
What made
this project truly explosive was the confirmation made by the famous mangaka Hiroya
Oku, who revealed that he had published Thunder 3 under the
pseudonym Yuki Ikeda. The renowned artist explained that he used a false name
since its release in May 2022 so as not to ruin the impact or surprises of the
first chapter, as the presence of his usual signature would have generated
different expectations among readers. The work on paper reached its final
conclusion on June 5, compiling its history in ten volumes printed by the
Kodansha publishing house.
Thunder
3 is a science
fiction, comedy, and action manga created by Hiroya Oku (under the
pseudonym Yuki Ikeda), famous for legendary works such as Gantz, Inuyashiki,
and GIGANT. The plot follows three ordinary high school students who get
their hands on a mysterious DVD capable of opening a portal to a parallel
dimension. When little Futaba, sister of one of the boys, crosses the portal
and is kidnapped by aliens who dominate that version of Earth, the young people
decide to go and rescue her.
The great
peculiarity of the story is that while the alien dimension has a
hyper-realistic appearance, the three friends keep their simplified cartoon
bodies, which ironically endows them with superhuman strength and absurd
abilities within that hostile environment. With the manga already finished and
the preparation of its new animated installment, the work is positioned as one
of Oku's last works before his definitive retirement from the industry.
