Following the recent revelation that the creator of legendary Gantz was secretly behind this project, fans of bizarre science fiction have another reason to celebrate. The anime adaptation of the manga Thunder 3 has officially confirmed the production of its second season, scheduled to premiere on screens in 2027.

The announcement came with a special illustration drawn by the author himself to celebrate the continuation of this project. After the first season aired last July, the story captured public attention with its unique mix of visual styles and an action-packed comedic tone, guaranteeing the return of its absurd protagonists.

What made this project truly explosive was the confirmation by renowned mangaka Hiroya Oku, who revealed he published Thunder 3 under the pseudonym Yuki Ikeda. The acclaimed artist explained that he used a fake name since its launch in May 2022 to avoid spoiling the impact and surprises of the first chapter, as his usual signature would have created different expectations among readers. The print version concluded on June 5, compiling its story in ten volumes printed by Kodansha.

Thunder 3 is a science fiction, comedy, and action manga created by Hiroya Oku (under the pseudonym Yuki Ikeda), known for legendary works like Gantz, Inuyashiki, and GIGANT. The plot follows three ordinary high school students who find a mysterious DVD capable of opening a portal to a parallel dimension. When Futaba, the younger sister of one of the boys, crosses the portal and is abducted by aliens ruling that version of Earth, the youths decide to rescue her.

The story’s main peculiarity is that while the alien dimension features hyperrealistic visuals, the three friends retain their simplified cartoon bodies, ironically granting them superhuman strength and absurd abilities in that hostile environment. With the manga now finished and the new animated installment in preparation, the work stands as one of Oku’s final projects before his permanent retirement from the industry.

What did you think of the first season’s visual style, and what do you expect from this continuation?