The main visual and main promotional video for the TV anime "Thunder 3," based on the manga by Yuki Ikeda serialized in "Monthly Shonen Magazine" (Kodansha), have been released. The anime began airing on July 8th in Fuji TV's late-night anime block "+Ultra" and other channels.
What initially seems like a heartwarming story about the everyday lives of a close-knit trio of middle schoolers known as "Small 3," who are unremarkable in looks, academics, and sports, takes a dramatic turn midway through the first episode. The cute, cartoonish characters are thrust into the realistic world of the "multiverse," a shocking development. The main visual depicts Small 3 facing off against flying battleships and giant weapons in the Shibuya of the "multiverse."
The main PV features the opening theme "Thunderbolt" by Yuri, and introduces Sadaichi Segami, a college student whom Small 3 encounters, and the mysterious Rebellion army that fights against the aliens. The PV also depicts a scene in which Small 3 attacks the aliens with immense power.
It was also revealed that Shogo Sakata will be playing Doc, the homeroom teacher of Pyontaro and his friends who appeared in the first episode. The cast for the characters appearing in the "Multiverse" was also announced, with Taito Ban as Sadaichi Segami, a college student skilled in karate; Yuki Hirose as Ryoka Tashiro, Segami's high school classmate and a member of Rebellion; Ryoko Maekawa as Mio Kisaragi, who was the reason Segami came to Rebellion; Haruki Ishitani as Kyoji Sumeragi, an indispensable figure for Rebellion; Yuki Shin Onodera as Yutaka Yamamoto, a member of Rebellion; Yuki Shin as Samejima; and Miho Wataya as Sydney.
"Thunder 3" is a "shocking work" whose original manga began serialization in 2022 and quickly became a hot topic on social media for its story development and artwork, leading to an unprecedented nomination for the "Next Manga Award 2022." The story follows three middle school students known as the "Small 3"—Pyontaro, Tsubame, and Hiroshi—who step into the "multiverse" after playing a disc they borrowed from their homeroom teacher, Doc.
In the anime, Sayumi Suzushiro will voice the main character Pyontaro, while Natsumi Kawaida will voice Tsubame, Eri Akiyama will voice Hiroshi, and Honoka Mitsubachi will voice Futaba. Hiroyuki Seshita will serve as general director, Keisuke Ide will direct, and UNEND will produce the animation.
