Thunder 3 made a memorable impression at Anime Expo 2026, where Fuji TV hosted a packed premiere panel celebrating one of the season’s most visually ambitious anime. Alongside the world premiere of the English dub for the first two episodes, fans heard directly from Chief Director Hiroyuki Seshita and Series Composition/Script Writer Hiroshi Seko, who discussed the creative process behind adapting Yuki Ikeda’s acclaimed manga.
The event, held on July 4 in Room 408AB, gave attendees an early look at the series before its global Netflix debut on July 8. From laughter during the opening episodes to audible gasps at the second episode’s cliffhanger, the audience reaction demonstrated why Thunder 3 has quickly become one of the most talked-about new anime releases.
The manga convinced the creative team almost immediately
During the panel, both creators revealed that the source material itself was the biggest reason they joined the project.
Chief Director Hiroyuki Seshita explained,
“The original manga was very unique, so I wanted to make an animation as soon as I read it.”
Series composer Hiroshi Seko echoed that enthusiasm, revealing that despite an already packed schedule, the manga immediately changed his mind.
“Seshita-san recruited me for this project. I was super busy and wasn’t sure if I could take it on, but I responded that ‘I will do it’ as soon as I read the manga because it was so good.”
The pair also discussed one of the anime’s biggest creative challenges: combining cartoon-style characters with highly realistic environments. Seshita explained that the production team used halftone dots around the stylized characters to clearly separate them from the realistic backgrounds while preserving the manga’s distinctive visual identity.
New details revealed before the Netflix premiere
The panel also confirmed that singer-songwriter Yuuri performs the opening theme, “Thunderbolt.” The song debuted with the anime before receiving its digital release on July 10.
Fans attending the event also participated in a raffle featuring signed Thunder 3 manga volumes from creator Yuki Ikeda, along with autograph boards signed by Seshita and Seko.
Before the session concluded, both creators shared what they hoped audiences would take away from the series.
Seshita reflected on manga’s influence throughout his life, saying, “Manga saved my life, is still saving my life, and I believe manga can save the world. Manga characters save the world in Thunder 3, and I hope everyone here feels that sentiment.”
Meanwhile, Seko encouraged viewers to connect with the series’ unlikely heroes.
“Including Pyontaro, the Small Three are not at all cool, talented, or good at fighting; but I hope you can all feel them do their best and grow in this anime.”
Thunder 3 is now streaming worldwide
Written and illustrated by Yuki Ikeda, Thunder 3 began serialization in Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Magazine in 2022 and quickly gained attention for its unpredictable story and striking artwork.
The story follows middle schooler Pyontaro and his friends as they enter a realistic parallel world in search of his younger sister, blending science fiction, comedy, and action into a multiverse adventure.
The anime is now streaming exclusively on Netflix, with new episodes released every Wednesday, while all eight manga volumes are available through Kodansha.
