It has been announced that Ikeda Yuki's manga "Thunder 3," currently serialized in "Monthly Shonen Magazine" (Kodansha), will be adapted into a TV anime and will begin airing in July on Fuji TV's late-night anime slot "+Ultra" and elsewhere. The story is a shocking slice-of-life manga about a trio of close middle school friends who, through a series of unexpected events, embark on a fantastical adventure. When the series began serialization in 2022, it became a hot topic on social media and was nominated for the "Next Manga Award 2022" at an unprecedented speed.
The main cast of the anime has also been announced, with Suzushiro Sayumi playing the main character Pyontaro, Kawaida Natsumi playing Tsubame, Akiyama Eri playing Hiroshi, and Mitsubachi Honoka playing Futaba.
A teaser visual has been released showing the trio of close junior high school friends Pyontaro, Tsubame, and Hiroshi, known as the "Small 3," searching for Pyontaro's lost sister, Futaba. A teaser PV has also been released, depicting the everyday life of the "Small 3" and Futaba, who calls her "my big brother's wife, Nayu."
Suzuyo said, "In my career as a voice actress, I had a big dream that I wanted to achieve someday. That was to play the male protagonist! The original work was so interesting, and after I was captivated by the unexpected development at the beginning, I found myself absorbed in reading all the way up to the latest volume. I thought, if only I could play the protagonist in a work like this someday...and with that feeling of longing in my heart, I took on the role of Pyontaro. When I heard that I had passed the role, I was so happy that I couldn't believe it, and I remember crying (blushes). Dream-like things really do happen. So, I'm Sayumi, and I'll be playing Pyontaro!! I'll do my best, so I hope you'll support me!!"
Kawaida commented, "It was the first time in my career as a voice actor that I was directed to be 'more moody' (laughs). Tsubame has opened up a new drawer for me. I myself am excited to see what will come out of it as I record! I wonder what kind of story it will be... Please look forward to the broadcast!"
Akiyama said, "I've always wanted to play a young boy, and I'm really happy to be playing my first main character! With the support of my co-stars and the production team, I'm having fun recording each episode! I'll do my best to make Hiroshi in the anime a character that many people will love. I hope you'll look forward to seeing the Small 3 in action!"
Mitsubachi commented, "Hello everyone! I'm Mitsubachi Honoka. I'm going to be playing Futaba, who absolutely loves her big brother Pyontaro. Playing Futaba gave me the opportunity to look back on my own memories from when I was little, and it feels like all kinds of colors have mixed together in the margins of my heart. It still doesn't really feel real, and it feels strange, but I hope to deliver an expression that is uniquely my own! I look forward to seeing you all!"
Ikeda, the original author, said, "When the series first began, I wondered what would happen, but miraculously it has been made into an anime! I can't wait for it to air! It's all thanks to all the readers! I'll be able to show my appreciation for my parents!"
The story revolves around a trio of close junior high school friends, Pyontaro, Tsubame, and Hiroshi, known as the "Small 3," who one day go on a search for Pyontaro's younger sister, Futaba, who gets lost. Eight volumes of the comic have been released.
