TV anime Thunder 3 (サンダー３) is set to premiere on Fuji TV’s “+Ultra” block every Wednesday at 24:45 starting July 8, 2026, with a worldwide exclusive stream also launching on Netflix the same day. Ahead of the broadcast, a special screening talk event was held on June 28 at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya, featuring Suzushiro Sayumi (鈴代紗弓), the voice actress behind protagonist Pyontaro, who shared candid stories about the recording process and her approach to the role.
About Thunder 3
Thunder 3 is a manga by Ikeda Yuki that began serialization in Kodansha’s Gekkan Shounen Magazine in 2022. The story follows a trio of close middle school friends as they search for a young lost girl. The series quickly went viral on social media for both its artwork and storytelling, earning a nomination for the Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Taisho 2022 award in record time.
The main character, Pyontaro, is an unremarkable middle school boy who, along with his best friends Tsubame and Hiroshi, forms a group known as the “Small 3.” Pyontaro has a soft spot for his energetic and mischievous little sister Futaba, who one day goes missing — setting the trio off on a desperate search.
Sayumi on Preparing for a Male Lead Role
Suzushiro Sayumi took the stage dressed in a soft yellow outfit matching the series’ theme color, greeted by warm applause. On her first impressions of the finished anime, she said: “I’m so happy everyone got to see it — but weren’t you all surprised? The visuals and sound were incredible.”
Asked about playing a male protagonist, she opened up: “Playing a male lead has always been a big dream of mine, so I was genuinely overjoyed when I got the part. For character prep, since I didn’t have any middle school boys around me in real life, I actually researched them online, and I also asked the male cast members what they were like back in middle school.”
She added that her initial image of a “hot-blooded hero” gradually shifted through the recording process: “Each time I received direction from the sound director, I came to understand that I should let more of Pyontaro’s adolescent awkwardness and sensitivity show through. It was very much a learning experience as we went.”
On reading the original manga, she noted: “When I first saw the cute cover art, I thought it would be a warm, slice-of-life story — but as I kept reading, the story took some really surprising turns. I wondered how on earth they’d express that in animation. Seeing the finished footage, I was blown away by what the animation team achieved.”
Stage Activities and Thoughts on Pyontaro’s Future
The event also featured a three-choice quiz segment themed around the number “3” in the title. When asked what kind of adult Pyontaro would grow up to be, Sayumi mulled it over before answering: “A gym-obsessed training guy.” The audience responded with a mix of applause and surprised laughter. She elaborated: “I’m not sure about his luck with the ladies, but given who Pyontaro is right now, I think he’d be a training fanatic. I’m looking forward to seeing how he grows through the story.”
On what to look forward to beyond episodes 1 and 2, she said: “There are definitely shocking twists and powerful scenes ahead. The opening and ending sequences are also something else entirely. And above all, I hope everyone looks forward to seeing how the Small 3 fight together — and whether they can find Futaba safe and sound!”
Closing the event, Sayumi left a heartfelt message: “It’s been over two years since the audition, and the staff have been working on this even longer than that. I’m so grateful they created such an incredible film. I’m truly happy to have played Pyontaro alongside such a passionate team. I hope we get to do more events like this — and next time, I’d love to be on stage with the rest of the cast. This is a really fun anime, so please spread the word!”
Broadcast Schedule
- Fuji TV (+Ultra) — From July 8, every Wednesday at 24:45 (first episode at 24:50)
- Kansai TV — From July 9, every Thursday at 26:15 (first episode at 26:19)
- Animax — From July 11, every Saturday at 22:00
- Tokai TV — From July 11, every Saturday at 25:45
- BS Fuji — From July 12, every Sunday at 25:30
- Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting — From July 16, every Thursday at 24:55
- TV Nishinippon — From July 16, every Thursday at 26:15
- Netflix — Worldwide exclusive streaming from July 8
Staff & Cast
- Original Manga: Ikeda Yuki (serialized in Gekkan Shounen Magazine, Kodansha)
- Ending Theme: Otoha — “Shururerira”
- Pyontaro: Sayumi
- Tsubame: Natsumi
- Hiroshi: Eri
- Futaba: Honoka
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