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Thunder 3 is credited to Yuki Ikeda, but ComicBook.com reports that Gantz creator Hiroya Oku disclosed he was working under that pen name. The reported reason: keeping the manga’s first-episode reveal surprising. Here’s what the announcement establishes—and what it does not.

Who is behind Thunder 3?

ComicBook.com reported on October 2, 2026, that Hiroya Oku revealed he had used the pen name Yuki Ikeda for Thunder 3. Kodansha USA’s English-language series page credits the manga to Yuki Ikeda, so the announcement identifies Oku as the person behind a name readers will see in the publisher’s catalog.

The distinction matters: Kodansha USA lists Yuki Ikeda as the creator, while the report attributes the identity disclosure to Oku. The series page itself does not name Oku. Read ComicBook.com’s report and view Kodansha USA’s Thunder 3 page.

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Why did Oku use the name Yuki Ikeda?

ComicBook.com says Oku explained that revealing his real name alongside the big reveal in the first episode would have diminished its impact. The article reproduces wording attributed to an X post, describing the pen name as a way to surprise readers encountering the story for the first time. The original post is not independently confirmed here, so this explanation should be treated as the account reported by ComicBook.com rather than a separately verified quotation.

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What kind of manga is Thunder 3?

Kodansha USA categorizes the title as science fiction and action/adventure. Its description highlights contrasting art styles, hard-SF elements, and meta-comedy. That combination is the publisher’s characterization, not an independent critical verdict; it also helps explain why the title may not look or read like a conventional straight-faced science-fiction adventure.

Is Thunder 3 by the creator of Gantz?

According to the ComicBook.com report, yes: Oku, known as the creator of Gantz, is the person behind the Yuki Ikeda pen name on Thunder 3. The evidence cited here does not establish further claims about Oku’s retirement status. The headline phrase “despite retirement” should not be taken as proof that he formally retired; the underlying retirement-related comment has not been verified here.

Is Thunder 3 finished?

The available sources do not resolve whether the original manga serialization has concluded. ComicBook.com describes the series as ended, while Kodansha USA’s English-language catalog labels its listing “Ongoing.” Those statements may refer to different contexts, but the evidence here does not confirm that distinction. The publisher page currently displays eight volumes available; that is a catalog snapshot, not proof of the original serialization’s status.

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Where can you read Thunder 3?

Kodansha USA lists both print and digital editions, including Volume 1 and multiple later volumes. Its page links to print retailers and offers digital editions. Choose the format that suits how you read; availability and displayed prices can change, so check the publisher’s listing for current options.

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