Hiroya Oku Reveals He Wrote Thunder 3 as Yuki Ikeda
Gantz creator Hiroya Oku confirmed he penned the Thunder 3 manga under the pen name Yuki Ikeda to protect a first-chapter surprise for readers.
Hiroya Oku, the creator of Gantz, confirmed on social media that he wrote the manga Thunder 3 under the pen name Yuki Ikeda. According to Anime News Network, Oku said he adopted the alias to preserve a story surprise in the manga's first chapter for new readers.
Under the name Yuki Ikeda, Oku launched Thunder 3 in Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Magazine in May 2022. The series entered its climax in January 2025 before going on hiatus in March 2025 due to Ikeda's health.
The manga returned from hiatus in February and ended on June 5. Kodansha published the tenth and final volume on August 17, while Kodansha USA shipped the eighth volume on February 10.
An anime adaptation premiered on Fuji TV's +Ultra block on July 8 and streams worldwide on Netflix.
Oku's Gantz ran from 2000 to 2013 and inspired a television anime, a CG anime film, two Japanese live-action films, and two spinoff manga. He has also announced plans to retire after finishing his manga Kanrekihime (The Sweet Sixty Princess).
Quick answers
Who created the Thunder 3 manga?
Hiroya Oku created Thunder 3 under the pen name Yuki Ikeda, a fact he confirmed on social media.
Why did Hiroya Oku use the pen name Yuki Ikeda?
Oku said he used the pen name to preserve a story surprise in the first chapter for new readers.
When did the Thunder 3 manga end?
Thunder 3 ended on June 5 after returning from a hiatus in February.