Tomohiko Ito, the acclaimed director of popular anime series such as Sword Art Online and Erased, and artist Mekki Kuroyama’s manga series, Wonder X, has concluded its first part. The 15th chapter, released last Friday, marked the end of this initial segment of the story.
End of Part One
While the chapter concluded with a statement indicating the end of only the manga’s “first part,” it also included a “thank you for reading” message. This dual messaging has left fans wondering about the future of the series. Such a statement often accompanies the definitive end of a manga, causing some uncertainty about whether Wonder X will continue.
About Wonder X
Wonder X is set in the first half of the 1990s. The story revolves around a group of children who encounter a mysterious being that identifies itself as an alien. This encounter leads them on an adventure filled with mystery and the supernatural.
Tomohiko Ito and Mekki Kuroyama launched Wonder X in September 2022 on Kadokawa’s Comic Newtype web manga platform. Kadokawa published the manga’s second compiled book volume in September 2024.
Tomohiko Ito: A Director’s Manga Debut
Wonder X marked a significant milestone in Tomohiko Ito’s career. While he is renowned for his directorial work in anime, this series was his first foray into creating a manga series. Ito took on the role of writing the story. The artwork for Wonder X is by Mekki Kuroyama.
Ito’s Anime Directing Career
Before venturing into the world of manga, Tomohiko Ito had already established himself as a prominent figure in the anime industry. He is best known for directing:
- Sword Art Online (seasons 1 and 2)
- Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale (film)
- Erased
- Silver Spoon (season 1)
- Occult Academy
- The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited
- Hello World (film)
Other Works by Mekki Kuroyama
Mekki Kuroyama is a manga artist and illustrator. Besides Wonder X, Kuroyama is known for:
- Writing and illustrating the Amnesia Joker manga adaptation
- Working as an artist for Isekaigaeri no Moto Yuusha Desu ga, Death Game ni Makikomaremashita manga
Future Projects for Tomohiko Ito
Despite the ambiguous ending of Wonder X‘s first part, Tomohiko Ito remains active in the anime world. He is currently slated to direct the anime film adaptation of Keigo Higashino’s novel, Kusunoki no Bannin (The Camphorwood Custodian), set to debut in 2026.
Themes and Similarities
Wonder X has drawn comparisons to Stranger Things due to its focus on a group of friends in the 90s experiencing paranormal events and mysteries. The manga aims to capture a sense of mystery, action, and unique experiences.
Ito’s Background
Tomohiko Ito was born on October 20, 1978, in Kasugai, Aichi, Japan. After graduating from Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Ito joined Madhouse, transitioning from a production assistant to an episode director. He also worked as an assistant director on Death Note, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Summer Wars. Ito made his directorial debut with Occult Academy.
List of Tomohiko Ito’s Works
To provide a more comprehensive overview of Tomohiko Ito’s contributions to the anime industry, here’s a list of his notable works:
TV Series
- Occult Academy (2010) – Director
- Sword Art Online (2012) – Director
- Silver Spoon (2013) – Director
- Sword Art Online II (2014) – Director
- Erased (2016) – Director
- The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited (2020) – Director
- Nier:Automata Ver1.1a – Director
Films
- Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale (2017) – Director
- Hello World (2019) – Director
Other Roles
- Death Note – Assistant Director
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time – Assistant Director
- Summer Wars – Assistant Director
- Attack on Titan – Storyboard Artist
- My Happy Marriage – Storyboard Artist
- Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation – Storyboard Artist
- Heavenly Delusion – Storyboard Artist
- Trigun Stampede – Storyboard Artist
- Lycoris Recoil – Storyboard Artist
Where to Read Wonder X
The first chapter of Wonder X was initially available in Japanese. Currently, readers can explore Wonder X on platforms like MangaDex, where the series is available for online reading.
Conclusion
The ending of Wonder X‘s first part marks a pause in the adventures of the group of kids and their alien encounter. Whether the series will continue remains to be seen. Tomohiko Ito’s fans can anticipate his future projects, including The Camphorwood Custodian film.
