Wonder Guy

Wonder Guy (ワンダーガイ) is a fictional character from a television series named ''"Fight, Wonder Guy!" (戦え！ワンダーガイ)'' existing in Fujinuma's universe. Though little is known or shown of this character, it is implied that Wonder Guy was a major role model and source of inspiration for Satoru as a child and adult.

Ep 1
While Fujinuma chases down and attempts to intercept the unconscious driver of a truck, a brief image is shown of Wonder Guy petting the head of a younger Satoru. Contained in one of Sachiko Fujinuma's flashbacks; Satoru holding a Wonder Guy mask during a summer festival, where it was presumably purchased.

Ep 2
A mask of Wonder Guy is seen in Satoru's room.

Ep 9
Satoru can be seen listening to a "Fight, Wonder Guy!" theme song CD as he considers ways to save the next victims Hiromi Sugita and Nakanishi Aya from the murders.

Ep 11
A CD copy of the "Fight, Wonder Guy!" theme song is purchased and played by Sachiko Fujinuma, to which Satoru wakes from his coma. This is the same CD cover seen in episode 9.

Ep 12
A Wonder Guy action figure can be seen among Satoru's old belongings.

The series and character of Wonder Guy is the subject of Fujinuma's student essay, titled "My Hero". It is read by an adult Fujinuma who reflects on his progress, and draws multiple parallels to the events of the series.

Quotes
''I don't have the courage to dig deep and take the first step. That's why I don't have any allies. I do have friends to have fun with, but I think "friends and "allies" are different.''

''Yesterday, I watched the final episode of my favourite show, "Fight, Wonder Guy!" At the start of the show, Wonder Guy fought alone. He got knocked down again and again, but he never gave up, and he mustered up the courage to keep on fighting. "You can't open a path without digging deep and taking the extra step," he said, and kept fighting. And then, the people he moved with his courage became his allies one by one. That's why, even when it looked like he was going to lose to the bad guy in the end, he never stopped believing that his allies would come to his aid. ''

''But unlike Wonder Guy, I don't have courage or allies. So I felt extremely envious of him. It made me want to grow up to have  true allies, with whom I'd share a bond of trust.''

- Fujinuma on Wonder Guy - "My Hero"

Trivia

 * Wonder Guy's design is reminiscent of the Power Rangers and Anpanman.
 * Judging by Satoru's essay, the last episode of "Fight, Wonder Guy!" aired in 1988.
 * The Wonder Guy series could be a possible inspiration for Satoru's career as a mangaka.
 * A Wonder Guy lunchbox is owned by Satoru.