A toner is prepared by wet granulation methods, including a monoester wax having carbon atoms of from 36 to 46 on average as a release agent. The toner has a DSC endothermic energy amount (ΔH1) originating from the wax of from 10 to 12 mJ/mg and a DSC endothermic energy amount (ΔH2) originating from the wax of from 0.6 to 0.9 times as much asΔH1 after a part of the wax is separated by hexane extraction from the toner. The hexane extraction includes mixing 1 g of the toner in 7 ml of n-hexane to prepare a mixture; stirring the mixture at 120 rpm for 1 min by a pot mill to prepare a dispersion; and subjecting the dispersion to suction filtration.
