I had read some early chapters of
the One-Punch Man manga, but I was
mostly reserving it to watch as an anime.
The manga’s pretty great, but I felt that it’s something that would be
more fully realized as an anime. That’s
why I don’t regularly check on the manga’s chapter updates. At last, this 2015, the first season of the
anime has run – and it’s tremendously enjoyable as expected.
One-Punch Man follows the adventures of Saitama, a superhero who is
so immensely powerful that he can effortlessly defeat the villains and monsters
he encounters with just one punch (hence, the title). He achieved such power after training
everyday for three years, but at the cost of becoming permanently bald. He meets a cyborg named Genos, who convinces
him to become his disciple, and together, they join the Hero Association.
Despite being more powerful than the superheroes ranked above him and successfully accomplishing several high-level missions, Saitama doesn’t receive the recognition and respect that he deserves. Others even discount him as a counterfeit who only takes for himself the credit for other heroes’ achievements. Only a handful of individuals – especially Genos, who adores him greatly – really know his capability and accomplishments. However, he isn’t much bothered by this, for he simply does superheroing as a hobby, and is more concerned in searching for stronger opponents that he may find challenging.
Despite being more powerful than the superheroes ranked above him and successfully accomplishing several high-level missions, Saitama doesn’t receive the recognition and respect that he deserves. Others even discount him as a counterfeit who only takes for himself the credit for other heroes’ achievements. Only a handful of individuals – especially Genos, who adores him greatly – really know his capability and accomplishments. However, he isn’t much bothered by this, for he simply does superheroing as a hobby, and is more concerned in searching for stronger opponents that he may find challenging.
Characterizations of overpowered
characters tend to be one-dimensional and uninteresting. That’s why many are bored with Superman or,
at least, prefer Batman more. But
there’s nothing boring about Saitama.
He’s a very likable and appealing character. His overpoweredness is presented in a way in
which it’s as much as a disadvantage as it is an advantage, thus, making the
audience sympathize for the character. And
there’s always something exhilarating and funny in how he dispatches enemies
with one blow.
If the attempt is to be a
satirized Japanese take on the superhero genre, the premise of One-Punch Man excellently nailed it. Its monster-filled world, quirky characters,
and over-the-top action make it constantly hilarious, entertaining, enthralling,
and full of energy. One-Punch Man is like Dragon
Ball Z, Hunter X Hunter, Powerpuff Girls, and The Tick rolled into one.
One-Punch Man is probably the most popular new anime of 2015. And rightfully so. For it’s something original and clever – a
breath of fresh air from the familiar crop of anime and superhero properties
that are out there right now.
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