While we’re waiting for S3, it’s time to look back and figure out why the anime took off in the first place.
Summary:
One Punch Man instantly became very popular when it was released — and it’s not just because of insane action.
The comedy in OPM works well and doesn’t become stale because the cast adds more depth to it.
Saitama is a surprisingly deep and complex character, something people wouldn’t initially expect from a parody anime.
One Punch Man’s adaptation arrived on the screens in 2015 and instantly became one of the most popular anime of all time. Yes, that can, at least in part, be attributed to how good it looked — the fights were insane, and in general, the animators went all-out on it. The absurd premise of a hero who can take out any enemy in a single punch makes for good comedy — but fights and comedy are not the only reasons the series is remembered for.
The comedy works extremely well because it’s not just about Saitama
Fans may wonder how One Punch Man’s comedy hasn’t become tiring. It would seem at first glance that the anime is supposed to have only one joke that it runs into the ground very quickly — yet it is actually the opposite.
One Punch Man’s cast consists of dozens of characters, all of which are very unique, and their personalities and interactions blend together perfectly, keeping the anime refreshing during both comedic and serious moments. At this point, it’s not just about Saitama himself — it’s about the world he lives in and those he interacts with.
The anime is incredibly relatable
However, the arguably strongest point of One Punch Man is how surprisingly relatable it is. At first glance, that might sound nonsensical: viewers do not live in a world constantly threatened by monsters, nor do they fight them. The relatability, of course, comes from a different source.
Despite being the strongest hero, Saitama deals with completely mundane human problems — not even the most powerful being in the universe can escape them. He’s also bored out of his mind, something that’s very easy to understand if you consider the fact that he can literally destroy any enemy who stands against him.
Subversion of expectations
In the end, most viewers probably were drawn in by the epic action and absurd comedy of the anime. A lot, however, stayed for a more mature and nuanced take on a superhero subgenre, something they probably weren’t expecting from an anime initially advertised as a parody.
Despite all of that, One Punch Man’s worldbuilding and characters are also surprisingly complex — another proof that the anime is going to retain its popularity in the long run. What initially looked like a one-note comedy has become something much, much greater, turning into a cultural phenomenon of its own. Now, the question is: where the hell is our third season, anyway?
While we’re waiting for S3, it’s time to look back and figure out why the anime took off in the first place.
Summary:
One Punch Man instantly became very popular when it was released — and it’s not just because of insane action.
The comedy in OPM works well and doesn’t become stale because the cast adds more depth to it.
Saitama is a surprisingly deep and complex character, something people wouldn’t initially expect from a parody anime.
One Punch Man’s adaptation arrived on the screens in 2015 and instantly became one of the most popular anime of all time. Yes, that can, at least in part, be attributed to how good it looked — the fights were insane, and in general, the animators went all-out on it. The absurd premise of a hero who can take out any enemy in a single punch makes for good comedy — but fights and comedy are not the only reasons the series is remembered for.
The comedy works extremely well because it’s not just about Saitama
Fans may wonder how One Punch Man’s comedy hasn’t become tiring. It would seem at first glance that the anime is supposed to have only one joke that it runs into the ground very quickly — yet it is actually the opposite.
One Punch Man’s cast consists of dozens of characters, all of which are very unique, and their personalities and interactions blend together perfectly, keeping the anime refreshing during both comedic and serious moments. At this point, it’s not just about Saitama himself — it’s about the world he lives in and those he interacts with.
The anime is incredibly relatable
However, the arguably strongest point of One Punch Man is how surprisingly relatable it is. At first glance, that might sound nonsensical: viewers do not live in a world constantly threatened by monsters, nor do they fight them. The relatability, of course, comes from a different source.
Despite being the strongest hero, Saitama deals with completely mundane human problems — not even the most powerful being in the universe can escape them. He’s also bored out of his mind, something that’s very easy to understand if you consider the fact that he can literally destroy any enemy who stands against him.
Subversion of expectations
In the end, most viewers probably were drawn in by the epic action and absurd comedy of the anime. A lot, however, stayed for a more mature and nuanced take on a superhero subgenre, something they probably weren’t expecting from an anime initially advertised as a parody.
Despite all of that, One Punch Man’s worldbuilding and characters are also surprisingly complex — another proof that the anime is going to retain its popularity in the long run. What initially looked like a one-note comedy has become something much, much greater, turning into a cultural phenomenon of its own. Now, the question is: where the hell is our third season, anyway?
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