One Punch Man: A Personal Journey from Skepticism to Appreciation (Mostly)

When I first started watching One Punch Man, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. The first episode threw a lot at me—like six different monsters, if you count the dream sequence—and while it clearly established the gimmick of Saitama defeating everyone with a single punch, it also felt kind of disjointed. There were no supporting characters yet, and without anyone for Saitama to bounce off of, the episode felt more like a sketch comedy or something like The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. than the superhero parody I was expecting.

The art style also didn’t grab me at first. It felt a bit bland and lacking identity, especially in the way the background characters and civilians were drawn. But I was impressed by the animation quality, even in the quieter moments. Unlike some anime that only put effort into the fight scenes, One Punch Man maintained a high floor of consistency, which I’ve come to appreciate even more after watching other shows where that’s not the case.

The Power of Genos (and Having a Sidekick)
Everything changed for me in Episode 2 when Genos was introduced. His presence gave Saitama someone to interact with, and suddenly, the show became way more engaging. The Genos exposition dump was handled smartly through parody, with the music speeding up as he talked faster and faster. That was a clever touch that made what could’ve been a boring info-dump genuinely fun.

By Episode 3, I was beginning to see what people love about the show. The mini-arc with Dr. Genus and the House of Evolution felt more focused, and Genos continued to shine as a character. However, I noticed a problem creeping in—the gag of Saitama letting villains “power up” only to one-shot them was starting to get a little stale. I knew this was part of the show’s concept, but if they repeated it endlessly, I knew it wouldn’t hold my attention.

A Shift Toward Narrative—and Real Stakes
Around Episode 5, I started feeling a bit burnt out. The self-contained monster-of-the-week episodes were entertaining but felt shallow. I found myself wanting something more—something with actual stakes and a stronger narrative structure. Thankfully, that shift started happening with the introduction of the Hero Association and the gradual buildup to the Deep Sea King arc.

By Episodes 7 through 9, I was hooked again. The Deep Sea King mini-arc was, without question, the strongest part of the show so far. It had emotional stakes, great world-building, smart use of music and atmosphere, and introduced new characters with compelling abilities and personalities. I especially loved Mumen Rider—not because he was powerful, but because he represented everything Saitama lost when he reached the top: the drive, the passion, the heart. Mumen’s dedication in the face of hopeless odds was genuinely moving.

Season 1 Finale: A Strong Finish
The Boros arc, which closed out Season 1, brought One Punch Man to new heights. The animation was nothing short of spectacular—some frames are permanently etched into my mind—and the parallels between Boros and Saitama made for an interesting thematic layer. Boros, like Saitama, is too powerful for his own good, but unlike Saitama, he uses that emptiness to justify destruction. Meanwhile, Saitama quietly continues his hero work, not because he needs to, but because he believes in helping others—even if it doesn’t fulfill him.

The final moments of Season 1 hinted at future arcs and mysteries—Drive Knight, Metal Knight, and the King reveal, which was both hilarious and intriguing. It left me eager for more.

Season 2: A Mixed Bag with Glimpses of Greatness
Season 2 had a lot of baggage to carry, especially with the change in animation studios from Madhouse to JC Staff. While it wasn’t nearly as bad as some people made it out to be—especially compared to disasters like Seven Deadly Sins Season 3—it definitely lacked the polish and consistency of Season 1. Some moments looked great, but others felt rushed or oddly animated (like how metal was rendered in early episodes).

The introduction of Garou was the season’s biggest swing. His character concept is solid—a "monster" born out of disdain for society's obsession with heroes—but his motivations often felt undercooked or contradictory. Scenes with him and the kid were sweet, but they didn't mesh with his supposed philosophy of being a villain. Still, he was a more grounded and complex antagonist than most, and I appreciated how his story played out across the entire season.

Unfortunately, the pacing of Season 2 felt off. The martial arts tournament, which could’ve been fun, ended up being a low point. Suiryu, despite being heavily built up, never felt like a real challenge to Saitama, and we all knew how it would end. It was hard to invest in it when every other subplot felt more interesting.

The final episodes of Season 2 were underwhelming compared to the high-octane finale of Season 1. Garou’s story felt unresolved, and characters like Bang and Bomb showing up last minute didn’t feel earned. Saitama, oddly enough, took a backseat for much of the season, and while I get the show is expanding its universe, sidelining the main character during the climax was a strange choice.

Final Thoughts
One Punch Man is, at its best, a brilliant deconstruction of the superhero genre with top-tier animation, memorable characters, and surprisingly deep themes about purpose, power, and passion. Season 1 was tight, funny, emotional, and beautifully made. Season 2, while entertaining, lacked the same sharp focus and quality control, but still had enough good moments and character work to keep me watching.

I’m genuinely excited for Season 3, especially with the growing tension between characters like Genos, Metal Knight, and Drive Knight, and I’m hopeful they’ll bring the animation quality back to its former glory.

TL;DR:

Pros: Incredible animation (especially in S1), great parody and humor, deep themes, strong supporting cast (Genos, Mumen Rider, Boros).

Cons: Repetitive gags early on, S2 pacing issues, inconsistent animation, sidelining of Saitama.

Best Arcs: Deep Sea King and Boros arcs.

Rating: 7.9/10 overall (S1: 9/10, S2: 7/10)