If you are into One Punch Man here are more reasons to go back to that hilariously deep anime from 2015. For fans of the show, little needs to be said if you are looking for that incentive to revisit it. But for those who haven’t checked it out already here are a few more reasons why One Punch Man season 01 is among the best the anime world has to offer.
First things first, if you haven’t read Part I of the review of One Punch Man, we highly advise you to do so. It is a simple, no-spoiler review. Though an argument can be made what is there to ‘spoil’ in a show where the hero can finish off any opponent with a single punch? This question takes us to the next part of our analysis of One Punch Man: its depth. There is more to this show than meets the eye.
One Punch Man – Serious Satire
If you need to, you can read the Part I review of One Punch Man here first!
Anyone going into Madhouse’s humorous take on the hero genre will certainly be in for some laughs. That is kind of the point of parody anime that seeks to overturn the conventional storyline where the hero starts out weak, only to grow stronger through trial and adversity until he is ready to face up against the major enemy. A villain who has done great harm to him or his loved ones.
No such shenanigans here. One Punch Man adopts a what you see is what you get. A normal guy who decides that being a hero is his life’s calling and works to become one. And eventually succeeds. Succeeds so well to a point where the adversary, no matter how big, strong and dangerous is no longer a threat. Rendered irrelevant with a single punch. In such a scenario the show runs the risk of becoming drab and predictable. But no fear. This is where the humor element kicks in.
Side Characters Save the Day
But not in the way you think. As noted, no villain is too powerful, and no obstacle is too great for the bald-headed hero Saitama. So, when it comes to conflicts, fears, and anxieties, these emotions and the social dynamics they give rise to are provided by an interesting and growing cast of supporting characters. Starting with Genos. A cyborg who is captivated by the awesome power of Saitama and wishes to be his student.
Saitama obviously does not have the time or interest to take on this bloke but the machine guy is persistent and becomes a pestering presence in the main character’s life. Given his shortcomings and overt curiosity, he becomes the channel through which audience questions and concerns (about hero safety) get channeled.
Diverse Cast of Heroes and Villains
One of the best things about One Punch Man is that it is not always about the hero. Side characters, and other heroes also have their own storylines and how they face those conflicts and overcome them (or often fail to) providing an interesting level of perspective to the story. Notable here are characters like Mumen Rider a brave kid with no real superpowers, but with a big heart and strong will, his life contrasts with that of Saitama.
Whilst Saitama has everything that a guy like Mumen Rider would like to have, he does not have the same kind of passion for the profession. Wanting to be a hero ‘for fun’. These contrasts provide depth to the story and make it a more grounded anime than more serious ones that try to do too much. One Punch Man is a success thanks to its simplicity.
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