One Punch Man Finally Gives Saitama a Real Challenge After Disastrous Season 3 Premiere

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No anime debuting in Fall 2025 has sparked more discussion than *One-Punch Man*. The show’s first season was a hit and really shaped anime in the 2010s, but the second season wasn’t well-received, leading to a six-year pause. Now, fans are excited for its return in October 2025.

The start of *One-Punch Man* Season 3 was a major disappointment for fans, even more so than many anticipated. It repeated problems from the previous adaptation by J.C. Staff. As viewers went into Episode 2, the big question was whether the anime would ever recover from this downward trend.

One-Punch Man Season 3 Recovers After a Huge Stumble Out of the Gate

It’s hard to think of an anime season that faced more challenges than *One Punch Man* Season 3. The first season was a huge hit, gaining the show millions of fans globally. However, the second season, animated by a different studio, didn’t live up to the original’s quality. This drop in quality likely contributed to the six-year wait for Season 3. When trailers for the new season showed very little animation, fans worried that the entire season would be disappointing.

The first episode of *One Punch Man* Season 3 was widely considered a failure, with awkward animation and a slow pace. It highlighted the unpredictable nature of anime production. Fortunately, the second episode is a noticeable improvement. While it doesn’t reach the high quality of Season 1, which was animated by Madhouse, “Monster Traits” is a much better experience than the disappointing Season 3 premiere and suggests the series is heading in a positive direction.

Okay, I have to say, Season 3 Episode 2 of *One Punch Man* really impressed me! The writing is just fantastic – honestly, it’s been carrying the show since Season 1. I found the humor, how the story unfolded, and even the way they explored the characters all way better than the first episode. It actually rivals some of the best moments from Season 2! Now, the animation wasn’t groundbreaking, especially when you compare it to something like *Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle*, but the second half of the episode *finally* delivered some action and cool visuals that were genuinely fun to watch – which has been a bit hard to come by lately with how things have been going.

Despite a rocky start to Season 3, Episode 2 of *One Punch Man* offers a promising turn-around with its captivating story and noticeably better animation. Even if maintaining this level of quality proves difficult for the show and J.C Staff, they have a potential advantage that could rescue Season 3 – and even the series as a whole.

Garou’s Storyline Carries One-Punch Man Season 3 as a New Threat Looms on the Horizon

While *One Punch Man* is known for its humor and impressive animation, Garou is a key reason the anime is currently so successful. He was a standout character in Season 2, and it’s good to see the story and the animation studio, J.C. Staff, recognizing him as a central figure alongside the main hero.

Season 3 of *One Punch Man* benefited from immediately following Garou’s battles with the Heroes, which set up his conflict with the Monster Association. The show also smartly used scenes between Garou and Tareo to highlight its strength: deeply exploring what drives its characters. Garou’s different-colored eyes now perfectly symbolize his internal struggle between being a hero and a villain, making his future fights with King and the Monster Association leaders even more compelling, especially after his encounter with Saitama.

One Punch Man is most exciting when Saitama fights a worthy opponent. The battle with Boros in Season 1 was great because both were incredibly powerful, highlighting the series’ focus on absolute strength. That’s why Garou, with his increasing power, feels like a strong match for Saitama. And based on Season 3, Episode 2, there might finally be another character who can actually challenge Saitama without being instantly defeated.

In Season 3, Episode 2 of *One Punch Man*, we learn that Lord Orochi, the leader of the Monster Association, used to be human. This detail is significant because it creates a connection between Orochi and both Saitama, the strongest hero, and Garou, a human who could potentially surpass Orochi as the strongest monster. Saitama hasn’t faced a real challenge since the first season, but with both Orochi and Garou now posing genuine threats to the heroes, the story feels more exciting and focused than it has in a long time.

One Punch Man’s Latest Episode Is a Step in the Right Direction, But It’s Far From Perfect

Season 3 of *One Punch Man* faces a big challenge. After a fantastic first season, many fans are disappointed with the anime’s current quality, and it would take a truly exceptional animation team to recapture that original magic – something the studio J.C. Staff doesn’t seem able to deliver. However, *One Punch Man* has always been more than just flashy action, and the core of what makes the series special still shines through.

The dynamic between Saitama and Garou remains compelling, and the Monster Association presents an even greater danger to the heroes than Boros’s invasion. Key mysteries, such as who Blast really is and the origins of Genos’s greatest foe, are becoming more prominent. While it’s strange to see Garou motionless, sliding down a hill, it’s still enjoyable to watch his interactions with Saitama after everything they’ve been through.

For the third season of *One-Punch Man* to be good, it needs to be *at least* as funny, well-written, and visually appealing as the latter part of Episode 2. J.C. Staff, the studio behind the show since 2019, has struggled with quality control, but there’s still hope that Season 3 will avoid a disappointing start and that Saitama will finally face a worthy opponent.

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2025-10-20 01:39