First Impressions / One-Punch Man

“The Modern Ninja”


「今時の忍者」 (Imadoki no Ninja)

Much of the Same:

One-Punch Man continues to do what its good at, but I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a disconnect here. It pains me to say this, but One-Punch Man hasn’t lived up to my expectations so far. The first episode was probably the most enjoyable, delivering what I thought we’d get; we were introduced to Saitama and learned about his history. It was funny, the action was awesome, and there were hints of where the story could go from there. Back then I said that Saitama was a contender for the strongest main character this season, but I may have to take that back now, because in all honesty, his character arc feels complete. Because there is no serious overarching story here, it doesn’t feel like we’re on much a journey with these characters. I’ve seen everything I can from Saitama, as amusing as he is to watch. Each episode has the same checkpoints, the same gags, the same everything. It’s all becoming very predictable, and while that may be why so many like it, it’s just not connecting with me. It was great the first time, funny the second, questionable the third, and just… boring the fourth time around.

The last thing I want to do is slate a popular series that I expected to love, but I can’t be dishonest and say that this episode impressed me all the much. Maybe this episode itself wasn’t as good as the previous three, but I don’t know if that’s the case. It seems, to me, that One-Punch Man is still doing the same thing as before, it’s just that I’ve grown tired of the formula already. Still, there were a few worthwhile moments in this episode.

Sonic the Ninja:

Sonic (Kaji Yuuki) is a fun introduction – I really dig his design, and his fight sequences were wonderfully animated. There’s not much else to discuss about his character for now, but his back-and-forth with Saitama was probably the most amusing part of the episode. While I didn’t laugh – I had a straight face throughout the whole episode, I’m afraid to say – the moment where Saitama punched him in the balls is what we’re all bound to remember. His quaking body and weak-sounding voice after the punch was cute in a vulnerable sort of way. If anything, this episode makes me want to see more of Saitama and Sonic together.

Other than that, there’s not much else left to discuss. We are introduced the License-Less Rider (Nakamura Yuuichi), who fails to make much of an impression. All we know is he’s getting the recognition for Saitama’s hard work. Talking about hard work, it was somewhat interesting that the villains this week were basically freeloaders who didn’t want to conform to the system and get stuck in a dead-end job. In a way, there’s something to sympathise with there (especially if you’re stuck in one of those jobs yourself) and it seems like intentional commentary on what’s currently going on in Japan. It’s possible that this issue stirs up something in the Japanese viewers more so than it does with us Westerners, but it’s a noteworthy backdrop to these otherwise mediocre villains. Even Saitama finds himself identifying with them a little, though by the end of the episode he seems relieved that he’s managed not to fall into that trap.

Overview – What’s Next?:

Not a great episode, I have to say. I really don’t want to come here and trash-talk a series that is loved by many, but I can only be honest with how I’m feeling. One-Punch Man is great at what it does – it’s consistent in its delivery, the characters have their individual charms, and the animation is brilliant – but it’s just not clicking with me. I need something different week-in-week-out, and I’m not getting that right now. However, Saitama and Genos officially signing up as heroes could be that opportunity to go against my expectations. This could be the chance for One-Punch Man to prove its not a One Trick Pony. *fingers crossed*

Full-length images: 09.

77 Comments

  3. https://randomc.net/image/One-Punch%20Man/One-Punch%20Man%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2026.jpg
    I’m so glad you were able to grab this pic. Boing!

    https://randomc.net/image/One-Punch%20Man/One-Punch%20Man%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2001.jpg
    In a way, there’s something to sympathise with there (especially if you’re stuck in one of those jobs yourself) and it seems like intentional commentary on what’s currently going on in Japan. It’s possible that this issue stirs up something in the Japanese viewers more so than it does with us Westerners – I dunno, I think there’s a growing movement here/cultural shift that says otherwise. People might be starting to wake up to that fact.

    https://randomc.net/image/One-Punch%20Man/One-Punch%20Man%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2036.jpg
    And next week’s Hero exam should be a doozy, especially for those looking for a narrative change of pace.

    Bamboo Blade Cat
    Reply

    1. Mm, social commentary about how people, especially youngsters, are losing faith in having jobs as a way to pursue a good life, since lately they tend to be: a) boring and/or insufferable b) badly paid c) discouraging after taking a look at the bosses at the top who make millions. Those who try to expose it are rabid lunatics good for nothing and those who analyze it put the blame on pop culture and mass media instead of the economy system.

      That, or it was just an excuse to have Saitama punch some guys and have fun at lazy unemployed people, tasteless new rich, and out-of-the-loop experts XD

      I think the later would be more likely.

      Mistic
      Reply

  4. Gotta say, I apreciar your honesty in not kissing the séries ass. I say this as a fan of op man.

    And the criticism is pertinentes. But I don’t know why it just works with me. Maybe it is the awesome art, the later arcs I don’t know.

    Keep your criticism sincere, even if it hurts.

    grahav
    Reply

      1. I thought the same thing when I read the first volume of the manga, but it picks up and is fun enough that I could ignore its faults, though some of them aren’t so much as faults as opposed to just the style/plot narrative. You’re either on board with it or not at some point. I can easily see how it’d be a bit of a turnoff however, but to me the comedy is what saves it from being a failure. If this were a serious story then maybe not so much.

        Bamboo Blade Cat
        Reply

      2. I think it all depends on what you like about shows. Let’s be honest: our dear superhero is completely static. He doesn’t grow, doesn’t change.

        The same can be said of many, many beloved fiction worlds. You don’t read Sherlock Holmes or watch The Simpsons expecting the protagonists to develop. Heck, you expect them to be the same story after story, and that’s what you like about them. Of course, if you don’t like the formula, Sherlock Holmes and The Simpsons will never be among your favourites. Impossible.

        In OPM’s defense, it’s also true that while the protagonist himself doesn’t change, he changes those around him. It’s the secondary characters who experience character development, not him. So that’s a hope spot, I think.

        Mistic
        Reply

      3. For what it’s worth I too appreciate the honesty in the blog as well, especially as a fan of the show. I don’t think you’re being particularly unfair to it because it has more or less fallen into a steady comedic formula. And at that point it’s either gonna work for someone or it’s not like Mistic said. That being said I am looking forward to this new arc, because of the potential for new humor, and the fact that we’re learning that Saitama isn’t just doing it for fun, but fame as well.

        SkyEye
        Reply

  5. Sigh, way to completely miss everything good about the episode, not only is it NOTHING like the previous episodes it did move the plot forward and show us that despite how powerful Saitama he still faces problems.

    The main fight in this episode was actually between two villains, Sonic and the Paradisers, Saitama’s intervention was very brief and didn’t even result in any monster getting killed like all the previous episodes, both his opponents (who just fought with each other) are alive and well.

    We also get Sonic whose antics and fighting skills will add a lot of action and humor to the upcoming episodes, we also did get a hint at the direction the plot is going with the mention of the Hero Association and that ties directly with Saitama’s problem of being unknown despite all his heroics, it turns out even the national TV won’t mention him because he isn’t registered, his registration with the Association will not only move the plot forawrd it will also add plenty of new characters (both allies and rivals).

    How is this the same like the previous episodes or the worst episode is really beyond me, i’m really tired this, never understood the point of somoene reviewing a show they don’t like and complaining the same exact complaints every episode .. sigh .. i guess this will be the last entry i’ll read here for One Punch Man, too bad.

    Hunter-Wolf
    Reply

    1. Even if the contents of the episode were slightly different from the previous three, it still felt exactly the same to me. I’m not actively looking for things to pick at (because they’re really aren’t any), I’m just admitting that what One-Punch Man has going for it right now isn’t doing it for me, not on a weekly basis, at least.

      i’m really tired this, never understood the point of somoene reviewing a show they don’t like and complaining the same exact complaints every episode

      As for someone reviewing the show when they don’t like it, I hear you on that. I really do. The thing is, everyone else that can take another show is already busy enough as they are. Also, surprising as it may be to know, nobody else offered to blog the show after the first episode aired, and so it remained in my hands. My level of enjoyment for the first episode was more aligned with that of the readership, and more so than any of the other RC bloggers. Obviously, that’s dwindled since then but I do hope it returns with Saitama and Genos signing up to the Association.

      Samu
      Reply

      1. This could be the chance for One-Punch Man to prove its not a One Trick Pony. *fingers crossed*

        You really have me stumped at what to say. Do you think it’s a matter of luck whether an adaptation with such great original source ends up being worth your time? At the same time, you’re acknowledging the series’ huge popularity as well as Madhouse’s best working on the anime… and you still think there could be room for error that it’s “generic” “formulaic” and a “one trick pony”?

        I’m just enjoying the cycle of seeing people like the above pointing out that you should drop the show if you can’t find the enthusiasm for it, yet coming to criticize what complaints you have to say weekly.

        Giorno Giovanna
        Reply

    2. And I don’t see what’s the point of reading reviews that only sing the praises YOU think the series deserves, unless you get some weird sense of satisfaction out of being “right” about how good a show is or something. Our dear Samu takes time out of his schedule to bring you screencaps, a brief overview of the episode and maybe some thoughts that I think makes looking at this post worthwhile in the first place. it’s his own piece of work. If you can’t appreciate that then sure, do what you planned to do and just don’t read subsequent posts, but publicly announcing it in this manner just makes you sound like a jerk.

      Doubt you’d read this anyway but heck, this goes for the rest who think the same way this fella does.

      Junglepenguin
      Reply

      1. Thanks for that.

        I just hope people understand that I don’t get a kick out of posting a less-than-positive review like this. Actually… there are times when I would have got some enjoyment out of writing a critical review of certain shows… but still, my point is I don’t hate One-Punch Man. In fact, I really want to like it. But I do appreciate all these comments that accept my opinion even if they don’t necessarily agree with it.

        Samu
        Reply

    3. i’m really tired this, never understood the point of somoene reviewing a show they don’t like and complaining the same exact complaints every episode

      I don’t think you understand how reviews/criticism work. It’s just happy coincidence you get a critic who likes or enjoys the show. Most sites/publications work that way. Things are assigned or people just have to take what’s there and what’s left has to be covered. it’d be great if a reviewer could pick a show they enjoy all the time, but that just isn’t feasible.

      Bamboo Blade Cat
      Reply

    5. @Junglepenguin & Bamboo Blade Cat

      So I -for example- hate football and i don’t like watching sports in general, so i go to make a blog about sports for some arcane reason, get a bunch of my friends who hate sports and make them bloggers on the site, when ever there is a football match i get my mates and we site down criticizing everything and complaining about how boring and uninteresting football is, yeah .. that makes a lot of sense!!!

      Sigh, i’m not asking for everyone reviewing a specific show to be totally in love with it, but check Stilts reviews of Heavy Object, he does point out the flaws but still feels like he is really enjoying the show and highlights the best parts/moments in it, it’s common sense that you HAVE to enjoy a certain genre or show in order to enjoy whatever they are reviewing (while pointing out the flaws if there are any), doing it while you don’t like the show or out of necessity because no one else would do it drains all the fun and enjoyment out of the reviews, Same with Samu’s reviews of Gundam and Enzo’s, Samu seemed to be enjoying the review of Gundam ep 3 when Enzo was on vacation, but Enzo on the other hand seems to be all too negative about the show and criticizing everything, there is no enjoyment in reading that nor any reason to read it or put up with it, maybe if you two guys switch shows it could help, i don’t know, but if this keeps going there is really no point in reading the posts about OPM or Gundam.

      And Samu, I appreciate the effort you put in the screencaps, writing and posting the review text but i’m feeling ZERO enjoyment from it and there for find no point in reading it (it feels soulless), maybe you should have checked the manga out when the anime was announced to know what you are getting into and maybe gave the show to someone who would have enjoyed blogging it!!!

      Hunter-Wolf
      Reply

      2. You know, I wrote something earlier in response to this, but for some unknown reason I don’t see it/it didn’t go through, which is really annoying since this isn’t the first time it’s happened. Ugh, anyhow…

        If you wanted to start a blog that hated on stuff, then by all means, go to town, there’s blogs for all sorts of view points. However, this blog/site is more balanced, so that means you’re going to get varying viewpoints. Switching out shows presents a few issues, especially where assignments are concerned, because, one it’s your job just to work on an assignment regardless of whether you like it or not, and if you were given the opportunity to switch, where does that end? How is that fair to a reviewer who likes their show? Plus, there’s always going to be shows that aren’t so great, so you can’t have your cake and eat it too. It’s probably more fair just to stop reviewing the show, but with the more popular ones, it’s unlikely to happen.

        And as Samu said, no offered to review the show, so it fell to him, besides being too busy, it was possibly because they just wanted to watch and enjoy it without having to think about analyzing it. Which is the reason why some people (me included), would rather avoid reviewing shows as it tends up taking the joy out of it and makes it into a chore. It reminds me of playing fantasy sports, which can ruin said sport because all you’re doing is number crunching sometimes.

        Another issue is a reviewer’s gonna get flack regardless (rightly or wrongly). They like it too much, they get criticized, they miss something they get criticized, they’re lukewarm on it, they get criticized, ect. They’re never gonna make everyone happy, so it’s a catch-22.

        And like everyone said, if you don’t like the reviews, stop reading them. Just skip to the comments section and talk about how much you like the show, that’s what they’re there for. Of course, you can continue reading the reviews and commenting about how the reviews aren’t up to snuff, but you’ll continue to see responses or just be outright ignored (though the former is far more likely).

        Bamboo Blade Cat
        Reply

      3. Agreed. Sami is just pure hating right now when obviously this series is not for him. Nothing we say is going to change his opinion anyway so I think he should just drop reviewing this series and go back to his beloved Haikyuu. One Punch Man isn’t going to change like he hopes to so Samu should just stop reviewing it. He is misleading readers who reads his biased reviews and I feel that this should be stopped.

        arewana
        Reply

      4. “He is misleading readers who reads his biased reviews and I feel that this should be stopped.”

        Uhm, how is he misleading readers? Are you saying readers just come here for the review, believe everything they read and don’t bother watching the show to make up their minds? I think judging from the up votes, most people have already seen the show and/or the manga, so they’re going to continue watching regardless of what Samu says since they already have a pretty clear opinion on the material.

        See, this is what I find troubling on here, that the fanboy/girl becomes butthurt really easily (similar to the sports fan), and says stuff like “I feel that this should be stopped.”, or they just hide behind upvotes/downvotes and don’t bother vocalizing their thoughts (though they’re not obligated to – hi lurkers!), or if they do, they show incredibly intolerant behavior to opposing view points.

        How some of you guys and gals get along in the real world is beyond me. Or is it just clearly people don’t understand you/you’re always being misunderstood? Wait, I think that’s just how everyone is in the real world.

        Bamboo Blade Cat
        Reply

      5. You’re back!

        I’m struggling to find the motivation to respond, but I just can’t leave that flawed argument that you’ve made without correction, so forgive me if this sounds like a half-assed response.

        The football analogy is the thing that doesn’t make sense. Samu has clearly indicated that he had enjoyed the series when it first started. He didn’t say “I hate OPM so I’m gonna write up impressions on it”, which is what your analogy seems to imply. I’d suggest at this point that you read his earlier response to you so you won’t be so quick to accuse him of doing this for his own sake. He mentions that no other blogger (at the point of time when the series premiered) expressed interest in picking the series up for blogging, which led to him taking the task on himself to do.

        Again, I’d like to emphasize as well as elaborate on a point I made in my previous comment: This post is HIS work. This weekly impressions column is HIS commitment. He has an agreement with RC to write regularly, and OPM is his assigned contribution to RC for this season. We can’t know for sure if he’s giving it his all in reviewing this series, but we do know that he’s responsible for providing RC with material on OPM for its readers to access, and he has clearly been doing that the past few weeks. You can’t expect him to just create a post one day saying “Ah, hey guys, I don’t think I quite like OPM, and you guys probably won’t like what I’m gonna say about it so I’m gonna stop now. Bye”. That’s irresponsible, and would be doing all the regular readers an injustice. I’m sure he’d consider at some point to ask someone else to take over with blogging the series if he felt that there was no salvaging the situation, but that takes time, and I doubt it’s as simple as we make it out to be. Remember that this isn’t a personal blog, and such decisions are likely to be discussed in accountability with others who work on maintaining this site.

        Stilts, Samu and Enzo are all different people, who feel different levels of obligation to their reads in respects to their blogs. You’re essentially saying “hey, I don’t like the way you talk, could you please speak about this topic the same way that other guy does?” and that doesn’t make a lot of sense since we’re talking about personal impressions on series. Since you brought Enzo up, I’d just like to mention that if bias for or against reviewers is a thing, I’d say I’m totally on Enzo’s team. Whatever reputation he has doesn’t affect him one bit, and he says what he knows he wants and needs to say about anything, whether praise or criticism, and I think that’s what makes him a brilliant reviewer and what makes his insight into many series so rich and valuable to me. Even when he’s taking a massive crap on a series I’m totally mad for.

        If you take anything away from this, I hope it’s the lesson that not all people criticize for no reason, and if you can’t accept that criticism has it’s place in any sort of reviewing, you’d best learn to do so now. Also, learn2analogy (I’m hoping you’ll take that as constructive criticism).

        Junglepenguin
        Reply

      6. @Junglepenguin

        Great points. I was going to touch on the difference between hate watching as opposed to fair criticism, but that seemed like it’d fall on deaf ears.

        Bamboo Blade Cat
        Reply

      7. @Bamboo Blade Cat & Junglepenguin

        My commendations for the sanest things said on this entire wall. RC needs more commentators like you guys. Reasonable, balanced individuals.

        Great points. I was going to touch on the difference between hate watching as opposed to fair criticism, but that seemed like it’d fall on deaf ears.

        Lol, reminds me of my own futile crusade against folks equating critical merit with personal enjoyment…

        Zen
        Reply

      8. @Junglepenguin & Bamboo Blade Cat & Zen

        Well aware that posting these particular links is a troll’s method of quickly generating convincing evidence, but that’s the level I think you guys deserve as a response for deriding what the majority here have said, that while you wouldn’t give the role of a critic to a fanboy due to objectivity issues, you shouldn’t let someone who has admitted himself that although there are no particular flaws, he’s just not finding the formula entertaining, to continue blogging precisely because this dampens the mood for people actually enjoying the show and doesn’t provide any constructive criticism they can work with.

        “…there’s not much I can disagree with. It makes sense because as I’ve said in previous comments, I cannot point to individual moments/flaws because there really are none.”

        I think there’s a flaw already for people think that you are only being capable of critically/objectively analysing a work if you’re not a fan. And that the opinion of someone not enjoying a show is automatically more valid as he’s less subjective than a fan would be.

        My commendations for the sanest things said on this entire wall. RC needs more commentators like you guys. Reasonable, balanced individuals.

        I was going to touch on the difference between hate watching as opposed to fair criticism, but that seemed like it’d fall on deaf ears.

        You can’t expect him to just create a post one day saying “Ah, hey guys, I don’t think I quite like OPM, and you guys probably won’t like what I’m gonna say about it so I’m gonna stop now. Bye”. That’s irresponsible, and would be doing all the regular readers an injustice. I’m sure he’d consider at some point to ask someone else to take over with blogging the series if he felt that there was no salvaging the situation, but that takes time, and I doubt it’s as simple as we make it out to be.

        However, it is not the “Anime Jesus” that folks seems to be making out to be. FAR from it. From a critical standpoint it is merely “good” or “superior”- not “excellent”…

        How some of you guys and gals get along in the real world is beyond me. Or is it just clearly people don’t understand you/you’re always being misunderstood? Wait, I think that’s just how everyone is inthe real world.

        Lol, reminds me of my own futile crusade against folks equating critical merit with personal enjoyment…

        The excess and lengthy posts of reverse double apologist comments – (People telling other people to stop reading reviews if they don’t like it when those people tell Samu to stop blogging/watching it if it’s not fun for him and trying to point out how hard it would be to change writers and to respect the work put in to give others something to read) – trying so desperately to grasp at straws and praising each other for being part of the exclusive group of special snowflakes;

        Reasonable, balanced individuals.

        that think anything is permissible as long as there was effort put in, rather than engaging with what most people here are saying that they think Samu has made a mistake in analysing this show as a shounen piece rather than as satire, either due to the hype or the production quality or even a mix of the two, leaves me with only one thing left to say:

        http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/circle-jerk

        Giorno Giovanna
        Reply

      9. “Lol, reminds me of my own futile crusade against folks equating critical merit with personal enjoyment…”

        Reminds me of the time when I dared criticize Hunter x Hunter. I really enjoyed the show, one of my personal favorites, but I pointed out why a controversial narrative device they employed could be frustrating to some viewers. Of course, I was downvoted to death, and even Enzo thought I was just hating on it to hate, because I dared criticize the genius of Togashi. I felt like I was dealing with a freaking cult.

        Bamboo Blade Cat
        Reply

      10. I can’t respond for anyone else but I’ll speak for myself…

        My commendations for the sanest things said on this entire wall. RC needs more commentators like you guys. Reasonable, balanced individuals.

        Genetic? How so? If there’s one thing that causes me constant consternation here on RC whenever i get into debates with folks it’s how they invariably make huge, erroneous assumptions about the deeper meaning of things I said. When I said “more sane” I wasn’t referring to their opinions about the show.

        Rather, I was refering to the fact that I found their comments to be be “more sane” because they respect what I believe to be the fundamental right of every individual to express their views publicly in a peaceable forum. The “rightness” or “wrongness” of the ideas in question being entirely irrelevant. Samu is merely expressing his views on this show and should not be censored through reassignment simply because “it affects the enjoyment of others.” You would silence someone’s opinion simply because “it makes a TV show less enjoyable for you.” Censorship over something as trivial as a TV show? Sorry, but that blows my mind. It’s a slippery, perilous slope- what next? Censoring other people’s political views because they offend you? Pardon me for being alarmist, but I am genuinely afraid of your attitudes.

        However, it is not the “Anime Jesus” that folks seems to be making out to be. FAR from it. From a critical standpoint it is merely “good” or “superior”- not “excellent”…

        Middle ground? Really? This was my view on this series long before the show even premiered. I formed it on my own over a year ago from reading the original webcomic by ONE. Long before there were any conflicting comments like these on forums to “compromise” with. But take it as you will…

        Lol, reminds me of my own futile crusade against folks equating critical merit with personal enjoyment…

        How you even got the idea that I was presenting this phrase as “evidence” to prove something is beyond me. “False cause?” “Anecdotal evidence?” Moot points. More blind assumptions about the deeper meaning of my words- which were in no way meant as “evidence” but rather as a lamentation. I was simply complaining about the insufferable phenomenon of blind fanboyism. Which is, unarguably and unfortunately, a real thing. Cult-like blind adoration of something to the point that folks cannot accept that what they like might be flawed in certain ways (Though perhaps not damningly so) [OPM fanboys are like this] or in some cases outright unmeritorious from a critical perspective [Like Michael Bay apologists] taking personal offense to and endeavoring to censor any opinions that might suggest otherwise.

        Personal enjoyment depends on the proclivities of individuals. Critical merit on the other hand depends on how a work measures up against others in its genre/medium/etc. (Depending on the level of analysis) in accordance with venerated, long established standards of academic critique. (Like character development, depth, innovation, technique, logical consistency, prose, etc.). Personal enjoyment and critical merit are mutually exclusive. How much one enjoys a certain work can differ wildly across individuals, as may perceptions of critical merit.

        P

        The problem with fanboys however is that to them, these two things are one and the same. What they enjoy is also, in their eyes, necessarily “good” from a critical perspective. When in reality, personal enjoyment and critical merit are two different kinds of things with their own distinct points of analysis, frequently leadin

        Zen
        Reply

      11. Whoops, misclick, submitted before complete.

        Anyway continuing from the bottom:

        …frequently leading to different analytical outcomes. A positive assessment for personal enjoyment does not also necessitate a positive assessment in terms of critical merit.

        Case on point, anime of the year for me in terms of personal enjoyment? Symphogear GX. A show that doesn’t even get an honorable mention on my 2015 critical merit list.

        TL;DR: Fanboyism, causing the failure to recognize that critical merit and personal enjoyment are mutually exclusive points of analysis for which the outcome of one does not determine of the outcome of the other, is an intractable blight of human psychology that I’ve been crusading against for nearly ten years and I’m kind of tired of it…

        Zen
        Reply

      12. My comment about differentiating between hate watching and criticism would fall on deaf ears is not an ad hominem. Commenters have already thrown that implication around about Samu without any evidence, and as a result, it’s not a baseless accusation. It’s clear some people don’t even want to hear any negativity about the show (now that’s a circle jerk), and you’re making the same case for it, so you’re only validating my point.

        For those who feel negative comments “should be stopped” or that Samu shouldn’t be allowed to “continue blogging precisely because this dampens the mood for people” (coddling people’s moods isn’t remotely his obligation as a reviewer), you do realize, not only are you encouraging censorship as Zen states, but you’re implying you’re not open to seeing these view points (you’re not obligated to, but that’s a good indicator at how well you’ll receive opposing view points). So it’s not a stretch to say you’ll have difficulty getting along with others in the real world, since it’s full of varying view points that you just can’t shut off or close a tab on or downvote.

        It’s also not a stretch to say, if you show this level of intolerance about a simple critical review, what else do you show an intolerance towards? Probability would dictate you have more intolerances than the average person. You can try and insulate yourself as much as you want with other like-minded individuals, online, at home, etc, but odds are, you have to come into contact with opposing thought once in a while, and you will need to learn how to deal with it without becoming offended by it if you want to avoid these sorts of interactions.

        btw, this is an ad hominem attack:

        “trying so desperately to grasp at straws and praising each other for being part of the exclusive group of special snowflakes;

        Reasonable, balanced individuals.”

        There’s no logical series of steps that one would need to present to get one to arrive at the “exclusive group of special snowflake” conclusion, so as a result, It’s just a baseless insult – an ad hominem.

        Bamboo Blade Cat
        Reply

    6. Agreed Hunter-Wolf 100%. I thought this episode absolutely delivered and he is by far the most interesting anime character this season for me (Granted, I’m not watching much this season lol)

      Rick Anime
      Reply

  6. The Saitama/Sonic ‘fight’ is a wee bit cut down animation speaking. Some even go as far as saying that the Murata manga is better animated than the anime. But for me, for the most part, it’s done well enough. I’m positive they’re saving money and judging from what Shirobako tells us about the industry and time for the next episode. The second part of the next episode should feature balls to the wall animation (literally).

    BigFire
    Reply

    1. I do have to admit that I was hoping for a bit more from the Sonic zipping around Saitama scene, as Murata’s artwork for that was spectacular (how Murata managed to turn manga pages into an animated scene is incredible). But then again, what more could have been done (other than making it 3D)?

      I quite appreciated the scenes of Sonic beheading the Paradisers, though. I am deciding to rationalize the lack of blood fountains as due to the actions being too quick for blood to spray out within the scenes. Yeah, I will go with that.

      Monimonika
      Reply

  8. @samu i love one punch man and i agree the first couple arcs kind of seem continuous , but it gets more complex as they progress to later arcs and goes into saitama’s mindset/ struggles of being a hero. It actually gets quite interesting. Also I was wondering what you think the #1 anime is for the season. My vote is Haikyu!!. That show always keeps me on the edge and does the manga the justice it deserves. I really can’t want till the Spring tourn!!!!!

    Anon
    Reply

    1. Agreed, Haikyuu!! is my #1 anime this season, but that was a given anyway. Gundam, Owarimonogatari, and Noragami are all impressing me as well. There’s not loads of amazing anime this season, but those at the top of the pile are really, really good.

      Samu
      Reply

      1. Great objective review for OPM as always, Samu. While I laughed and giggled while watching this episode. It’s not enough for me to fawn over it as an AOTY contender.

        And agreed, Haikyuu’s my #1 anime for me this year.

        Raiu
        Reply

  9. I haven’t read the manga, but there’s gotta be someone who can fight Saitama on equal footing here. This guy cannot continue to be an unstoppable god who, while amusing to watch, seems so routinely disconnected from a world that he often doesn’t seem to care much about.

    Needless to say, if even the main character can’t be bothered to be much engaged with his own world, then how are we expected to? There’s only so much that glorious animation and beautiful fight scenes can do to compensate for that.

    Ryan Ashfyre
    Reply

    1. Let’s hope this spoiler tag works:
      Show Spoiler ▼

      Drasca
      Reply

  11. I honestly think it’s not the fault of the anime, but that the hype really is killing the anime for you. I look at this, and I, as having read ONE’s one punch man, really am enjoying every moment of it. Of course when a person has expectations and it isn’t reciprocated, there will be crushing disappointment. The animation is not as bombastic as it was in earlier episodes, but that is because the anime is building up.

    I always watch manga and light novel adaptations with beyond low expectations. It helps a lot :p

    Art of Kuma
    Reply

      1. Watching too many LN anime adaptations can do that to a man. Thankfully I forced myself out of that pit 2+ years ago and I’ve never looked back 😀

        Shimoneta, Kyoukai no Kanata, Rokka No Yuusha are light novel anime adaptations that you covered recently, so do you mean that you just don’t watch them for fun anymore, but solely for the purposes of blogging? Or that you used to be hooked onto stuff like Shana etc but quit liking LN adaptations?

        Giorno Giovanna
        Reply

      2. Well, I dropped Shimoneta, Kyoukai no Kanata is my least favourite KyoAni series, and Rokka no Yuusha was a damn good mystery with an obvious end. There’s always good to be good LN anime adaptations, but for every one I would recommend there’s probably a few dozen that I wouldn’t.

        Samu
        Reply

  13. One Punch Man does satire totally right. I love how Hammerhead makes the excuse that he “wanted to get out of working” as a motivator for becoming a super-villain, he basically embodies the theories or all the disgruntled workers in the world. Plus, the only reason Saitama even goes out to save everyone from him is because he’s become publicly shamed for being bald! 😀

    Sonic is my new favorite character. Sorry, everyone. 🙂

    starss
    Reply

  14. One-Punch Man is, at its core, a comedy. A parody of the typical shounen series in how they develop threats and raise the tension in the story.

    If you’re expecting something different going forward, you’ll be disappointed. The premise of the story and its execution doesn’t change drastically in the future.

    I would also say some of the criticisms you level at the anime are inherent to the type of story this is.

    For instance, it’s formulaic because most shounen stories are formulaic. Saitama has no character development. After all, in a typical series, growth usually comes from adversity or a difficult situation. He has none of those. And that’s kind of the point.

    One-Punch Man never pretends to be something it’s not. It’s not going to have an amazing story, or deep themes, or be an emotional rollercoaster. The fact of the matter is that Saitama is so strong he invalidates pretty much all of that simply by existing. And the whole anime is watching how people in a typical shounen setting react to the unnatural existence he is.

    In my opinion, those aren’t flaws. It aims for a certain audience and goal and I think it executes very well. But it might not be the kind of anime you’ll enjoy, because if you don’t find that entertaining now, you probably won’t in later episodes either. Comedy is, I find, a bit of a hit or miss.

    Just my two cents.

    Myrrn
    Reply

    1. I think that’s a fair assessment and there’s not much I can disagree with. It makes sense because as I’ve said in previous comments, I cannot point to individual moments/flaws because there really are none. I think what it comes down to, for me, is that it’s not that funny. I’m interested by it, but I’ve not properly laughed since the first two episodes. All I can hope is wherever the story goes from here will lead to situations that I’ll find more funny.

      Samu
      Reply

      1. To be fair, it hasn’t really hit the stride yet.

        The manga’s at its best when it’s holding a warped mirror up to society. The conflict of the story isn’t between Saitama and the poor bastards who will get Punched, Once. It’s between Saitama and society. But we won’t really see any of that kick in until next episode and even then it will take some time to spool up.

        If the show was just about “gee, will this guy be a good fight for Saitama this week?!”, it wouldn’t be as good as the hype. It ain’t, thank goodness.

        Avatar
        Reply

    2. I agree with this assessment, and I wanted to add my experience on why I am an avid fan of this manga.

      First of all, I have probably not laughed while reading the manga even once. It is not like the typical style of comedy that makes me laugh out loud. Rather, it is a satire that makes me smirk in amusement at the creative irony. To me it feels less like a story, but more like a fanservice candy dedicated to shonen genre fans, by giving us the (satirical) references to typical shonen elements and plot devices. And that is what keeps me reading, the anticipation of what other creative ways and references can the author poke fun at typical shonen elements.

      Another point I want to make is that in my opinion, while I feel like the anime adaptation has been done to the best it can, there are some things from the manga that is just impossible to translate to the anime, more specifically the stylistic elements of the manga. One of the best examples is in this episode. In this episode there is the 10 second scene where Sonic is whizzing around Saitama in the forest. We take this scene for granted in the anime since it seems like a typical action scene, but in the manga this scene is drawn to cover almost a whole chapter, in a flipbook style action scene, something you don’t see in manga. It is creative writing styles that make it seem like the OPM manga is not only parodying shonen genre, but also parodying manga writing style in general.

      It is for this reason that I think while the anime adaptation is good, the Onepunch Man experience is incomplete without reading the manga, as the manga offers more.

      Dm
      Reply

  15. hmm.. My opinion is exactly opposite with the review. I think this is by far the most entertaining episode..
    Yes the main character is one-note & pretty much going the same routine every episode…
    But I believe the chemical is from the side characters/villains each episode…

    WhyY
    Reply

  16. I understand the desire to have a reviewer and comments that love a show the way you love it. I’m very much that way. But as long as a reviewer does not go totally negative on something I love I can stand it. And this is comedy you either find it funny or you don’t and arguing about it is like arguing about a food you like and someone else hates.

    I’m sort of getting the humor after not being much on it first episode.

    Of course they could throw God Tier opponents at One Punch man and he would get the fight he wants maybe even lose, but that basically is the Superman comic excepting Superman’s weakness. As this is aiming at comedy drama is not the point.

    This episode I loved how the battle suits had no head protection so all their heads got taken off like farming them. I also love the main villain thinking he has a problem with the ninja knowing he is going to run into the real problem One Punch. I do like the anticipation of the villain thinking they are great knowing that One Punch will end their delusions.

    RedRocket
    Reply

  17. Remember the formula I came up with before the premiere?

    “…ridiculous-comedic enemy(s) causes trouble, gets pwned by Saitama (With a little pseudo-philosophical banter between the combatants thrown in for good measure)…

    The underlying governance of this formula over the narrative of the previous “House of Evolution” arc should be self-evident to any viewer. Dr. Genus created the House of Evolution because of his idiosyncratic ideologies regarding human evolution. Then one day Saitama shows up, kills his comedically bizarre creations, and engages briefly in some pseudo-philosophical banter with Dr. Genus, in the process turning everything the man believed in on its head.

    This general narrative structure doesn’t change in the Boros arc:
    Show Spoiler ▼

    Nor does it change in the subsequent Human Monster Garou arc:
    Show Spoiler ▼

    However, Saitama and Genos officially signing up as heroes could be that opportunity to go against my expectations. This could be the chance for One-Punch Man to prove its not a One Trick Pony. *fingers crossed*

    So to answer your question in short? No, nothing major ever changes. Villains from each major arc consecutively and uniformly sub into the same roles like runners passing on batons in a relay race. Interspersed with minor twists, ostensibly for the purpose of keeping things fresh, but which invariably are so insubstantial that they end up not making a modicum of real difference. Along with short, throwaway chapters (sometimes mere pages) of “character development”- lackluster attempts at fleshing out Genos and other side characters. Where series like Mob 100 Psycho by the same author has whole arcs dedicated to character development. Really, all that happens with the Boros and Garou arcs is that the House of Evolution formula is drawn out and made more long form, spanning a larger number of chapters, with a larger cast of characters. In essence, same old, same old…

    …ad nauseum, ad infinitum…

    To ONE’s credit though, I like what he’s been doing with the last 2-3 chapters of the original webcomic. He actually seems invested in fleshing out the relationship between Fubuki, Tatsumaki and Psykos…

    Zen
    Reply

    1. To clarify, I like OPM– I rarely, if ever, even give series I don’t like the time of day for comments, not even the mere 3-10 minutes it might take to write one. I think it’s quite a good comedy series in spite of the fact that its formula’s worn really thin on me. Significantly better than average even. However, it is not the “Anime Jesus” that folks seems to be making out to be. FAR from it. From a critical standpoint it is merely “good” or “superior”- not “excellent”…

      Zen
      Reply

  18. The way I see it, Saitama’s arc was already completed before the story even started. In many Shounen manga, the main character(s) is usually trying to achieve certain goals, and when those goals have been completed, the manga ends. During the journey, that’s when MC usually changed or being developed, and the development ends when the MC reach their objectives (which is when the series usually ends anyway).

    I’m just going to use Naruto as example. His main story ends with him achieving his goal; to be a Hokage (I’m not gonna argue with anyone who thinks those after stories are part of his main story). But in the process he grew from a lonely prankster who was hated and reviled to a loving dad and a leader who was beloved and looked up to by everyone.

    In OPM, Saitama has already achieved his goal. What’s his goal? To be a hero who can beat villain in One Punch.

    Saitama doesn’t change or develop because, like dear Samu-sama stated, he’s already complete. As a result, he comes of as an unchanging or static mc that (probably) won’t ever change.

    I think being a parody of Shounen, because Saitama has already achieved his objective, Saitama himself is more of a supporting protagonist that helps the secondary protagonists (i.e. Genos) in trying to achieve their goals.

    AnimeFan
    Reply

  19. I must say, I applaud the honesty and sincerity. You managed to pick out your issues without lambasting the piece. Incidentally, I had the exact same issue with this series. It has failed to hold my attention due to the rote repetitive nature of it. I’ll probably revisit it once the show is over with (hopefully by then there will be a central conceit with more meat on its bones) – but this ambivalence is a holdover from my failure to be overly-excited from the mangas…so I we’ll have to see.

    Thanks again for the commentary!

    Seracen
    Reply

  21. That’s actually normal, since I think even on the original material the jokes is not those that induce lively laughters but more of slight grin. It never get serious on its jokes, but the characters are interesting enough and the story is… absurd/dreamy/surreal. Lol this series really is weird I can’t point why I actually liked it but I craved more of it.

    cryarc
    Reply

  22. I’m not going to say anything about you not liking the show, but maybe you’re just coming at it with the wrong mindset?

    In most popular shounen anime, everyone wishes for the protagonist to be super strong and nigh-impregnable. Take a look at DBZ fans and how they perceive Goku. One Punch Man is a comedic approach to that same formula where the hero is so strong the villains aren’t a challenge physically. It even takes a stab at the whole backstory arc EVERYONE needs to get. “SHORTEN IT IN 10 SECONDS OR LESS” always gets me. It’s probably because I like regular shounen like Owari No Seraph and Hunter X Hunter.

    To me it’s also hilarious because these villains feel like stereotypical villains from those types of shows and kamen rider. The scientist is basically for all intents and purposes a kamen rider main villain. He’s not really all that unique in that regard but one punch man made that whole thing hilarious. As soon as the villain goes full Imma murder you mode and punches the shit out of OPM he says, “SHIT!” and you think. “Is this it for Saitama?” Naa he just forgot which day it was for the sale making you realize how ridiculous everything leading up to that situation was.

    Later the show becomes self-aware so the people who want super OP protagonists have to admit that they like characters who struggle towards victory, not characters who are strong. Especially with Licenseless Rider’s arc, and the show even goes into problems that can’t be solved just by punching it a bit… sometimes…

    If one punch man’s appearance scaring the life out of his enemies doesn’t make you smirk at least, then I think you’re expecting an action adventure instead of a comedy.

    He looks so lame…. But he’s so strong….

    TitanAnteus
    Reply

  23. OPM’s story is formulaic because it is meant to parody the typical shounen/comic book hero story line. Saitama is already at the peak of his strength and is for all intent and purposes, a fairly static character.

    We even make fun of such typical elements like flashback info dumps with Genos’ backstory and dungeon bypassing with the House of Evolution.

    OPM’s overarching “plot” is really more how someone as ridiculously overpowered as Saitama effects the world he lives in and how he influences the others around him. This becomes more evident with Genos later on, who starts out as a vengeance obsessed Cyborg who develops into a more clearly heroic figure thanks to Saitama’s influence.

    A lot of the “wisdom” from Saitama is basically him injecting some common sense into an otherwise ridiculous situation.

    The theme/comedy will typically be hit or miss depending on your personal preferences, so its perfectly fine if you aren’t finding it to your own preferences.

    Zeru
    Reply

  26. Probably because I came to this series expecting satire and comedy instead of shounen (I was also part of the more skeptical group in terms of expectations), I am not disappointed. I am a fan of the art (been a fan of Yusuke Murata’s work since Eyeshield 21), the characters so far are great and so is the humor. I can totally imagine people who came to this series hoping for a new badass shounen might be disappointed though, because it(well so far it seems) is like the complete antithetical representation of what the shounen genre is. This is just my personal opinion though.

    Yukie
    Reply

  28. I think Samu came into this show with the wrong expecations, thinking it was an action series. The original web comic by One were a series of funny comic strips with exaggerated situations meant to crack a cheap laugh. It succeeded in doing so and was dramatically vamped up and dramatized in the redraw and made King and Licenseless Rider the memorable and one of the most loved characters of the series.

    I think the problem is that Samu is completely treating this like some kind of deep satirical show played comically like Space Dandy when it should be seen closer to something like Romae Themae, where Lucius gets pulled to bathtubs in Japan and the same reoccurring gag appears.

    Samu should really drop this show if he isn’t enjoying it. You should probably come back after the whole series is done and watch it as a periodical gag like Working with an overarching story after the introduction of all major players.

    Azalea23
    Reply

  30. lol this series is so different from all the crap harem cute kawaii girls bullshits animes that get reviewed constantly on this blog.. and is about to be dropped… nice randomc

    neks
    Reply

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