One-Punch Man

What happens when a hero becomes too powerful for his own good? That is the central question behind One-Punch Man, a Japanese manga series that began as a webcomic by the artist known as One in early 2009. The story follows Saitama, a bald superhero who can defeat any opponent with a single punch. This overwhelming strength has left him profoundly bored, searching for a worthy challenge. Along the way, he gains allies, including the cyborg Genos, and joins a hero association that ranks fighters by their abilities.

A digital manga remake, illustrated by Yusuke Murata, launched on Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump website in June 2012. As of March 2026, 36 compiled volumes have been released. Viz Media handles the English-language release, serializing it in its Weekly Shonen Jump digital magazine. The series has become a commercial powerhouse: by August 2025, the manga remake had over 34 million copies in circulation, ranking among the best-selling manga of all time.

The first anime season, produced by Madhouse, aired from October to December 2015. A second season, by J.C.Staff, followed in 2019. A third season, also by J.C.Staff, aired from October to December 2025, with a second cours scheduled for 2027. In North America, Viz Media licensed the anime, and the first season aired on Adult Swim's Toonami block in 2016. The series blends action, comedy, and satire, poking fun at superhero tropes while delivering stunning fight sequences. [edit]