Back in 2015, when the first season of One-Punch Man took the anime community by storm, I found myself among those captivated by its incredible animation and humor. The character of Saitama quickly became a widely recognized name among anime fans.
While the second season didn’t quite match the overwhelming success of the first, those familiar with ONE’s original webcomic or Yusuke Murata’s manga adaptation serialized in Tonari no Young Jump knew the series still had incredible potential.
Does One-Punch Man thrive when its main character steps aside (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)As the story progressed, one aspect became increasingly clear—some of the most compelling arcs in One-Punch Man unfold when Saitama is absent. The visual brilliance of One-Punch Man’s debut season immediately caught my attention, making it one of the few anime I could find time for during my grad school years.
Over time, as I rekindled my passion for manga, Murata’s artwork drew me in, and I eagerly consumed every chapter leading up to the most recent redrawn arc. Some may argue that the series reaches greater heights when Saitama is missing from the storyline, but the reasoning behind this idea is more layered than it might seem.
Saitama’s Primary Motivation in One-Punch Man
His Desire for a Worthy Opponent Overshadows His Heroic Identity
From the moment Saitama is introduced, his boredom stands out as the primary force driving him to become a hero for entertainment rather than out of duty. His lack of engagement with the stakes of his battles is evident, particularly in his confrontation with Lord Boros at the climax of the Alien Conquerors Arc.
Despite possessing strength beyond comparison, Saitama remains indifferent to hero rankings and remains stuck in B-Class, a ranking that doesn’t reflect his true power. His apathy makes him relatable in a way, as he grapples with the emptiness of achieving his ultimate goal—reaching his peak potential.
Following his battle with Boros, Saitama acknowledges the opponent’s power, stating that he was possibly the strongest foe he had encountered up to that point, at least until he later faces Cosmic Garou.
There are multiple moments showcasing Saitama’s lack of interest in being a hero. For instance, in chapter #48, he joins a martial arts tournament, drawn in by the promise of strong challengers rather than a sense of justice.
Similarly, during the Ninjas Arc, even in the redrawn chapters, he remains preoccupied with something as mundane as udon noodles while believing Blast can handle major threats without him. While removing Saitama entirely would strip the series of its core identity, his absence allows for far more engaging developments in the story.
The Story Becomes More Engaging Without Saitama
Supporting Heroes Step Into the Spotlight
The earlier arcs of the One-Punch Man manga left a lasting impression on me, but I found the second anime season disappointing due to its inconsistent animation. Fortunately, Murata’s adaptation of the manga more than made up for it, offering a beautifully illustrated and action-packed experience that put greater emphasis on the supporting characters of the Hero Association.
While these characters may not possess Saitama’s overwhelming strength, they each bring something unique to the story. Mumen Rider embodies the essence of perseverance, Pig God’s ability to consume even Dragon-class threats is formidable, and Tatsumaki stands out as a fiercely powerful esper.
Many of these characters receive significant development throughout arcs like the Monster Association Arc and Super Fight Arc, where they face catastrophic threats without Saitama’s intervention. During these moments, Saitama is usually off chasing his own interests, leaving his disciple Genos and the rest of the heroes to battle against world-ending threats.
His overwhelming strength removes much of the tension from power-scaling discussions, but his absence highlights just how many dangers exist beyond human capabilities, reinforcing the gravity of these conflicts.
Saitama’s Character Becomes More Interesting Outside of Combat
The Caped Baldy’s Everyday Struggles Make Him Relatable
Among the many character relationships in One-Punch Man, the dynamic between Saitama and King stands out as one of the most compelling. While Saitama’s abilities are so absurdly powerful that others fail to grasp them, King holds an opposite reputation—widely regarded as the strongest man on Earth despite never actually engaging in battle.
Their friendship revolves around playing video games, with King fully aware of Saitama’s strength yet feeling burdened by the reputation he hasn’t earned.
Saitama’s incompetence outside of battle adds another layer to his character. Despite being an unstoppable force in combat, he struggles with everyday activities. A great example of this is in episode #2 of the anime, where he fails to swat a fly.
Even during gaming sessions with King, he sticks to repetitive button-mashing strategies, which amusingly mirrors his predictable yet effective approach to fighting. Although he follows a strict strength-training regimen, his refusal to adapt to other aspects of life makes him oddly relatable.
While he is essentially godlike in combat, Saitama is still searching for fulfillment outside of battle. This aspect of his character resonates with me, as I recognize some of my tendencies reflected in his habits.
Of course, I’m fairly certain I can’t breathe in space, but the central idea of One-Punch Man was to create a protagonist who is completely unrivaled in combat while struggling with the mundane aspects of life, and the execution of that concept is brilliant.
Saitama’s Return Always Feels Satisfying
Saitama’s pursuit of excitement continues to shape the story in unexpected ways (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)His Impact Hits Harder After Long Absences
Another reason why One-Punch Man thrives when Saitama is absent is that it builds anticipation for his eventual return. Few moments exemplify this better than chapter #166 of the VIZ digital release.
Without revealing too much about events beyond season 3, a major tragedy forces Saitama to fight seriously, leading to a battle where he demonstrates just how limitless his strength truly is. His relentless attacks against Garou propel them into space, causing devastation on a cosmic scale.
Though the series leans heavily into humor and absurdity, moments like this shake up the status quo. Watching the world’s heroes struggle against monstrous threats only makes Saitama’s arrival feel even more impactful when he finally intervenes.
This battle is nothing short of incredible, and the sheer level of detail makes it clear that fights of this scale cannot happen frequently. However, giving fans such moments at the right time is essential, and Murata delivered it perfectly.
While One-Punch Man often portrays Saitama as an aloof goofball, the rare occasions when he unleashes his full potential serve as a thrilling contrast to his usual demeanor.
Saitama’s Absence Helped Me Discover My Favorite Character
Speed-o’-Sound Sonic’s Growth Stands Out
Out of all the characters in the series, Speed-o’-Sound Sonic has become my personal favorite. Initially, I saw him as little more than comic relief, especially after the ridiculous moment in chapter #76 where he mistakenly renders a monster cell ineffective by cooking it before consumption, leading to nothing but severe indigestion.
At the time, Sonic felt like a joke character without much depth.
However, the Ninjas Arc changed my perspective. His rivalry with Saitama plays a significant role in his development, even if Saitama himself barely acknowledges it. Sonic, much like King and others, finds himself motivated to improve because of Saitama’s existence.
After years of striving to surpass him, Sonic realizes just how much he has progressed as a fighter, reaching a level where he can contend with Flashy Flash, a high-ranking S-Class hero.
While Sonic may never aspire to heroism, his journey has made him a more formidable warrior and a much more compelling character. Saitama’s influence is undeniable, but Sonic truly shines when he is forced to stand on his own.