A recent change to One-Punch Man’s latest chapter may actually have an internal story explanation that alters everything. The process of serializing manga, whether through print publications or digital platforms, sometimes results in chapters that stray from the creator’s initial vision.
When this occurs, revisions can be made after the fact, either through minor tweaks or complete rewrites. One-Punch Man recently followed this approach by releasing a revised version of a chapter while removing the originally published one.
Could God be rewriting reality beyond the story itself (Photo: One-Punch Man/Madhouse)Created by ONE and illustrated by Yusuke Murata, One-Punch Man follows Saitama, a hero with unfathomable strength.
The manga adapts an ongoing webcomic, which ONE continues to develop using a much simpler art style. Because the webcomic is ahead of the manga in terms of plot, Murata frequently revises or expands certain story elements at ONE’s request, ensuring the adaptation stays compelling.
While this approach has contributed to the series’ widespread popularity, occasional missteps occur, as evidenced by the recent changes in Chapter 162.
A Major Story Move Introduced Through the Retcon
The battle between Saitama and Garou continues in Chapter 162, but the events of the original and revised versions of the chapter diverge in a drastic way. Initially, Garou accepts that Saitama’s strength is beyond anything he can match, prompting him to surrender.
The chapter concludes with both characters seemingly preparing to engage in a conversation. However, this conclusion has been discarded, and a newly revised version of the chapter presents a completely different outcome. In the updated version, God descends from the clouds, offering Garou an immense power boost.
By the end of this version, Garou appears to have reached a level on par with Saitama, referring to himself as the “fist of God.” Such a drastic alteration raises the possibility that ONE directly requested the change, but an alternative and more intriguing explanation exists.
The Possibility of a Meta-Account Twist
One-Punch Man has consistently experimented with new ways of delivering its story online. Whether through full-color spreads highlighting God’s first appearance or incorporating animated elements such as a gif to showcase Garou’s overwhelming power, the series embraces creative storytelling methods.
The recent chapter revision could be another example of this inventive approach. Given that God has already manipulated reality within the story, this alteration may hint at his ability to rewrite events on a meta level.
The updated chapter aligns far more closely with God’s objectives, raising the possibility that he actively erased the previous version—one in which Garou and Saitama reach an understanding—and replaced it with a scenario where Garou serves as his instrument.
The Implications of God’s Power Over Reality
If this theory holds true, God’s presence in the story would become even more terrifying. The ability to rewrite reality itself would make him an opponent nearly impossible to overcome. If any battle were to turn against him, he could simply alter the outcome.
The only way to defeat such an adversary would be to strike him down instantly, before he could rewrite history. This interpretation would add a new dimension to Saitama’s strength, giving his overwhelming power a true purpose.
Should One-Punch Man’s latest retcon be the result of God’s interference, it would serve as both a compelling expansion of the story’s themes and another example of the series pushing the boundaries of manga storytelling.