The anime One-Punch Man introduces a vast range of characters, making it difficult to keep track of everyone. The variety of heroes and monsters adds to the appeal of the show, ensuring that there is always something new to discover.
While some characters naturally stand out, others have the potential to become favorites but lack the kind of storyline that could push them to greater popularity.
Even without power, Mumen Rider earns the public’s respect (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)Although Saitama, Genos, and several S-Class Heroes get the most focus in the series, other heroes and monsters have unique traits that could make for engaging storylines if given more attention.
10. Mumen Rider Never Backs Down Despite His Weakness
Mumen Rider, a C-Class hero, refuses to shy away from battle, even when facing enemies far stronger than him. He takes on formidable opponents such as the Deep Sea King, who had already defeated several high-ranking heroes before Mumen Rider entered the fight.
Unlike Saitama, his heroic efforts earn him recognition from the public. However, his lack of physical strength prevents him from standing out in battles, and he is often seen losing fights. Fans admire his determination, but his role in combat remains limited due to his inability to match the strength of his opponents.
9. Watchdog Man Proves His Strength Against Garo
Watchdog Man manages to defeat Garo, one of the most powerful antagonists in the series, demonstrating that he is not to be underestimated. Despite this impressive victory, he is rarely seen in the anime and does not contribute much to the entire story.
His mysterious nature leaves fans curious about him. He never speaks, always has an expressionless face, and never explains why he wears a dog costume. Many viewers would love to see him interact more with other characters to better understand what kind of hero he truly is.
8. Metal Knight’s Actions Raise Questions
Metal Knight does not seem driven by the same sense of justice that motivates other heroes. Instead of focusing on protecting people, he appears to be more interested in personal gain. When a massive meteor threatens to destroy an entire city, he launches an attack on it—not to save lives, but to test his weapons.
His attempt to destroy the meteor fails, and rather than staying to help, he simply leaves the scene. His true intentions remain a mystery, leaving viewers wondering about his real goals and hoping for more insight into his background.
7. Fubuki Lacks Depth As A Character
Fubuki’s obsession with her hero ranking defines much of her personality. She leads the Blizzard Bunch to maintain her dominance among B-Class heroes, referring to it as a professional organization, even though it lacks real professionalism.
While this aspect of her character provides entertainment, it would be more interesting to see her develop beyond her insecurities and become a more confident hero. Constantly worrying about how others perceive her makes her character feel repetitive.
A stronger storyline would help her grow into a more compelling figure.
6. Tatsumaki’s Power Overshadows Her Importance To The Story
Tatsumaki is a hero the Hero Association can rely on, as her telekinetic abilities allow her to defeat powerful enemies with ease. She often looks down on other heroes, expecting them to follow her orders simply because she is stronger than them.
Unfortunately, the series does not reveal much about her deeper motivations or how she acquired her incredible abilities. Fans remember her as an extremely powerful but arrogant character who does not play a major role in the entire plot.
5. Metal Bat Has The Will To Fight
Metal Bat’s combat style is straightforward—he relies on his bat to send his enemies flying. However, when he gets more determined to fight, his strength increases dramatically. The series does not explain how this boost in power works, leaving his abilities somewhat vague.
At the same time, his younger sister frequently interrupts his battles, pleading with him to attend her piano recitals even during intense fight scenes. While this adds humor to his character, it would be interesting to see him stay in battles longer so that viewers could learn more about his abilities and personality.
4. Atomic Samurai Shows Great Skill But Lacks Development
Atomic Samurai’s battles are visually impressive, as he can cut monsters into dozens of pieces in an instant. As a high-ranking S-Class hero, his swordsmanship makes him a serious threat to any opponent. Despite this, his presence in the series feels somewhat underdeveloped.
While he participates in action sequences that showcase his immense power, he does not interact much with the main characters. His conversation with Saitama is brief, and he does not engage with him beyond that, leaving little room for character growth.
3. Garo’s Motivations Remain Unclear
Garo turns against heroes because he sympathizes with villains, believing that they deserve to win just as much as heroes do. During his childhood, other students bullied him, which influenced his views on the hero system.
Some heroes deserve more screen time to show their full potential (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)However, his reasoning for wanting monsters to defeat heroes remains unclear, as he never fully explains his beliefs. Memories of his difficult past fuel his anger, which leads to a dramatic increase in his strength, as seen in his battles against Genos, Bang, and Bomb.
2. Doctor Kuseno Is Overshadowed By Genos
Dr. Kuseno plays an important role in Genos’ past, transforming him into a cyborg after Genos’ hometown was destroyed along with his family. Despite his connection to one of the main characters, he rarely appears in the series and is mainly shown when Genos needs upgrades.
His relationship with the Hero Association and other heroes remains largely unexplored. Many viewers would like to see more of his backstory, especially since he is the only one left to support Genos after his tragic past. A more detailed storyline could provide insight into his role in the larger events of the series.
1. Charanko Deserves More Opportunities To Grow
Charanko is one of the less impressive fighters in One-Punch Man, but his unthreatening nature makes him a likable character. Compared to the skills of Bang and Garo, his abilities in martial arts are minimal. Unfortunately, the series does not provide many chances for him to grow or improve.
Throughout the story, Charanko neither enhances his combat skills nor builds the confidence to train harder. As a result, viewers mostly remember him as Bang’s unsuccessful student without much development beyond that.