A pivotal choice stands before Hero Hunter Garou in One-Punch Man Chapter 152, and a brief moment of hesitation sets the stage for one of the most intense moments in the series so far.
Although buried beneath the wreckage of the Monster Association headquarters, Garou emerges stronger than before, his body now covered in a hardened exoskeleton that makes him nearly impervious to attacks.
With his newfound resilience, his focus moves back to his former master, Bang, whose reaction to Garou’s transformation is one of disappointment.
A clash with Saitama looms, but is Garou truly ready to face himself (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)As their battle continues, Bang’s words begin to carry the weight of a mentor’s guidance once again, causing cracks to appear in the armor covering Garou’s face. Despite this, Garou refuses to waver and then leaves Bang defeated on the ground.
Garou’s Defining Moment
It isn’t until the grotesque, half-digested Fuehrer Ugly resurfaces, thirsting for revenge against Bang, that Garou is forced into making his choice. Will he intervene to save his former master from a humiliating demise, or will he fully embrace his monstrous identity and allow Bang to perish?
Having straddled the line between human and monster for a considerable portion of the manga, Garou finally commits to remaining human in the most decisive way possible. In a flash, he launches a relentless attack against Fuehrer Ugly and the other Monster Association Executives, eliminating at least three of them in under half a second.
His assault bisects Fuehrer Ugly, pulverizes Platinum Sperm, and severely damages Evil Natural Water—though the latter may still pose a threat. Interestingly, King inadvertently benefits from this battle, as his bluff attack’s name is shouted at the exact moment Garou strikes, leading the heroes to mistakenly attribute the feat to him.
Garou’s decision marks an intriguing move in his character, considering his long-standing insistence on identifying as a monster and opposing the heroes.
However, past flashbacks offer insight into his motivations—his childhood sympathy for TV monsters was rooted in his own experiences with bullying, as he saw their defeats as a reflection of his own struggles. Throughout the series, he has demonstrated moments of heroism, such as protecting Tareo from the monsters and ensuring his safety.
The line between hero and villain blurs as Garou questions morality (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)His issue isn’t a passion for evil or a rejection of goodness itself; rather, he questions whether those who claim to be good, like the heroes, are truly virtuous. Figures such as Sweet Mask, whose cruelty is indiscriminate, or Metal Knight, who remains absent when needed most, cast doubt on the absolute morality of the so-called heroes.
If Garou comes to understand that the concepts of heroism and villainy are not strictly black and white, he can alter his path.
The Road Ahead for Garou
At the same time, abandoning his monstrous ambitions may not be a straightforward process. A confrontation between Saitama and Garou seems inevitable, yet Garou himself still appears to be working through his emotions regarding his transformation.
His journey remains uncertain, and only the upcoming chapters of One-Punch Man will reveal how he truly comes to terms with his choices.