One-Punch Man stands out as one of the most well-known satirical anime, largely due to its main character, Saitama, who remains indifferent to nearly everything. Despite possessing limitless strength, his concerns revolve more around missing grocery store discounts and failing to swat away persistent insects than about being a hero.
Even with his laid-back attitude, Saitama still operates as a superhero, albeit as a B-Class one. With the vast array of characters across anime, it’s interesting to consider who would make the best partner for him and who would be an absolute mismatch.
Saitama would admire Usagi’s selflessness despite her clumsiness (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)10. Perfect: Sailor Moon
While Usagi Tsukino isn’t the most disciplined or responsible individual, often prioritizing personal desires, Saitama would likely see her as an excellent ally. Despite her history of reckless and clumsy behavior, she has consistently shown unwavering dedication to those she holds dear.
Her compassion extends beyond just her allies, as she often tries to treat even her enemies with kindness. She refuses to harm creatures she believes can be redeemed. Given that Saitama isn’t particularly concerned about recognition, he would likely appreciate Sailor Moon’s selfless approach to heroism.
9. Nuisance: Tetsuo Shima
Tetsuo, from the legendary 1988 film Akira, struggles even as a companion to Kaneda, frequently pushing back against his friend’s efforts to look out for him. His inability to acknowledge genuine concern leads him to make reckless choices, which only amplify his instability.
Although Saitama tends to have a great deal of patience, he wouldn’t have the tolerance for Tetsuo’s constant complaints about his supposed tragic fate. Being a decent person, Saitama would likely feel obligated to put an end to Tetsuo’s chaos before things escalated any further.
8. Perfect: Mikasa Ackerman
Mikasa’s resilience, built through hardship, makes her a solid companion for someone like Saitama. Both are often withdrawn, though their reasons differ, and neither places much importance on how others perceive them—what matters most to them is achieving their goals.
She also possesses a deep sense of compassion, always protecting the vulnerable. Saitama shares this trait, as demonstrated when he saved a peculiar-looking child from Crablante, marking the beginning of his journey as a hero.
7. Nuisance: Goku
Pairing Saitama with Goku might seem intriguing, given that Saitama was likely created as a parody of characters like him. However, their personalities couldn’t be more different—Goku follows a strict moral code, while Saitama remains largely indifferent to such concerns.
Even if they were to work together, the partnership wouldn’t last. Neither would have much interest in anything other than finding stronger opponents, leading them to split off in search of their own fights rather than cooperating.
6. Perfect: Hisoka Morow
At first glance, making Hisoka Saitama’s partner appears to be an odd choice. However, while Hisoka thrives on deception and betrayal, he doesn’t engage in it for any grand scheme—he does it purely for his own amusement. His motivations for following Gon, joining the Phantom Troupe, and challenging Netero all stem from his desire for entertainment.
His obsession with fighting makes him an interesting match for Saitama. Unlike opponents such as Chrollo, whom Hisoka might eventually defeat, Saitama presents an impossible challenge. This would keep Hisoka preoccupied with trying to find a weakness to exploit, preventing him from becoming a threat elsewhere.
5. Nuisance: Faye Valentine
Saitama has no problem befriending people with different backgrounds and values, as shown in his interactions with Fubuki. Despite their contrasting worldviews, he connected with her quickly, even challenging her perspectives.
Faye Valentine, on the other hand, would be someone Saitama wouldn’t have the patience for. Her primary focus is dodging financial responsibilities, and she often indulges in selfish and destructive behavior. Saitama would likely find her manipulative tendencies and lack of accountability frustrating.
4. Perfect: Ichigo Kurosaki
Ichigo and Saitama make an excellent team, as neither is particularly concerned with winning—both are simply focused on finishing the job at hand. Their similarities extend beyond that, as they both have trouble remembering faces and names, frequently forgetting if they’ve ever met someone before.
Their disregard for authority makes them an even stronger pair, as they don’t hesitate to break rules when necessary. On top of that, Ichigo’s world would introduce Saitama to an entirely new set of powerful adversaries. The idea of him facing someone like Aizen would be an exciting prospect.
3. Nuisance: Shinji Ikari
Saitama already experiences a deep sense of emptiness, as his immense strength has removed all sense of challenge from his life. Pairing him with Shinji would only make things worse, as the young pilot constantly fixates on his abandonment issues, psychological struggles, and the unsettling nature of his Eva unit.
Tetsuo’s recklessness would test even Saitama’s patience (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)Although Saitama might initially be patient, spending too much time with Shinji would quickly become exhausting. However, due to Shinji’s naivety and innocence, Saitama might still choose to stick around, at least for a while, to look after him—until it became unbearable.
2. Perfect: Shihouin Yoruichi
Much like Ichigo, Yoruichi from Bleach would be a strong choice as a companion for Saitama, even though he doesn’t truly need a partner. Just as she effortlessly handles Urahara’s eccentric personality, she would likely find a way to improve Saitama’s daily life as well.
Despite experiencing hardships and betrayal, Yoruichi maintains an upbeat attitude. Her energetic nature could be exactly what Saitama needs to shake him out of the dull, detached state he often finds himself in.
1. Nuisance: Genos
It may seem surprising, but Genos doesn’t function well as Saitama’s sidekick. His tragic backstory and relentless pursuit of vengeance have shaped him into someone who prioritizes future battles over appreciating the present. While his devotion to his Sensei is clear, this mindset often clashes with Saitama’s philosophy.
Even though Genos’ approach has softened somewhat over time, he still remains too fixated on revenge to be the ideal partner for Saitama. Perhaps, with further growth, he will become a better fit. But for now, he still has a long way to go.