Columbia Pictures revealed plans for a live-action adaptation of One Punch Man in April 2020. This news sparked discussions about whether the film would successfully capture the essence of the original manga, as many anime adaptations have struggled to do so.
Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner, known for their work on the Jumanji films and Venom, were initially brought on as writers, while Marvel Studios’ founder Avi Arad took on the role of producer.
Later, in 2022, Justin Lin, best known for directing several installments of The Fast and the Furious franchise, was announced as the movie’s director.
Can Hollywood translate One Punch Man’s absurdity into live-action success (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)A more recent update about the film confirmed that Dan Harmon (Community, Rick and Morty) had been hired to rewrite the script alongside Heather Anne Campbell. While details remain scarce, the ongoing script revisions suggest that the movie might be taking a different direction than originally planned.
Casting decisions have not yet been announced, despite multiple fan speculations. Given how little information is currently available, fans are left eagerly anticipating whether the film will stay true to One Punch Man’s unique humor and tone.
One Punch Man Live-Action Movie Must Embrace the Anime’s Absurdity
Adapting One Punch Man into a live-action format will likely mean following the trend of other recent superhero parodies that highlight comedic elements.
Taking place in an Earth-like setting with exaggerated superhuman battles, the story revolves around Saitama, a hero so overpowered that his lack of real challenges leaves him perpetually unenthused. His indifferent attitude, coupled with his deadpan delivery, plays a crucial role in the series’ humor.
For the live-action adaptation to be successful, it must capture this dynamic properly. However, the comedy extends beyond Saitama himself, as One Punch Man thrives on its absurd supporting characters and surreal world-building.
The anime features a wide range of eccentric characters, each contributing to its humor. Distinctive designs, such as those of Pineapple and Puri-Puri Prisoner, stand in stark contrast to the simpler appearance of heroes like Mumen Rider, creating a visual comedy that enhances the storytelling.
Translating these elements into a live-action setting may prove challenging, as anime adaptations often struggle with replicating exaggerated designs and physics-defying movements. Despite this, preserving the humor and unpredictability of One Punch Man should remain a priority, as it plays a fundamental role in the series’ appeal.
One Punch Man Should Still Take Itself Seriously—Despite Its Ridiculous Premise
While One Punch Man features an undeniably humorous concept, the live-action adaptation must approach its story with a level of seriousness. Although Saitama’s absurd strength leads to moments of comedy—like naming a technique “consecutive normal punches”—the film should avoid becoming an outright parody.
A faithful adaptation would respect the original material while maintaining a sense of fun, rather than deconstructing or mocking the logic of the story, as some past adaptations have done. Large-scale battles must be given the same level of intensity and spectacle as in the anime.
As the series creator, ONE, has explained, Saitama’s defining trait isn’t just his strength—it’s his personality and perspective on heroism. By focusing on this, the movie can effectively balance action with humor.
The grander fight sequences will provide moments where Saitama’s unique outlook on combat can shine, showcasing his casual yet comedic responses to dangerous situations.
Live-Action Anime Adaptations Have Struggled to Stay True to Their Source Material
Concerns about the One Punch Man movie are understandable, as many live-action anime adaptations have failed to honor their original works. Some struggle due to cultural shifts in storytelling, while others face technical limitations when attempting to bring anime’s exaggerated physics to the real world.
Genos’ battles are tough, but his determination never fades (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)A past example of this is Cowboy Bebop’s 2021 live-action adaptation, which received criticism for multiple aspects of its execution, apart from its cast.
However, with Dan Harmon involved in the scriptwriting process, there is reason to be hopeful that One Punch Man will retain its signature humor, as Harmon has experience crafting absurd yet engaging narratives through Rick and Morty.
One Piece Proved That Live-Action Anime Adaptations Can Succeed
Bringing anime into live-action is notoriously difficult, yet some attempts have failed so spectacularly that they are considered inexcusable. The last thing audiences want is for One Punch Man to suffer the same fate as Dragonball Evolution, which became infamous for its poor execution.
However, advancements in CGI and a growing appreciation for anime in mainstream media have improved the chances of delivering a faithful adaptation. A recent example of success in this space is One Piece, which defied expectations with its Hollywood live-action adaptation.
The series’ first season received an 86% Tomatometer score and a 95% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, demonstrating that live-action anime adaptations can be done well.
With the right approach, One Punch Man has the potential to deliver an adaptation that remains faithful to the source material while effectively translating its action and humor onto the big screen.