One-Punch Man stands out among satirical anime, both in its widespread appeal and its unconventional protagonist, Saitama. Despite possessing overwhelming strength, he spends more time lamenting missed supermarket discounts or chasing after pesky insects than reveling in his abilities.
Though Saitama ranks as a B-Class hero, he remains a formidable force. Given the vast array of anime characters, some could make excellent allies for him, while others would be completely unsuitable as his sidekick.
The Caped Baldy’s sidekick selection could be surprisingly unconventional (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)10. Perfect: Sailor Moon
While Usagi Tsukino isn’t without flaws—often prioritizing personal desires over responsibility—Saitama would still view her as an ideal companion. Despite her history of reckless decision-making, her unwavering dedication to those she cares about sets her apart.
Her compassion extends even to enemies, showing kindness toward those who might be redeemed rather than destroyed. Since Saitama doesn’t actively seek fame or recognition for his actions, he would respect Sailor Moon’s humanitarian approach in battle.
9. Nuisance: Tetsuo Shima
Tetsuo, best known from Akira (1988), already struggles as a sidekick to Kaneda, frequently clashing with him instead of recognizing his friend’s efforts to help. His unpredictable nature and impulsive choices reveal a deeper struggle within.
While Saitama has patience in abundance, he wouldn’t have the tolerance to listen to Tetsuo’s endless complaints about his circumstances. However, given his inherently kind nature, the Caped Baldy would still do what’s necessary and put an end to Tetsuo’s turmoil.
8. Perfect: Mikasa Ackerman
Mikasa has endured immense hardships, yet her emotional resilience makes her an exceptional potential ally for Saitama. Though their reasons for being withdrawn differ, both focus on outcomes rather than seeking validation for their actions.
She also shares his protective instincts, particularly when it comes to vulnerable children. Saitama himself began his journey by saving a boy from Crablante, demonstrating that their priorities align in meaningful ways.
7. Nuisance: Goku
Pairing Saitama with Goku presents an odd mix, especially considering that Saitama is often seen as a parody of Goku’s unmatched power. Their approaches to life, however, couldn’t be more different—one follows a strict moral code, while the other remains indifferent to most matters.
Even if they were to form a team, their collaboration would likely be short-lived. Both would be more interested in finding strong opponents to battle rather than working together toward a shared goal.
6. Perfect: Hisoka Morow
At first glance, pairing Hisoka with Saitama might seem like a mistake. Despite his reputation for deception and manipulation, Hisoka thrives on the thrill of battle rather than scheming for personal gain. His obsession with Gon mirrors his reasons for joining the Phantom Troupe and his desire to challenge powerful opponents.
Since he constantly seeks worthy adversaries, Saitama presents the ultimate challenge—keeping Hisoka occupied and preventing him from causing trouble elsewhere. This unusual dynamic could work in everyone’s favor.
5. Nuisance: Faye Valentine
Saitama has no problem forming bonds with people who hold vastly different views, as shown in his friendship with Fubuki. However, while she eventually learned from their interactions, Faye Valentine would be an entirely different story.
Her motivations boil down to two things: escaping her debts at any cost and indulging in reckless behavior. Saitama would quickly grow weary of her self-destructive tendencies and lack of purpose.
4. Perfect: Ichigo Kurosaki
Ichigo and Saitama make a strong pair, neither particularly invested in achieving victory for personal glory, but rather in getting the job done. They also share an amusing flaw—both struggle to remember people’s names and faces, often unsure if they’ve met someone before.
Tetsuo Shima’s unpredictability makes him a disastrous sidekick choice (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)They have little regard for rigid rules, breaking them whenever necessary without much hesitation. If Saitama were to team up with Ichigo, he would gain access to the powerful villains from Bleach—imagine him going up against Aizen.
3. Nuisance: Shinji Ikari
Saitama already carries the weight of overwhelming strength and the existential loneliness that comes with it. The last thing he would need is Shinji adding layers of emotional turmoil by venting about his abandonment issues, complex emotions, and piloting a mecha embedded with his mother’s soul.
While Saitama might initially try to support him out of pity, he would soon realize that dealing with Shinji’s constant emotional struggles isn’t worth the effort. Eventually, the frustration would reach a breaking point.
2. Perfect: Shihouin Yoruichi
Like Ichigo, Yoruichi would be a solid addition to Saitama’s circle, even if he doesn’t require a sidekick. Her ability to handle Urahara’s eccentricities suggests she could help Saitama break out of his routine and introduce some excitement into his life.
Despite her painful past filled with betrayal and loss, she maintains an upbeat attitude that could positively influence Saitama. With her around, he might find it easier to break free from the sense of boredom that constantly plagues him.
1. Nuisance: Genos
This might come as a surprise, but Genos doesn’t make an ideal sidekick. His tragic past and relentless pursuit of vengeance define his character, but these very qualities make him ill-suited for the role.
While it’s clear that Saitama cares for him, that bond is the main reason he keeps Genos around. The problem lies in Genos’ inability to live in the present, constantly chasing after revenge despite Saitama’s attempts to steer him away from that path.
Though Genos has mellowed out over time, he still has a long way to go before becoming the partner Saitama truly needs.