As the Hero Association scrambles to handle the looming monster apocalypse and contend with the relentless hero hunter Garou, its strongest member, Saitama, remains largely detached from these events in Season 2. He changes his attention toward martial arts.
The martial arts remains a field that sparks his curiosity after years of effortlessly defeating monsters. Intrigued by the idea of testing his skills against human fighters who might offer a real challenge, he begins looking into the competitive world of martial arts.
A martial arts tournament where no one knows the strongest fighter is here (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)Saitama Enters the SuperFight Tournament
A citywide martial arts competition called SuperFight soon catches Saitama’s attention when he hears about it from the amateur fighter Charanko. With Charanko unable to compete due to injuries sustained in a clash with Garou, Saitama devises a plan to enter in his place.
To bypass the tournament’s entry restrictions, he adopts a disguise, impersonating Charanko to secure a spot in the competition.
Misjudged Once Again
While Saitama prepares for his tournament debut, the city is thrown into disarray as monsters launch a large-scale attack, overwhelming Hero Association members in a coordinated assault. Oblivious to the chaos, Saitama remains focused on the competition.
Despite his disguised identity, he finds himself placed at the lowest tournament seed, with competitors and organizers underestimating his abilities.
This misjudgment plays into a familiar theme throughout the series—Saitama is repeatedly overlooked, whether by the Hero Association ranking system, his underwhelming superhero name, or opponents failing to recognize his true strength.
His participation in SuperFight continues this ongoing gag, as no one suspects the immense power hiding beneath his unremarkable exterior.
Zakkos’ Quick Defeat
With Genos watching from the stands, Saitama enters the ring against his first opponent, a flamboyant, low-tier fighter named Zakkos. Boasting long blonde hair and a smug attitude, Zakkos had previously ridiculed Charanko, Sour Face, and their martial arts school, showing little respect for their master, Bang.
Originally scheduled to be a tournament judge, Bang had to withdraw alongside his brother Bomb to focus on stopping Garou, a former student whose violent crusade against heroes weighed heavily on him.
Zakkos’ disrespect toward Bang, however, does little to faze Saitama, who cares only about finding a worthy adversary. Despite his hopes, he quickly notices that Zakkos lacks any real strength.
Saitama’s assumption is proven correct in the post-credits scene when he effortlessly defeats Zakkos with a single slap the moment the fight begins. Genos, watching from the sidelines, remains unsurprised but slightly disappointed, realizing his master is unlikely to find the challenge he seeks.
Saitama himself grows irritated, having gone through the trouble of sneaking into the tournament only to breeze through his first match without resistance. However, without his knowledge, a more formidable competitor, Suiryu, observes the fight.
Recognizing the hidden potential in the disguised Saitama, Suiryu anticipates their inevitable battle in the final round and welcomes the challenge.
The Search for a Worthy Opponent Continues
While officially becoming a hero is part of Saitama’s journey, his deeper goal has always been to find an opponent capable of withstanding more than a single punch.
After hearing about Garou’s strength from Charanko, Mumen Rider, and Tank-Top Master, he had hoped martial arts would offer what monster battles never could—a real fight. If his first round in the SuperFight tournament is any indication, disappointment may continue to follow him.
However, with Suiryu lurking in the competition, there is still a glimmer of hope that Saitama may finally encounter an adversary who can put up a real fight.