One Punch Man’s Most Overlooked Heroes

One-Punch Man features a vast array of characters, making it easy to lose track of some. With so many heroes and monsters appearing throughout the series, the diverse cast adds depth and variety, enhancing the show’s appeal. As with any anime, a handful of characters have the potential to become fan favorites.

Though they have this potential, they lack a compelling storyline that would push them to the forefront of popularity. Saitama, Genos, and a few S-Class Heroes receive the most attention, other heroes and monsters possess unique traits that could make for engaging storylines if given more focus.

10. Mumen Rider’s Persistence Stands Out Despite His Limitations

Mumen Rider may be a C-Class hero, but his bravery knows no bounds when facing enemies, even those far beyond his capability, such as the Deep Sea King. This formidable monster defeats multiple higher-ranking heroes before Mumen Rider arrives to challenge him.

Unlike Saitama, he receives admiration from the public due to his unwavering determination. However, his role remains limited to showcasing courage, as he frequently loses battles due to his lack of physical strength. Fans appreciate his resilience, but his continued defeats prevent him from leaving a greater impact.

9. Watchdog Man’s Potential Remains Untapped Beyond His Battle With Garo

Defeating Garo, one of the series’ most dangerous adversaries, establishes Watchdog Man as a force to be reckoned with. Yet, outside of this memorable encounter, his appearances are minimal, and he plays a minor role in the overarching story.

His mysterious nature leaves audiences intrigued, as he never speaks, maintains an indifferent expression, and provides no explanation for his dog costume. Many fans hope for more interactions with other characters that would offer insight into his personality and motivations as a hero.

8. Metal Knight’s Actions Raise More Questions Than Answers

Unlike other heroes who fight to protect civilians, Metal Knight seems to operate based on personal motives. When a meteor threatens to destroy an entire city, he intervenes not to save lives, but rather to test the capabilities of his weapons.

His attack proves ineffective, and instead of assisting further, he departs without concern for the destruction. His true intentions remain a mystery, leaving viewers to speculate about what truly drives him and whether his goals align with those of a hero.

7. Fubuki’s Insecurities Overshadow Her Potential

Fubuki constantly fixates on her hero ranking, which leads her to form the Blizzard Bunch—a group designed to ensure she remains dominant among B-Class heroes. She insists on calling it a professional organization, even though it hardly functions in that manner.

While her personality adds humor, it would be more compelling to see her undergo character development, growing beyond her insecurities and embracing confidence in her abilities. Her ongoing preoccupation with how others perceive her can feel repetitive, making her one of the characters in need of a deeper storyline.

6. Tatsumaki’s Strength Outshines Her Influence on the Plot

The Hero Association relies heavily on Tatsumaki due to her extraordinary telekinetic abilities, allowing her to overwhelm powerful opponents with ease. However, she often looks down on other heroes, believing they should submit to her simply because of her superior power.

The anime fails to look into her deeper motivations for becoming a hero or how she developed such remarkable abilities. While her strength is undeniable, she is often remembered more for her arrogant and childlike behavior rather than for playing a pivotal role in the story.

5. Metal Bat’s Fierce Combat Lacks Explanation

Wielding nothing more than a bat, Metal Bat demonstrates an aggressive fighting style, sending enemies flying with sheer force. His strength, however, experiences dramatic surges whenever he gets fired up for battle.

The mechanics behind this sudden power boost remain unclear, as his backstory does not provide much insight into how it functions. Additionally, his younger sister frequently interrupts his intense battles, demanding he attend her piano recitals at the most inopportune moments.

While this adds a comedic element, it also cuts short opportunities for him to showcase his full potential. A more extended focus on his fights could provide a clearer picture of his abilities.

4. Atomic Samurai’s Swordsmanship Stands Out, But His Story Lacks Depth

Atomic Samurai’s battles are a spectacle, as he can slice enemies into pieces in an instant. He holds a prestigious position among the S-Class heroes, and his unmatched sword-fighting skills make him a serious threat to any opponent.

However, despite participating in high-energy combat scenes, he does not interact with the central characters as much as others do. His only remarkable conversation with Saitama is brief, and he never engages with him beyond that.

While his fighting abilities are well established, further character interactions could provide much-needed depth to his role in the story.

3. Garo’s Motivations Remain Vague and Open to Interpretation

Garo chooses to betray heroes because he sympathizes with villains, believing they deserve victories just as much as heroes do. As a child, he faces bullying from his peers, which fuels his resentment. His reasoning for wanting monsters to triumph over heroes remains ambiguous, as he never fully explains his ideology.

Memories of being tormented in his youth enrage him, leading to an immense surge in power, especially during his battle against Genos, Bang, and Bomb. His strength increase is evident, but a clearer understanding of his mindset would add further depth to his character.

2. Doctor Kuseno Exists Solely in Genos’ Shadow

Dr. Kuseno plays an essential role in the backstory of Genos, one of the anime’s primary characters, transforming him into a cyborg following the destruction of his hometown and family. Despite this, he remains in the background, only appearing when Genos requires upgrades to his cybernetic body.

His relationships with other heroes and the Hero Association remain largely unexplored, leaving audiences curious about his history. Given that he is the only person Genos has left after losing his family, his story deserves more attention.

1. Charanko’s Lack of Growth Prevents Him From Standing Out

Among the many characters in One-Punch Man, Charanko is best known for his status as an underdog. His martial arts skills are nowhere near the level of fighters like Bang or Garo, but his friendly and non-threatening demeanor makes him an easy character to like.

Unfortunately, the anime does not provide much opportunity for him to evolve beyond this role. Throughout the series, he makes no outstanding improvements in combat ability, nor does he develop the drive to train harder.

As a result, he is primarily remembered as Bang’s least successful student, with little else to define him.