Saitama’s strength has been the foundation of his entire existence as a hero, making him virtually untouchable in battle. With a single punch, he has ended fights that others thought were impossible to win. But what if that power was taken away?
If he had to fight without his overwhelming strength, it would change everything about how he approaches battles. His physical abilities aside, he has never relied on strategy, advanced techniques, or weapons to win. Losing his power would force him to adapt in ways he has never needed to before.
Could Saitama trade brute strength for skill and strategy (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)Without his usual invincibility, he would suddenly face the same struggles that other heroes go through. This scenario raises many questions about his survival, effectiveness, and ability to overcome challenges without relying on brute force.
Would Saitama Still Be a Hero?
Losing his strength would immediately strip away the very thing that made Saitama stand out. He would no longer be able to finish battles in an instant or dominate enemies without effort. This would put him at a crossroads—would he continue as a hero, or would he walk away from it completely?
One major thing to consider is his personality. Saitama became a hero not because of fame or recognition but because he found it fun. However, his experience with boredom and lack of challenge might mean that, without his power, he could lose motivation.
If he can no longer defeat monsters easily, there is a chance he might not even bother fighting them at all. On the other hand, if he still holds on to the same sense of duty, he might choose to train and develop actual skills, making him a different kind of hero entirely.
Could He Learn Martial Arts?
Without his overwhelming strength, Saitama would be left with only his basic knowledge of combat. While he has never needed formal training, the events of his fight with Garou showed that he respects skilled fighters. Losing his power would mean he could no longer rely on sheer force, making martial arts one of the best alternatives.
Characters like Bang, Bomb, and Garou have demonstrated that a well-trained fighter can hold their own against much stronger opponents. Saitama could decide to train under one of these masters, developing techniques that rely on skill instead of brute strength.
His determination and discipline would likely allow him to pick up martial arts quickly, but he would not have an easy time reaching the level of heroes like Bang, who spent decades perfecting their craft. It would be an entirely new challenge for him, and while he might not become the strongest martial artist, he could still hold his own.
How Would He Survive Battles?
Most of Saitama’s fights end before they even begin, but without his power, he would need to think carefully about every move. Against low-level monsters, he might still stand a chance using speed, agility, and endurance.
However, against Dragon-level threats or even certain Demon-class monsters, survival would become almost impossible. He would need to start relying on teamwork, something he has rarely done in the past. Heroes like Genos, Bang, and Tatsumaki could become crucial allies, providing the raw power he no longer has.
This would be a major change from his usual lone-wolf approach, forcing him to work with others instead of charging into battle alone. The Hero Association might even assign him a different role, such as intelligence gathering or strategic planning since he would no longer be able to act as a frontline fighter.
Would He Rely on Weapons?
Saitama has never used weapons, but if he lost his strength, he might have no choice but to start using them. Whether it’s basic tools like swords and staffs or more advanced technology like Genos’ cybernetic enhancements, weapons could help him stay relevant as a hero.
The problem is that Saitama has never shown any interest in learning how to use weapons. He has always relied on his fists, and his fighting style is built entirely around hand-to-hand combat. If he were forced into a situation where weapons became necessary, he might struggle at first.
However, with proper training and guidance, he could potentially become skilled enough to compensate for his lost strength. It would take time and effort, but it could be a way for him to continue fighting against stronger enemies.
Would He Be Able to Beat Any Villains?
Without his usual power, most of the villains he has faced before would completely overpower him. Deep Sea King, Carnage Kabuto, and Boros would be beyond his ability to handle. Even lower-level monsters might pose a serious threat if he does not develop new ways to fight.
His best chances of winning battles would come from learning strategy and using intelligence instead of raw force. He could take inspiration from heroes like Atomic Samurai, who rely on technique, or Metal Knight, who uses technology to enhance his combat abilities.
While he would never reach his previous level of dominance, he could remain an active hero in some form.
Would His Personality Change?
Saitama’s personality has been shaped by his strength, and losing it could have a deep effect on his mindset. Right now, he faces constant boredom because no fight is a challenge. If he had to struggle again, he might regain the sense of excitement that he lost after becoming the strongest.
Without his strength, Saitama would finally experience a true struggle (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)This could make him take hero work more seriously and value each battle more than before. On the other hand, he could become discouraged if he finds himself unable to keep up with the threats around him. Losing fight after fight might break his spirit, leading him to quit hero work altogether.
His laid-back attitude might disappear, replaced by frustration or disappointment. It all depends on whether he sees this change as a new challenge or as a reason to give up.
Could He Ever Regain His Power?
If Saitama lost his strength, the biggest question would be whether he could ever get it back. His original training regimen—100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and 10 km running—might not work a second time. If his power came from something deeper, such as breaking his limiter, then regaining it might require another extreme breakthrough.
Another possibility is that someone else could unlock his power for him. Scientists like Dr. Kuseno or mysterious beings like God could play a role in restoring his lost abilities. However, if he had to rebuild his strength from scratch, it might take years, forcing him to survive in a weaker state for a long time.
Losing his strength would completely change Saitama’s journey, forcing him to face challenges in ways he never had before. He would no longer be able to win fights instantly, and survival would depend on training, teamwork, and adaptability.
Whether he chooses to continue as a hero or not would depend on his mindset, but if he found a new way to fight, he might remain relevant in the battle against monsters.