Battles in One Punch Man are often filled with overwhelming power, devastating attacks, and fighters who push themselves beyond their limits. While some clashes end with a swift punch, others drag on, leaving fighters broken both physically and mentally.
Defeat in this universe is not just about losing a fight—it often comes with humiliation, despair, or destruction. Some characters suffer crushing losses that leave lasting impacts, whether through sheer force, psychological trauma, or both.
Humiliation hits harder than any punch when opponents realize their limits (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)The way certain opponents are taken down can leave fans stunned, making these moments stand out as some of the most brutal in the series.
From monsters who thought they were unstoppable to heroes who realized their weaknesses too late, the series has delivered some of the most merciless takedowns in anime and manga history.
Boros vs. Saitama: A Battle That Ended in Absolute Domination
Boros was one of the few enemies who could survive Saitama’s initial attacks, but finally, his strength was nowhere near enough to claim victory. As the leader of an alien invasion, he had spent years searching for an opponent who could give him a real challenge.
His regeneration, energy blasts, and speed made him one of the most dangerous beings to ever appear in the series. He managed to land attacks that sent Saitama flying to the moon, but it quickly became clear that he was not doing any damage.
The most brutal part of his defeat was not just the physical aspect but the emotional weight behind it. Boros believed he had finally found a worthy rival, but Saitama barely acknowledged him. Even after using his strongest attack, the “Collapsing Star Roaring Cannon,” it was effortlessly countered by Saitama’s “Serious Punch.”
His body, which had undergone incredible regeneration, could no longer hold itself together, and he crumbled to pieces. What made this loss especially painful was that Boros knew he had lost the moment Saitama got serious, but the hero downplayed it, saying the fight was “not even close.”
Garou’s Humiliation: From Hero Hunter to Defeated Warrior
Garou’s journey as the Hero Hunter was filled with victories against top-class fighters, but his defeat at the hands of Saitama was beyond anything he had ever experienced. Unlike other villains, Garou continued evolving, pushing his limits and learning from every battle.
He fought countless heroes, adapted to their techniques, and even reached a god-like transformation. At his peak, he wielded cosmic-level power, capable of manipulating time and delivering attacks on a universal scale.
His downfall, however, was swift and devastating. Even after achieving his strongest form, he was still unable to touch Saitama. What made this defeat so brutal was the hopelessness that came with it. Saitama, as always, remained completely unfazed, and his counterattacks were delivered effortlessly.
After being struck down, Garou realized that no matter how much he had struggled, he was still nowhere close to matching Saitama’s power. Adding to the pain of his loss was the fact that, deep down, he never truly wanted to be a villain.
His dream of reshaping society and becoming a symbol of fear crumbled before his eyes. He was left broken, not just physically but emotionally, as Saitama casually defeated him while barely taking any damage.
The final moment of their fight, where Saitama stopped him from causing any further harm and then treated him like a defeated child, cemented this as one of the harshest losses in the series.
Carnage Kabuto: An Overconfident Monster’s Reality Check
Carnage Kabuto was introduced as one of the most dangerous monsters ever created by Dr. Genus. His massive size, immense strength, and overwhelming speed made him a terrifying force. He believed himself to be the perfect being, one that no hero could stand against.
His transformation into “Carnage Mode” was meant to turn him into an unstoppable beast for an entire week, destroying everything in sight. His confidence, however, was shattered almost immediately. The moment he charged at Saitama, expecting a long, drawn-out battle, he was killed with a single punch.
What made this loss even worse was how quickly it happened. The buildup around Carnage Kabuto painted him as an unbeatable monster, yet his battle lasted mere seconds.
His overconfidence made his defeat all the more humiliating, proving once again that in this universe, strength means nothing against Saitama’s overwhelming power.
Elder Centipede: A Monster Too Large to Survive
Elder Centipede was an absolute menace, capable of withstanding attacks from S-Class heroes like Bang and Bomb without taking serious damage. His enormous size and regeneration abilities made him a near-indestructible force.
The Hero Association struggled against him, and even the combined efforts of multiple fighters barely slowed him down. His defeat, however, was swift and brutal. When Genos, Bang, and Bomb failed to make an impact, Saitama arrived and did what no one else could.
With a single punch, he completely obliterated Elder Centipede, reducing the massive creature to nothing in an instant. The sheer gap in power between the monster and Saitama made this one of the most devastating losses.
It was not just about physical destruction—it was the realization that even the strongest threats meant nothing when faced with overwhelming strength.
Deep Sea King: From Absolute Terror to Instant Defeat
Deep Sea King was a monstrous foe who dominated weaker heroes with ease. His ability to grow stronger in wet conditions made him even deadlier, allowing him to effortlessly crush opponents like Genos and Puri-Puri Prisoner.
Even the strongest warriors fall when facing the unstoppable force of Saitama (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)His brutality left heroes broken and battered, and for a while, it seemed like no one could stand against him. But when Saitama arrived, everything changed. Deep Sea King, who had been enjoying his rampage, was obliterated in one punch.
The crowd watching the fight had expected a long and intense battle, but instead, they saw their supposed worst nightmare disappear in an instant. The psychological effect of this defeat was massive—Deep Sea King went from a terrifying force to a joke in mere seconds.
His loss was not just about physical destruction but the complete loss of the fear he once inspired.
The series delivers some of the most brutal defeats in anime and manga, often with an element of humiliation attached. Whether through instant destruction, emotional breakdowns, or the realization that all their effort was meaningless, One Punch Man continuously showcases how battles can end in the most merciless ways.
Saitama’s effortless victories stand out the most, but even clashes between other characters demonstrate how unforgiving this world can be. Whether it’s Boros, Garou, or Deep Sea King, the crushing weight of defeat is often felt in ways that go beyond just losing a fight.