The inaugural season of One-Punch Man set a new standard for shōnen anime, offering a refreshing twist with electrifying battles and clever humor centered around arguably the most overpowered character in anime. However, the second season is often perceived as a significant disappointment. While the first season showcased Saitama’s prowess, the sequel diverted attention to less compelling side characters, resulting in a slower narrative pace. To compound matters, the change from Madhouse to J.C. Staff left many fans lamenting over the drop in animation quality.
As fans eagerly anticipate the third season, several critical elements must be addressed to recapture the magic of its predecessor and circumvent the pitfalls of the second season. With J.C. Staff back at the helm, some of these improvements seem more feasible than others. There is hope that the third installment can once again showcase what made One-Punch Man a remarkable series.
1 Prioritize Saitama
The Central Draw of One-Punch Man
At the heart of One-Punch Man lies Saitama, the series’ iconic protagonist. He serves as a brilliant subversion of the typical shōnen hero, where main characters often engage in prolonged battles, enduring severe damage in the process. In stark contrast, Saitama can resolve any confrontation with a mere punch, reshaping audience expectations of the genre.
The first season thrived by putting Saitama front and center, with clever storylines and memorable fights. Unfortunately, the second season largely sidelined him in favor of supporting characters like Garou, which diluted the narrative impact. While characters like Genos and Bang bring their own excitement, fans primarily tune in for Saitama’s absurd strength.
Restoring Saitama’s prominence is essential for the upcoming season. Yet, it’s worth noting that manga readers realize he remains absent from significant fights for extended stretches, particularly during arcs like the Monster Association saga.
2 Ensure Ample Manga Content for Adaptation
Avoiding Filler Episodes
Fortunately, filler episodes should not pose a significant concern for J.C. Staff this time. Filler content often arises when an anime surpasses its source material, forcing studios to concoct original plots to satisfy release schedules. This has plagued various series, such as Naruto, with extensive filler lists created to help viewers navigate the experience.
To replicate the first season’s success, it’s crucial for the third season to avoid filler episodes altogether. With over 100 manga chapters available for adaptation and each season managing roughly 40 chapters, the third season can easily fill a 12- or 24-episode run without resorting to filler.
3 Enhance Fight Scene Quality
The Decline of Combat Quality
The fight sequences in season two of One-Punch Man simply failed to deliver the same level of excitement as the first season. The original series featured some of the most memorable battles in shōnen history, like Saitama’s epic clash with Genos and the cosmic showdown against Boros, all animated with stunning clarity and vibrant colors.
In contrast, season two fell short in terms of animation quality. Although the choreography was engaging, such as during Garou’s confrontation with multiple heroes, the animation lacked the vibrancy fans had come to expect. The colors appeared muted, and the energy that defined fights in the first season felt significantly diluted.
4 Return to the Manga’s Grand Themes
Embrace the Manga’s Epic Scale
The manga enhances the sense of scale throughout One-Punch Man. Battles transcend merely personal stakes, often involving threats that endanger the world or even the galaxy, with Saitama effortlessly putting these challenges to rest. To capture the essence of the series, the third season should echo the manga’s expansive themes, balancing the narrative focus between Saitama and broader conflicts.
Although Garou is an intriguing character, the series must prioritize Saitama’s heroic interventions over a singular antagonist narrative. The series thrives when showcasing Saitama’s unmatched abilities and the massive stakes that define his adventures.
5 Maintain High Sound Design Standards
Enhancing the Auditory Experience
While shōnen series often overlook sound design, it can significantly enhance a show’s appeal. The first two seasons of One-Punch Man have demonstrated commendable sound quality. In particular, Garou’s fight with Bang stands out, with the audio serving almost as a character itself as it captures the intensity of their confrontations.
Bang’s rapid-fire punches resonate like drum beats, elevating the scenes and demonstrating how impactful sound design can be in the overall anime experience. Maintaining this high standard will be crucial for the show’s auditory impact moving forward.
6 Reinstate Season One’s Animation Quality
Madhouse’s Mastery in Animation
One of the most noticeable shifts between the first and second seasons of One-Punch Man was the substantial decline in animation quality. Madhouse, a renowned studio revered for titles such as Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and the 2011 adaptation of Hunter x Hunter, infused the first season with breathtaking animation. The crispness of the fights and the lively character designs contributed immensely to the series’ charm.
Conversely, J.C. Staff’s work in season two, while not incompetent, fell short of Madhouse’s high bar. The visuals appeared more muddled, failing to capture the vibrant essence of the series. Given J.C. Staff’s extensive experience, they have the capability to rectify this inconsistency and return the visual quality to appropriate standards.
7 Revisit the Series’ Action-Comedy Roots
The Balance of Humor and Action
Above all, One-Punch Man is a comedic masterpiece. While it excels in exhilarating fight scenes and stunning visuals, the backbone of the show is its humor. The comedic elements shine through the absurdity of Saitama’s unmatched strength, turning seemingly dire situations into laugh-out-loud moments.
While the second season adopted a somewhat more serious tone, the first season’s whimsical approach made it unique and engaging. To ensure that the third season captures the same charm, it needs to embrace its roots in both action and comedy, highlighting Saitama’s ludicrous ability to annihilate foes effortlessly.
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