Saitama may strike with unmatched power, yet One-Punch Man itself struggles to land a hit amid production woes and fading fandom.
Fans have finally seen the long-awaited third season of One Punch Man, but they’re not exactly punching the air with joy. Many viewers were disappointed by the first episode’s lack of animation and action, even though it set the stage for what was to come. Even though everyone is excited about Saitama’s return, the episode has caused a discussion in the anime community about how well the show is being made.
The first show was mostly a setup, with few scenes moving and little action. Many fans said the show looked rushed due to “wonky shots” and “inconsistent drawings.” Some people supported the show, saying the first episode wasn’t meant to showcase high-intensity animation, but others weren’t convinced, especially since they had to wait 6 years for the new season.
Shinpei Nagai, who directed the show, did the storyboarding with the help of three assistants, which led to rumors that they were under pressure during production. Fans have said the animation team looks like they have too much to do and not enough resources, which is a bad sign for a show known for its great visuals. The first season had some jaw-dropping scenes, but this opening felt like a slow-motion punch.
Both longtime fans and reviewers have said that One Punch Man deserves a lot better. Many people are annoyed when people compare fan-made videos to the real thing, saying that it’s rude to talk about the hardworking people who work behind the scenes.
Animation quality and production struggles overshadow Saitama’s long-awaited return.
Some online comments suggest that Season 3 of One Punch Man was made in less than a year. There are signs in the official promotional video and interviews that point to a tight schedule, say analysts. One reviewer said, “You can tell the condition isn’t ideal” due to poor choices in compositing and storyboarding. People in the town are now split between those who support the project and those who say the production committee isn’t doing its job.
The adaptation stays true to the book; it covers chapters 85 and 86, and even includes a scene from chapter 85.5 after the credits. But a few small action scenes were cut, probably because they needed too much movement. One fan said it funnily: “Maybe they saw it and said, ‘That needs movement! Get that out of here!”
Despite the sadness, some professionals in the field say the premiere’s lack of animation could have been planned. When anime is made, the early shows often save money so that later, more action-packed scenes can get more attention. “They might be putting their energy into what’s next,” said one expert. “The real test will be the next episode.”
There were no key character designers on director Miyuki Ishida’s team, and assistant directors Shinjiro Kurada and another director were not listed. This made it look like the main staff might be working on new shows. Kazumi Ono, the Chief Animation Director, helped with the opening sequence and is known for his detailed key animation, so his participation could mean the visuals will improve later on.
Rushed, restrained, and resource-starved.
Still, the episode’s storyboarding choices made people look twice. A lot of zoom-ins and strange perspective shots threw off the flow of the scenes. The episode’s flow was called “offbeat” by some viewers because scenes changed quickly and characters didn’t move much. There were some good moments, especially in Fubuki’s scenes, but the overall structure was poor.
Some of the best things about the show were the well-drawn characters, especially Fubuki, who seemed to get extra care from the animators. Fans noticed small changes in how faces were drawn and how shadows were used in inner scenes, suggesting the drawings were supervised more closely. Some frames that didn’t match the model were still there, but some people saw them as small wins in an otherwise stiff production.
The good, the bad, and the barely moving.
The colors and lines in One Punch Man Season 3 are darker and thicker than in the previous seasons. Some people liked the darker color scheme, but others didn’t like how the colors were blended, especially in scenes where the background textures didn’t match the character designs. Many agreed that the lighter settings looked more natural and evoked the cleaner style of Season 1.
The darker, gloomier look may have been chosen deliberately for artistic reasons, but it might draw attention to the lack of movement. One reviewer said, “Let’s not be crazy, even if it looks a little better than Season 2.” “The first episode of Season 2 moved faster, even without the big fights.” Now, the hope is that the upcoming action scenes will make up for the rough beginning.
Fans are cautiously hopeful about the future. A few well-known Twitter animators, like Van Oba, have said they will appear in later episodes. If given enough time, these changes could make the season’s visuals look much better. But if artists don’t plan their work well, even the best of them might not meet quality standards.
The community is still split between cautious hope and anger. Some fans are ready to wait because they think the action scenes will make up for the slow beginning. Others are worried that the fast production will continue as long as the show is on.
As the credits rolled on Episode 1, anime fans had a wide range of responses, from laughing to being shocked. “Not One Punch Man—One Frame Man” was the best joke that summed it up. We don’t know if Season 3 can get better after this shaky start, but for now, Saitama’s return has sparked as much criticism as joy.
