In recent years, One Punch Man has gone from being a cultural phenomenon to becoming one of the most controversial cases in the anime industry. The third season, marked by harsh reviews and extremely low ratings on platforms such as IMDb, has reignited debates about animation quality, fidelity to the manga and even the impact that wrong decisions by studios can have on the reputation of an established work. What was once celebrated as an innovative and visually impeccable production is now pointed out by many fans as an example of how poor execution can turn a beloved franchise into a target for frustration and memes. This contrast between the initial success and the current decline opens up space for an in-depth analysis of the mistakes made, the effects on fandom and the future of the series.
One Punch Man: Why is season 3 considered the worst anime in history?” style=”aspect-ratio:16/9;object-fit:cover”/>The rise of One Punch Man and the impact of the first season
When it debuted in 2015, One Punch Man quickly established itself as one of the most talked-about anime of the decade. The proposal was simple, but ingenious: a hero capable of defeating any enemy with just one punch, living in a world full of increasingly powerful villains and monsters. This seemingly limited premise was transformed into a narrative full of humor, social criticism and epic battles that won over fans all over the world.
The Madhouse studio, responsible for the first season, delivered a masterpiece in terms of animation. Each fight was choreographed with cinematic precision, the visual effects conveyed impact and speed, and the direction knew how to balance moments of comedy with sequences of pure tension. The pinnacle of this quality was the battle between Saitama and Boros, considered to this day to be one of the best animated fights in the history of anime. This scene not only raised the standard of quality, but also became a benchmark for other productions seeking to combine fluidity, intensity and fidelity to the manga.
As well as impeccable technique, the first season had a profound cultural impact. The character Saitama became a symbol of irony and reflection on the superhero genre: a protagonist who starts out invincible, but suffers from existential boredom and a lack of recognition. This innovative approach attracted both anime fans and people who were not in the habit of following Japanese productions, broadening the reach of the work.
Another crucial point was the critical and popular reception. On IMDb and other rating platforms, the episodes of the first season achieved very high scores, often close to 10. This consolidated One Punch Man as a must-see anime for any fan and opened up room for debate on how the industry could maintain this level of excellence in future seasons.
The technical and narrative problems of the third season
The third season of One Punch Man has become a real case study in how wrong decisions can compromise an established work. The contrast with the first season is glaring: if before we had fluidity, visual impact and fidelity to the manga, now we find abrupt cuts, poorly animated characters and even grotesque continuity errors.
One of the most criticized points was the quality of the animation. Several scenes look rushed, with characters who don’t move naturally or who simply “glide” across the set without moving their legs. This generated a flurry of memes and criticism, turning moments that should have been epic into viral jokes. In addition, there were cases of characters with the wrong proportions – such as the heroine Mizuki appearing with six fingers – and even the reuse of female models for male characters, resulting in visual inconsistencies that detracted from the work’s credibility.
Another serious problem was the removal of important scenes from the manga, which compromised the narrative. Characters like the Royal Ripper, who played a key role in certain sequences, were simply cut out. This led to disconnected dialogues and meaningless situations, since the absence of a key character affected the entire logic of the scene. The result was a domino effect: rivalries ceased to exist, interactions lost purpose and the development of the plot was hampered.
In addition, the season abused lazy resources, such as keeping a static image (a simple PNG) while the characters talked for long seconds. This practice not only reduced the dynamism of the narrative, but also conveyed a sense of disregard for the fans. In moments that were supposed to convey emotion or intensity, the audience was faced with characters standing still, expressionless, while excited dialog took place in the background.
From a narrative point of view, the third season failed to maintain the pace and build tension. The manga carefully prepares each arc, building anticipation for the confrontations and revelations. In the anime, however, this preparation was watered down or ignored, leaving the episodes lacking in impact. The result was a drastic drop in ratings: episodes that used to receive scores close to 10 began to register averages of less than 4, reaching a negative record of 1.4 in one of the most criticized chapters.
The role of notes and review bombing in the perception of the work
Online reviews have become one of the entertainment industry’s main thermometers. Platforms such as IMDb, MyAnimeList and even specialized forums function as public showcases, where fans and critics express their opinions and shape the reputation of a work. In the case of One Punch Man, this dynamic was crucial in consolidating the first season as a classic and later turning the third season into a target for devastating criticism.
An important aspect to consider is the phenomenon of review bombing. This term refers to the practice of organized groups of fans coming together to give extremely low (or high) ratings to a work, often for reasons outside the actual quality of the product. This has already happened in several anime and series, such as when rival communities mobilize to bring down the rating of popular titles, just to favor their favorites. In the case of One Punch Man, although some of the criticism is legitimate and based on obvious technical problems, there was also evidence of mobilization by dissatisfied fans who intensified the ratings drop.
Even so, it’s undeniable that the ratings reflect real trends of frustration. Episodes that used to receive scores close to 9 or 10 have now registered averages below 4, reaching a negative record of 1.4 in one of the most criticized chapters. This number isn’t just symbolic: it directly influences how new viewers decide whether it’s worth investing time in. In a market saturated with anime and series, a low rating can alienate potential fans and reduce the cultural impact of the franchise.
Another important point is that the ratings act as a yardstick. When an anime like Dragon Ball Evolution, widely considered a failure, appears with a higher rating than an episode of One Punch Man, it generates shock and repercussions. The comparison goes viral, reinforces the narrative of decadence and widens the perception that the work has completely lost its quality.
Therefore, ratings are not just numbers: they become instruments of cultural and commercial influence, capable of determining the future of a franchise. If the reputation falls, the studio faces greater difficulty in maintaining an audience, attracting new investment and even justifying the production of future seasons.
Comparisons with other anime that have suffered drops in quality
One Punch Man ‘s third season is not an isolated case in the anime industry. Several works have gone through similar situations, where a change of studio, budget cuts or wrong creative decisions have resulted in sharp drops in quality. These comparisons help to put what happened to Saitama and company into context, showing that the problem is not just with the work itself, but with a recurring pattern in anime production.
A classic example is Tokyo Ghoul:re. After the resounding success of the first season, which won over fans with its dark atmosphere and complex characters, the sequel suffered from narrative cuts and a fast pace. Entire arcs from the manga were condensed into a few episodes, leaving the story confusing and unsatisfying. The result was a lukewarm reception and the feeling that the work’s potential had been wasted.
Another emblematic case is Nanatsu no Taizai (The Seven Deadly Sins). The first season was well received, but the change of studio for the third season brought a visible drop in the quality of the animation. Fights that were supposed to be epic became a laughing stock, with poorly drawn frames and disproportionate characters. The comparison with One Punch Man is inevitable: both anime suffered from the transition of studios and the lack of care in maintaining the established standard.
Even established works such as Bleach and Naruto Shippuden faced criticism in certain arcs, especially when episodes were stretched out with fillers or when the animation didn’t keep up with the intensity of the story. These moments, although they haven’t destroyed the franchises’ reputations, serve as a reminder that consistency is key to maintaining audience engagement.
What all these comparisons reveal is that a drop in quality not only disappoints fans, but also affects the longevity of the work. When public confidence is shaken, it becomes more difficult to regain lost prestige. In the case of One Punch Man, the frustration is all the greater because the series started off on a very high note, creating expectations that were not met.
The future of the franchise and what fans still expect
Despite the intense criticism of the third season, One Punch Man remains a franchise with enormous potential. The manga and webcomic are still going strong, delivering narrative arcs that maintain the essence of the work and winning over readers around the world. This means that, even in the face of the drop in quality of the anime, the original story remains solid, offering rich material for future adaptations.
The big challenge lies in regaining the public’s trust. To do this, it would be necessary for those responsible for the production to rethink their strategy: invest in studios with a track record of excellence, prioritize fidelity to the manga and, above all, respect the rhythm and atmosphere that made the first season so memorable. Many fans believe that a possible fourth season could work as a “redemption”, provided there was a radical change in the way the animation was handled.
Another thing that keeps hope alive is the power of the community. The One Punch Man fan base is passionate and engaged, and continues to follow the manga, creating content, discussing theories and pressuring the studios for improvements. This engagement is a valuable asset: when a work has a loyal community, there is always room for revival.
What’s more, the Saitama character is still a cultural icon. His figure as an invincible but emotionally human hero continues to attract new audiences and inspire debates about the superhero genre. This symbolic force ensures that, even with its stumbles, One Punch Man will hardly be forgotten.
The future of the franchise depends on a combination of factors: strategic decisions by the studios, pressure from the community and respect for the original material. If these elements come together, there’s a good chance that we’ll see One Punch Man regain its glory and once again become a benchmark in the anime industry.
