One Punch Man season 3

One Punch Man Season 3: A Promising Revival That Struggles to Deliver

Anime, Reviews / 1 Comment

After 6 years of waiting, when One Punch Man Season 3 finally came, the excitement level of the fans was sky-high. Discussions were going on everywhere. “Will we get to see the clash between Saitama and Garou now?”, “Will the animation be like Madhouse?” But as soon as Episode 1 was released, only one line appeared on social media: “One Punch Man Season 3 poor animation.”

This line was not just a casual complaint; it was the frustration of all those fans who waited for so many years. After watching the episode, everyone’s reaction was the same – the story is fine, but the visuals spoiled the whole mood.

The Long Wait and Heavy Expectations

When Season 1 was released in 2015, Madhouse literally changed anime standards. Every fight scene was a masterpiece; the camera angles, speed lines, and exaggerated expressions were all so perfectly animated that every punch was accompanied by an adrenaline rush.

After that, Season 2 came in 2019, produced by J.C. Staff. The story was good, but the animation quality had clearly dropped. Even then, fans said, “It’s okay, everything will improve in Season 3.” But now Episode 1 of Season 3 has proved that hype and reality are not always the same.

Episode 1 Review

Episode 1 focuses on the setup of the Monster Association arc. This arc is iconic to manga readers; the heroes versus monsters, Garou’s ideology, and Saitama’s existential struggles all culminate here. The story buildup feels solid.

But the pacing is slow. The exposition in the first episode is so overwhelming that the excitement fades a bit. Dialogue-heavy scenes dominate, and what little action there is is filled with static shots and reused frames. The spark of visual storytelling is missing.

Saitama himself feels like a background character. For a character who was expected to have energy and unpredictability, feeling sidelined felt a bit off.

The Core Problem – One Punch Man Season 3 Poor Animation

Now let’s talk about the biggest issue with One Punch Man Season 3: poor animation.

The animation quality is clearly inconsistent. Some shots are sharp, but detailing disappears in the next frame. Character outlines are uneven, and backgrounds lack depth. Movement appears stilted, as if a slideshow is playing.

There was a time when Saitama’s single punch would shake the entire screen. Now, that punch is no longer felt. Sudden cuts and the use of still images between the action break the immersion. The fight choreography also appears bland; punches and dodges lack rhythm.

For a show whose core is “impact,” the missing impact is the biggest disappointment.

Why Is the Animation So Weak This Time?

Many people are wondering, “How did such a major anime get so poorly animated?”

The reasons are multiple.

First, studio changes and production pressures. Madhouse produced Season 1, but Seasons 2 and 3 went to J.C. Staff. J.C. Staff is an experienced studio, but their forte is slice-of-life and dialogue-heavy shows, not high-action shōnen anime. Therefore, their animation process clashes with One Punch Man’s style.

Another reason is the tight schedule. According to reports, animators were receiving short deadlines. When the timeline is squeezed, both detailing and motion quality are compromised. Some sources are also saying that the animation for part of Episode 1 was handled by a single animator, which is crazy for such a huge franchise.

The third issue is budget allocation. The studio is probably saving more resources for later episodes, where the big fights will take place. But the problem is that the first impression was weak.

One Punch Man season 3 poor animation

Fans’ Reactions – Disappointment Everywhere

Reddit threads, Twitter spaces, and YouTube comments all echoed the sentiment, “This doesn’t feel like One Punch Man.” Fans highlighted that the impact was missing, the motion was choppy, and the character animation felt lifeless.

Some even said that the final episode felt even flatter compared to the trailer. The energy in the trailers didn’t translate to Episode 1.

Memes also started doing the rounds, with people saying, “Saitama destroyed the animation with one punch.”

The Silver Lining – Story and Direction Still Have Potential

Now it seems like Season 3 will be a complete disaster, but be patient. The story direction is still strong. The Monster Association arc was very engaging in the manga, and if the animation improves in the upcoming episodes, momentum could return.

Garou’s character development and Saitama’s internal conflict are both deep. If the focus remains on the writing and voice acting, the visuals’ weaknesses may be somewhat compensated for.

Plus, some insiders are saying that top-tier freelance animators are being hired for later episodes. If this turns out to be true, improvement could be seen by mid-season.

Comparing with Past Seasons

When Season 1 came out, Madhouse set a new standard. Every frame felt alive. The Genos vs Saitama fight is still an iconic example of perfect timing and kinetic energy. That sparkle diminished in Season 2, and now it has almost vanished in Season 3.

If we compare, Episode 1 of Season 3 feels more like a visual downgrade instead of progression. This is hard for fans to accept because, despite having so much potential, the result feels underwhelming.

OPM season 3 mid

Behind the Scenes – Production Realities

Industry insiders have pointed out that anime production has become much faster-paced. Studios are handling multiple projects a year, and animators are facing burnout. The entire animation of One Punch Man Season 3 is likely a victim of this system.

Animation is a creative process where both time and teamwork are crucial. When the timeline is compressed, detailing, lighting, and movement all suffer. Therefore, every frame lacks the polish that Season 1 had.

Should You Still Watch It?

Absolutely, yes, but with adjusted expectations.

If you’re watching just for the animation, you might be disappointed. But if you like One Punch Man’s characters, humor, and satire, the story is still worth following.

Saitama’s sarcasm, Genos’s over-serious attitude, and Garou’s anti-hero arc are all still engaging elements. Plus, if the animation picks up a bit in future episodes, this season could be redeemable.

Just understand that this isn’t going to be a Season 1-level masterpiece, but it could be a decent continuation.

Final Verdict – Hope Is Still Alive

To conclude, yes, One Punch Man Season 3’s poor animation is a genuine problem. Episode 1 dampened the excitement a bit, and the animation quality weakened the initial impact.

But this doesn’t mean the show is over. The story is still unfolding, and if the studio takes the criticism seriously, improvement is possible in upcoming episodes.

Anime fandom is a loyal community; as long as the content is engaging, fans are willing to wait. Now, J.C. Staff needs to understand that One Punch Man is not just a story, but also a visual identity.

Hopefully, in the next episodes, Saitama will silence not only the monsters but also the critics with one punch.

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