The highly anticipated anime, One Punch Man, kicks off with a bang in its first episode, “The Strongest Man.” From the very beginning, viewers are plunged into a world where monsters roam freely, and humanity’s only hope lies in the hands of a hero unlike any other: Saitama, the One Punch Man.
A World in Chaos
The episode opens with a city under siege by a monstrous being known as Vaccine Man, a villain whose origins are tied to humanity’s pollution of the Earth. His motives are clear: eradicate the human race to restore balance to nature. As he wreaks havoc, the military and local heroes prove to be no match for his overwhelming strength.
Just when all hope seems lost, Saitama enters the scene. Clad in his iconic yellow jumpsuit and red gloves, his appearance is almost comical, yet there’s an air of mystery about him. What kind of hero could stand up to a monster like this?
The Power of One Punch
In a sequence that sets the tone for the entire series, Saitama dispatches Vaccine Man with a single punch, completely obliterating the creature in an instant. It’s a moment that leaves viewers stunned, not only because of the sheer power displayed but also due to Saitama’s reaction—or rather, lack thereof. Saitama is bored. The thrill of battle, the adrenaline of overcoming a powerful foe—none of it matters to him anymore because every fight ends the same way: with one punch.
This surprising twist is what makes One Punch Man so compelling. Saitama is a hero who has achieved ultimate power, yet that very power has left him feeling empty. He yearns for a challenge, for an opponent who can truly test his limits.
Saitama’s Origin Story
Through a flashback, we learn that Saitama wasn’t always this strong. Once an ordinary salaryman, he decided to become a hero for fun after a fateful encounter with a crab monster who was terrorizing a young boy. That day marked the beginning of Saitama’s rigorous training regimen: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run every day for three years. The result? He became so powerful that no enemy could stand up to him—but at a cost. His hair fell out, and he lost the excitement that had initially driven him to become a hero.
This backstory not only provides insight into Saitama’s character but also serves as a satire of traditional superhero origin stories. Where most heroes gain their powers through extraordinary means—be it genetic mutation, alien technology, or divine intervention—Saitama’s power comes from nothing more than sheer determination and an absurdly simple workout routine.
The Endless Search for Meaning
The first episode concludes with Saitama reflecting on his journey. Despite his unmatched strength, he’s plagued by a sense of purposelessness. His ability to defeat any opponent with a single punch has rendered his life dull and monotonous. This paradox—being the strongest, yet feeling empty—is at the heart of One Punch Man and sets the stage for the rest of the series.
As the episode ends, we see Saitama’s face light up with a spark of hope as he confronts a new challenge—a subterranean invasion that promises to be his greatest battle yet. But even as he rushes into the fray, the question remains: will this fight finally bring him the excitement he’s been missing, or will it end like all the others, with just one punch?
Final Thoughts
“The Strongest Man” is a perfect introduction to the world of One Punch Man. It establishes Saitama as a hero who defies conventions, blending action, humor, and existential ennui in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The episode sets up a series that is as much about the internal struggles of its protagonist as it is about the external battles he faces.
With its unique premise and a protagonist unlike any other, One Punch Man challenges the traditional superhero narrative, making us question what it really means to be strong—and whether strength alone is enough to bring true fulfillment.
As Season 1 unfolds, we’re left eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for Saitama. Will he find a worthy opponent? Will he discover a new purpose beyond simply defeating every enemy that crosses his path? One thing’s for sure: One Punch Man is a punch above the rest, and this first episode is just the beginning of an exhilarating journey.
My Thoughts:
So this show is all about power and strength; power and strength; then some more power and strength.
The main character, Saitama, aka One Punch Man is literally the strongest man in the world and can defeat any foe with simply, and ironically (or not) one punch.
This off the couch super hero has a pretty dry sense of humor which really makes this anime pretty funny in addition to being badass!
In addition the writers have a segment in episode one where Saitama is reminiscing about his history and the future of the world and introspectively pondering whether he is adding value and what his true purpose is. He describes doing “the hero thing as a hobby”.
Near the end of episode one, the subterraneans, a group of “earthlings” that have been living underground for what appears to be millennia becoming incredibly strong. They let Saitama know they are here to reclaim the earth as their own; finally giving Saitama a fight he even acknowledges is worthy of his time.
Very excited to see what’s next in episodes 2 and beyond.
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