zFrom the nearly invincible Saitama to the powerful cyborg Genos, One Punch Man has a distinct lineup of characters. The anime spends a great deal of time delving into their personalities, even extending that exploration to those relegated to the sidelines.
A character-driven anime, One Punch Man puts the strengths and weaknesses of its cast front and center. That makes it easy to identify when the characters grow or do something memorable, and, of One Punch Man's major players, all have at least one iconic moment fans associate them with.
10 Saitama: The Famous 'OK' Scene
One Punch Man's Saitama is incredibly laidback, something he alludes to every time he tells someone he's a "hero for fun." His easygoing nature could be connected to the fact that he's basically unbeatable. However, his most iconic scene proves it goes beyond that.
Even when Saitama is faced with Lord Boros, a villain who can't be defeated with one punch, he remains relatively calm. His only response is to look slightly taken aback and utter the word "OK." This scene quickly rose to internet fame, becoming a meme and the moment many viewers associate with the anime’s lead character. It provides the show’s signature comedy and an overview of Saitama’s personality all in one go.
9 Genos: Blowing Up The Elder Centipede
Genos rarely wins the battles he fights, but that never stops him from giving them his all. Unfortunately, it does prevent his fights from resonating with viewers. His battle with the Elder Centipede in One Punch Man Season 2, however, is distinctive for several reasons.
For one, it’s the first time fans see the true power of his upgraded exterior, which actually offers hope he might win. Secondly, Genos takes a courageous stand attempting to blow up the Elder Centipede, even knowing his actions might destroy him. The action and emotional stakes are impressive in this moment, which is why it stands out on Genos' long list of battles.
8 Mumen Rider: His Stand Against The Deep Sea King
Mumen Rider is one of the few genuinely noble characters in One Punch Man, and his stand against the Deep Sea King in "Unyielding Justice" proves it. Although he's going up against a monster with twice the strength and power he has, Mumen Rider doesn't back down. He does everything he can to protect the people around him.
This is Mumen Rider's M.O. throughout the series, and it's this scene that drives his motivation for being a hero home. When viewers think of the character, this is likely where their heads will go: to his courageous stand against someone he can't possibly beat. It's his biggest and most iconic moment in the series so far.
7 Tatsumaki: The Meteor
Villains and heroes love to underestimate Tatsumaki, but viewers know she's one of the most powerful characters from One Punch Man. That's established loud and clear when she takes on the Ancient King with a meteor. The villain's remark that only a meteor would defeat him is meant to be snarky, but Tatsumaki easily uses her psychic abilities to bring one down from space.
This moment is emblematic of Tatsumaki’s character because it humorously highlights how powerful she is by having her do something seemingly outlandish with hardly any effort at all.
6 Speed-o'-Sound Sonic: 'Checkmate'
When it comes to One Punch Man villains, Speed-o'-Sound Sonic comes off as a joke, especially when pitted against Saitama. Their first fight together is one of the most memorable of the series, and it's not for the action. It's because Saitama inadvertently hits Sonic in the groin, uttering "checkmate" in the process.
One of the more comical introductions in the anime, this scene has become iconic for its humor alone. Just as people associate Mumen Rider with his brave stand against the Deep Sea King, they associate Sonic with this entrance. It's certainly one that's difficult to forget.
5 Garou: Becoming A Monster
Garou spends the majority of One Punch Man Season 2 striving to become a monster, which is why his transformation during the final episodes proves so powerful. Garou seems to have met his match when the Class S heroes and Genos corner him while he’s injured. However, he goes beyond human capabilities and somehow survives the encounter.
Not only does this moment mark a turning point in the story—and for Garou’s character—but it’s the most epic fight viewers see Garou partake in. Until he returns healed and more powerful than before, this is likely how fans will remember him, and rightfully so.
4 Silver Fang: The Master Confronts The Pupil
Silver Fang is the most down-to-Earth character from One Punch Man, and viewers rarely see him misstep. His biggest mistake seems to be training Garou, and he sets out to rectify that in season 2. His effort to do so is nearly successful when he and his brother, Bomb, confront Garou during the final episode.
The fight that ensues is probably Silver Fang’s most epic in the series so far, and it highlights who he is as a character. His other scenes simply don’t compare, but, hopefully, viewers will see more like this one in One Punch Man season 3.
3 King: The Philosophy Lesson
King may not be the heroic, powerful hero he's led his fans to believe, but he does give some pretty solid advice. When Saitama complains of feeling dissatisfied with his hero career, King offers surprisingly astute wisdom to his new friend.
This moment is King's most iconic because it's one of the few times viewers get a glimpse of his actual talent—which is far from fighting villains, but that's perfectly OK. The scene paints him as a character who isn't mere comic relief, and it enables both viewers and Saitama to appreciate him in a new way.
2 Metal Bat: Taking On The Elder Centipede
Genos isn't the only character to have a memorable encounter with the Elder Centipede. Metal Bat also goes head to head with the creature, an impressive accomplishment given that he's a human being with limited stamina. While he doesn’t defeat the monster, he puts on an impressive and memorable show, one that will stick with viewers long after the episode is done.
Metal Bat hasn't had nearly enough chances to prove himself in the One Punch Man anime, but this scene highlights why he's so admired within the One Punch Man Hero Association.
1 Fubuki: Going Head To Head With Do-S
Unfortunately, Fubuki hasn't gotten many opportunities to shine in the One Punch Man anime. Although her first moments on-screen tease a powerful, confident character, that impression is quashed by the presence of someone as apathetic as Saitama. Following that, her biggest scene is probably her fight against Do-S. Despite having to be saved by her sister, this showdown is an epic one that underscores quite a bit about her character.
Getting to see Fubuki interact with her sister at all adds depth to the jealousy and insecurity she talks about earlier in the season. Having Do-S turn her own men against her also pokes a hole in her fighting strategy that's likely to impact her decisions moving forward.
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July 25, 2021 at 12:00AM
