The global prominence and craze for One Punch Man’s manga series, created by ONE, have certainly helped its anime adaptation on Netflix perform extremely well. The last two seasons were sensational hits, and the latest Season 3 has also emerged victorious in terms of viewership, landing at #5 on Netflix India’s Top 10 weekly ratings for TV shows. However, the audience reception toward the latest season tells a completely different story.
After a six-year hiatus, the return of Saitama, the hero who defeats every foe with a single, anticlimactic punch, was one of the year’s most anticipated anime events. Yet, what fans received was a visually jarring experience that has led to immediate and brutal backlash.
Many fans have declared One Punch Man Season 3 the worst season due to its poor storyline and subpar animation quality.
For a show that built its global reputation on the unmatched, fluid, and explosive animation of its first season, a visual masterpiece helmed by Studio Madhouse, Season 3’s production by J.C. Staff has been labelled a creative betrayal. Viewers are flooding social media with complaints about Season 3 being flat and the animation looking like a slideshow.
The most common criticism is that the lack of dynamic movement and reliance on static shots have stripped the series of its kinetic energy, making Season 3 a dull and disappointing viewing experience.
Beyond the visual blunder, fans are also taking issue with the narrative approach. While the new season adapts one of the manga’s richest and most action-packed storylines, early episodes have been criticized for sluggish pacing and an overreliance on exposition.
One Punch Man Season 3’s high ranking on Netflix India’s Top 10 lists shows that the franchise has a strong fan base in India. Their brand loyalty and hunger for new content remain powerful enough to drive massive viewership, regardless of quality control. New and casual fans, drawn in by the franchise’s global fame, are tuning in, pushing it up the charts.
As the season continues, the central question remains: Can One Punch Man recover its reputation? Because this season is undoubtedly a disappointment. Stay tuned for more updates.
Here’s how some fans have reacted to One Punch Man Season 3!