From Heroic to Hype-less: The Failure of One Punch Man Season 3
After a long wait, One Punch Man Season 3 has premiered to massive backlash. Poor animation, slow pacing, and historically low ratings have left fans disappointed here’s why the hype is fading fast.
After six years of waiting, One Punch Man Season 3 finally arrived. However, instead of a triumphant return, it is facing widespread criticism for being a major letdown. What once felt like a superhero’s ultimate comeback now seems like a bold project that stumbled over its own expectations.
1. The Numbers Speak Louder Than the Punches
IMDb Episode 6 (“Motley Heroes”) dropped to a surprising 2.7/10, making it one of the lowest-rated anime episodes ever.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 3 has a 6% score based on critic reviews.
According to fan reports, the IMDb score for early episodes ranges from 5.6 to 6.4/10, which is significantly lower than expected.
On Metacritic, user reviews are considered “Generally Unfavorable” with a score of 2.0 based on several ratings.
2. What Went Wrong: Major Criticisms
A. Animation Quality Disaster
Many fans feel the animation is static, rushed, or just lazy. Scenes often depend on still frames or minimal motion, making it feel like a slideshow instead of an action-packed anime.
The change in studio from earlier seasons to J.C. Staff is largely blamed for this drop in quality.
B. Pacing Is Agonizingly Slow
Instead of exciting fight scenes, many episodes focus too much on exposition. Viewers say the “Monster Association” arc feels slow and repetitive, recycling information instead of advancing the story.
One fan complained on Reddit:
“It’s slow paced, overly heavy on dialogue, and contains little movement. Season 3 is a colossal failure.”
C. Comedy and Energy Are Missing
One Punch Man was addictive because of its absurd humor and energetic fights. However, Season 3’s humor feels lacking, and the action misses the spark and choreography that fans loved in earlier seasons.
Some fans even reported falling asleep during episodes because it feels like they’re watching manga pages move in slow motion.
D. Production Under Fire
Long-time fans have criticized the production committee and studio for cutting corners. An animator from the show responded to some of the criticism, saying they’re “deeply heartbroken” and that the pressure, lack of resources, and production structure are misunderstood.
However, the damage may already be done. After such a long wait, expectations were very high, and the return feels disappointing.
3. Is There Any Redemption?
Despite the backlash, some episodes continue to attract a large audience. One report states that Season 3 was number one globally on Netflix for two weeks.
Some fans believe the foundation is still there the writing, certain character moments, and the humor remain, just buried under production issues.
The production team, especially the creatives at J.C. Staff, have shown frustration but also a desire to keep improving if the season continues.
4. Why the Failure Feels Bigger Than Just Poor Animation
One Punch Man isn’t just another anime it is a cultural phenomenon. A weak season damages its legacy.
For a series known for its iconic fight scenes and sharp satire, this disappointment goes deeper than being “not good enough.” It feels like a betrayal to long-time fans.
The harsh response may push the creators to rethink their production strategy or risk serious damage to the franchise’s reputation.
Conclusion: A Fallen Punch, a Shattered Hype
One Punch Man’s third season promised a grand return. Instead, what many call a disaster serves as a stark reminder: anticipation and nostalgia alone aren’t enough. With poor animation, uneven pacing, and low ratings, Season 3 feels like it traded its power punch for a whimper.
Unless changes are made, this season may be remembered not as a heroic comeback but as a cautionary tale of poorly managed hype.