As an anime fan who has spent years watching both Bleach and One Piece, it has been impossible to ignore the growing debate on social media about Toei Animation “copying” the combat style from Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War for One Piece’s Egghead arc.
Whether this claim is true or not, the reactions from fans show just how passionate and divided the anime community can become when two legendary series seem to cross paths in style and presentation.
Ever since Bleach TYBW returned, fans have praised its bold new direction. The fights look sharper, more cinematic, and more modern than before. The camera angles are dramatic, the lighting feels intense and sometimes dark, and there is a strong focus on emotional expressions and silent tension.
Every punch, every sword swing, and every blast of energy is built to feel serious and powerful. For many fans, this style made Bleach feel grown-up, polished, and perfectly adapted for today’s audience.
Then came the One Piece Egghead arc. Long-time viewers noticed something different almost right away. The animation suddenly felt more dynamic. The camera started moving in unusual ways, spinning during attacks, slowing down for impact, and zooming in on characters’ eyes or expressions right before big moments.
The colors became moodier in certain scenes, and the timing of the action felt more dramatic. Instead of the usual bright and playful feeling, some scenes took on a more intense and cinematic tone.
Bleach Franchise (Credits: Tite Kubo)
Bleach vs. One Piece: Fans Clash Over “Copied” Fight Styles in the Egghead Arc
For fans who watched Bleach TYBW, these changes felt familiar. Social media quickly filled with side-by-side clips comparing fight scenes from both series. People pointed out similar angles, similar uses of shadow, and similar pacing when delivering powerful moments. Some joked that Toei had been “inspired” by Bleach. Others were not so kind and accused Toei of straight-up copying.
From a fan’s point of view, this is where the situation becomes complicated. On one hand, it is easy to understand the frustration of Bleach fans. After waiting many years for the anime to return, they finally got a visually stunning adaptation that felt unique.
Seeing another studio use similar ideas for another big series can feel like their special moment is being taken away. People want their favorite anime to stand out, not be seen as a template for others.
On the other hand, animation is an art form that constantly evolves. Trends change, new techniques appear, and studios learn from each other all the time. It is very possible that Toei simply decided to step up its quality for Egghead because it is one of the most important arcs in One Piece.
The story itself is darker, more serious, and more emotional than many previous arcs. It makes sense that the animation would reflect that shift in tone.
Also, we cannot forget that many animators move between projects in the industry. It is normal for talented artists to work at different studios over the years. This means that certain visual ideas can naturally appear in more than one anime, simply because the same creative minds are behind them. That does not always mean copying. Sometimes it just means growth and shared influence.
Still, fans do not view things in such a calm and balanced way when it comes to their favorite series. For some One Piece supporters, the claims of copying feel like an insult. They argue that One Piece has always experimented with its animation and that the Egghead arc is simply the next step forward. They point out moments from older arcs like Wano that already showed Toei pushing the limits. In their eyes, this is not copying; it is evolution.
Anime Community Divided as Toei’s New One Piece Scenes Spark Bleach TYBW Comparisons
For some Bleach fans, however, this is proof that Bleach is once again setting the standard. They see it as a sign that their series is leading the way in modern anime style. Instead of being angry, some even feel proud. They say that if One Piece is borrowing ideas, it is because Bleach is doing something right.
Then there are fans of both series, who just want everyone to calm down and enjoy the fact that two legendary anime are looking better than ever. They argue that it does not have to be a competition. After all, anime fans are lucky right now.
We are getting high-quality adaptation after high-quality adaptation. Instead of fighting over who did what first, we could simply appreciate that studios are finally giving these stories the visual treatment they deserve.
One Piece Franchise (Credits: Eichiro Oda)
At the end of the day, the “copying” debate says more about fandom culture than it does about animation itself. Fans care deeply, and when you care deeply, you become protective. Whether Toei was inspired, influenced, or simply evolving on its own, one thing is clear: the Egghead arc has people talking. And in the anime world, that kind of passion, even when it turns into arguments, is proof that these stories still matter.
As a fan, I can only hope that instead of using this situation to create more division, we can use it as a chance to celebrate how far anime has come. If both Bleach and One Piece continue to push visual boundaries, then everyone wins in the end.
“One Piece” is a beloved Japanese manga and anime series that chronicles the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew. Luffy, imbued with rubber powers from a mystical fruit Hito Hito no Mi, aspires to become the Pirate King. To achieve this, he seeks the ultimate treasure, the “One Piece,” hidden at the Grand Line’s end. Along the journey, Luffy gathers a diverse crew, confronts formidable foes, and uncovers world-altering secrets, all while promoting themes of friendship, freedom, and adventure.
One-Punch Man has always been a series that comes with huge expectations. From the first season that stunned fans with its smooth action and sharp humor, to the more debated second season, each new update has been followed closely by the anime community.
Now, with Season 3 finally opening to the public, reactions are mixed. While many fans are happy to see Saitama and the rest of the characters back on screen, others are raising concerns about the animation quality, saying it does not live up to the series’ high standards.
For some viewers, just having One-Punch Man return is enough. Season 3 continues the story where it left off, moving deeper into the conflict between heroes, villains, and mysterious new threats. Familiar faces like Saitama, Genos, Tatsumaki, and other members of the Hero Association appear again, and the plot pushes toward bigger battles and more intense situations.
Fans who have been waiting for this moment for years feel relieved that the story is moving forward. They enjoy hearing the characters’ voices again, seeing new scenes animated, and being pulled back into the world that mixes comedy with action.
However, not everyone is satisfied. The most common complaint revolves around the animation. On social media, some fans are saying that the fights feel less fluid, the movements are stiffer, and the overall visual impact is not as strong as Season 1.
Comparisons are being made line by line and scene by scene. People are sharing screenshots and clips, pointing out what they see as a drop in quality. They argue that One-Punch Man is known for its over-the-top, beautiful action scenes, and anything less stands out immediately.
One-Punch Man Franchise (Credits: ONE)
One-Punch Man Season 3 Divides Fans as Animation Quality Faces Heavy Criticism
Others think the criticism is too harsh. They explain that animation is a complex process that depends on time, budget, staff, and many technical factors. They also point out that Season 1 set an extremely high bar because it had a dream team of talented animators and a very favorable schedule.
Reaching that same level again is difficult, especially in today’s anime industry, where studios are often overworked and under pressure. To them, Season 3 is not “bad,” just different. They say it still looks decent, and the story is what truly matters in the long run.
Another part of the debate is about pacing. Some fans feel that Season 3 moves too slowly in certain episodes. They say that the buildup takes longer, and the most exciting moments are spread far apart. This can make viewers restless as they wait for something big to happen.
On the other hand, some fans like the slower moments. They enjoy the focus on character development, background details, and the growing tension before a major battle begins. To them, this makes the story feel deeper and more meaningful.
Genos, Saitama’s loyal disciple, has also become a major talking point. His struggles, upgrades, and emotional moments in this season are getting attention. Some fans feel that he is being given more serious and dramatic scenes, which is a change from the more lighthearted tone of the first season.
While some enjoy seeing this different side of him, others miss the stronger comedy that made the early episodes so memorable. Saitama’s bored attitude toward life and fighting is still present, but some viewers think his screen time feels more limited compared to other characters.
Mixed Reactions Greet One-Punch Man’s Return With Debate Over Visual Standards
The mixed reaction has created a clear divide in the fandom. One side is clearly disappointed and feels that the series has lost part of its charm. The other side is just happy it is back and believes the criticism is exaggerated.
Both sides are very passionate, which shows how important One-Punch Man is to anime fans around the world. Very few series can create this level of discussion so many years after their debut.
It is also worth noting that first impressions can sometimes be misleading. Many anime seasons start with criticism and then slowly win fans over as the story progresses and bigger moments appear. There is still a lot of content left to be shown in Season 3.
One-Punch Man Franchise (Credits: ONE)
Future episodes may bring stronger action, improved animation, and unforgettable scenes that change the current negative opinions. A single episode or early batch of episodes does not always represent the full season.
In the end, One-Punch Man Season 3 is reminding everyone how high expectations can be both a blessing and a problem. The series is so loved that anything less than “perfect” feels disappointing to some fans. At the same time, that love is the reason it continues to be discussed, supported, and watched in the first place.
Whether people like the new season or not, they are still talking about Saitama, still sharing clips, and still waiting to see what happens next. That alone shows that One-Punch Man remains one of the most powerful and talked-about names in anime today.
One Punch Man follows Saitama, a hero so powerful he defeats any enemy with a single punch, leaving him bored and searching for a true challenge. He joins the Hero Association and faces increasingly strange and powerful foes, while remaining largely unrecognized by the world. The story parodies typical superhero and shonen tropes with satire and brilliant action.
