After six long years of waiting, One Punch Man Season 3 finally premiered, and fans around the world rushed to watch it with high expectations. The return of Saitama, Genos, and the Hero Association was meant to feel like a big moment for the anime community.
Many people had waited patiently, rewatched the earlier seasons, and built up excitement for what the new story would bring. However, instead of opening with a powerful new arc or an intense battle, the first episode of Season 3 surprised and disappointed many viewers because it was filled with long recap segments and slow pacing.
The episode spent a large amount of time reminding viewers of events from the previous seasons. It went over Saitama’s origins, his training, his endless boredom due to his overwhelming power, and the rise of the Monster Association.
While recaps are normal in long-running anime series, fans felt that this was too much. After waiting six years, many people expected the story to move forward right away instead of being walked through scenes they already knew very well.
One-Punch Man Franchise (Credits: ONE)
One Punch Man Season 3 Premiere Frustrates Fans With Heavy Recaps After Six-Year Gap
On social media, reactions appeared almost instantly. Some fans said they felt as if they had accidentally rewatched an old summary video instead of starting a brand-new season. Others joked that the studio might be trying to “stretch” the story because of production delays or a limited number of finished episodes. People posted memes showing Saitama looking bored while watching his own recap, which some thought perfectly represented how the audience felt.
Pacing became the main complaint. The episode moved slowly, and the sense of excitement that usually comes with a new season was missing. Even the new scenes that were included felt short and did not offer enough action or development to balance out the long recap sections.
Viewers were especially disappointed because One Punch Man is known for its fast, explosive fights and sharp comedy. Many expected to see the Hero Association dealing with new threats immediately, or at least a proper introduction to the next big conflict. Instead, the episode felt like it was stuck looking backward.
There were also concerns about animation quality. While some scenes looked clean and well-drawn, others felt less detailed and less fluid than what fans remembered from the best moments of the earlier seasons. After such a long gap, expectations were naturally very high. Some viewers hoped Season 3 would return to the intense and polished style of Season 1. When that did not fully happen in the premiere, frustration grew even more.
However, not everyone was completely negative about the episode. Some fans defended the recap, arguing that it might help new viewers who had recently discovered the series. They argued that after six years, a reminder of the main story was not a bad idea, especially for people who may not remember every detail. Others said it was only the first episode and that the real action would likely begin in the next few episodes. They asked people to be patient before judging the entire season based on one installment.
Long-Awaited OPM Season 3 Debut Draws Criticism for Slow, Recap-Filled Opening
From a wider perspective, the reaction to the premiere shows how much One Punch Man still matters to its fans. If people did not care, there would not be such a strong response. The series built a powerful connection with viewers because it combines superhero action, humor, and a unique main character who is the strongest but also the most bored. Fans want the series to do well, and their criticism mainly comes from feeling disappointed after waiting for so long.
The situation also highlights a larger problem in the anime industry. Delays, studio changes, and production issues have become more common in recent years. Long gaps between seasons can build massive hype, but they also make it harder to satisfy everyone when the show finally returns.
One-Punch Man Franchise (Credits: ONE)
Every small flaw becomes more noticeable because expectations have grown over time. If Season 3 had arrived sooner, a recap-heavy first episode might not have caused such a strong reaction.
As the season continues, many fans are still holding onto hope. They want better pacing, stronger animation, and real progress in the story. The Monster Association arc and the conflict between heroes and villains offer plenty of exciting material if handled correctly. Viewers are now waiting to see if the next episodes will deliver on that potential or if the slow start was a sign of bigger problems ahead.
In the end, One Punch Man Season 3 has started controversially. Instead of an explosive return, it reminded fans of the past. Whether this choice will hurt the season or simply be a small bump at the beginning depends entirely on what comes next. For now, the anime community is divided; some are frustrated, some are hopeful, but almost all of them are still watching closely, waiting for Saitama to make his return to the spotlight.
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.
One-Punch Man has always been known for its over-the-top action, sharp humor, and surprisingly thoughtful commentary on heroes and villains. Because of that, fans went into the new episodes with high expectations. Many hoped to see smooth animation, exciting fight scenes, and the same level of energy that first made the series so popular. Instead, the latest episodes have caused mixed reactions, with some viewers comparing parts of the animation to a “slideshow” and worrying that future battles may not live up to the story’s potential.
Soon after the new episodes were released, social media was filled with clips and screenshots showing still frames that seemed to last too long or action that looked choppy. Viewers pointed to moments where characters appeared to barely move while the camera slowly zoomed in or out, which gave the scenes a stiff and unnatural feeling.
In a series known for fast, powerful movement, this change stood out in a negative way for many people. Fans who had waited a long time for the return of One-Punch Man felt disappointed, and some expressed that the animation did not match the intense moments happening in the story.
For these fans, the biggest worry is not just about the current episodes but about what is coming next. One-Punch Man is famous for its dramatic and large-scale fights. From Saitama’s effortless defeats of powerful enemies to the struggles of other heroes like Genos and Tornado, the series needs strong animation to sell the power and emotion behind these moments.
If quieter scenes already feel weak, fans fear that the big battles could feel flat or rushed. Many have said that they would rather wait longer for better quality than receive more episodes with the same issues.
One-Punch Man Franchise (Credits: ONE)
Fans Slam One-Punch Man’s New Episodes as “Slideshow Animation”
At the same time, not everyone is completely unhappy. Some viewers argue that the story itself is still moving in an interesting direction. They point out that character development, world-building, and humor are just as important as flashy animation.
According to them, even if the visuals are not perfect, One-Punch Man still offers engaging storytelling. A few fans also remind others that early reactions are often emotional and that later episodes might improve in quality. They believe it is too soon to judge the entire season based on a small number of scenes.
There is also growing discussion about the working conditions and time limits in tvhe anime industry. Some fans believe that the studio and animators are being pushed too hard to meet strict deadlines and budget limits.
Creating high-quality animation takes time, skill, and careful planning, especially for action-heavy shows like One-Punch Man. When production is rushed, the results can suffer, even if the staff is talented. This has led to conversations about whether studios should be given more time and support instead of being forced to release content quickly to keep up with demand.
Another reason for the strong reaction is the memory of previous seasons. The first season of One-Punch Man set an incredibly high standard with smooth movement and detailed action. Many fans still view it as one of the best-looking anime seasons in recent years.
Even the second season, which was criticized at the time, had moments that some now look back on more kindly compared to the new episodes. When a show starts at such a high level, it becomes very difficult for later seasons to meet or surpass those expectations.
One-Punch Man Franchise (Credits: ONE)
Mixed Reactions Erupt as Viewers Worry About Future Fights in One-Punch Man
The creators and production team have not yet released a detailed response to the criticism. In most cases, studios do not comment directly on fan complaints while a season is still airing. However, history has shown that feedback can sometimes influence future decisions.
In some past cases, studios have reworked scenes for home releases or adjusted quality in later episodes after hearing viewer concerns. This gives some fans hope that improvements may still come.
Despite the backlash, One-Punch Man still has a loyal fanbase. Many people who are unhappy with the animation say they will continue watching because they love the characters and the world. Others have chosen to wait and see if the quality changes before continuing. In a way, the strong reaction itself shows how much people care about the series. A show that no one loved would not cause this kind of passionate response.
In the end, the current situation around One-Punch Man shows the power and the risk of high expectations. When a series becomes a classic, every new episode is placed under a microscope. Fans notice every small detail, and any flaw can become a big topic of debate.
While some feel disappointed and worried, others remain hopeful and patient. As more episodes are released, the full picture of the season will become clearer. For now, One-Punch Man stands at the center of a heated conversation, with fans watching closely to see whether the hero of heroes can rise again in both story and animation.
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.
