It is interesting that the challenges that Saitama faces that get him worried that truly the most mundane and ordinary. Saitama can punch a monster into oblivion but when it comes to essays or going to sales he’s powerless. Here we have him about to be kicked out of the hero association if he doesn’t catch a criminal in two days. For all of Saitama’s infinite power he can’t do a thing if there are no criminals to catch. Saitama’s greatest weakness is his own mentality but at least Speed of Sound, Sonic has bailed Saitama out of this jam. Though I must say the animation sure takes a hit whenever Sonic shows up. Maybe someone less talented his handling his scenes or maybe they just aren’t given as much attention. None the less the scene still worked and despite some shortcomings there was some eye candy. Namely Saitama breaking Sonics sword with his teeth. We are also introduced to two new girls of the show, Fubuki and Tatsumaki, who will likely play a part in future events. Fubuki only had about two lines so not much can be said about her but Tatsumaki seems to be channeling the aura of a lolita tsundere. Her cocky unstable side holds some potential but I think I will need to see more to discern whether I like her character or not.
The second half of this episode was the weakest I have seen from One Punch Man so far. It was essentials a overlong joke that everyone knew the punchline to. We have two eccentric A class heroes taking on a powerful monster wandering around Saitama’s neighborhood. They get destroyed, Saitama comes along and punches the thing into lunch. The fight animation was great and I liked the nature of these heroes powers, but they were clearly here only for this episode. It had one good joke in how Genos sensed them dramatically only to dismiss them and go back to cleaning the toilet in a pink apron. However this segment really felt like filler despite it being in the manga. Perhaps because it was just a bonus chapter there. It’s the ending of the episode that brings something interesting to the table as it shows that Saitama’s neighbourhood is a ghost town because Saitama draws in powerful monsters who hear that there is a really powerful being that resides there. So Saitama is unaware that he’s made a name for himself among the monsters and is currently the source of a rumor of a dangerous monster residing in the neighbourhood. Oh Satama, popular with everyone in all the wrong ways.
I don’t really get why people think Sonic gets less attention in terms of animation. If anything, I thought the cuts with him and the rocks in episode 4 were among the best action scenes in the show.
Probably because people got hyped up for the forest scene and were disappointed that the studio didn’t adapt the web version.
Who are these people you speak of?
My two favorite moments in this episode were the sword biting scene, and Sonic throwing bombs at Tank Top Tiger! I couldn’t be happier at those sudden moments. This is such a great show.
Also, it’s not just in the joke you tell, but how you tell it. Someone could tell an old knock knock joke and make everyone roar in laughter, or tell it with 0 enthusiasm, and get silence. One Punch Man is entertaining in nearly every aspect, at least to me.