One-Punch Man set new standards with its first season. The 3rd season, however, is considered the biggest disappointment in the anime year 2025 – and it’s not over yet.
What was announced? The official account for One-Punch Man announced on December 28 on X that there will be a Season 3 Part 2. The airing is scheduled for 2027. A short teaser on YouTube suggests that fans can “look forward” to an, well, epic confrontation between Saitama and the self-proclaimed hero hunter Garou.
Fans say: Please don’t
Why is this bad news? While for most fans a continuation of their anime would be a reason to celebrate, fans of One-Punch Man seem to see a continuation more as a divine punishment. Season 3 has so far been a massive disappointment, especially after waiting so long for it.
After all, it has been 6 years since the mixed 2nd season – some surely hoped that during this time the issues of its predecessor would have been resolved. Instead, the quality of the animations has rather decreased, and fans were also unhappy with some content changes. A small character detail got fans particularly riled up, as reported by colleagues from GamePro, when a cigarette turned into a lollipop.
MeinMMO editor Sophia has broken down why Season 3 actually never had a chance.
For user Calems_Rule2005, it is therefore not even an announcement on YouTube, but: “Bandai THREATENS to release more of One Punch Man Season 3.”
Now one could hope that Part 2 will succeed in turning the tide and at least reaching the quality of the second season. Unfortunately, however, Part 2 is already under a bad star.
Users quickly noticed that the key visual of the announcement was the same that had already been used for Season 3 – just with differently arranged characters.
Even in the teaser on YouTube, the camera pans over the same image for nearly 30 seconds, with Saitama and Garou now at least given fiery flame auras. Kqder already mocks: “Even the teasers are PNGs.”
At least the release in 2027 could give the animators a bit more time, although it’s unlikely that production really starts that far in advance. However, fans have little hope. Nevertheless, they should temper their criticism a bit, at least if it’s up to an animator: “The more you harass us, the more we disappear” – Animator comments on the criticism of Season 3 of One-Punch Man
