It’s been a while since I talked about “One Punch Man” at any serious length. Now, it’s not that I have not wanted to, but rather I just have not had much of a reason. But now that I have this mini-series, I figured now would be as good a time as ever to revisit both Saitama and what makes the show so great.
I think most had the impression that “One Punch Man” would be just a one trick pony comedy show without much to offer beyond just a few laughs in the first couple of episodes. Now, if “Kaguya-Sama” as taught me anything, it’s that an interesting enough story can carry one joke pretty far.
Indeed, “One Punch Man’s” story definitely qualifies as interesting enough. At the center of that story, though, is Saitama. Arguably one of the most populist heroes in media, Saitama gains his immense strength through nothing but his hard work and famous workout routine: 100 push-ups, 100 squats, 100 sit-ups, and a 10km run, Every. Single. Day.
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How extreme this sounds probably depends on one’s current workout schedule, as, at least for me, I do not know if I could do this at my current level. However, someone who works out consistently 3-4 times a week probably would not have much of a problem with this.
Regardless, the point is that Saitama is a hero that most people can relate to, because everything else about him is average. He lives in a normal downtown apartment, has to go grocery shopping, and loves to get sales.
Saitama also famously does hero work for fun, rather than as a job, which is what most other heroes work for. His main mission is simply to find an opponent who doesn’t lose in one punch.
To be such an average guy in so many different ways while also being this unstoppable force creates and incredibly funny juxtaposition. This continuous juxtaposition in turn keeps the show funny even past it’s initial episodes.
Saitama may not be the best hero overall, but he is certainly the funniest. His struggle to find a worthy opponent is both encouraging because of his relatability, but demoralizing because he always wins so easily.
How do you all feel about Saitama? Let me know in the comments.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
The winter 2019 season, as stacked with goods shows as it is, is now coming to a close, it will soon be time once again to embrace a new season, and while Spring does not seem to be as loaded as Winter was, there is still plenty there worth paying attention to.
5. Attack on Titan Season Three Part Two
While I haven’t actually been keeping up with Attack on Titan recently, I am definitely still invested in the series as a whole. The end of the season two and the beginning episodes of season three that I caught have been enough to keep me wondering about the core questions that lie at the heart of the series: What is in the basement? where is Erin’s dad? I want to find these answers because the show does such a great job of keeping these questions relevant.
4. Fruits Basket
I remember being in middle school and having one of my best friends at the time tell me about this series. Since I trusted his opinion a lot I went to check it out. Of course, being a middle school boy and seeing the cute anime school girl and reading the premise, I was immediately skeptical. I am definitely glad that my skepticism was not warranted, because I ended up loving Fruits Basket.
When I heard there was going to be a remake, and that most of the original dub cast was going to be in it again, I was genuinely excited, and still am as of now.
3. Kimetsu no Yaiba
When it comes to evaluating anime, much like I would for anything, I always look to what has come before. Kimetsu no Yaiba immediately sets off Dororo alarms for me, but in a really good way. However, having a similar story does not always mean that a show is going to be boring. As long a story can bring something noticeably different with its storytelling, there is always something to look forward to. Plus, getting the Ufotable treatment always helps.
2. One Punch Man Season Two
The first season of One Punch Man is undoubtedly one of the more interesting shows to come about in the last few years. A story about a super-hero that doesn’t have fun being a hero because he beats almost everyone in one punch. Now, with the second season upon us, as well as a change in hands for the studio behind the show, there remains to be seen a lot about what the show’s second season will bring, but still, it’s pretty hype.
1. Carole and Tuesday
So, let’s see. A futuristic society in which people now inhabit mars, A story focused on two girls, one coming from an extremely low-class background and the other from a wealthy background who want to make music, and animation from BONES. Yeah, I was sold the minute I heard about this show. I honestly have no idea about where the story is going to go, because I am not familiar with the source material, but Carole and Tuesday definitely has me the most hyped.
What are you all looking forward to next season? Let me know in the comments below. If you would like to support The Aniwriter, or are just feeling generous, consider donating on ko-fi or using one of my affiliate links down below:
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
Welcome, weebs and authors alike, to The Aniwriter
There has been a lot of exciting news, from new trailers to movie updates, a lot of high profile people and IPs are making returns, and it is exciting, to say the least. With that being said, let’s get started.
New Anime
A list of some of the new series that have been announced recently
One Punch Man Season 2 Gets New Trailer, Reveals New Villain
On Sunday, Viz Media revealed that the next season of the fan favorite anime One-Punch Man will be airing in April of 2019. Along with that information, Viz also released a trailer that gave a few details about the upcoming season. One of those details was the name of the next season’s main villain, Garou.
Talk about the show’s next season had already been going even before this trailer due to the announcement that J.C. Staff would be replacing Madhouse as the studio producing the show. It is worth pointing out though that many of the staff that worked on the original series were freelance, and many of the staff are returning to work on the show’s second season.
One-Punch Man centers around Saitama, a man who trains so hard that he becomes stronger than everyone else, and uses his power to become a hero. However, because of this, he finds his work as a hero to be boring. No matter what he does, he can’t find someone who won’t lose with one punch.
“Jeanne d’Arc and the Alchemy Knights” Trailer Revealed
A new trailer for the upcoming series “Jeanne d’Arc and the Alchemy Knights” was released last week. The trailer depicts the shows two main leads, Jeanne and Montmorency, and their relationship. The trailer also shows some of the shows side characters, and what appears to be Jeanne going insane after the two kiss.
The series has been scheduled to be released on October 5th and will air as part of the Fall 2018 anime season. It is being adapted from the light novel work of author Mikage Kasuga and Illustrator Tomari Meron, the story of which revolves around Montmorency. He wants to be an Alchemy Knight, and being the son of a nobleman allows him to do just that. However, after the beginning of the Hundred Years War, the school shuts down and Montmorency is forced to leave. On his journey out of the country, he runs into a mysterious girl named Jeanne.
Funimation Releases Dubbed Trailer for “My Hero Academia: Two Heroes”
Yesterday, Funimation released an English trailer for the My Hero Academia movie entitled “My Hero Academia: Two Heroes.” The trailer features the show’s main cast, including the students from 1-A, as well as the movie’s featured characters, those being Melissa Shield, David Shield, and Wolfram. The English voice actors for the main series will be reprising their roles, but joining the cast will be Erica Mendez as Mellisa, Ray Chase as David and Keith Silverstein as Wolfram.
The story of the movie takes place after the events of the second season before class 1-A is sent to the summer training camp. The group is invited to I-Island, a moving fortress that boasts the world leading researchers on Quirks and Hero Items. However, while the group is there, a group of villains breaches the Islands security system and traps everyone. It’s up to Deku and All-Might to save the day.
“MIRAI” Heads to U.S. Theatres on November 30th
It was announced this week by GKIDS that the latest film to be directed by fan-favorite Mamoru Hosoda titled “Mirai” will be coming to U.S. Theatres on November 30th. There are plans to show both dubbed and subtitled versions of the series in theatres where it is being played. GKIDs has recently been bringing many anime films to the west, including 2016’s break out hit “Your Name” and Studio Shaft’s “Fireworks” earlier this year.
The story of Mirai focuses on Kun, a four-year-old whose family has recently been blessed with their baby Mirai, whose name means future. One day, after running off into his family’s garden, Kun meets Mirai, but from the future, and a teenager. The two travel through time and discover their family’s rich history.
With Comiket 94 Comes a New Trailer for “A Certain Magical Index”
This week has had a lot of awesome trailers, and one, in particular, has fans extra excited: The one for “A Certain Magical Index.” At Comiket 94, a new trailer for the show’s third season showed both the returning cast, as well as some of the newer characters that will be appearing in season 3. The previous cast will be returning in the new series, which will be debuting on October 5th.
The show’s story centers around Toma, a student living in Academy City, where many espers come to learn how to use their powers. Toma believes he has no powers to speak of. One day, a nun finds him and claims to have photographic knowledge of important magical texts kept inside her brain. Toma then vows to protect her.
Article Shout-outs
Here are some awesome articles from other bloggers and around the web.
Ninja isn’t Streaming with Women?
Megan Farokhmanesh of The Verge wrote an opinion piece about the recent debacle with popular streamer Ninja and his decision to not stream with females in fear of online harassment. I know this isn’t anime related, but it is certainly an important story to talk about, and I think she has a great take on it. Definitely give it a read.
Watamote – Anime vs Manga
Cactus Matt of Anime Q and A did a fantastic comparison of the Watamote Manga and its Anime counterpart. I’m sure it will be contentious for some, but I think the reasoning behind his conclusion is solid. Check it out.
What is Quality Content
Chris from Peach’s Almanac wrote a more reflective piece on his ability to write as well as what even defines good content in the first place. Something I’ve spent a long time thinking about as well, and tbh, I don’t think I could have put it as well as him. Give it a read, for sure.
What do you guys think about this week’s anime-related news and featured articles? Let me know in the comments below. Also, if you want to support The Aniwriter through donations or are just feeling generous, consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi. Otherwise, thanks for reading and bye for now, Friendos!
Welcome, once again Friendos! Time to talk about some anime news. There are a lot of interesting stories this week, some of which I’m really happy about. With that said, let’s get started.
Log Horizon Volume 11 to be Released in March
After a long period of uncertainty for English speaking fans after the author Mamare Touno was charged with tax evasion, the 11th volume of Log Horizon has been slated for a released date. The announcement came from Kadokawa’s official website, which has the official release date set on March 20th. Touno has also released volumes 12 and 13 online without illustrations from Kazuhiro Hara.
If you’ve read my blog before, you’ve probably heard me talk about Log Horizon before, because I love it. I still haven’t read most of the light novels, but hearing that the volumes are back on a regular release schedule makes me feel a lot better about starting reading it again.
Piano Forest TV Anime Reveals Production Details
Originally a manga in 1998 and a film by Studio Madhouse in 2007, The Piano Forest is receiving a full TV anime, and the details of the production were released on Wednesday. The staff includes Director Gaku Nakatani who previously has mainly worked in visual effects for 3D animated films, including Monsters vs. Aliens. Sumie Kinoshita, who had previously worked on Girlish Numbers and A Sister’s All You Need, is credited as both character designer and lead animation director. Other information can be found here.
While I did enjoy the 2007 Madhouse adaptation, I’m not entirely convinced based on the info here that this is going to be a quality production. Nakatani’s lack of credentials in the directorial seat does not necessarily mean he cannot make a good show, but I do question his knowledge in areas that would make this a more tightly focused series overall.
One Punch Man Mangaka to Make “Back to the Future” Manga
At an event celebrating the premiere of the movie Ready Player One, Mangaka Yuusuke Murata, responsible for the hit series One Punch Man, announced he would be working on a manga adaptation of the hit movie series Back to the Future. The Manga will officially be called BTTF and will be supervised by the movie’s original screenwriter Bob Gale. Details about the manga, other than it being a direct adaptation of the films, are scarce, but Murata does hope to have the first volume out by April 20th, 2018.
Honestly, I cannot wait to see how this turns out. I am a big fan of Murata’s art style and based on the promotional art released already, this could end up being something great, especially when considering how big a fan Murata is.
What do you guys think about the stories this week? Excited about something I did not mention? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading and bye for now, Friendos! Also, if you like the content your reading, consider supporting The Aniwriter on Patreon. It would help pay for supporting the site and being able to make better content.
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