The wait is almost over, heroes! One-Punch Man Season 3 is officially on its way, and Viz Media has acquired the rights to distribute it across North America, Latin America, and Oceania. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting news and what to expect from Saitama’s highly anticipated return.
Viz Media Acquires One-Punch Man Season 3
In a recent announcement, Viz Media confirmed their acquisition of One-Punch Man Season 3. This includes theatrical, television, digital, home entertainment, ancillary, and merchandise rights across North America, Latin America, and Oceania. This means Viz Media will be responsible for the international distribution of the series.
What Does This Mean for Streaming?
While the acquisition is big news, the specific streaming platform for One-Punch Man Season 3 remains unconfirmed. However, Viz Media’s involvement suggests that the series may land on Hulu or Disney+, given their existing licensing agreements and business relationships.
- Hulu: Seasons 1 and 2 are currently streaming on Hulu in the U.S.
- Netflix: Netflix currently streams Seasons 1 and 2 in Canada and Latin America.
The Impact on Crunchyroll
Viz Media’s acquisition strongly indicates that One-Punch Man Season 3 will likely not be streamed on Crunchyroll. Fans who were hoping for a Crunchyroll release may need to explore other options, such as purchasing the series on home video.
Home Video Release
The good news is that Viz Media’s distribution channels will make the series available on home video. This includes their online stores and other retailers they partner with.
Release Date and Production Details
One-Punch Man Season 3 is scheduled to premiere in Japan in October 2025. While an exact date is yet to be announced, fans can anticipate its arrival sometime in the first week of October, aligning with typical fall anime release schedules.
- Animation Studio: J.C. Staff, the studio behind Season 2, is returning to animate Season 3.
- Series Composition: Tomohiro Suzuki (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End) is handling the series composition.
- Character Design: Chikashi Kubota, Shinjiro Kuroda, and Ryosuke Shirakawa are in charge of character design.
- Music: Makoto Miyazaki is composing the music.
Voice Cast
Several key cast members are confirmed to be returning.
- Saitama: Makoto Furukawa
- Garou: Hikaru Midorikawa
- Dr. Genus: Daisuke Nakamura
What to Expect in Season 3: The Monster Association Arc
Season 3 will continue adapting the Monster Association arc from Yusuke Murata’s manga. This arc involves an all-out war between the Hero Association and the Monster Association.
Story Highlights
- The Monster Association’s Deception: The Monster Association initially proposes a co-existence between heroes and monsters, which turns out to be a ruse.
- Garou’s Evolution: Garou, the hero hunter, continues his quest to become the ultimate monster, aligning himself with the Monster Association.
- S-Class Heroes in Action: The S-Class heroes will play a more prominent role as they lead the charge against the Monster Association.
- Saitama’s Involvement: While Saitama remains a central figure, the focus may shift slightly to accommodate the expanded roles of other characters and the overarching conflict.
Manga Chapters Adapted
If Season 3 follows the pattern of previous seasons, it will likely cover around 40-50 chapters of the manga, starting from chapter 86. This could potentially lead to the introduction of the character Psykos.
A Word from the Producer
Atsushi Fujishiro, the producer of One-Punch Man, has acknowledged the high expectations for Season 3. He assures fans that the production team is working hard to deliver a season that meets the series’ standards.
Where to Catch Up
In the meantime, fans can catch up on Seasons 1 and 2 on:
- Hulu: (U.S.)
- Netflix: (Canada and Latin America)
- Digital Purchase: Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home (U.S.), Google, Apple TV, Microsoft Movies & TV, and YouTube (U.S. and Canada).
A Brief History of One-Punch Man
One-Punch Man began as a webcomic created by ONE in 2009. A digital manga remake, illustrated by Yusuke Murata, started publication in 2012. The first season of the anime, produced by Madhouse, aired in 2015, followed by the second season by J.C. Staff in 2019.
Synopsis
The story follows Saitama, a hero who can defeat any opponent with a single punch. Bored by the lack of challenge, he seeks out powerful adversaries while making allies with other heroes.
A Promising Future
With Viz Media now handling the distribution, One-Punch Man Season 3 is set to reach a wider audience. As the premiere date approaches, fans can look forward to more updates and exciting developments in the world of Saitama and his extraordinary adventures. Get ready for another season of outrageous humor, high-octane action, and Saitama’s legendary one-punch defeats.
