Fans of the immensely popular superhero parody, One-Punch Man, have just witnessed the conclusion of Season 3’s first part, with the final episode airing on December 28, 2025. While the initial cour delivered a significant confrontation from the manga, its reception has been notably mixed, with discussions around animation quality dominating fan conversations. The good news for devotees is that the story is far from over, as a second part of Season 3 has been officially announced for release in 2027.
The Finale of Season 3’s First Cour: Saitama vs. Orochi
The twelfth episode of One-Punch Man Season 3 (also referred to as Episode 36 overall), which aired on December 28, 2025, culminated in a highly anticipated showdown: Saitama’s direct confrontation with the Monster King Orochi. Despite Orochi’s grandiose pronouncements and formidable appearance, Saitama, true to form, ended the battle swiftly with a “Normal Punch,” leading to fan reactions that praised its “One Punch Man”-esque irony.
This encounter aligns with the manga’s progression, specifically around the middle of Volume 24, which many readers anticipated as a potential stopping point for the first part of the anime’s third season. The episode wrapped up key events, but left the overarching Monster Association arc far from complete, paving the way for future installments.
Production Details and Fan Reaction to Season 3’s Animation
Season 3 of One-Punch Man was produced by J.C.Staff, the same studio behind the second season. Shinpei Nagai took over as director, with Sakura Murakami as art director and Yuki Hirose as director of photography. Tomohiro Suzuki returned for series composition, and Makoto Miyazaki composed the music.
However, the animation quality for Season 3, particularly its first part, faced substantial backlash from viewers. Critics and fans alike described the animation as inconsistent, with some episodes drawing intense criticism for “low-quality animation” and even being dubbed “One-Frame Man.” This dissatisfaction was widespread, leading to low user scores for certain episodes and significant online debate. The director, Shinpei Nagai, reportedly deactivated his social media accounts due to online harassment related to the season’s reception. Many expressed disappointment, feeling the animation did not live up to the high visual standards set by the first season, animated by Madhouse.
The Road Ahead: One-Punch Man Season 3 Part 2 in 2027
Despite the mixed reception for its first part, One-Punch Man Season 3 is not fully complete. Following the December 28 finale, Bandai Namco Filmworks and the anime’s production committee officially announced that a second cours, or Part 2, of Season 3 is slated to premiere in 2027.
This announcement, while providing a clear timeline, also signifies a considerable waiting period for fans – approximately three years. J.C.Staff will remain the animation studio for Part 2. The extended production window has led to cautious optimism among some fans, who hope the additional time will allow for significant polishing and improvement in animation quality, especially as the series approaches some of the manga’s most pivotal and action-heavy moments, such as the full unfolding of the Monster Association arc’s grand finale and the highly anticipated “Cosmic Fear Garou” transformation.
Continuing the Monster Association Arc
Season 3 picked up directly from the events of Season 2, beginning with manga chapter 86, and has been thoroughly exploring the Monster Association arc. This arc sees the Hero Association launch a full-scale raid on the Monster Association’s headquarters to rescue Waganma, the son of a wealthy benefactor. It delves deeper into the hero-monster conflict, featuring numerous battles between S-Class heroes and powerful monster executives, and further developing Garou’s complex journey as the “Hero Hunter.”
The upcoming Part 2 in 2027 is expected to continue adapting this sprawling and intense arc, leading towards its dramatic conclusion, which promises some of the series’ most iconic fights and character developments from the manga. Fans are eagerly, if cautiously, awaiting how these climactic moments will be brought to life.
