What does it mean to be a hero? What character does a hero have? What everyday problems can a hero face in our society? Through the story of Saitama, our protagonist, we get a glimpse into the daily life of a hero. Japan at this time is in danger from different threats that can destroy the peace of its citizens and we will discover what makes Saitama different from other characters who call themselves heroes. His main characteristic is that he is capable of defeating any enemy with just one punch, hence why he is called One Punch Man. In his career as a hero, Saitama has developed a parsimony exaggerated by the lack of true rivals in his life: We will see the consequences of this characteristic in his character and how it affects the different people that will appear in his life.
It is a fun series, but also a philosophical one. It raises questions about the qualities that a hero must have, and at the same time, it highlights everything that calls itself a hero and is not. Also, Saitama’s enemies challenge him in a psychological way, not just a physical one, giving each fight a deeper meaning than simply being the strongest, because what does it mean to be truly strong, indomitable? Find out for yourself.
Irene Llorente is a designer and writer for The Cannabis Cactus Magazine. She likes drawing with pencils, painting with watercolors, and sometimes she works in digital 3D. Her interests include nature, specifically birds and bugs, exercise and historical theology. See her art on her website or Instagram.