One-Punch Man, Vol. 1 Review
ONE and Yusuke Murata's hilarious, gorgeously drawn hero parody.
By Web Admin
What if the strongest hero in the world were also profoundly, hilariously bored? That is the joke at the center of One-Punch Man, and it turns out to be one of the most durable premises in modern manga. Originally a webcomic by an artist known as ONE, it was redrawn as a polished manga by Yusuke Murata starting in 2012 and serialized on Shueisha’s Tonari no Young Jump site. The result pairs razor-sharp satire with some of the most spectacular action art ever committed to the page.
This is our full review of One-Punch Man, Vol. 1 — what it is, why it works, and where to buy it.
What is One-Punch Man?
One-Punch Man follows Saitama, an unremarkable-looking bald man who trained so hard he became powerful enough to defeat any enemy with a single punch. The catch: winning every fight instantly has drained all the joy out of being a hero. Volume 1 introduces Saitama, his crushing boredom, and the world of professional monster-fighting heroes he drifts into. The manga is a redrawn, expanded version of ONE’s original webcomic, with art by Yusuke Murata.
If you are new to the medium, it is one of the friendliest entry points around — which is why it features in our guide to the best manga for beginners.
The comedy: a parody with a heart
The premise sounds like a one-note gag, but ONE’s writing keeps it fresh. Because Saitama can win any fight, the drama shifts to everything around combat: the absurd hero-ranking bureaucracy, the glory-seeking rivals, the villains who monologue at a man who simply is not impressed. Underneath the jokes is a surprisingly sincere theme — Saitama’s quiet search for meaning in a life where nothing is a challenge anymore. That melancholy gives the comedy weight.
The satire is sharpest in how it skewers fame and recognition. Saitama does the most good of any hero alive, yet because his victories are instant and unglamorous, the public and the Hero Association routinely overlook or credit others for his work. It is a pointed joke about how society rewards spectacle over substance, and about the loneliness of doing something well when no one is watching. That ONE folds this much thematic richness into a gag comic about a bald guy who punches monsters is the real magic trick.
The art: Murata’s spectacle
Here is where the manga separates itself from the webcomic. Yusuke Murata (of Eyeshield 21 fame) is one of the most technically gifted artists working, and he draws the action with breathtaking detail and energy. The irony is delicious: he lavishes gorgeous, dynamic, multi-page spreads on fights that Saitama ends in a single blow. The contrast between the epic build-up and the anticlimactic punchline is the whole joke, and Murata sells it perfectly.
It is worth dwelling on just how good the art is, because it is central to the book’s appeal. Murata’s monsters are grotesque and inventive, his cityscapes crumble with real weight, and his sense of scale — tiny hero against sky-filling threat — gives even throwaway fights a blockbuster grandeur. When a genuinely dangerous enemy does appear later in the series, the artwork escalates to a level that few action comics ever reach. For readers who care about draftsmanship, buying the physical volumes is well worth it; the detail rewards a slow, close look that scrolling on a phone tends to flatten.
The characters
- Saitama — the bored, all-powerful hero, an instantly iconic protagonist.
- Genos — the earnest cyborg who appoints himself Saitama’s disciple.
- The Hero Association — the ranking system and cast of rival heroes introduced as the story grows.
One of the quiet strengths of the series is how it uses this expanding cast. Because Saitama himself cannot grow stronger in any meaningful way, the emotional stakes migrate to the heroes around him — the ones who train, lose, doubt themselves, and get back up. Genos in particular acts as an audience surrogate: he is everything a traditional shonen hero is supposed to be, all drive and tragic backstory, and watching him idolize a man who genuinely does not care is both funny and oddly touching. It lets the book have its cake and eat it too, delivering earnest hero drama while gently mocking it.
Where One-Punch Man sits in the genre
It helps to understand what One-Punch Man is reacting against. Classic shonen battle manga run on a simple engine: the hero trains, faces a stronger foe, digs deep, and levels up, again and again. Dragon Ball perfected that formula and generations of series copied it. One-Punch Man takes the endpoint of that formula — a hero who has already become unbeatable — and asks what happens next. The answer, it turns out, is comedy, satire, and a surprisingly poignant look at purpose. That is why it works as both a loving tribute to the genre and a sharp critique of it, and why it appeals to lifelong fans and total newcomers alike.
Content warning
This is a shonen action-comedy and is fairly tame, but it does feature cartoonish violence, some monster gore, and mild language. It is broadly suitable for teens, with a note for parents of younger readers about the action.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Genuinely, consistently funny
- Some of the best action art in all of manga
- An accessible, low-commitment entry point
- Saitama is an instant classic character
Cons
- The “he always wins” premise can feel repetitive over time
- Slow, irregular release schedule due to Murata’s detailed art
- Later arcs lean more on side characters than on Saitama
Webcomic vs. manga: which to read?
Newcomers are often surprised to learn there are two versions. ONE’s original webcomic has rougher, simpler art but tells the story faster and further. Murata’s manga is the gorgeous, definitive version most readers mean when they say “One-Punch Man.” For most people, the manga is the place to start.
| Version | Artist | Art style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manga | Yusuke Murata | Highly detailed | Most readers |
| Original webcomic | ONE | Simple, rough | Getting further, faster |
Fans of over-the-top power fantasies should also see our Dragon Ball review, a clear ancestor of the genre, and our roundup of the best shonen manga.
Which edition should you buy?
The series is ongoing, so most readers start with Volume 1 and collect from there.
| Edition | Collects | Approx. price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 paperback | 1 volume | ~US$10 | Trying it out |
| Single volumes | 1 each (ongoing) | ~US$10 each | Following the series |
| Used bundles | Several volumes | Varies | Catching up |
The verdict
One-Punch Man, Vol. 1 is a near-perfect first manga: funny, gorgeous, and completely accessible, with just enough melancholy under the jokes to keep you thinking. Whether you want spectacular action, sharp satire, or simply a great time, this is one of the easiest recommendations we can make. Start here, then dive into the wider manga hub for more.
Frequently asked questions
Who created One-Punch Man?
It was created as a webcomic by an artist known as ONE and redrawn as a polished manga by Yusuke Murata, who provides the acclaimed artwork.
Is One-Punch Man good for beginners?
Very. It is funny, accessible, and needs no genre knowledge, which is why it appears in our beginners guide.
Should I read the webcomic or the manga?
Most readers should start with Murata’s manga for its stunning art. ONE’s original webcomic is rougher but goes further into the story.
Is One-Punch Man finished?
No. It is an ongoing series with an irregular release schedule owing to the detail of Murata’s artwork.
