One Punch Man Season 3 Trailer Sparks Animation Debate: Will History Repeat Itself?

The internet has once again erupted in a flurry of opinions, this time centered around the recently released trailer for the third season of the beloved anime, One Punch Man. Dropping in the dead of night, the 40-second preview has ignited a familiar firestorm of disappointment among fans, many of whom feel the animation quality doesn’t live up to the groundbreaking standards set by the first season.

The trailer itself is a tightly packed glimpse into the upcoming conflict. It showcases a gathering of the show’s eclectic roster of heroes, all bracing for a monumental showdown with the formidable villain, Garou. Saitama, the titular hero known for his overwhelming power and perpetually bored expression, narrates the trailer, hyping the impending clash. The trailer efficiently delivers action snippets and culminates with the announcement of an October release date.

However, efficiency isn’t enough to quell the concerns of fans who’ve been eagerly awaiting this season for six long years. The core of the issue lies in the perceived decline in animation quality, a topic that consistently rears its head whenever One Punch Man is discussed.

To understand the depth of this disappointment, we need to delve into the anime community’s passionate discourse surrounding "sakuga." Sakuga, translating literally to "drawing pictures," is an industry term embraced by fans to denote moments of exceptional animation quality within a show. These moments can range from subtle character gestures to elaborate and dynamic fight sequences.

For fans of shonen anime (anime geared towards a young male audience, often featuring action and adventure), high-quality sakuga is a prized possession. It’s a testament to the skill and dedication of the animators involved. The online community even maintains a dedicated database called Sakugabooru, a treasure trove of visually striking animation clips from various shows, both old and new. This database meticulously credits the artists behind these sequences and tags the specific animation techniques employed in each clip.

It’s important to acknowledge that not every anime needs to boast top-tier sakuga to be enjoyable. Story, characters, and music all contribute to the overall experience. However, One Punch Man’s first season, produced by the renowned studio Madhouse, fundamentally shifted expectations. It was a visual tour-de-force, setting a new benchmark for animation quality in the genre. Every frame seemed to pulsate with energy and detail.

The perceived dip in quality from the first season is what fuels the ongoing debate. The dazzling action sequences were, for many, the anime’s primary selling point. Season one benefited immensely from the contributions of key animators like Yoshimichi Kameda, Arifumi Imai, and Hidehiko Sawada, whose work elevated the fight scenes to legendary status.

When J.C. Staff took the reins for the second season in 2019, the response was largely critical. Fans felt the animation lacked the dynamism and polish of its predecessor. The impact of the change was palpable, dampening the overall enthusiasm for the season.

The release of a promotional poster for the third season in 2022 briefly reignited hope within the fanbase. The striking visual of Saitama and Garou facing off led to widespread speculation that a different studio might be handling the animation. Many fans actively campaigned for Mappa, the studio behind the critically acclaimed Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, to take over the project. Mappa is known for its cutting-edge animation and visually stunning fight choreography.

However, those hopes were dashed when it was confirmed that J.C. Staff would be returning for season three. The news was met with collective disappointment, further fueling the already simmering anxieties about the animation quality.

This phenomenon is analogous to the way viewers might appreciate a show in its entirety while disliking episodes directed by a specific director. In this case, however, the dissatisfaction is amplified across an entire season, with a passionate and vocal segment of the fanbase scrutinizing every frame and comparing it unfavorably to the source material – Yusuke Murata’s manga.

These fans take to social media, crafting lengthy posts lamenting the anime’s moving images for failing to capture the dynamism and impact of the manga’s panels. The fervor around this animation gap has become something of a recurring theme in the One Punch Man fandom.

A similar predicament currently plagues the anime adaptation of Sakamoto Days, another popular shonen manga praised for its fluid and action-packed panels. In that case, studio TMS Entertainment’s decision to use a paper-like compositing filter has been criticized for limiting the visual impact of the action sequences.

The question remains: will One Punch Man season three ultimately disappoint fans? It’s certainly a possibility. But is getting worked up over the perceived lack of sakuga in a shonen anime truly worth the emotional investment? Perhaps not.

Regardless of whether the show is deemed "good" or "mid" by the demanding fanbase, the manga will still be readily available to read and enjoy. Indeed, many manga readers have taken on the role of public service announcers, urging those caught up in the sakuga discourse to simply read the original material and avoid the negativity.

Furthermore, there’s also the ongoing development of the live-action One Punch Man adaptation, initially helmed by Justin Lin. However, the project is currently undergoing a rewrite, with Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon and screenwriter Heather Anne Campbell now attached. The success of the live-action project could potentially shift the focus away from animation concerns.

Ultimately, One Punch Man season three is slated to premiere in October. The specific streaming platform has not yet been announced. Whether it lives up to the sky-high expectations of the fanbase remains to be seen. The debate, it seems, will continue until the first episode drops, and perhaps even beyond.