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Garou in One Punch Man is not only an incredible fighter but also one of the best-written characters in the series.
One Punch Man has several well-written characters who have contributed to the success of the show. There is no doubt that the series has plenty of action and exciting moments. However, ONE as an author has mastered impeccable character writing, which can be seen in his other works as well. One specific character comes to mind when we talk about well-written characters, and that is Garou.
Those who read the manga fell in love with this character. He was first introduced as an antagonist in the One Punch Man series. As time progressed, his character developed drastically, making him a fan-favorite among those who have read the original webcomic or the manga adaptation of the same.
When fans think of Garou, their minds immediately go to his fighting style and his abilities as a combatant. There is a reason for that: he is one of the most lethal characters in the series. However, the character’s brilliance is overlooked by a portion of the One Punch Man fanbase.
Let’s take a closer look at this character and understand why Garou is a superb example of good character writing.
Garou’s Backstory in One Punch Man
One might wonder why Garou was strongly against heroes when he was introduced in the anime series. As a kid, Garou was subjected to bullying. His classmates constantly hit him and made him a monster when they were imitating a hero vs. villain situation. While this might seem like a harmless game, they would often have kids hold him in place while the bully kicked him in the chest. Garou sympathized with the villains in one of the television shows because the so-called monster was only trying to protect his home and loved ones.
He realized that the world isn’t simple and not all monsters are inherently bad. However, he didn’t like the heroes’ attitude and the moral high horse they sat on. He viewed heroes through a skewed lens, which is why he decided to become a monster. Furthermore, he promised himself that he would become the strongest being in the entire world, and that he would show the world what true strength looked like. However, despite being nefarious, he had an interesting goal.
What was Garou’s Goal in One Punch Man?
Garou’s goal was to become the most powerful monster. That isn’t particularly interesting in any way. However, his reason behind wanting to become the most powerful monster raised a few eyebrows. If you’re a keen observer, you’ll realize that Garou hated wars. He hated conflict and fights. Therefore, he wanted to unite people and give them a cause to be together.
He was focused on ending wars to the point where he didn’t care about becoming the scapegoat. The Hero Hunter wanted people to unite against him and therefore, end all suffering and wars. Furthermore, he wanted to see humanity become stronger by joining hands instead of causing divisions among themselves. This was Garou’s goal in the One Punch Man series.
His violent tendencies all stemmed from the urge to stop wars. His bullying impacted the way in which he wanted to achieve that goal. This is why he trained relentlessly till he reached a point wherein he understood the flow of all energies and could even perform time travel.
How Did Garou’s Character Progress in One Punch Man?
Garou was a hot-tempered being who was blinded by his own anger and frustration. He was too absorbed in himself to realize what a monster he was becoming. Garou always wanted to stand up for the little guy, and we could see that when he first met Tareo. However, his madness led to Tareo’s death, and that’s when he realized that the path he had forged was not the right one. Technically, he became a force so powerful that everyone had to unite against him. However, he never intended to have innocent casualties. Unfortunately, when you have goals that are both nefarious and lofty, needless death is a constant.
Garou not only identified his mistakes but also owned up to them. There was a small flicker of light in his heart. Instead of putting it out, he fanned the flames and let the good in him dictate his actions. He killed plenty of heroes, including Genos. However, the Hero Hunter realized that he would never surpass the Caped Baldy. Defeated, and having learned from his mistakes, he taught Saitama to travel back in time to undo his mistakes.
Garou realized all the mistakes he had made. While it was Bang’s idea, Garou went individually to every single person and apologized formally. He reconnected with his master who adopted him at the end of the Monster Association arc.
What Makes Garou’s Character Well-Written
Garou’s inner monologues are quite interesting in One Punch Man. Whenever there is an opportunity to do some good, we can see Garou struggle. He seems to be at an impasse. The Hero Hunter could either continue being evil since it was his goal or do some good because his instincts dictate him to do so.
The manner in which ONE captured the character’s struggles in One Punch Man was nothing short of beautiful. Plenty of readers who have been bullied in the past can relate to this character on a very personal level. ONE managed to create a bridge between the character and the reader.
Conclusion
Garou is written in a manner that allows readers to relate to him. There is something inherently human about him, and it doesn’t feel like we’re looking at a 2D character. His internal struggles and the constant battle between his inner good and evil are some of the reasons why fans love this character. Their love for him only grows multifold when they see his fights on screen because Garou is one of the flashiest and most effective fighters on the planet.
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