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Discover how One Punch Man redefined the modern seinen genre. Explore the themes of the series that help it achieve this.
When viewers watch a seinen anime, they expect dark, gritty and philosophical narratives that significantly affect them. From psychological intricacies to a lot of mature themes, this entire genre had been painted in one particular light for a long time. However, with the rise of One Punch Man, the narrow view of seinen anime has been greatly widened.
One Punch Man follows the life of Saitama, a man who has gotten too strong and can end any fight with one punch. When living a life of boredom, he meets the cyborg Genos, who becomes his pupil. He is convinced by his disciple to apply and become a hero, working for societal good and even potentially facing powerful enemies. While this superhero story technically falls under the seinen umbrella, it is completely different from its peers. So, how has One Punch Man redefined the modern seinen genre?
One Punch Man is an outlier in seinen stories as it features a satirical premise, vibrant characters, and a blend of humor and action. The series is not always light-hearted as very realistic threats keep showing up. However, its approach towards its genre is very unique.
Note: The article is subjective.
Traditional Themes of the Seinen Genre
When one thinks of the seinen genre, a particular image immediately pops into mind. This is usually in reference to complex narrative structures and delving into the darkest facets of humanity. Since most seinen stories come with the tag that they are meant for an older audience, many cannot be enjoyed by all age groups.
The most popular seinen titles include Berserk, Monster, and Ghost in the Shell, stories that have set the tone for the genre over several generations. Berserk follows the traumatizing life of Guts, a man on the path towards vengeance. Having lost all his loved ones after being betrayed by his friend Griffith, Guts cuts down every demon in his path to climb up and reach the skies where Griffith stands. Berserk is a story that never holds back and points out the deepest flaws of the world. It paints a picture of violence and a man’s struggles against overwhelming odds.
Similarly, Monster is a psychological thriller where Dr. Tenma deals with moral questions as he chases down the killer Johan he saved in the past. It unravels questions about the nature of evil and the consequences of one’s choices. One of the greatest seinen stories, The Ghost in the Shell, is an influential work exploring existentialism, identity and the impact of technology.
From what we have seen so far, you would have noticed that these anime share a lot of similar themes. These are ones of a grim setting, with protagonists tackling heavy and unsettling topics. The sombre tone is meant to be thought-provoking, and one wouldn’t necessarily define the story with the word “fun.” This is where One Punch Man comes in.
How One Punch Man Contrasts Other Seinen Anime
At a time when all its competitors were going for profound stories, One Punch Man transformed the industry. When talking to anime viewers about how they would classify One Punch Man, there is a good chance that it would be placed as a shonen series.
This is because One Punch Man does not abide by any of the traditional themes of its genre. It positions itself as a satirical commentary on superheroes, reveling in absurd and hilarious moments. However, this does not mean that One Punch Man is not impactful. On the contrary, the story uses its nature as a parody to explore equally meaningful themes.
This plot itself pokes fun at shonen anime tropes, where protagonists undergo rigorous training arcs to achieve power. In stark contrast, Saitama achieves godlike strength but finds his life devoid of excitement and purpose. This inversion of expectations is where the brilliance of One Punch Man lies. The fights, animation, and choreography help in elevating the story’s goal to another level.
When Saitama fights enemies, he frequently cuts into their sad backstories because he simply couldn’t care. Even after saving a great number of people, he faces criticism for the destruction his battles have caused. These are very funny scenes but also help push the narrative forward. Hence, One Punch Man is equally as unforgettable as the seinen greats, but it does so in a very different manner.
The Role of Comedy in One Punch Man
We have seen how Saitama’s funny moments undertone One Punch Man’s examination of typical tropes in superhero stories. At the same time, even without any agenda, One Punch Man is simply a hilarious series.
The series has a blend of comedic devices, ranging from slapstick, parody and irony. These help it in creating a very engaging narrative. Many seinen stories avoid humor to maintain their serious tone, but One Punch Man fully embraces its comedic nature. Saitama’s deadpan reactions and his hilarious battles against villains like Speed-o’-Sound Sonic showcase how the series infuses every moment with comedic brilliance.
At the same time, these moments allow us to become familiar with the characters before the stakes truly rise. Since the running gag of One Punch Man is that Saitama can end a battle with one punch, fans feel the weight of an enemy when this does not happen. This is why his fight scene with Boros is so acclaimed.
Similarly, even side characters like Genos have won a place in our hearts by assisting Saitama’s antics. Hence, when the cyborg faced his death against Garou, fans were heartbroken. Here, the comedy provided the foundations for the emotional highlights.
Saitama’s Monotony and Emptiness
One Punch Man finds a balance between a combination of different comedic tools and uses them to enhance its other themes. In those lines, the heart of the series lies with Saitama’s character and his struggles.
Many viewers have complained that Saitama is simply a boring protagonist because he can end a fight whenever he desires. However, the dive into Saitama’s psyche is delicate but precise. The protagonist always wanted powers to protect others, but he gained too much and lived a gray life. Prior to being a powerful man, his attitude was one of nihilism, while he became detached once he got his wishes.
This is a very different take on the standard hero, who works hard to gain his powers and is satisfied serving others. Saitama being the strongest is also his undoing, as he finds little satisfaction in life. He lacks motivation and is disconnected from the ideals he once yearned for. This sense of emptiness is a central theme that permeates the series, offering a nuanced portrayal of existential dread.
The exploration of monotony and the search for purpose adds a layer of relatability to Saitama’s character. Despite his godlike abilities, he embodies the universal human desire for meaning and connection. Hence, his journey covers an issue that is almost always overlooked in other superhero stories.
Breaking the Norms of Seinen Storytelling
One Punch Man is a trailblazer that has completely redefined the modern seinen genre. What once completely relied on intense drama and moral ambiguity has now become much more flexible. With humor and satire, the story has subverted the traditional notion of what a seinen series is.
Saitama’s character is far from a normal protagonist, rarely having to extend effort in his fights. Rather, the series uses comedy to explore his mindset. On the other hand, other characters like Genos and Mumen Rider carry the emotional weight of outward development, actively challenging what it means to be a hero.
Antagonists such as Garou and even God add diversity to the series, allowing it to transcend beyond just being another funny story. The ensemble approach ensures that the narrative remains dynamic and multifaceted.
Conclusion
One Punch Man is a series that has changed the face of seinen anime. It adds more colors to the genre by ironically showing the colorless life of its protagonist. The series is hilarious and uses comedy in very smart ways to explore deeper themes.
By showing various forms through which storytelling can be expressed, it has expanded the boundaries of seinen anime and set a precedent for future works.
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