Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man Is Underrated and Here’s Why

Atomic Samurai’s true power in One Punch Man goes beyond his defeats. See why this hero’s skill makes him underrated.

Why Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man is Underrated?
Why is Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man underrated? (Source: Studio J.C. Staff)

Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He is often overlooked. He ranks 4th in the Hero Association’s S-Class, yet many enthusiasts debate whether he truly belongs in the top 10. This disrespect largely stems from his struggles during the Monster Association raid. But is it fair to judge his entire skill set based on a few difficult matchups?

The truth is that Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man possesses incredible abilities. His real name is Kamikaze. His precision, speed, and technique put him leagues above most heroes and monsters alike. This guy slices through monsters like they’re butter, yet fans often dismiss him as “just another swordsman.” And that’s where they are wrong.

When we examine Atomic Samurai’s full potential rather than just his setbacks, we see a hero worthy of his high ranking and reputation.

Breaking Down Atomic Samurai’s Techniques in One Punch Man

Atomic Samurai
Atomic Samurai as seen in the anime (Source: Studio J.C. Staff)

Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man is known for his signature move, the Atomic Slash. This technique allows him to perform over 100 slashes in a fraction of a second. It’s not just fast—it’s precise down to the atomic level.

Beyond his famous Atomic Slash, he’s developed several other powerful techniques. The Focused Atomic Slash concentrates its cutting power for greater effect. His Atomic Beeline Slash, demonstrated against Psykorochi, concentrates 100 slashes into a single, devastating cut.

His skills aren’t limited to offense. Atomic Samurai can sense killing intent, allowing him to detect threats even when they’re not visible. This ability is shared with his disciples, suggesting he taught them this technique as well.

His disciple, Iaian, specializes in Iaido—drawing and cutting in one motion. Okamaitachi uses the Air Blade technique, which Bushidrill (despite being the same age as Atomic Samurai) could never master. Yet Atomic Samurai uses this ranged attack effortlessly, as seen against G5 and the Psykorochi fusion.

What Makes Atomic Samurai Stand Out?

Atomic Samurai and Saitama
Atomic Samurai and Saitama (Source: Studio J.C. Staff)

In a world full of overpowered weirdos, Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man brings something rare: authenticity. He’s not a cyborg, psychic, or mutant. He’s a human who mastered the sword through relentless training. His confidence borders on arrogance, but that’s what makes him fun. While others panic, he smirks. When monsters threaten humanity, he cleans his blade and says, “Let’s dance.”

Atomic Samurai effortlessly sliced through both the horn and the monster. He easily destroyed the robot G5, an upgraded version of G4 that Child Emperor believed would drain his resources in a prolonged fight. Even against Dragon-level opponents, Atomic Samurai holds his own. He was able to split up energy beams fired by the Psykorochi fusion. These same beams could destroy Drive Knight’s aircraft form with a single direct hit.

Design-wise, he’s iconic. The sleek ponytail, the green robe, the perpetually bored expression—he looks like a samurai straight out of a Kurosawa film. But it’s his role in the story that shines. He mentors younger heroes like Iaian, showing leadership beneath his cocky exterior. And his feud with King (the “strongest man on Earth”) is comedy gold. 

Why Atomic Samurai Struggled in the Monster Association Arc?

Atomic Samurai's defeat during the Monster Association Arc
Atomic Samurai’s defeat during the Monster Association Arc (Source: Shueisha)

Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man faced particularly bad matchups during the Monster Association arc. This wasn’t due to weakness but rather strategic planning by Gyoro Gyoro. 

His first major challenge was Black Sperm. This monster’s ability to split into countless copies made him the perfect counter to Atomic Samurai’s cutting style. Each slash created more opponents rather than eliminating threats. Even Bang struggled against Black Sperm’s numbers. Homeless Emperor, a fellow cadre, acknowledged Black Sperm’s threat level by wanting to form a plan before engaging him.

Next came Evil Natural Water. As a liquid-based monster with no vital points, it was practically immune to cutting attacks. Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man could deflect its pressurized water jets but couldn’t permanently damage it. Only Tatsumaki, Blast, or Saitama could truly defeat this monster. Again, this was a matchup problem, not a power issue.

The final blow to Atomic Samurai’s reputation came when Vomited Fuhrer Ugly melted his sword with acid. Without his primary weapon, Atomic Samurai was at a severe disadvantage. However, he could have potentially defeated most other executives, including Nyan, Gums, Gouketsu, normal Fuhrer Ugly, and Homeless Emperor. Even against Vomited Fuhrer Ugly, had he possessed the Sun Blade from the beginning or used his Air Blade technique, the outcome might have been different.

Atomic Samurai’s Ultimate Power-Up

Atomic Samurai and Silver Fang fishing together
Atomic Samurai and Silver Fang fishing together (Source: Studio J.C. Staff)

Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man reached new heights of power when he obtained the legendary Sun Blade. This ancient weapon from a sunken continent dramatically amplified his already impressive abilities. The sword responded only to a worthy spirit, something even Nichirin, who carried it, couldn’t achieve.

With the Sun Blade, Atomic Samurai easily cut through Homeless Emperor’s energy spheres, which had been overwhelming other S-Class heroes. More impressively, he managed to slice off Golden Sperm’s arm—a feat that Vomited Fuhrer Ugly couldn’t accomplish despite his corrosive acid. Golden Sperm even compared Atomic Samurai’s power-up to monsterization.

This power-up put Atomic Samurai on par with some of the strongest monsters in the series. Golden Sperm was fast enough to intercept him, but Atomic Samurai clearly had the offensive capability to overcome his durability. He would likely have defeated Homeless Emperor if Golden Sperm hadn’t intervened.

The Sun Blade chose Atomic Samurai because of his inherent qualities. His concentration was so intense that he could block out Homeless Emperor’s explosions happening around him. With the Moon Blade still out there, Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man may have even greater heights to reach in future arcs.

Conclusion

Atomic Samurai in One Punch Man is criminally underrated because his victories are too quick and his losses too memeable. But dig deeper, and you’ll find a hero with unmatched skill, swagger, and room to grow. His base abilities alone put him above most Dragon-level threats.

So next time you watch or read One Punch Man, don’t sleep on the guy who turns monsters into confetti.

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