One-Punch Man fans can celebrate, as the anime’s third season is officially on the way! After a long wait since the last season, Saitama's return promises epic battles, with anticipation building around the upcoming clash between the protagonist and Garou, the feared Hero Hunter.
What to Expect from the New Season?
Season 3 of One-Punch Man will continue adapting the Monster Association arc—one of the most intense and highly anticipated storylines by fans of the original work by ONE and Yusuke Murata. In this arc, Garou, who already stood out in previous seasons as a complex and powerful antagonist, becomes even more relentless in his quest to challenge the heroes and redefine his own sense of justice.
The biggest highlight of this season is the long-awaited showdown between Saitama and Garou—a clash that unfolds in a thrilling way in the manga. As Garou continues his evolution, becoming more and more monstrous, Saitama remains effortlessly dominant and unfazed. The question many fans are asking is: will Garou be able to at least make the bald hero take the fight seriously?
Animation and Studio: What We Know So Far
There is still mystery surrounding which studio will be in charge of animating the third season. The first season, animated by Madhouse, was widely praised for its fluidity and impressive action scenes. The second season, handled by J.C. Staff, received criticism for its inconsistent animation quality. Fans are now eagerly waiting to find out which studio will take on the responsibility for this new phase and whether it will deliver the visual impact that the battles in One-Punch Man deserve.
Expectations for the Big Showdown
The clash between Saitama and Garou will be the highlight of the season, representing not just a battle of strength, but also an ideological duel. While Saitama fights purely for fun and rarely encounters opponents worthy of his overwhelming power, Garou grows stronger driven by his desire to prove his point about heroes and villains. In the manga, this confrontation unfolds in epic fashion, blending frantic action with moments of introspection.
There is still no official confirmation that the third season of One-Punch Man will adapt the full battle between Garou and Saitama. What we do know is that the new season will continue the Monster Association arc, which means we’ll see Garou growing even stronger and several important battles unfolding.
However, this arc in the manga is quite long, and depending on the pacing of the adaptation, the season might end before the major showdown between Garou and Saitama. If the animation follows a standard episode count (12 to 13, like in the second season), it’s possible that the final battle will be left for a future continuation. But if the season is longer or split into parts, then there’s a good chance we’ll see this epic clash animated in this phase.
For now, we’ll have to wait for more information from the studio and production team to know how far the adaptation will go!
Opinion: One-Punch Man's Decisive Season?
If done well, the third season has everything it takes to be One-Punch Man's best yet. The Monster Association arc is one of the most acclaimed in the series, and the long-awaited showdown between Saitama and Garou could elevate the anime to a whole new level. However, animation quality will be crucial to the season’s success. With hype at an all-time high, all we can do now is wait for more information about the production and hope the adaptation lives up to the greatness of the original work.
