Is One Punch Man Season 3 Already Cooked — Take On Episode 01

Imagine you’ve been invited to a grand banquet. A banquet you’ve been to years ago. You remember the first feast—it had all the rich flavors, the visual spectacles, the sizzling courses laid out perfectly. You left that night full and in awe.

Now, after many years, the chef says, “Behold—this is the next feast.” You show up, hungry and all excited.

But instead of smelling roasting meat, you get the scent of something reheated. The centerpiece dish looks good from a distance, but when it’s brought close, you notice edges burnt, some spices missing. The vegetables are limp. The side dishes are okay, but not plated with the same care. Some parts are good—which you savor. Others just… remind you of how high the standard were once.

That’s One Punch Man Season 3 Episode 01 . The expectation was a feast; what we got is a banquet where some of the courses are undercooked, some plates missing garnishes, but the main course still promising.

What we know / what’s bothering fans

• Studio & Animation concerns: J.C. Staff is animating this season, and many fans worry because Seasons 2 & 1 set very high bars. The trailers and promotional visuals have been criticized for being static in places, having still shots, or lacking fluid motion.
• High expectations after long wait: It’s been a long time since S2 ended. Fans expect nothing less than epic—especially when the Monster Association arc is being adapted.
• Director openly cautions fans: Shinpei Nagai has said that S3 may not match Season 1’s level. So even from the source, there’s a bit of “lower your expectations”—but that also feels like a hedge, a warning of what may come.

What Episode 1 did / what future episodes could bring

• Episode 1, by reports, doesn’t pack much action. Mostly setup: character introductions, the tension-building. Some found the pacing sloppy; some cuts feel like missing out on details.
• The visuals may disappoint in parts — still frames, less dynamic fight choreography (so far). But that’s expected in many long-awaited seasons; sometimes, the setup episodes carry less spectacle and more groundwork.

What could future episodes bring / how this banquet might still surprise

• Battle set pieces: The Monster Association arc has huge potential. When the major fights kick in (Saitama vs Garou, etc.), those are the moments fans live for. If the show saves budget/animates more carefully in those, it might redeem early roughs.
• Improved flow & pacing: Episode 1 is only the groundwork, future ones might settle into rhythm. More clarity in threat levels, motivation, stakes. If they tighten editing and build momentum, the initial sluggishness can feel acceptable.
• Small details matter: Even if animation isn’t always fluid, strong direction, sound effects, music, lighting, and acting can amplify scenes. If those are handled well, they’ll make up for some visual shortcuts.
• Fan goodwill matters: After so many years, fans are eager to forgive if the story holds up. If the writing gives emotional beats, payoffs, and treats characters well, many will ride out previous flaws.

Conclusion

So yeah, One Punch Man Season 3 Episode 1 is like seeing the banquet’s doors open and smelling something tantalizing—but then seeing some of the plating is off. There’s the disappointment of things not being quite what we imagined; but there’s also hope that the best dishes are still coming.

If you’re a fan, the lament is valid. But the feast might just be worth waiting for—if future episodes bring the heat.

Image credit J.C. Staff