One-Punch Man Finally Reveals Saitama’s Most Important Role

Warning: The following contains spoilers for the One-Punch Man Chapter #195 (JP) redrawn version!!

Summary Saitama's role in One-Punch Man is more symbolic than as a conqueror of villains.

Saitama motivates others to rise against threats through his impossibly high strength.

Saitama's absence against threats inspires others to step up and improve, like Genos and Speed-o'-Sonic.

The heroes and villains of Earth have lately embraced Saitama more than ever in One-Punch Man, with his most important role being teased for the series. Caped Baldy continues to crush world-ending threats at this point, while all other heroes struggle to do the same. Perhaps feats of strength are not Saitama's critical legacy, as others stand to gain from his overwhelming might, his role embodying the impossibly high standard for Speed-o'-Sonic and others to chase in One-Punch Man.

The plot has done well to move past the overpowered protagonist gimmick and show well-rounded supporting characters surrounding Saitama in One-Punch Man.

Some, like King, are ironically mistaken by the world for their might, yet he gives Saitama sage wisdom, and Genos is his most loyal, if foolish, disciple. However, Saitama's one-sided would-be rivalries allow opponents to grow and serve more significant supporting roles in the series, as recently redrawn chapters may indicate.

Saitama's Most Important Role in One-Punch Man Isn't as the Conquering Hero

As much as he craves the challenge, caped baldy is more valuable as a symbolic ideal

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Like it or not, Saitama is what peak performance looks like, and his longtime underpowered rival Speed-o'-Sonic sees Saitama as having an unexpected motivational role in his life. In the redrawn version of One-Punch Man chapter #195, Sonic and Flashy Flash have an extended clash as elite ninja fighters, with Flash being astonished as Sonic carves through their fight with blistering speed when the ninjas of their village interrupt their fight. Sonic reveals to an impressed Flash that Saitama's might is so overwhelming that chasing it makes other opponents feel smaller than grains of sand.

Due to a numbering discrepancy between the physical and digital releases of One-Punch Man manga chapters, chapter references are based on what is available on VIZ Media's portal.

This impressive development is a far cry from how Sonic has been seen in the past while shedding light on his potential role in the Ninjas Arc for One-Punch Man. Sonic is seemingly the latest fighter to step up thanks to Saitama's influence, seeing him as his eternal rival, and it'll be interesting to see how he handles threats like Empty Void beyond chapter #200. With enemies boasting potentially more broken abilities than even Saitama in One-Punch Man, seeing how Sonic rises to the occasion will be interesting.

One-Punch Man Thrives on Supporting Characters Rising in Saitama's Absence

The protagonist's presence is vital, his influence is notable – but his absence is no longer lethal

In recent arcs of One-Punch Man, Saitama has been less present against Demon or even Dragon-level threats, so his role as a savior is inconsistent at best. Instead, his influence and impossibly high strength motivate others to step up. Genos is a crucial example, as he fought Orochi, Drive Knight, and the Tornado of Terror, defeating him in chapter #137. Even competitors Saitama thoroughly thrash in the arena wind up wanting to learn from him and become a hero, like Suiryu, after the Super Fight Arc.

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The notion that Saitama's might is an impossible ideal is equally amusing and inspiring. He is a Goku for the Vegetas and Piccolos of the world in One-Punch Man. He remains aloof, but his influence creates heroes and motivates self-improvement, with Speed-o'-Sonic being the latest case. Sonic turns from a running joke, desperate for power, as in Chapter #78, into a lethally competent warrior able to fight an S-Class hero like Flash as the Ninjas Arc pushes forward in One-Punch Man.