6 Anime Like One Punch Man [Updated Recommendations]

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One Punch Man came in 2015 and knocked out expectations of what defines a superhero anime. It follows the life of the superhero hobbyist, Saitama, who has found crime fighting to become a bit of a bore. Why? Well, after three years of intense training, he became so powerful that he essentially defeats anyone and anything with one punch and so can’t find any real thrill in battle.

It is while in this funk that he learns about the existence of a superhero organization. An organization that can give him a license, proving that he is indeed a superhero, which gets him a little bit excited about the whole superhero business once more.

One Punch Man caught everyone with an uppercut to the chin, because of how well it captured and lampooned the superhero world. From an ultra-plain looking main character to super annoying allies to over-the-top action; One Punch Man dissected a range of tropes that can be found in any superhero anime. However, it was still able to feel like a superhero anime as it excited the viewer with a range of superpowers and could raise adrenaline with certain fight scenes. So without further ado, let’s get to the shows that capture some of the same qualities, and be sure to check out the older article below if you need to watch even more shows that are like One Punch Man.


Similar Anime to One Punch Man

1. Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan

  • Episodes: 120
  • Aired: Jul. 2016 – Dec. 2016

Kusuo Saiki is a person with supernatural powers that range from x-ray vision to telekinesis. Though you might think he lives some sort of blessed life for having been born with such abilities, he finds them all to be a curse of sorts. These powers have stolen from him any sense of real excitement and for the most part make peace difficult. However, he is determined to achieve a certain level of peace in spite of the crowd of strange individuals that he draws around himself.

As an anime like One Punch Man, Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan dismantles and ridicules the premise and plot of most anime that deal with superpowers. Similar to Saitama, Saiki finds his overwhelming powers to be a slight bit of a problem, as the joy of achievement can never really be felt when everything comes so easily. Both shows also have a wide range of characters that consistently mock the roles of normal supporting characters. In fact, the ‘friends’ of each main character are generally seen with some annoyance and are reluctantly accepted by the protagonist. There is a pretty big difference between the two though. Saitama desires recognition while being one of the most ordinary looking characters and Saiki looks a little like an alien, with his antennas, and only wants to blend in.

Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan PV:


2. To Be HERO

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: Oct. 2016 – Dec. 2016

To Be HERO follows the unlikely and wacky adventure of a handsome and perverted toilet designer. From the start, our protagonist already has the super power of determining a woman’s hip measurement with a glance, thanks to his work as a toilet designer. However, one night when going to take a dump, he falls into the toilet and is granted real supernatural powers from a member of the Space Peace Republic Alliance Hero Committee. These powers change his life in a myriad of ways as he is now expected to save Earth from countless bizarre enemies and his looks have changed to the point that his own daughter cannot recognize him. Forced to move in with his even more perverted neighbor, our protagonist plans a way to convince his daughter of his true identity.

To put it simply, this anime is just like One Punch Man. It takes the superhero genre and purposely flips every trope on its head in order to make the audience laugh. Both also feature extremely unusual protagonists who really brighten up the screen with their slightly perverse natures. However, the specific humor is quite different between the two. One Punch Man throws fun at basically everyone and has a wide range of humorous moments, from ridiculous faces to poignant dialogue. To Be HERO is much more focused on dirty language and sexual innuendo.

To Be Hero PV:


3. Mob Psycho 100

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: Jul. 2016 – Sep. 2016

Mob is an eighth grader with incredible psychic powers. However, these powers of his are a major liability, especially as they progress towards causing one of the largest self-destructions imaginable. More importantly though, will he be able to impress his long-time crush, Tsubomi, before things really begin to fall apart.

If you know anything about Mob Psycho 100, then it should not come as a surprise that it makes an appearance on a list of anime like One Punch Man. This is because Mob Psycho 100’s creator, One, is the one and only creator of One Punch Man. Now you know why Mob is essentially Saitama with hair.

The similarities between these two shows prove just how much joy One gets from pulling apart the strings that create a genre. Just like in One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100 plays around with the supernatural world and the lifestyle that accompanies a person with superhuman abilities. There is a pretty heavy difference between the shows though. Mob Psycho 100 ties itself into school life and actually follows through with rather touching moments of adolescence. One Punch Man, on the other hand, never quite takes itself seriously at any moment.

Mob Psycho 100 PV:



Any Anime Like One Punch Man ?

4. Boku no Hero Academia 2nd Season

  • Episodes: 25
  • Aired: Apr. 2017 – Sep. 2017

Izuku Midoriya was born into a world where 80 percent of the human population possessed some type of super power, known as a quirk. Izuku Midoriya was born without a quirk, instantly making him an outcast to the entire social structure. However, one day he is blessed with the power of the strongest super hero in the world and begins his journey of taking the title of strongest for himself. The first season started that journey and this season continues it.

In some cases, Boku no Hero Academia is the anime most like One Punch Man. Just like One Punch Man, this show is focused on superheroes and their superpowers as well as provides a certain hierarchy of strength. In both Boku no Hero Academia and One Punch Man, people are graded on their abilities and are given a certain rank. Both shows also, in their own way, are pushing the envelope of what can be expected from one of the oldest genres out there.

These similarities aside, Boku no Hero Academia is by no means a satire on the superhero genre. It is literally the type of show that One Punch Man is poking fun at as it delves into many classic tropes, from its character designs to its zero-to-hero storyline. Thankfully, Boku no Hero Academia does so with a certain grace, which is why it is one of the top shows out there.

Boku no Hero Academia 2nd Season PV:


5. Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 2

  • Episodes: 10
  • Aired: Jan. 2017 – Mar. 2017

Following the events of the first season, Konosuba 2 brings us right back into a fantasy world of magic and steel. More importantly, it brings us right back to the glorious misadventures of a NEET who died on Earth and now is doing his best to juggle a new life, full of adventure, with a team of misfits.

Though Konosuba is not a superhero show, it replicates the criticisms and trope bashing that One Punch Man employs on the superhero world for the fantasy genre. In its ability to completely deconstruct the genre it is inherently displaying, Konosuba is clearly an anime like One Punch Man. It pokes fun at all the things that people generally take for granted. For example, the idea that you will actually have a party that actually functions and is able to crawl through dungeons with little to no harm. Nope. That’s not happening in Konosuba. Both shows are also able to capture the nostalgic joy we get from the genres they make fun of through strong settings.

Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 2 PV:


6. Youjo Senki

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: Jan. 2017 – Mar. 2017

What happens when you defy someone who is a self-proclaimed God? For one person, such a defiance means being turned into a young girl and being shipped off into an alternate world that not only has magic, but is on the brink of a world war. The real question after starting the series is whether or not this self-proclaimed God knew just how well that person would thrive in such a world.

What makes Youjo Senki like One Punch Man is the fact that Tanya is basically just as overpowered as Saitama. These anime take clear delight in presenting characters that can essentially overwhelm any opponent before them. The strength of these characters is shown off at a consistent basis and plays a heavy role in defining the tone of the anime. That said, Youjo Senki’s humor is more run of the mill versus the satire of One Punch Man. To actually call Youjo Senki humorous is a gross overstatement and that’s the main difference between the two. Youjo Senki is action and drama with slight bits of comedy thrown in. One Punch Man thrives first and foremost off its comedy and then its action.

Youjo Senki PV:


Conclusion:

Well, there you have it. These six shows all capture a certain essence of One Punch Man. Some are similar by the simple fact that they are parodies, while others share more dynamic action qualities. Either way, you will be able to find something to enjoy about the shows on this list if you enjoyed One Punch Man.

one-punch-man-dvd-300x379 6 Anime Like One Punch Man [Updated Recommendations]

Writer

Author: Yoko Dev

Hello, my anime peers. I’m from the states, but have taken an indefinite leave to travel while freelancing. Outside of a deep admiration for anime that started long ago, I love to read, write, and play video games. The main issue of traveling so far has been not having a console.

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Original Article Below

It has been eight months since One Punch Man finished airing and we too can’t wait for the next season. It has met all our expectations and we can’t deny how funny the show was. It has been a while since we have seen an overpowered main character and an anime series with a very unique storyline to go along with it. We came up with a “similar to One Punch Man” list last year but we are still itching for more of the awesomeness that OPM delivered.

We might still be waiting a little longer for season two of One Punch Man to air and before that, it might be best to reminisce about that feeling and watch more anime shows that give us the same excitement we had when we first watched OPM. Here is our updated list of recommendations of 6 Anime Like One Punch Man.

Similar Anime to One Punch Man (OPM)

1. Boku no Hero Academia

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: Apr 3, 2016 - Jun 26, 2016

What does it mean to be a hero? This is possibly a catch phrase that is applicable to both of these anime titles. Before we list down all the similarities between these anime, here’s a little backstory to Boku no Hero Academia. Eighty percent of the entire human race now has different powers called “quirks”. Unfortunately, Izuku Midoriya is part of the powerless twenty percent. He has dreamt of becoming a hero ever since he was little, looking up to his idol, “All Might”. Not giving up in his dream of successfully becoming a hero, fate has destined him to inherit All Might’s abilities. Now opening up a better path to his goal, he enrolls in the prestigious UA High, where all famous heroes are trained.

If you are fond of super heroes, both One Punch Man and Boku no Hero Academia revolve around the world of heroes. Both titles have a society of monsters and people with unique powers and an association formed by heroes for the protection of humanity. The relationship between a powerful master and a high potential apprentice is another factor they both have. Saitama's genuine personality to save people can also be compared to All Might's character as they both go to great lengths in order to save lives. They are both overwhelmingly strong and mainly use fists to defeat enemies. Given that they are action packed titles, both of them have great humor inserted all throughout the series. They are very short anime and we can't wait for both of them to come up with another kick-ass season two.


2. Hunter x Hunter (2011)

  • Episodes: 148
  • Aired: Oct 2, 2011 - Sep 24, 2014

In a world where being a Hunter is a job for doing various tasks such as apprehending criminals, searching for unknown lands, or simply being an assassin, Hunters are considered professionals in their given fields. Gon Freecss is a young boy aspiring to be a Hunter with the goal of finding his father, who is a well known Hunter. He quickly learns that the path to being a Hunter is a grueling challenge and only a few are able to pass the Hunter exam. Gon must now surpass all the tests given to him in order to become an official Hunter. Along with some friendly companions looking to pass the exam for their own personal needs, they form a group to help each other pass rigorous challenges offered by the Hunter association.

If you are looking for a similar action packed anime like One Punch Man, Hunter X Hunter should automatically be in your list. Both anime titles present characters with unique powers and the "Hero association" is a group of professionals that is similar to the "Hunter association". Made by the same studio, Madhouse, you can expect that the fighting scenes and the overall look of the anime is just amazing. They both have a lot of detail and the stories are very captivating. The goal setting of the main characters is also another similarity as both of them aspire to be the best in their own field. Hunters are also dispatched to help out on earthly crises just like the Heroes in OPM. There are a ton of interesting similarities in both anime but we will leave that to you to find out for yourself. Given that the length of this anime is ten times more than One Punch Man, expect it to give you ten times more action.


3. Mob Psycho 100

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: Jul 12, 2016 - currently ongoing

The first episode of Mob Psycho 100 will instantly remind you of One Punch Man as they are both about an overpowered main character. Mob Psycho 100 is the story of Kageyama Shigeo, a simple student who grew up with psychic abilities. From a very young age, Shigeo, also known as "Mob", can bend spoons and control objects using his mind. Guided by a motivating psychic mentor who seems to have no psychic abilities whatsoever, he spends most of his life using his powers to get rid of evil spirits without even flinching. He tries to keep his special skills to himself and tries to live like a normal school boy who just wants to be friends with a cute girl in his class. The 100 in the title refers to his emotional status as he tries to keep his feelings controlled until they reach the maximum point and totally overwhelm him.

Mob Psycho 100 has the most number of similarities compared to One Punch Man as they were made by the same creator. The animation style has a different approach but everything else is very comparable. The main characters are so overpowered that everything that stands against them seems to be a walk in the park. Saitama and Shigeo both look very bored with their lives and are often emotionless during fights. The funny skits are similar to One Punch Man as they will randomly throw you off guard and have you laughing before you even know it. This is a great anime filled with comedy and action. If you had fun watching OPM, it will be impossible for you not to love Mob Psycho 100 as well.


Any Anime Like One Punch Man (OPM)?

4. Kill la Kill

  • Episodes: 24
  • Aired: Oct 4, 2013 - Mar 28, 2014

Kill la Kill is another impressive anime similar to One Punch Man. The story is about Ryuuko Matoi who has been searching for her father’s killer. Equipped with only a half-scissor shaped weapon, she enters Honnouji Academy to try and find the culprit. Unfortunately, the school is ruled by Satsuki Kiryuuin along with some powerful student council members. She stumbles into meeting Senketsu, a talking uniform also known as a “Kamui” or God Clothing. Senketsu helps her to awaken a new power that will give her a chance against the elite members of the school and get a lead on her father’s murderer by looking for the other half of the scissor blade.

If you loved the high paced action scenes of One Punch Man, then be ready for some more when you watch Kill la Kill. Both shows offer epic battles and great hilarious moments. The main characters have that bad-ass aura that makes you feel something big is going to happen when they get into a fight. They both also have lovable sidekicks who have interesting back stories. They have huge character lists with different powers and abilities which make these shows shine even more. The explosive scenes and the great story is just a bonus as they were both made to please every anime fan. One last similarity we have to state is that both of them have great soundtracks, they are very catchy and will definitely make you sing along as the opening credits roll along. Kill la Kill is another title that you should have in your arsenal if you thought One Punch Man was too good to be true.


5. Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei [The Irregular at Magic High School]

  • Episodes: 26
  • Aired: Apr 6, 2014 - Sep 28, 2014

Another anime similar to One Punch Man is Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei. Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba have been accepted in the National Magic University First High School. The very fact that you have been permitted to enroll in this school makes you one of the elite, whose rare talent in magic has been acknowledged. But in this school, you are considered either an honor student or an irregular. Taking different paths, these siblings try to stay together while most of the students segregate them in two different leagues. While Tatsuya’s exam scores show him as a “weed” or magically inefficient, he makes up for it by using his technical knowledge, combat capabilities and very unique magical skills. Thus, the title “The irregular at magic high school”.

It might be hard to find similarities between these shows at first sight but as you go along with the story, you will see why this series has made our list. The whole plot is about an overpowered protagonist who, despite their superiority, does not get the recognition that they truly deserve. The characters in Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei similarly represent the heroes of One Punch Man as they all have their own set of skills and beliefs. Tatsuya and Saitama also share a similar trait of somewhat being contented with how people see them and genuinely do heroic acts even without anyone else knowing. This is surely another action packed series that will surely give you that One Punch Man feel you have been craving for.


6. Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?
[Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They?]

  • Episodes: 10
  • Aired: Jan 12, 2013 - Mar 16, 2013

Three specially gifted students, Izayoi Sakamaki, Asuka Kudou, and You Kasukabe all have different personalities and do not like to follow instructions. They have been invited to the world of Little Garden, a world where the status of your community is determined by different challenges and games. The “No Names” is one of these communities that has been deprived of their identity. In order to get the community’s name back and climb once again to the top, Kurousagi a bunny-girl decides to look for help summoning these students from another world. Using their gifts and skills, the three problem children must figure out how to win a series of challenges against other communities.

If you are still looking for overpowered characters, then Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo? is another anime that you should consider watching. The main characters in this show are super strong. The main comparison can be made with Saitama and Izayoi. They are superior to everybody else and do not stop taking on bigger challenges in their path just to relieve themselves of boredom. Both shows share the same excitement and are very funny. The heroic duty to help people is also another similar factor these shows have. Expect another series that is visually entertaining and filled with superb action.


Final Thoughts

One Punch Man has truly been another great anime which we all enjoyed. If you have been struggling to find another anime with the same impact as OPM, the recommendations we listed should somehow give you the similarities you were looking for. We hope you enjoyed the list and consider watching the titles you haven’t seen yet.

Do you know any other anime with overpowered characters? We’d love to hear what they are so please feel free to share your recommendations on the comment section below.

by Mark Makalinao

Original Article Below

One Punch Man was probably the most promoted show of the Fall 2015 season. We certainly had a lot of expectations on this Anime, and so far it hasn’t let us down (to most of us at least). OPM is proving to be a hilarious show that explores the daily life of an overpowered superhero.

This seinen superhero parody full of action is meeting everyone’s expectations with its acid humor and unique storyline. For a superhero Anime, we have to admit OPM is pretty original. There really aren’t many shows out there with such an OP main character or that make fun of heroes so cleverly as OPM.

For that reason, we’re providing you with a few titles that are similar to OPM in more than one aspect. This way, waiting between episodes won’t be so agonizing.

Similar Anime to One Punch Man

1. Tiger & Bunny

  • Episodes: 25
  • Aired: Apr 2011 – Sep 2011

In Tiger & Bunny we’ll find, just like in OPM, a guild of several heroes who fight to protect peace but mostly for fame and self-gain. Some humans known as NEXTs are born with special abilities and become heroes. Their heroic acts are broadcasted by “Hero TV”, a popular reality show. These heroes have sponsors and they earn hero-points and reputation based on their heroic performances.

Very much like in One Punch Man, the image of the hero is quite distorted. In both shows, most heroes are far from being the selfless guardians of peace we would normally expect. They are instead something like marketing tools or media products, much like rock stars.

Tiger & Bunny pokes fun at the whole concept of hero with a most acid humor while exploring the more human and ordinary side of a superhero’s alter ego.


2. Samurai Flamenco

  • Episodes: 22
  • Aired: Oct 2013 – Mar 2014

Don’t be deceived, there are at least two big lies on the title of this show. Samurai Flamenco is yet another show that makes fun of those who serve justice in tights. Masayoshi Hazama is a young male model with a strong sense of fashion and justice. At night, he goes out in his superhero outfit to fight the forces of evil as the bold Samurai Flamenco.

The only problem is, other than his determination and thirst for justice, he has no special abilities whatsoever. What’s even more ridiculous, since he first has to make a name for himself as a hero, he only deals with minor crimes. And by minor I mean things like people taking out the garbage too early or too late.

This show shares many of the elements that make OPM our favorite show of the current season. Samurai Flamenco has more action than you would expect on a comedy of this kind. But most importantly, it deals with the true meaning of being a real hero and a keeper of justice. Join this night vigilante on his awkward attempts to become the greatest and most noble hero ever!


3. Overlord

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: Jul 2015 – Sep 2015

Overlord was without question one of the revelations of the recent Summer 2015 season. It tells the story of Momonga, one of the most powerful players in the world of Yggdrasil, a popular MMORPG which is suddenly shut down one day. Instead of logging out, Momonga’s user remains logged in and he soon realizes he has mysteriously become his own avatar.

The game has now become his reality and he can interact with NPCs (non-playable characters) like they are real people. Momonga then sets out on a quest to learn everything he can about the new (and infinitely more interesting) reality that engulfed him. With this purpose in mind, he decides to sign in at the heroes’ guild and make a name for himself.

Unlike the other titles on this list, Overlord is not really a comedy (although it does have some funny scenes). It is however, the most similar show to OPM I could possibly think of in terms of the lead character being completely overpowered. Momonga is a lvl.100 player with an endless repertoire of magic abilities, facing lvl.1 and lvl.2 soldiers. You do the math.

If what you love so much about OPM is watching the good guy abusing and destroying his enemies without even a sweat, then Overlord is definitely the show for you. It has loads of action and a good guy bully. What more could you ask for?


Any Animes Like One Punch Man ?

4. Tentai Senshi Sunred / Astro Fighter Sunred

  • Episodes: 52
  • Aired: Oct 2008 – Mar 2010

“This is a story about the conflict between good and evil which takes place in the city of Kawasaki”. It’s also probably the funniest hero show on this list. The main character is a rude, mean and violent power-ranger-looking hero who is very often seen arguing with his wife.

The hero, Sunred, is hardly ever seen performing any heroic acts other than fighting monsters who attack him on a daily basis just for being an ally to justice. These villains belong to Florsheim, a criminal organization led by General Vamp. The funny thing about them is that they are very polite and well-intended. These villains are so nice in fact that they don’t mind helping Sunred and his wife move into a new house.

Sunred is in a way as overpowered as OPM’s lead character. Sunred may not be as powerful as Saitama, but he doesn’t need that much power to defeat his enemies with one punch since the Florsheim villains are utterly useless and pathetic. They just can’t stop embarrassing themselves. Just like OPM, Tentai Senshi Sunred is a parody of the hero fighting evil and leading an ordinary life.

Episodes are only 13-minute long, so try it out! You won’t be disappointed.


5. Gintama

  • Episodes: 201
  • Aired: Apr 2006 – Mar 2010

Gintama needs, of course, little introduction. It’s an all-time classic and many people’s favorite. The story is set in a feudal Japan where aliens, futuristic technology and weird creatures are commonplace. The law in this Japan prohibits the use of swords, which takes many samurais out of the job. That’s where our eccentric heroes, Gintoki, Kagura and Shinpachi come in.

These three young troublemakers can’t stand the idea of having a regular and boring day job. Instead, they take jobs solving any kind of problems, from finding lost kittens to fighting criminals. Most of the time, you’ll see them having trouble getting money for the rent or fighting each other over the little food they can afford.

Both in OPM and Gintama, the lead characters are not nearly what we would expect of them as heroes. Gintoki is not precisely the noble and heroic samurai we are used to seeing on samurai shows like Rurouni Kenshin. He’s quite rude and seems to care very little about others. And his female disciple, Kagura, isn’t much better. She has the filthiest mouth and she’s often seen picking her nose.

Chances are you’ll have a blast with this bizarre comedy full of action that parodies the heroic samurai lifestyle.


6. Hataraku Maou-sama! / The Devil is a Part-Timer!

  • Episodes: 13
  • Aired: Apr 2013 – Jun 2013

Satan, the Demon Lord, ruler of all demonic and evil creatures on the Demon Realm, had his mind set on conquering the land of Ente Isla to cover the world with darkness. Now he works part-time making burgers and doing customer service at MgRonald’s. That’s right, the devil is literally a part-timer!

Everything went down when the Hero Emilia Justina appeared and defeated the Demon Lord’s army, forcing him to flee with his right hand, Alciel, to the human world. Unfortunately for Satan, he lost most of his magical powers when he arrived to the human world. Now, Sadao Maou (Satan’s human name) and Alciel have to get by working and paying bills like average people. That is until they regain their magic to go back to Ente Isla and reclaim their kingdom.

Hataraku Maou-sama is a brilliant comedy in which our evil protagonist is not as evil as we would expect. He is in fact really polite with customers and co-workers at his job, which makes this show so easygoing and silly. Still, Sadao Maou is decided to regain his full power back and conquer the world… one burger at the time.

Hataraku Maou-sama is similar to OPM in more than just being silly and hilarious. Both main characters strive for glory and fame. They both have great powers (only that Maou lost most of his and has trouble getting them back). And both Saitama and Maou are failures as the super beings they are. Saitama can’t manage to become a famous hero in spite of his tremendous abilities, just like Maou can’t rise up in the world of humans despite being a Demon Lord.


This concludes our list of recommendations for OPM fans. All six of the aforementioned titles are masterpieces rivaling the high quality of OPM, so I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed by any of them.

If you have watched one or more of these, back me up and tell us how much you liked them. You can also suggest other titles that you think OPM fans will enjoy. If you haven’t watched any of these, then I suggest you give them a chance… you can thank me later 😉

one-punch-man-dvd-300x379 6 Anime Like One Punch Man [Updated Recommendations]

Translator/Writer

Author: Chanty

My name is Santiago and I'm an aspiring writer and full-time dreamer. I am currently studying English at college to become a teacher. I like playing Heavy Metal on my guitar as much as I like dancing to Trance music, and I love playing Basketball with my friends as much as I love staying home alone watching Anime. Opposite forces are complementary and interdependent; that is the Yin Yang.

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