The long-awaited third season of One-Punch Man has finally premiered, after six years of waiting, and is now available on Crunchyroll. However, the reception of the first episode has been divisive among fans, who seem to have mixed opinions about the quality of the animation and the fluidity of the action scenes.
A not very smooth and interesting animation
Some users on platforms like Reddit have expressed their discontent, pointing out the presence of “static frames” and a notable lack of fluidity. “For an episode that had almost 0 breathing space… it was mostly filled with still frames. I’m afraid of how they will handle the fights,” wrote a viewer. These comments reflect a widespread concern about the direction the series will take after a long wait.
Despite the criticism, there are those who praise the visual aspects of the first episode, highlighting the quality of the drawings, the lighting, and the color. “I think the best part so far is the visuals themselves, which are better than the second season,” commented a fan. This type of opinion suggests that some viewers see potential in the future development of the series, especially in the action scenes, where they hope the studio will invest more effort.
The first episode focused on the introduction and exposition of the plot, which may justify the lesser amount of animation. “There isn’t much that needed to be animated in this episode, as it is a context delivery after the previous season,” analyzed a fan, who also mentioned the good quality of the dubbing and the music.
With the first episodes marking an uncertain course and the fan community on alert, the series will have to prove its place in the hearts of its followers. Meanwhile, the upcoming episodes are expected to meet the high expectations generated by the wait.
