10 Best Anime To Help You Forget About One-Punch Man’s Downfall

Watching the One-Punch Man anime decline has been really disappointing. The first season was amazing – visually stunning and just a fantastic experience overall. But since then, the art and animation have steadily gotten worse, and the reception to season 3 has been overwhelmingly negative. It’s just… not good, and a real letdown after how strong it started.

It’s disappointing how much the quality of One-Punch Man has declined. Fans might enjoy other anime with a similar vibe that maintain a higher standard. In fact, there are several shows that One-Punch Man fans would likely prefer over continuing with season 3.

10) Heroman

In the animated series Heroman, young Joey Jones’ life changes forever when lightning brings his toy robot to life. The toy transforms into a powerful robot named Heroman, and together, they must team up to defend their home from the villainous Skrugg.

Stan Lee, the famous creator of many superheroes, designed Heroman as a modern take on the classic superhero genre. The anime is a joyful homage to those older stories, complete with excellent animation. It’s a fantastic, but often overlooked, series, and a great choice for fans of shows like One-Punch Man.

9) The Disastrous Life Of Saiki K.

The anime The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. follows Kusou Saiki, a high school student with incredible psychic powers who simply wishes for an ordinary life. However, he’s constantly surrounded by eccentric and troublesome people, and despite finding them irritating, he repeatedly uses his abilities to assist them.

The core idea of Saiki K. – a character with incredible powers trying to live an ordinary life – is similar to One-Punch Man, and its fantastic humor makes it consistently funny. Plus, the animation by J.C.Staff is a welcome surprise, proving they’re capable of creating great shows, unlike their work on One-Punch Man.

8) Mashle: Magic And Muscles

I’ve been watching Mashle: Magic and Muscles, and it’s a really interesting story. It centers around Mash Burnedead, a unique young guy living in a world where everyone can use magic – except for him. Surprisingly, he doesn’t need magic; he’s spent his life building incredible strength through intense training. It looks like that dedication to physical power might just be what the world needs to be saved.

If you enjoy shows like One-Punch Man, you’ll likely love Mashle: Magic and Muscles. It’s a funny, action-packed fantasy anime with a surprising amount of emotional depth. The main character, Mash, even shares some similarities with Saitama! It’s a hidden gem, and thankfully, a third season is already being made, so there’s more to look forward to.

7) To Be Hero X

BeDream’s To Be Hero X is set in a world where superheroes gain power from public belief. This has resulted in ten exceptionally powerful heroes, but hidden from the public, they’re dealing with personal struggles and difficult experiences.

I’m seriously blown away by To Be Hero X! It’s such a fresh and creative take on the superhero genre, and the animation style – a cool mix of 2D and 3D – is just fantastic. Honestly, it’s one of the most original animated projects I’ve seen this year, and it’s a welcome change after being let down by the latest season of One-Punch Man. Chinese animation, or ‘donghua,’ is exploding in popularity, and I have a feeling To Be Hero X is going to be the one that really breaks through to a massive audience.

6) Tiger & Bunny

In Bandai Namco Pictures’ Tiger & Bunny, superheroes are more like celebrities than traditional heroes. Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, a seasoned hero, doesn’t agree with this shift, but he’s forced to team up with the rising star Barnaby Brooks, Jr., who may be more complex than he appears.

Both Tiger & Bunny and One-Punch Man playfully take apart and poke fun at the superhero genre. However, Tiger & Bunny stands out with its unique take on superheroes working within a corporate structure, which surprisingly enhances the show’s more heartfelt moments. Combined with consistently strong animation, Tiger & Bunny is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys superhero stories.

5) Gintama

The anime Gintama is set in a version of Edo-period Japan that’s been taken over by aliens, who have banned samurai. Gintoki, a samurai who once fought in the alien war, now works as a quirky jack-of-all-trades. When he accidentally takes on an assistant named Shinpachi, his odd jobs turn into a real business called the Yorozuya.

Although Gintama and One-Punch Man have very different storylines, they both share a talent for incredibly silly humor, which is a major point of connection. Gintama is also more consistent in its art style and overall mood than One-Punch Man, making it a great option for anyone who feels One-Punch Man is a bit too erratic.

4) Dragon Ball

Toei Animation’s Dragon Ball follows Son Goku, a boy with a monkey tail, as he embarks on adventures with his friends. Their journeys often revolve around collecting the Dragon Balls, magical orbs that can grant wishes. What started as a lighthearted martial arts comedy gradually evolved into a grand sci-fi story, featuring increasingly epic battles where Goku frequently finds himself defending the universe.

Dragon Ball was a groundbreaking anime, famously blending hilarious comedy with incredibly exciting action. Even four decades later, Dragon Ball and its many sequels and spin-offs still excel at this combination. It remains a unique action series, and if you’re a fan of One-Punch Man but looking for something different, it’s worth revisiting – or discovering – even if you think you already know it.

3) Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

I’ve been watching Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and it’s a really interesting story. It follows Frieren, an elf who’s a powerful mage and was part of the group that defeated the demon king. The story begins after that victory, and it’s not until years later, when her human companion Himmel passes away, that Frieren truly understands how much she valued their time together. This realization sends her off on a new journey – one focused on learning how to connect with people and understand their feelings.

Both Frieren and One-Punch Man share a similar visual style, largely because the same studio, Madhouse, animated both series. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End season 2 is expected to be even stronger than its first season, and it will be interesting to see how the new animation team handles the show’s unique approach to storytelling.

2) My Hero Academia

In the film My Hero Academia, Izuku Midoriya wants to become a hero, even though he’s born without any special abilities. When he meets his hero, All Might, Izuku gets the opportunity to show he has what it takes to become not just a hero, but the very best.

If you enjoy superhero anime like One-Punch Man but are getting tired of its lack of progress, My Hero Academia is a fantastic alternative. It features a lively group of characters, has a fully realized story, and consistently boasts excellent animation and art.

1) Mob Psycho 100

Mob Psycho 100, from Bones Film, centers around Mob, a boy with incredible psychic powers who must keep his emotions in check to avoid losing control. He’s also trying to navigate everyday life – making friends, getting the attention of a girl he likes – while constantly facing off against supernatural enemies.

With its fantastic humor, beautiful animation, and genuinely touching story about growing up, Mob Psycho 100 is an all-around amazing anime and a standout series of recent years. Even though it’s by the same creator as One-Punch Man, many fans actually consider Mob Psycho 100 to be even better. If you’ve been frustrated with the weaker parts of One-Punch Man, this is the perfect anime to check out.

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2025-11-26 21:16