What makes a hero? The answer to this question changes as society dictates what they want out of a hero. This idea of society’s hero is completely put into question in One and Yusuke Murata’s One Punch Man manga and the anime adaption. Where the archetype we want from the hero and the personality that the hero actually has are not in sync.  In order to show how they question this idea of the typical hero, I will discuss how the aesthetic given off by the opening of the anime and the feeling given off by the actual content of the series contrast. 

The opening uses many symbols that indicate organizations or power within the series. Near the beginning of the opening, Saitama is shown facing a tiger, a demon, a dragon, and a god. In the series these symbols are used to distinguish the danger levels of a villain or creature. The images of Saitama facing each of these threats in ascending order gives off the feeling of growing tension. This feeling is there to further push the viewer into believing that the series will be about a hero’s struggles to protect the weak and pursue justice. After this sequence we see Saitama go on what appears to be a journey in order to be able to face the increasing threats to the people of his world.

We then see the ground shatter and lightning strike Saitama’s fist. This represents how he was bestowed god-like abilities as a result of his hard work, perseverance, and “above all else” his good intentions. We then see Saitama use these god given gifts to fight off the cruel and evil people and creatures of his world. These images evoke a sense of “this is how a hero should be,” able to fight the villains with abilities bestowed by the gods to protect us. In other words it makes us think that he is fighting for something he feels is greater than himself he is fighting for the sake of us, the citizens. At the end of the opening we see what we interpret to be Saitama on his way home and he is carrying a bag of groceries. This final scene of Saitama indicates to us that One Punch Man is not a series about a self-sacrificing hero who would do anything in order to protect the lives of the citizens. One Punch Man is instead a comedic story about a hero who is in it in order to enjoy himself and at the end of the day he is no more just than the citizens he coincidentally protects. 

These scenes depict many serious elements that many would expect a hero to have to face and overcome. These elements are portrayed through the allusion to a heroic journey and numerous fight sequences with villainous monsters. Elements such as these are commonly thought to only be achievable with serious determination and a drive to do so only found in a remorseful backstory. The elements we often see in characters such as Batman’s determination to fight crime or Spiderman’s regrets toward not stopping the thief who ended up killing Uncle Ben. When watching the One Punch Man opening these assumptions can easily be made due to his over the top strength and seemingly determined expressions.

Although this interpretation is easy to develop through watching the opening, it is meant to mislead viewers in order to create a comedic or ironic scenario when it jumps to the actual content of the series. While the opening gives the viewer a sense that Saitama, the protagonist is some sort of justice seeking super human, while in the show he starts off being a hero as a hobby to have fun. Even the way he obtained his unmatchable strength was through average or from the perspective of heroes, a meager task. He merely did "100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10km run every single day"(for two years) and he emphasizes how much of a struggle it was to accomplish such a training regime. This is one of the moments in one punch man that shows how stark a contrast there is from what the opening seems to foreshadow and what the story actually entails. (One Punch Man episode 3)

This contrast goes to show how what we think a symbol of something, in this case a hero has to act in a certain way and how often this is different from how he, she, or it actually is. This contrast even within the series is highly represented especially by Saitama. He with his leisurely resolve and overwhelming strength still finds himself thinking that "In exchange for power…” he might have “…lost something that's essential for a human being." Even within an individual character such a contrast exists in the world of One Punch Man. (One Punch Man episode 1)

The opening of One Punch Man is used to distract the viewer long enough to trick them into thinking that the series is flowing with heroism. After that is achieved the series makes a 180 and puts all effort into showing the difference from the way we believe a hero has to act to what a hero can be. The One Punch Man opening accomplishes this the same way Saitama’s power is represented, with over the top scenes of destruction and defeat for the villainous creatures. These numerous scenes accomplish One and Yusuke Murata’s goal of bringing such a different type of hero from the heroes we more commonly see. Such as those that are born able to do no wrong, those who continue to learn from their mistakes, and those who stray from the right path. One and Yusuke Murata create an intriguing idea and story and the opening of the anime only contributes towards making their goal all the more prevalent.