One Punch Man [Season 1 Episode 10]

One Punch Man Season 1 Episode 10: A Rollercoaster of Mechs, Memes, and Mixed Reactions

Let’s cut to the chase: One Punch Man Season 1 Episode 10 is like that friend who shows up to a party in a flashy costume—you can’t look away, even if you’re not sure if they nailed the vibe. For those who’ve been following Saitama’s journey from “hero for fun” to… well, still a hero for fun but with way more chaos, this episode throws a curveball by shifting focus to the underdog prodigy, Child Emperor, and his showdown with the menacing Phoenix Man.

First off, let’s talk about the star of the show: that Power Rangers-esque mech. If you grew up yelling “It’s morphin’ time!” or geeking out over Optimus Prime, this episode will hit you right in the nostalgia. Child Emperor’s big reveal—activating a giant robot to take down Phoenix Man—had fans losing it. “Kid Emperor had to use his powerful trump card: activating what looks like a classic Power Rangers Megazord… or, for the younger guys, an Optimus Prime,” one fan gushed. And honestly? The mech design is chef’s kiss—shiny, over-the-top, and exactly the kind of absurdity we love in OPM.

But wait, Phoenix Man isn’t just some generic villain. This guy’s got layers—like, “I was a cartoon character turned immortal” layers. Trapped in his own fantasy world, he’s basically unkillable, which makes Child Emperor’s mech vs. bird battle feel like a David vs. Goliath (if Goliath was a giant flaming chicken). The tension ramps up when Phoenix Man transforms into a darker, more menacing form—think “evil Captain Falcon with wings”—and fans couldn’t get enough. “Something about Big Bird having evil Captain Falcon as a second form just works,” another viewer noted.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the animation. After a season of hit-or-miss quality, Episode 10 finally steps up its game. Takashi Hashimoto (of Bleach fame) took over storyboarding duties, and it shows. The camera actually moves during fights—no more static shots of characters standing around trading punches. “The camera was actually following and moving with the characters during a fight?? And it was a mech fight of all things??” a fan exclaimed. The result? Action sequences that feel dynamic, fluid, and—dare I say it—exciting. Even the color palette got a glow-up: no more blue filters! “No blue filters. I hope the production took the time and removed blue filters from now on,” one relieved viewer commented.

But it’s not all sunshine and mechs. The pacing? A little wonky. Some fans felt the transitions between scenes were abrupt, like the editors were in a hurry to get to the next big explosion. “The editing is so baad,” one critic sighed. And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: Saitama’s screen time. Or lack thereof. “Barely got to see Saitama, and why is nobody dying,” another fan complained. To be fair, Saitama’s whole schtick is being overpowered, so too much of him would ruin the tension—but a little more than a cameo would’ve been nice.

Then there’s the Phoenix Man twist. Just when you think Child Emperor has him beat, Phoenix Man rises from the ashes (pun very intended) with a new form. It’s a classic OPM move—subverting expectations with a villain who refuses to stay down. “Talk about a rise from the ashes, even if only temporarily,” a fan joked. But not everyone was sold. “It’s okay and enjoy same like eps8 also no neon lights good job,” one viewer said, sounding a bit underwhelmed.

Let’s not ignore the memes, either. The moment Kid Emperor thinks Flashy Flash is dead? Hilarious. “Kid Emperor thinking Flashy Flash had died was hilarious. Chuckle,” a fan wrote. And who could forget Waganma—the selfish little sidekick who’s basically a mini-version of his annoying dad? “Waganma you selfish little asshole. This guy’s really going to be like his dad when he grows up,” another viewer ranted. Relatable.

So, is Episode 10 a masterpiece? No. Is it a step in the right direction? Absolutely. After a season of mixed reviews, this episode proves OPM still has the ability to surprise us—whether it’s with a mech battle, a meme-worthy moment, or a villain who just won’t quit. “Back to back decent/pretty good episodes (by this season’s standards ofc). Really can’t ask for more than that at this point lol,” one fan summed up.

At the end of the day, One Punch Man Season 1 Episode 10 is a reminder of why we love this series: it’s not just about the fights. It’s about the characters—Child Emperor’s growth, Phoenix Man’s complexity, and yes, even Saitama’s quiet (but hilarious) presence. So grab your popcorn, ignore the haters, and enjoy the ride. Because in the world of OPM, even a giant mech vs. a flaming chicken can be a work of art—if you’re willing to roll with the chaos.

Final Verdict: 7/10. Not perfect, but definitely worth the watch for the mech alone. Now, where’s Saitama’s next one-punch? We’re waiting. ⚡️