One Punch Man [Season 3 Episode 3]

One Punch Man Season 3 Episode 3: A Glimpse of Redemption Amidst Chaos

Let’s cut to the chase: One Punch Man Season 3 has been a rollercoaster of disappointment—until now. Episode 3 doesn’t just break the cycle; it shatters it with the kind of energy that made us fall in love with the series in the first place. For fans who’ve stuck around through the lackluster early episodes, this installment feels like a long-overdue apology, and honestly? We’ll take it.

First, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the animation. After weeks of stiff movements and uninspired fight scenes, Episode 3 finally delivers. The mech battle between Child Emperor’s towering robot and Phoenix Man’s menacing forms is a visual feast. The camera doesn’t just sit there—it moves, following every punch, blast, and transformation. It’s dynamic, fluid, and yes, even a little ambitious. As one fan put it, “The camera was actually following and moving with the characters during a fight?? And it was a mech fight of all things??” Exactly. It’s the kind of attention to detail we’ve been craving, and it makes every moment feel urgent and alive.

Phoenix Man, the villain of the week, is another highlight. His design is equal parts creepy and cool—think a giant, evil chicken with a second form that’s basically Captain Falcon gone rogue. But it’s not just his looks; his backstory adds depth to the chaos. Trapped in a fantasy world where he’s immortal, Phoenix Man isn’t just a mindless monster—he’s a tragic figure, and that makes his defeat all the more satisfying. The transformation sequence, where he shifts from “majestic angel vibes to full-on fallen demon mode,” is pure eye candy. It’s the kind of scene that makes you lean forward and go, “Whoa, that’s sick.”

Child Emperor, too, gets his moment to shine. His endless arsenal of weapons—from lasers to drones—turns the fight into a chaotic, fun spectacle. And let’s not forget his reaction when he thinks Flashy Flash is dead: it’s hilarious, human, and a reminder that even the most serious characters have a lighter side. As one viewer noted, “Child Emperor actually cooked 🤣 endless arsenal of weapons.” He’s the underdog we didn’t know we needed, and his determination to take down Phoenix Man is contagious.

But let’s be real—this episode isn’t perfect. The pacing is still a bit off, with some transitions feeling abrupt. And yes, Saitama’s screen time is minimal. He’s there, dodging attacks and being his usual nonchalant self, but he’s not the star. For fans who tune in for his one-punch victories, this might feel like a letdown. As one commenter grumbled, “Decent episode but… this is one punch man Where is all the one punching / saitama damnit.” Fair point. But here’s the thing: One Punch Man has always been about more than just Saitama. It’s about the world around him, the heroes who struggle, and the villains who rise. This episode leans into that, and it works.

The sound design deserves a shoutout too. The music is intense, matching every punch and explosion with a beat that gets your heart racing. The voice acting is on point, especially for Phoenix Man, whose menacing growl adds to his threat level. As one fan raved, “The sound and music team is always at 100%, they’re the backbone of this season, and in this episode the visual aspect finally catch up to the audio aspect.” It’s the little things that make a big difference, and here, they all come together.

Of course, not everyone is happy. Some fans are upset that the episode deviates from the manga, with changes to Phoenix Man’s forms and Saitama’s interactions. “so I decided to check the manga this time and the whole ep is very different from the manga, am I tripping or has this been going on for a while?” one user asked. It’s a valid concern—adaptations are tricky, and purists will always have opinions. But for casual viewers, the changes don’t take away from the enjoyment. If anything, they make the episode feel fresh and unpredictable.

At the end of the day, Episode 3 is a step in the right direction. It’s not the best One Punch Man episode ever, but it’s a huge improvement over what we’ve seen this season. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it leaves you wanting more. As one fan summed it up, “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.”

So, if you’ve been on the fence about Season 3, give Episode 3 a chance. It’s not perfect, but it’s proof that the series still has magic left. And who knows? Maybe next week, Saitama will finally throw that one punch we’ve all been waiting for. Until then, let’s enjoy the ride.

Final Verdict: 7/10. It’s not the masterpiece we hoped for, but it’s a solid, entertaining episode that reminds us why we love One Punch Man. Here’s to more mech fights, more Phoenix Man chaos, and—fingers crossed—more Saitama in the episodes to come.