One-Punch Man [Season 3 Episode 9 (Episode 33: Brave Child)]

One-Punch Man Season3 Episode9: Brave Child – A Mech-Fueled Glimmer of Hope for a Struggling Season

If you’ve been sticking with One-Punch Man Season3 through its messy pacing, hit-or-miss animation, and that dreaded blue filter, Episode9 “Brave Child” is the episode you’ve been waiting for—sort of. It’s not a perfect return to form, but it’s the first time this season that the show feels like it’s trying to recapture the chaotic, fun energy that made OPM a hit in the first place. Let’s break it down, straight from the fan reactions and episode highlights.

First, the plot: We pick up right where Episode8 left off—Child Emperor (the 10-year-old genius hero) and Waganma (the spoiled son of the Hero Association’s leader) are on the run from G5, only to stumble into Phoenix Man’s trap. Phoenix Man isn’t your average monster: he’s a former cartoon character stuck in his own fantasy world, which means he’s basically immortal—kill him once, and he comes back stronger. This twist turns a simple chase into a nightmare for Child Emperor, who has to pull out all the stops (and his biggest toys) to win.

The star of the episode is the mech fight. Child Emperor busts out a giant, tricked-out suit that fans are comparing to everything from Power Rangers’ Megazord to Optimus Prime. He even unleashes a Kamehameha-style energy beam (shoutout to Dragon Ball fans!) to take down Phoenix Man—though it only makes the monster transform from a majestic angel-like figure to a terrifying demon mode. One fan on MyAnimeList gushed: “Phoenix Man’s transformation was sick af—majestic angel to fallen demon after that blast. I couldn’t look away!” Another added: “Child Emperor’s mech felt like a throwback to my 2000s cartoon marathons—total Power Rangers vibes.”

But what really has fans talking is the animation upgrade. Takashi Hashimoto (known for his work on Bleach) took over storyboarding for this episode, and it shows. The camera finally moves with the characters during fights—no more static shots of people standing around talking. Plus, the blue filter that plagued earlier episodes is gone! Fans are celebrating this small victory: “No neon lights, good job!” one commented. Another said: “Animation and drawing is definitely better—finally, something that doesn’t look like it was drawn during lunch break.”

Of course, it’s not all praise. Some fans are still underwhelmed. “It’s slowly getting better, but maybe it’s already too late,” one user wrote. Others pointed out pacing issues: “The transitions are weird—sound just cuts and a new scene plays, everything is slow.” And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: Saitama. The One-Punch Man himself only gets a 10-second cameo, dodging a few attacks like it’s nothing. Fans are begging for more: “Where is all the one punching? Saitama damnit!” one commented. But even with his brief appearance, fans were glad to see him: “Finally got to see Saitama again—small wins, right?”

Other highlights include Child Emperor’s panic when he thinks Flashy Flash is dead (fans found this hilarious) and Waganma’s spoiled behavior (which has everyone rolling their eyes—“Waganma you selfish little asshole,” one fan ranted). The episode also touches on Phoenix Man’s tragic backstory—being trapped in a cartoon character’s body, unable to escape his fantasy—which adds a layer of depth to the fight beyond just explosions.

So, is Episode9 worth watching? It depends on who you ask. Some fans call it “the best episode of the season so far,” while others say it’s “decent but average.” Either way, it’s a step up from the earlier episodes. It’s got fun mech fights, dynamic animation, and a few laughs—all things that make OPM great. And let’s not forget: no blue filter! That’s a win in any fan’s book.

If you’ve been skipping episodes this season, give “Brave Child” a chance. You might not be blown away, but you’ll probably find yourself cheering for Child Emperor’s mech like you’re watching a Power Rangers marathon. And hey, it leaves us hoping that the season finale will bring more of this energy (and maybe a few more Saitama punches). Fingers crossed!