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*One-Punch Man* Season 3’s Animation Crisis Sparks Industry Debate

A beloved anime’s dramatic downfall reveals deeper cracks in production. Now, even its creators are questioning the cost of fan expectations.

There is a big poster of different animated images and their heads are cut and few people are...
There is a big poster of different animated images and their heads are cut and few people are replacing the heads of animated images.

*One-Punch Man* Season 3’s Animation Crisis Sparks Industry Debate

The third season of One-Punch Man premiered in October 2025 under studio J.C. Staff. Since its release, the series has faced intense backlash over its animation quality, with critics calling it a steep decline from earlier seasons. Now, industry professionals are speaking out about the fallout from the harsh reception. Before the season even aired, the director had cautioned that the quality would not match that of Season 1. Despite this warning, viewers were unprepared for the final product. By Episode 5, many fans had already abandoned the show, but Episode 6 became the breaking point. The controversy surrounding One-Punch Man Season 3 has sparked wider discussions about industry standards and fan behaviour. With animators threatening to leave over the backlash and ratings hitting record lows, the season’s legacy may extend beyond its reception. The debate now centres on how criticism is voiced—and whether the anime’s struggles signal deeper problems in production.

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