To understand the phenomenon, one must understand its origin. Unlike most major franchises birthed in the polished editorial rooms of Shueisha or Kodansha, One Punch Man began as a webcomic. In 2009, a man known only as ONE posted a crudely drawn chapter online. The art was simplistic, often bordering on amateurish scribbles.

Heroes in this world are often motivated by fame, sponsorships, and rankings rather than altruism. We see heroes who run away from danger, heroes who care more about their public image than collateral damage, and heroes who let petty