‘One Punch Man’ Toonami Finale, Season 2 Confirmed
Fans are excited about the upcoming One Punch Man Season 1 finale, airing Saturday on Adult Swim’s Toonami block of anime programming. Additionally, the long awaited Season 2 has been officially confirmed, according to a report by Forbes.
Forbes‘ Ollie Barder breaks down the details on the history of the popular action/comedy anime series.
“One Punch Man started out as a simple webcomic by the enigmatic ONE. It covered the life of Saitama, a bald guy who wants to be a hero for fun. The only problem he has is that he can vanquish any foe with simply one punch, which is something that he frequently confesses to be very dull. The webcomic was later adapted into a manga penned by Yusuke Murata. This version was also remarkable because it key framed the action sequences like an anime, resulting in a manga that had a fantastically kinetic feel to it.
“After that manga’s success, Madhouse was called in to animate an anime version. Taking a leaf out of Murata’s approach to key framing, the resultant anime was visually stunning and wonderfully funny. The first season comprised of 12 episodes and was hugely popular on its release in Japan and especially abroad in the West. Streamed via Daisuki and Hulu, the first season also made its way onto Adult Swim’s Toonami in July.”
'One-Punch Man' anime is getting a second season: https://t.co/s93mVnCApo pic.twitter.com/dQDNWnwmrt
— Forbes Games (@ForbesGames) September 26, 2016
After running for over three months on Adult Swim’s Toonami, One Punch Man is set to air the final episode of Season 1 on Saturday night. The episode, entitled “The Strongest Hero,” features Saitama in an epic battle with Lord Boros. Much like Saitama, Boros is able to defeat any opponent quickly, and has grown bored. He has sought out all over planets far and wide to discovered a potential match for his strength. Unconcerned with the destruction and death he may cause to innocent lives, Boros cares only to find a worthy challenger.
Boros, a huge, purple/blue humanoid alien, clings to the belief in a prophecy that he will one day meet a being as strong as him. He attacks Earth to see if he can draw anyone out worth fighting. Saitama, seeing the massive damage he and his huge spacecraft is inflicting on Earth, leaps into action to face down Boros. The Season 1 finale of One Punch Man showcases the conclusion to their battle, begun in the previous episode.
Fans won’t have to be let down following the end of Toonami’s broadcast. The second season of One Punch Man was confirmed on Twitter following a Japanese television and anime festival in late September where the official announcement was made.
??9/25????????????TV????????????2??????????????????????????????????????????????????? https://t.co/ZEx0x1ZFAM #onepunchman pic.twitter.com/f2nsdijGxY
— TV????????????? (@opm_anime) September 25, 2016
At the Wanpan Autumn Festival, the atmosphere was described by the Japanese One Punch Man website has having an excited, anticipatory feel, almost “that of New Year’s Eve.” Voice actors for the Japanese dub entered to the music of “Watch The Fire, The Fist, The Hero” by JAM Project, the opening theme song for the show. A live read of new material was performed with the voice actors. Hiroko Moriguchi, who sings the closing credits theme, performed that song live. At the “climax” of the event, the official announcement was made that Season 2 of One Punch Man had would be entering into production.
Japanese voice actor Makoto Furukawa, who performs the role of Saitama for the Japanese dub, was interviewed at the event. He was extremely happy to know the fans were behind him in pushing for a second season of One Punch Man.
“As soon as we finished recording the first season, I thought, I want to do a second one. In radio and various interviews, we have been saying ‘we want to do another season.’
“‘Season 2’ is what I’ve been saying forever and ever, ‘I want to see a Season 2.’ Not only I, but other cast, staff, and everyone, and to me that has a lot of feeling that want to see Season 2, now that the second season has been announced. Really I am very happy. Thanks really, this is thanks to us working hard, and everyone, there was a support of everyone… I’m really thankful to you!”
The last episode of One Punch Man Season 1 will air Saturday night at 12:30 a.m. on Adult Swim’s Toonami block. No official release date for Season 2 has been given for either Japan or the United States, so fans will have to hang on a little bit longer.
[Featured Image by O N E/Hero Association HQ/Viz Media/Adult Swim]
