One Punch Man is nothing short of a phenomenon, with the first season breaking into the mainstream like fellow anime mega-hits Dragon Ball Z and Attack on Titan. With at least half a year between now and the possible premiere of One Punch Man season three, here are similar anime and manga you should check out in the meantime.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Much like One Punch Man, Mashle: Magic and Muscles is parodying and affectionately mocking common tropes and storylines in the shonen anime genre. Centering on a boy, Mashle, who gets wicked buff to hide his magic deficiency in a world filled with wizards and witches, the story follows his enrollment in a prestigious magic school.
If you want a version of One Punch Man that also takes the Harry Potter franchise down a peg, this anime is for you! Mashle: Magic and Muscles is streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available on the Shonen Jump app.
Mob Psycho 100
Also from the creator of One Punch Man, who goes by the pseudonym One, Mob Psycho 100 follows an equally undefeatable psychic protagonist named Shigeo, who everyone calls “Mob” because of his inability to stand out from a crowd. While his psychic powers are unmatched, he’s physically weak and socially stunted because his powers are tied to his emotions.
If you want an anime that’s just as funny as One Punch Man but a more heartwarming exploration of personal growth, this one will be the perfect fit! Mob Psycho 100 is streaming on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
My Hero Academia
If you mostly come to One Punch Man for its fresh take on the superhero genre, then you’ve got to check out My Hero Academia! Focusing on a teen, Izuku Midoriya, who’s trying to become a hero after inheriting the abilities of the current #1 hero, this series is a more upbeat version of One Punch Man, both in style and tone.
It’s also one of the biggest anime and manga in the world right now, with a new season coming in May, so catch up while you can! My Hero Academia is streaming on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu. The manga is also available on the Shonen Jump app.
Tiger and Bunny
If the satirization of superhero stories and their use as a metaphor for corporate malfeasance is what brings you to One Punch Man, then Tiger and Bunny is an absolute must watch! Following two superheroes who are paired together because they have the same power, the two navigate a world that views super powers as popularity contests, sponsorship deals, and contractual obligations.
If you want to see what the politics and process of being a superhero would actually look like in the world today, Tiger and Bunny is one of the best depictions you’ll ever see. Seasons one and two of Tiger and Bunny are streaming now on Netflix.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K
Also featuring an overpowered protagonist, but decidedly a straightforward comedy, this series follows the titular Saki K as he tries to hid his extraordinary psychic powers from the zany characters around him.
Not only is The Disastrous Life of Saki K even more hilarious than One Punch Man, but it has managed to be a low-key hit in the anime fan community for more than a decade and should definitely be on your watch list. All seasons of Disastrous Life of Saki K are available on Netflix.
Published: Apr 10, 2024 03:45 pm