One-Punch Man: Specials and Road To Hero

When I first learned of all the extra One-Punch Man material floating around, I couldn’t figure out why it was such a secret. A show as popular as OPM can’t blink an eye without the internet being all over it, so how could this happen? Looking back, I just didn’t want to believe the obvious and only reason:  they’re not that good. Instead, I dove in with high hopes only to watch them die a slow and horrible death. Let’s begin with the worst defenders.

Released with the DVD and Blu Ray sets, the deleted scenes specials were supposed to be some sweet fan service but they definitely take their sweet time finding their groove. Classified as OVAs for some reason, the specials run only 12 minutes apiece, with the first few managing to still overstay their welcome.

The first special, The Shadow That Snuck Up Too Close, takes place during episode 2 after beating Mosquito girl. Genos stalks Saitama, who feels it but blames a villain, leading to Genos at Saitama’s door. The second, The Disciple Who’s A Poor Talker, is essentially one long stale gag about Genos being slightly simple and a horrible storyteller. The undisputed low point out of the six, and the point where reality began to set in. It was like when you were a kid, got all hyped up for some new toy, and ended up with a piece of crap that didn’t work / look like it did in the commercial. I almost turned back, but something compelled me to continue and find a sign of hope.

Set after episode four, Sonic stars in special unnecessary moments three to grapple Saitama’s winning nut shot. Intentional or not, the highlight of the episode ends up being the fact a guy depressed over his punched junk perseveres by beating a big snake… Moving along, a little light at the end of the tunnel comes with Silverfang as he tries to recruit Saitama and Genos after episode seven’s events. The retread premise gets a shot in the arm with a slither of new material, but Saitama’s apathy carries the scene again. The Overbearing Bang is the first of the specials I wouldn’t mind sitting through again.

I like to think at some point someone realized they could actually use these shorts specials to actually add to the overall story, or better yet, do some world building and character development. As the heavens opened up and the epiphany was had, special 5:  The Sisters Who Have Too Much Going On was born.

Coming off only a brief cameo in the series, Boss Fubuki and her Blizzard Gang’s help fighting an episode 9 deep sea scrub goes ignored. Fubuki jets to feel sorry for herself on a train that happens to have Genos, a Class C hero, and a bomb onboard. For the first time so far, something actually mattered. A few more bricks were laid in the world with a proper introduction of Boss Fubuki and gang, plus connecting Fubuki with her flying, more powerful and famous green glowing sister (is it still a spoiler if I’m only talking about the first 10 minutes?) almost guarantees they weren’t just throw away characters tossed into DVD shorts to boost sales. Hopefully.

Going out on a high note, after defeating the finale’s aliens, the heroes involved are invited to a Hero Association hot springs resort. The first night in, the majority of them get drunk only to wake up to Zombie Man impaled on a sword. Accusations, excuses, and deflections fly until the true culprit shows up just before the twist ending that makes the whole exercise a moot point in classic OPM fashion. Once again, world and character building. Most of the major characters get a moment to shine but this damn tease special, The Murder Case That Was Too Impossible belonged to Child Emperor. As the investigator, the “action” went through him, but the impact award goes to King. He hasn’t done much past stand, talk monotone, and appear to have a fire in his gut to match his glowing eyes in his limited appearances, but everyone else sells how powerful he is with a mixture of respect and fear. Easily the best of the specials even if there was no real point.

Out of the fire and into the frying pan Road To Hero is our last stop. Clocking in at normal episode length, this OVA was packaged with volume 10 of the manga. Road 2 Hero covers the ground no one gave a shit about:  how did Saitama get his costume? Not yet the One-Punch Man we know, full-head-of-hair Saitama fights crime in a track suit that a tailor mends for him. In typical fashion, the tailor is being harassed by gangsters and Saitama decides to help. A concept more stale than years old bodega candy paired with a slow trot to a place we already know it’s going. Need I say more?

As much of I love One-Punch Man, this stung. Minus 2 of the 6 specials, it was a half-assed effort story wise. Every other facet was its usual greatness except the writing. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t Bebop, Evangelion, Baccano, or any other high level writing, but this is the first time I wasn’t entertained. I zoned out, nodded off, played on my phone, and had to fight myself not to turn it off at times. Do yourself a favor and watched special afterschool episodes 5 and 6. Skip the rest and get on with your life. If you’re a completionist (as I begrudgingly am) then knock yourself out. However when you’re watching Sonic bond with a pig, just remember I told you so.