If You Miss When One-Punch Man Was Good, These 10 Anime T...

If You Miss When One-Punch Man Was Good, These 10 Anime Totally Deliver One-Punch Man - Saitama looking worried

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By Hannah Diffey Published 23 minutes ago Hannah is a senior writer and self-publisher for the anime section at ScreenRant. There, she focuses on writing news, features, and list-style articles about all things anime and manga. She works as a freelance writer in the entertainment industry, focusing on video games, anime, and literature. Her published works can be found on ScreenRant, FinanceBuzz, She Reads, and She Writes. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The superhero satire, overpowered misfits, and the perfect blend of comedy and action of early One-Punch Man felt like lightning in a bottle. Its sharp writing and explosive animation set a new standard for modern anime, but as the series struggled to maintain that brilliance, many fans have been left searching for shows that scratch the same itch. Luckily, the anime world is packed with titles that offer that same energy, whether through clever humor, meta-commentary, or characters who could level a city without breaking a sweat.

The following ten anime deliver the heart, humor, and hype you probably miss from One-Punch Man’s golden days. From chaotic workplace tantrums to psychic disasters waiting to happen, every entry here offers its own version of world-ending power wrapped in storytelling that knows exactly how to make fun of itself. If you're craving smart comedy, memorable heroes, or just pure cartoonish mayhem, these shows more than measure up.

Aggretsuko

Aggretsuko Anime on Netflix

Aggretsuko may look cute on the surface, but it punches shockingly hard when it comes to emotional satire. Following Retsuko, an overworked office employee who channels her stress through death metal karaoke, the series builds comedy around modern burnout just as One-Punch Man uses humor to expose the emptiness of hero culture. It's fun, sharp, and painfully relatable in all the best ways.

What elevates Aggretsuko is how it evolves its characters while maintaining its comedic edge. Retsuko’s struggles with toxic workplaces, identity crises, and impossible expectations parallel Saitama’s own existential frustrations, just in a corporate setting instead of a battlefield. If you want humor that punches up and storytelling that cuts deeper than expected, this series absolutely delivers.

Assassination Classroom

Assassination Classroom combines absurd comedy with surprisingly heartfelt storytelling, creating a tone that echoes One-Punch Man’s balance of action and humanity. The show centers on students attempting to kill their superpowered teacher, Koro-sensei, before he destroys the world. It’s ridiculous, sincere, and far more emotionally layered than its premise suggests.

Much like Saitama, Koro-sensei is an unstoppable force who ends up reshaping the world through his influence rather than his battles. The series uses its outlandish setup to explore growth, self-worth, and second chances, all while delivering high-energy action and sharp humor. Anyone who loved One-Punch Man's mix of spectacle and heart will find a perfect match here.

Tiger & Bunny

Kotetsu and Barnaby from Tiger & Bunny butting heads.

Before One-Punch Man made fun of superhero tropes, Tiger & Bunny was already reinventing them. Set in a world where heroes are corporate-sponsored celebrities, the series blends comedy with biting commentary on commercialization. It’s clever, stylish, and full of character-driven humor that One-Punch Man fans will instantly connect with.

What truly sells Tiger & Bunny is the dynamic between veteran hero Kotetsu and rookie Barnaby. Their odd-couple partnership fuels both the emotional core and the action, giving the show a warmth that balances its satire. If you miss One-Punch Man's ability to combine world-saving stakes with character-driven charm, this series will feel like a return to form.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

If you crave over-the-top battles, meme-worthy humor, and power systems that escalate into absurdity, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is the ultimate upgrade. Every season reinvents itself with new characters and increasingly wild scenarios, embracing the same tongue-in-cheek energy that made One-Punch Man beloved in its early days.

But beyond its flamboyant visual style and iconic poses, JoJo excels at balancing drama with self-aware comedy. It never takes itself too seriously, yet still delivers emotionally charged stories and inventive fights. Fans of Saitama’s deadpan juxtaposed with ridiculous villains will appreciate JoJo’s equally outrageous approach to action storytelling.

Gintama

Gintoki smirking in a screenshot from the anime while looking behind his shoulder.

Gintama is pure comedic chaos, blending parody, slapstick, and unexpectedly heartfelt character arcs. With its endless anime references and self-aware humor, it mirrors One-Punch Man’s willingness to poke fun at the genre, often taking it even further. The show thrives on breaking the fourth wall and stretching jokes to their absolute limit.

Yet Gintama’s secret weapon is its surprising ability to shift into serious action when it matters. Story arcs can swing from absurd comedy to high-stakes battles with masterful pacing. If you loved the way One-Punch Man balanced comedy with thrilling animation, Gintama offers hundreds of episodes of that same addictive formula.

Samurai Flamenco

Samurai-Flamenco-Masayoshi-Hazama

Samurai Flamenco takes superhero tropes and systematically dismantles them, starting as a grounded story about a wannabe hero with no powers before spiraling into increasingly unhinged territory. The tonal evolution mirrors One-Punch Man’s blend of satire and spectacle, building an experience that constantly keeps viewers guessing.

What makes Samurai Flamenco so compelling is how committed it is to exploring what it means to be a hero. Even as the story becomes more outlandish, it stays deeply connected to its characters’ motivations and insecurities. If you miss One-Punch Man's commentary on hero culture, this underrated gem hits many of the same thematic notes.

My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia approaches superheroes from a more earnest angle, but it still captures the spectacle, character variety, and escalating battles that made One-Punch Man so fun. With its massive cast of heroes and quirks, the series delivers creative fights and emotional storytelling that keep the stakes high without sacrificing entertainment.

At its best, My Hero Academia channels the excitement of discovering new powers, challenging impossible odds, and questioning the integrity of hero society, which are all ideas that One-Punch Man fans will recognize. Whether you want intense showdowns or heartfelt character arcs, the series blends both with standout animation that rivals early One-Punch Man.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

Saiki is essentially the psychic equivalent of Saitama, because he is absurdly powerful, perpetually bored, and constantly annoyed by the chaos that follows him. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. uses its protagonist’s overwhelming abilities as the foundation for rapid-fire comedy, capturing the same deadpan brilliance that One-Punch Man fans crave.

Where the series shines is in how it builds an eccentric cast around Saiki, each one more unhinged than the last. Their interactions create nonstop humor, turning daily life into a series of disasters only he can quietly fix. For anyone who loves the comedic side of overpowered characters, this show is pure gold.

Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Mashle-Episode-18-Mash

Mashle: Magica and Muscles is what happens when you drop a gym-obsessed Saitama into a magic academy. Mash, a boy with zero magical ability but ridiculous physical power, navigates a world where strength shouldn’t matter, but absolutely does in his case. The show revels in exaggerated gags and physical comedy that feel like a spiritual cousin to One-Punch Man's humor.

Its magic-school parody format opens the door to endless visual jokes and creative battles. Mash’s deadpan responses and effortless strength turn every confrontation into a comedic highlight. If you’re searching for something that channels early One-Punch Man energy, Mashle: Magic and Muscles is one of the closest modern equivalents.

Mob Psycho 100

Mob Psycho 100 poster depicting Mob surrounded by images of his friends with a smile and an outstretched hand.

Created by the same author as One-Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100 captures everything fans loved about One-Punch Man, except with even greater emotional depth. Mob’s quiet personality, godlike power, and internal struggle to understand himself echo Saitama’s own disconnect from the world, but the storytelling here digs much deeper into themes of identity and growth.

The animation is consistently stunning, transforming psychic battles into emotional spectacles. And while the humor stays true to ONE’s signature style, the series builds toward genuinely moving character moments that elevate the entire experience. If you want the full brilliance of early One-Punch Man with stronger storytelling, Mob Psycho 100 is essential viewing.

One-Punch Man Created by ONE, Yusuke Murata First Film One-Punch Man: Road to Hero Cast Makoto Furukawa, Kaito Ishikawa, Max Mittelman, Zach Aguilar, Robbie Daymond, Hikaru Midorikawa, Marieve Herington, Laura Post, Rich Brown TV Show(s) One-Punch Man Video Game(s) One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows, One-Punch Man: Road to Hero

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