Each installment of One-Punch Man season 3 seems to fuel debate, and episode 9 was no exception. This time, the controversy centers not on animation quality but on which manga iteration of the Child Emperor vs. Phoenix Man encounter the anime chose to adapt.
Ed. note: minor spoilers for the One-Punch Man manga.
Readers familiar with Yusuke Murata’s production will know he frequently revises chapters before they appear in tankōbon, sometimes redrawing scenes or polishing layouts. Because Murata embraces digital tools, he often issues alternate versions that differ in art, pacing, and even plot emphasis. Those variations are the source of the current disagreement.
Two distinct manga versions of the Child Emperor–Phoenix Man clash circulate online. The version the anime follows presents a relentless duel in which Child Emperor battles and ultimately defeats Phoenix Man on his own. The redrawn variant, however, slows the action to include additional story beats: Phoenix Man’s telepathic “Phoenix Space” exchange with Child Emperor (which hints at the series’ shadowy entity known as God), a revealing conversation between Child Emperor and Zombieman, and a cameo by Saitama that changes the scene’s tone and foreshadows future developments.
Many viewers argue the anime’s choice weakens the story: it omits Phoenix Man’s telepathic “Phoenix Space,” removes a formative exchange between Child Emperor and Zombieman, and forgoes a Saitama appearance that would have underscored the protagonist’s role. Critics say those omissions strip away character nuance and thematic setup that matter later in the narrative.
Others defend the anime’s treatment, claiming the uninterrupted combat plays better on-screen and allows Child Emperor to earn his victory without Saitama overshadowing him. A sizable faction of fans suggests a compromise—melding the two manga versions to retain the redrawn scene’s important beats while preserving the anime’s kinetic choreography. Notably, the redrawn take leaves Phoenix Man alive, enabling a consequential conversation with Child Emperor that helps set up the Neo Heroes arc.
Beyond the adaptation choices, episode 9 renewed complaints about the season’s production. Critics have pointed out pacing shortcuts and pared-down visuals; for instance, when Child Emperor unleashes his “Millennium Emperor Nova,” the manga’s panel included the Moon marked by Saitama’s earlier impact—a subtle tease toward the series’ larger mysteries. The anime omits that lunar detail, which many saw as a lost opportunity for foreshadowing.
Murata’s habit of revising his work makes One-Punch Man inherently tricky to adapt—especially for a production that appears to be working on a compressed schedule. With season 3 expected to run roughly twelve episodes, many fans worry the story could be truncated or end on an unsatisfying note unless the series receives a more comprehensive continuation or a reboot.
For readers who want context on the season’s animation and earlier controversies, see the original reporting on the production and scheduling issues. For a breakdown of the manga’s differing versions, there are resources that compare the variations and explain the narrative differences in detail.
Source: Polygon
