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One Punch Man Season 3 has been engulfed in a firestorm of negativity, with the online discourse centering on the production’s perceived lack of quality. The season reached a nadir following the release of Episode 6, which has reportedly plummeted to a rating of 1.5 on IMDb, making it the lowest-rated anime episode on the platform at the time of writing.
Even before the season began broadcasting, the fanbase was riddled with anxiety due to a scarcity of promotional materials, the appointment of director Shinpei Nagai, and lingering skepticism toward J.C. Staff’s ability to deliver, given the mixed reception of the previous season.
Ironically, the dumpster fire that is Season 3 has led many fans to re-evaluate Season 2, viewing the once-maligned chapter in a more favorable light.
As the wave of criticism shows no sign of abating, veteran animator Takashi Hashimoto, whose credits include Your Name., Ghost in the Shell, and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, and now a member of the One Punch Man Season 3 production team, has issued a direct rebuttal.
“Regarding One Punch Man, the criticism from everyone—or rather, specifically from fans abroad who are watching illegally—is overwhelming,” Hashimoto wrote on Bluesky app. “I think the production team is likely deeply heartbroken. We all share the same sentiment: nobody sets out to make a bad product.”
The animator, who handled the mecha design for the anime’s third episode, expressed frustration that the staff is being “attacked over the smallest details,” questioning where they are supposed to find the motivation to continue. He also challenged the slideshow insults being hurled at the anime noting that they have poured their soul into the work.
Hashimoto ended his comment saying that if the bullying continues, more staff members will likely leave.
“If you watch that and call it ‘shit’ or a ‘slideshow’ (kamishibai), then so be it. But we worked hard right up until the very last moment, so please think of the creators behind the images. We aren’t doing this as volunteers; this is a job for us. The more you bully us, the more the staff will disappear. I guarantee it.”
Hashimoto’s post quickly went viral across social media platforms sparking a divisive debate within the anime community. While the majority of fans agreed that targeted harassment of staff members is unacceptable, many refused to soften their stance on the season’s quality.
Netizens argued that sympathizing with the animators’ working conditions does not equate to accepting a subpar commercial product, with some accusing the studio of playing the victim card to deflect from valid professional criticism.
The toxicity surrounding the production has already claimed a high-profile casualty: One Punch Man Season 3 Director Shinpei Nagai deleted his X (formerly Twitter) profile following intense harassment.
Questions regarding Nagai’s suitability for the role had circulated since his announcement, with fans scrutinizing his limited experience with action-heavy titles. Initially, Nagai attempted to engage with the community, responding to concerns and asking for patience. However, the situation deteriorated as users began twisting his words and baiting him for NDA-breaking comments.
The director deactivated his account shortly after the season began airing and the fallout began. In his final message, Nagai lamented that the environment had become untenable and that the behavior of certain fans was taking a severe toll on his mental health.
