The Controversial Adaptation of One-Punch Man Season 3's Child Emperor vs. Phoenix Man Fight

Navigating the Narrative Divide: One-Punch Man's Adaptation Challenges

The Unforeseen Debate: Manga Versions in Anime

Each new broadcast of One-Punch Man's third season seems to generate its own set of arguments. Episode 9, in particular, immediately became a focal point of fan discourse. However, the contention wasn't about the subpar animation that has plagued this season; instead, it revolved around which particular iteration of the Child Emperor versus Phoenix Man confrontation was translated into the animated series.

Murata's Dynamic Process: Redrawing the Narrative

For viewers who solely follow the anime, this might be a puzzling development. Yet, it's a known fact that various chapters of the One-Punch Man manga exist in multiple forms. The esteemed artist, Yusuke Murata, frequently revises chapters, and sometimes entire story arcs, before their official collection into volumes. Murata, a trailblazer in digital manga, adeptly utilizes the medium's capabilities. This often results in stunning colored or animated spreads, but also, at times, leads to comprehensive redrawing of story segments.

A Tale of Two Battles: Child Emperor vs. Phoenix Man

A prime illustration of this revisionary process is the clash between the S-Class hero, Child Emperor, and Phoenix Man, a formidable member of the Monster Association. Online, two distinct versions of this battle can be found. These versions differ not only in character designs and paneling but also in the very progression of the fight. The initial version, which the anime adopted, shows Child Emperor engaging Phoenix Man alone, eventually triumphing after an intense, continuous struggle. The second version, conversely, introduces Saitama into the fray and incorporates more breaks in the action. These pauses facilitate further narrative development for Child Emperor and the Monster Association, even hinting at future story arcs.

Fan Discontent: Missed Opportunities in Adaptation

Many followers are expressing their dissatisfaction, arguing that the anime's chosen version is inferior due to its omission of crucial story elements. This version lacks Phoenix Man's use of "Phoenix Space" for telepathic communication with Child Emperor, a moment that subtly references the mysterious entity known as God, responsible for the monsters. Moreover, it bypasses significant character growth for the young S-Class hero, which was prominently featured in the revised manga through a dialogue with fellow hero Zombieman. Perhaps more critically, by opting for the first version, the anime forfeited an opportunity to showcase Saitama, who, despite his limited screen time, remains the central protagonist and most beloved character.

Divided Opinions: The Merits of Each Version

However, this viewpoint isn't universally accepted. A substantial portion of the fanbase believes that the first version boasts superior and more extended fight sequences. They also contend that Saitama's absence allows Child Emperor to genuinely shine, demonstrating his resourcefulness and skill in securing a hard-fought victory. Given this divergence of opinion, some propose that the anime could have seized the chance to fuse the best aspects of both manga versions. For instance, in the redrawn version, Phoenix Man survives, enabling his subsequent reappearance and a meaningful exchange with Child Emperor, thereby laying groundwork for the future Neo Heroes arc.

Beyond the Fight: Season 3's Broader Controversies

Even beyond the specific choice of battle version, Episode 9 of One-Punch Man fails to escape the broader controversies that have plagued the entirety of the season. The animation quality is merely acceptable, and the rushed production is evident in the omission of important manga details. For example, during Child Emperor's "Millennium Emperor Nova" attack, which pierces the ground and ascends into the sky, the manga depicts the Moon bearing the crater left by Saitama in Season 1. This detail serves as a crucial hint to the future emergence of God, the mysterious overarching villain of the series, potentially incarcerated on the satellite. The anime, regrettably, completely excised the Moon from this particular scene.

The Challenge of Adaptation: Murata's Style and Production Woes

Yusuke Murata's inclination to redraw chapters presents a formidable challenge for adapting One-Punch Man, especially for an anime burdened by a compressed production schedule, with episodes reportedly completed merely two weeks before broadcast. Under such constraints, it was unrealistic to anticipate that the anime would deliver a superior, third iteration of the fight. With Season 3 projected to have 12 episodes, fans' primary apprehension is that One-Punch Man might conclude abruptly and not return, unless a comprehensive reboot is eventually sanctioned.