Was One-Punch Man's Second Season Really That Bad?
Many fans of One-Punch Man have been awaiting a third season of the show with varying degrees of anxiety. Some are excited about what new episodes could bring based on Yusuke Murata's manga adaptation, but there are also ample reasons not to welcome a continuation with open arms.
Case in point is JC Staff's disastrous handling of Season 2's animation, which robbed the series of its former status as a paragon for quality animation. If they are the ones animating Season 3, it will be a travesty. In almost no other case has a change in studio caused a show's visual quality to drop so precipitously.
One-Punch Man: Who is Mizuki?
At least part of the disappointment with Season 2 can be reasonably attributed to just how amazing Season 1 was. Madhouse animated the first 12 episodes immaculately, creating one of the most visually impressive anime ever. Saitama's fights with Carnage Kabuto and later Boros were filled with life, color and energy. It was clear that the animators prioritized creating a captivating visual experience, and they poured their blood, sweat, and tears into it. Every character, down to the background, feels as fluid and alive as they do in the manga, and the lighting is almost always perfect. Season 1's quality is so great that it's even fun to pause repeatedly and view each individual frame as the piece of art that it is.
JC Staff took the helm and promptly dispensed with all of this in favor of a cheap and stripped-down production. Characters routinely look odd and stiff (their expressions and movements), and certain characters' costumes are noticeably less detailed, such as Genos. Even the colors feel muted compared to Season 1. The area least affected by the transition is the lighting, but even it suffers
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