Saitama’s loyal student-in-training, Genos, always seems to get done dirty by the show. The S-class hero favorite of One Punch Man always seems to receive some cool-looking upgrade that inevitably fails directly afterward despite being so hyped up. Despite this pattern, the show does a great job of selling the viewer on the idea that maybe this time, Genos has finally gotten the upgrade needed to keep up with the current threat.
The way the show handles Genos mirrors the tease it does with Saitama when it asks if the current enemy will be the one that finally gives the One Punch Man a real fight. Will Season 3 of the show continue Genos’ pattern of lacking upgrades, or will he finally get the upgrade that allows him to not end up broken by the end of a big fight?
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Genos Is Set Up to Be a Power Player
One Punch Man Constantly Teases Genos’ Potential
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Genos’ Starting Hero Rank |
S Rank 17 |
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Genos’ Current Hero Rank (End of Season 2) |
S Rank 14 |
Genos’ arc through One Punch Man is set up to be what your typical protagonist might be in another show. He has a tragic, empathetic backstory and is constantly leveling up to fight bigger and bigger threats. In the beginning, he was unable to match Mosquito Girl, but by the end of Season 2 he was battling insurmountable dragon-level threats like Elder Centipede who survived a clash with #1 S Rank Hero, Blast.
Despite failing each time to set up for Saitama to punch the bad guy in his place, each upgrade Genos has gotten so far seems to be tailored to addressing a previous weakness. In his fight with Deep Sea King in Season 1, Genos got his arm ripped off and learned he let his guard down too much. However, he remedies this in Season 2 with his fight against Garou. Garou attempts to tear his arm off but a new upgrade allows his arm to now attack even when removed.
Similarly, in the fight with Elder Centipede at the end of Season 2, Genos is cut in half like he was in the fight with Mosquito Girl. However, this time, his body is upgraded to put itself back together and use the separation to his advantage. While Saitama is still inevitably required to end the fight, the fact that Genos is progressing through his previous weaknesses and that he is Saitama’s disciple implies the show may be setting him up to finally one day win by himself.
What Upgrade Could Be Coming in Season 3?
Spoilers from the ongoing Manga and Webcomic
Season 3 of One Punch Man will likely be focused on the Monster Association, which was briefly touched on during Season 2. In the manga, Genos’s next upgrade comes directly after his fight with Elder Centipede, which happens at the end of season 2 of the show. Dr. Kuseno’s next improvements give Genos an almost demon-like appearance that features jagged spikes on his arms and armor that seem reminiscent of Guts’ from Berserk. This upgrade allows him to stand up against the head of the monster association and is an impressive showing for Genos’ power.
Whether we see this upgrade and how much screen time it gets depends on the pace of the new season. It’s possible the monster association arc may drag and we may only get to see this single upgrade from Genos.
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If Genos Keeps Improving, He Will Be One of the Strongest Characters
A continually stronger Genos means a possible inevitability
The series may eventually run out of characters that can defeat Genos if he keeps getting competent power upgrades. It seems almost inevitable that Genos will reach a level of power where threats can no longer leave him broken.
The next upgrade after his demon-like upgrade, which may or may not be featured in Season 3, finally shows Genos’ ability to handle a dragon-level threat completely on his own. In the manga, he demonstrates this by effortlessly defeating Forest King, a dragon-level monster that fellow S-rank hero Tanktop Master was completely powerless against. It’s possible the time may come when the disciple Genos is set up to exceed even his master Saitama’s power.
One Punch Man can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
One Punch Man is a series originally created by manga artist ONE and later digitally illustrated by Yusuke Murata. This satire-like anime follows the tale of superhero Saitama, who became so powerful that he is able to destroy enemies with one hit. Unsatisfied with this lack of challenge, he seeks to find a new direction in life.
