One Punch Man Animator Responds to Season 3 Critiques

One Punch Man Season 3: Animator's Response to Criticism

The third season of One Punch Man has been surrounded by controversy, resulting in severe backlash from fans regarding its production quality. Following the airing of Episode 6, the episode has reportedly attained an infamous rating of 1.5 on IMDb, currently holding the title of the lowest-rated anime episode on the site.

Fan Concerns Before Broadcast

Before Season 3 even premiered, anxiety permeated the fanbase due to a lack of promotional content and concerns about director Shinpei Nagai's ability to helm the series, given the mixed reviews on the previous season by J.C. Staff. The dissatisfaction has led many viewers to reassess Season 2 positively, now viewing it in a more light-hearted manner compared to the current season.

Animator's Rebuttal

In response to the overwhelming negativity, veteran animator Takashi Hashimoto, known for his work on esteemed projects such as Your Name., Ghost in the Shell, and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, expressed his feelings on the Bluesky app. Hashimoto referred to the fan criticism as overwhelming, particularly targeting those who watch the series illegally. He emphasized that the production team is heartbroken, stating, "Nobody sets out to make a bad product."

Hashimoto voiced frustrations over the constant scrutiny faced by staff members for minute details and questioned the motivation to continue amidst such harsh feedback. He made it clear that the effort put into the series is significant and expressed that if bullying continues, more staff may leave.

Community Reactions

His statements drew attention across social media, sparking debates within the anime community. Many agreed that while the harassment of animators is unacceptable, others remained firm on their critiques of Season 3's quality. Some fans pointed out that understanding the animators' struggles does not excuse a subpar product. Hashimoto's perspective resonates with numerous creators facing similar challenges in the entertainment industry.

Fallout for the Director

The toxicity surrounding the production has already resulted in serious repercussions, including director Shinpei Nagai deactivating his X (formerly Twitter) account due to intense harassment. Questions about his suitability for the role had emerged even before the season started, leading to unwanted attention as fans relentlessly critiqued his inexperience with action-heavy productions. Despite initially trying to connect with viewers and address concerns, the deteriorating situation forced Nagai to retreat, ultimately affecting his mental health.

The environment surrounding the production highlights the critical balance between fan engagement and constructive criticism.

Source: Anime Hunch