PBS Idea Channel

One Punch Man: Do Heroes Save Us From Boredom? (5x3)

Air date: Mar 23, 2016

Saitama, the ‘One Punch Man,’ is the most powerful hero that ever existed… but does that make him the best? The civilians in the OPM world would say no, but they may be judging their heroes on the wrong qualities. Even though Saitama is easily the most effective at defeating the bad guys, he doesn’t act like a hero; he speaks simply, fights with little enthusiasm, and admits that he is only doing it all for the fun of it. This seems to draw an interesting parallel with our own interpretations of real-life heroes. Are we worshiping celebrity over actual skill? Do we place too much emphasis on showmanship rather than accomplishment? Let us know in the comments below!