The director of the long-awaited third season of One-Punch Man has officially quit social media. Director Shinpei Nagai deleted his account after copping a barrage of abuse for his handling of the latest season of the popular anime.
Fans had been waiting six years for Saitama’s return, but disappointment struck quickly. Many believed the direction and animation under JC Staff fell short of the first season’s Madhouse magic, and Nagai soon found herself the recipient of withering online attacks.
Touching on the toxicity in a goodbye post, Nagai penned, “Um, I have some rather unfortunate news. There are a few people among my followers who are pretending to be allies but are actually engaging in rage-baiting, so I’ve decided to delete my account.”
He criticized those who manipulated his words or profited from controversy, saying: “Their actions-such as taking my statements out of context, trying to elicit comments that violate NDAs, or turning them into profit-are unacceptable and cannot be overlooked.”
Nagai’s message reflected a creator driven to his extremes. He emphasised that it was negatively impacting his mental health and the overall team: “Honestly, this is taking a toll on my mental health, and it only brings negatives to the work, the staff, and the original creators. But such despicable behaviour is unforgivable.”
The Whole Controversy
Season 1 was handled by Madhouse, a studio known for its beautiful visuals and smooth fight scenes. Season 2 was handed off to J.C. Staff. The effect: a huge decline in animation quality that many fans found unacceptable. Season 3, which debuted on October 12, has carried on the trend, with animation being called “PowerPoint”, flat and bereft of the humour and energy that marked the series. Important scenes, such as Garou sliding down a hill, have been ridiculed online for their, “slideshow-style” presentation.
The identity of the series was founded upon incredible combat and comedic timing; both of them are radically diminished in season 3. The fans were hopeful that J.C. Staff could turn around after Season 2, but the initial episodes of Season 3 reveal no change, resulting in disappointment and internet outrage. There were some fans who even attempted to use AI software to edit the visuals, underlining how severe the dissatisfaction is.
Director of Season 3, Shinpei Nagai, was harassed online even before the season had premiered. His experience was called into doubt by fans, and he defended himself by posting a detailed resume. Following the release of the episodes, the backlash grew, with memes and social media critics being a major influence.
J.C. Staff allegedly struggled with time and management problems, and while studios like Ufotable plan and develop high-quality sequences thoroughly, One Punch Man’s animation was subject to quick production. Season 3 operates under the same limitations as Season 2, including disappointing sound design and inconsistent pacing. Experts in the industry emphasized that Japanese animators are frequently overworked and undercompensated, and harassment will damage future productions instead of enhancing quality.
Conclusion
Season 3 has not matched the level of Season 1 and left fans disappointed but should never be an excuse for harassing the staff. Although characters and the story of the series are still entertaining to some, the visual brilliance missing makes One Punch Man no longer the powerhouse it used to be. Staff had encouraged fans to balance expectations, be grateful for creative efforts where feasible and direct energy towards healthier fandom practices rather than attacking animators.
