I'll start off my review with some of the things that makes this at least a watchable show. To preface, I have not seen season 2 nor do I plan on it, as I have only heard negative things about it. I figured if I didn't think season 1 was all that, then I may as well not bother with season 2 as even the biggest fans of this show say it's not good.
Pros: The animation is great. Fight scenes are super cool and very well put together, however being that it came out in 2016 that is somewhat expected nowadays. Leapfrogging off of that point, the character design is amazing too. All characters are extremely different in look and it's a masterpiece in design. Saitama's look is absolutely perfect given the nature of his deadpan, I'm bored with everything personality and it provides humor throughout the show. The last pro I'll give here is that there is humorous elements throughout, and it's a nice switch up compared to other shows that are all serious. However, it's not enough to where it stands out. For example, Demon Slayer has humorous elements, but you would never say it's a funny show. I think the same can be said here. The humor provides levity but I think it's somewhat exaggerated by others.
Cons: There's virtually no plot. Every episode is essentially a different monster and another battle. There is no backstory to anything and they just kind of show up to destroy the city. Eventually Saitama comes in and gives them his "one punch", then off to the next episode. Sure, there are some enemies that last a few episodes, but no more than that. Secondly, as a whole Saitama is a very weak main character. There's virtually no backstory to him outside of him saving a child and becoming a hero after that, and there is no mention as to how he's some sort of god. I suppose we just have to come up with our own conclusions as to how he got those powers? At one point Genos asks him his secret, to which he tells him to do 100 sit-ups and push-ups everyday. Sure it's an element of humor, but it just adds to the lack of depth he has as a character. Another problem I have with the show is that every fight with Saitama is predictable. You know he's going to win because he's the strongest man in the universe. This is something great shows always avoid, because it eliminates any sense of worry or urgency to his actions. In the last episode the "ruler of the universe" or whatever gives him a beating, but he comes off unscathed and kills him. It just makes the show boring as a whole and the whole idea of a "one punch man" is something a 4th grader would come up in during English class.
Overall, this show does not deserve an IMDB 8.8. I only felt the urge to write a review because of how overrated it is. It's enjoyable for about 4 episodes until you realize the show has little to know plot. New monster, new bad guys, new hero's, next episode. That mixed in with the fact that the main character is dry and too powerful for the show to be interesting has me not wanting to watch any more. I can see why people would enjoy it, but anyone who truly values a good plot line will be disappointed. Worth the watch? In my opinion it's a skip, but not a complete waste of time if you do give it a shot.
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