One Punch Man Season 3: New key visual and theme song collab raise hype

One Punch Man Season 3 has been one of the most highly anticipated anime continuations of the past decade. Since Saitama’s bald head and one-hit destruction debuted on screens in 2015, the franchise has become a cultural icon. Nearly ten years later, the wait has been excruciating for fans, made even more frustrating by the underwhelming reception of Season 2 in 2019.

But now, as October 5th, 2025, approaches, new hope has arrived: a brand-new monster key visual, a short commercial trailer, and, perhaps, the biggest knockout of all, a new theme song collaboration between JAM Project and BABYMETAL.

Fans have voiced their concerns about One Punch Man Season 3’s promotional strategy, or rather, the absence of one. This caused a lot of online criticism, with fans joking that the production committee “hired a PNG guy instead of an animator.” That’s why the latest key visual feels both like a relief and a joke. Instead of new artwork, it’s basically a collage of previous visuals combined with a dramatic new background.

The juxtaposition with the previously released hero visual also highlights the inevitable clash that will define the season. On one side, Orochi and his army. On the other hand, Saitama, Genos, and the eccentric ranks of the Hero Association. The promotional art may not be groundbreaking, but the narrative it hints at remains explosive.

Alongside the visual, a 30-second commercial trailer was released. While it featured snippets of the new theme song (more on that later), the actual animation received mixed reactions. Many fans noticed the heavy reliance on recycled footage, vague flashes of characters, and little new action cuts.

Still, it’s important to remember that this was only a short commercial, not a full PV. Some argue that the studio might be holding back the bigger reveals for a longer trailer closer to the premiere date. But with just a month left before airing, the clock is ticking.

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The Director & Staff: A familiar, cautious lineup

One Punch Man Season 3 will once again be produced by Studio J.C. Staff, with Shinpei Nagai confirmed as the director. Nagai’s past work includes consistent but not exceptional projects, which have divided fans. Some worry that the production committee is once again prioritizing cost over quality, especially since J.C. Staff is juggling multiple anime premieres in the same season.

The staff lineup includes:

• Director: Shinpei Nagai
• Series Composition: Tomohiro Suzuki
• Character Design: Chikashi Kubota, Shinjiro Kuroda, Ryosuke Shirakawa
• Music: Makoto Miyazaki

But the real question is whether Nagai and J.C. Staff can deliver the high-energy battles and smooth choreography that made Season 1 legendary. Without those elements, even the best writing from ONE and Murata’s manga might not translate well to the screen.

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The theme song: JAM Project x BABYMETAL

If there’s one clear victory in One Punch Man Season 3’s promotion so far, it’s the announcement of the opening theme song. JAM Project, the experienced anisong band responsible for both Season 1’s “THE HERO!! Ikareru Kobushi ni Hi wo Tsukero” and Season 2’s “Seijaku no Apostle,” is returning once again.

BABYMETAL’s inclusion is particularly significant. For years, fans speculated about when the group might officially enter the anime anisong world. Their global popularity and unique sound make them a natural fit for a series as eccentric as One-Punch Man. The fact that this collaboration is happening on the anime’s 10th anniversary makes it feel like a deliberate, celebratory choice.

Meanwhile, Makoto Furukawa, Saitama’s Japanese voice actor, will perform the ending theme, reinforcing the season's familiar energy and creating a personal connection with fans about the protagonist.

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Fan reactions: Hope meets skepticism

The community’s response to these announcements has been passionate, if conflicted. On one hand, the JAM Project x BABYMETAL collaboration has been nearly universally praised. Fans are calling it “actual peak” and “a dream crossover,” while many BABYMETAL fans see it as a milestone achievement for the group.

On the other hand, criticism of the visuals and trailer remains sharp. Comments like “they just pasted all the previous visuals together” or “JC Staff is where good things go to die” reflect the skepticism that One Punch Man Season 3 has to overcome. After Season 2’s lukewarm reception, fans aren’t giving the studio much benefit of the doubt.

Some longtime watchers have even admitted that they’ve shifted to reading the manga exclusively, only planning to watch the anime “for the spectacle” rather than for storytelling. Others point out that the anime adaptation’s glacial pacing, just three seasons in a decade, has drained much of the hype compared to competitors like My Hero Academia, which launched the same year but has delivered multiple consistent seasons since.

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Why One Punch Man Season 3 matters

One Punch Man is at a crossroads. Season 1 wasn’t just a hit, it was a phenomenon. Shingo Natsume’s directorial vision and the all-star animation team elevated the series into anime history. Season 2, however, showed the dangers of shifting studios and prioritizing quick production timelines over quality.

Now, with One Punch Man Season 3, the series has one last major chance to reclaim its crown. The Hero Hunter arc is beloved among manga readers, offering some of the most intense battles and complex character arcs in the entire series. Garou’s evolution, the Monster Association’s rise, and S-Class heroes finally getting extended screen time are all highlights that fans have been waiting to see animated for years.

If J.C. Staff can deliver even a fraction of the spectacle that Madhouse brought in 2015, combined with the energetic performances of JAM Project and BABYMETAL’s theme song, One Punch Man Season 3 could revive the series' cultural significance. However, if it falters again, it risks being remembered as the series that peaked early and never bounced back.