One Punch Man: Who is Mad Devil Yankee?

Mad Devil Yankee as seen in the One Punch Man manga
Mad Devil Yankee as seen in the One Punch Man manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

One Punch Man features an expansive cast with varied personalities, abilities, and roles in the storyline. While some of these characters don’t receive much screen time, they still manage to be memorable and often mark crucial narrative shifts.

Mad Devil Yankee is one such individual, who is only featured in a single chapter but whose presence reveals the dark underbelly of the Hero Association. Mad Devil Yankee, also known as Maruido Yankee, is a B-Class Rank 4 hero who idolizes Mumen Rider.

Although he joined the Hero Association with the hope of serving society and the needy, he was caught up in the twisted games of the Hero Association’s higher-ups, who forced him to take part in a rigged gambling fight.

Papilon 800 vs Gachiwawa as seen in the One Punch Man manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Papilon 800 vs Gachiwawa as seen in the One Punch Man manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

Mad Devil Yankee’s role in One Punch Man

As mentioned, Mad Devil Yankee is the B-Class Rank 4 hero of the Hero Association who appears in One Punch Man’s Neo Heroes Introduction Saga. He is a dedicated individual with a strong resolve, drawing inspiration from the time he witnessed Mumen Rider’s heroic battle against the Deep Sea King.

Unfortunately, despite his noble intentions, Mad Devil Yankee was caught up in the nefarious money-making plans of the Hero Association. After the H.A. Director McCoy blackmailed him by threatening to withhold the hospital care his sick mother was receiving, Mad Devil Yankee was forced to participate in a rigged match against a monster, where the wealthy would gamble on the results.

In this battle, he assumed the guise of a hero called Papilon 800, who was supposedly ranked 333 in the C-Class. According to the scenario set by the higher-ups, Papillon would fight a monster called Gachiwawa, which was actually level Wolf, though they marketed it as a level Demon monster.

Despite his internal turmoil, Yankee decided to play along for the sake of his mother and fought the creature. While he was supposed to struggle a bit in the original scenario and then end up winning, Gachiwawa’s powers far surpassed expectations, causing Mad Devil Yankee to be brutally beaten up.

Although he stood strong just like Mumen Rider, he failed to gain the upper hand and suffered immense injuries. Believing he deserved the treatment for betraying the ideology of being a hero, Mad Devil Yankee charged at his opponent, fully prepared to die. Thankfully, in the nick of time, Saitama showed up and blew apart Gachiwawa with a single punch.

This ruined McCoy’s plan and enraged those who had been informed of the results of the fixed fight, where Yankee was supposed to win. While the director showed up on the field to condemn Saitama, Child Emperor soon appeared and revealed the corruption within the Hero Association.

Saitama saves Mad Devil Yankee, as seen in the One Punch Man manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Saitama saves Mad Devil Yankee, as seen in the One Punch Man manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

This was a turning point, as One Punch Man had never broached the topic of the politics within the H.A. for nearly 200 chapters, which may have led to the belief that the directors and higher-ups who managed heroes were also dedicated to serving society.

However, through this event, the truth of the matter was brought to light, further driving individuals to join the Neo Heroes. Mad Devil Yankee’s story ended as he was taken to the hospital on a cycle by Mumen Rider.

Though he felt guilty for his participation in the gambling scheme, Mumen Rider praised his ability to stand his ground against a strong opponent, moving him to tears.

Edited by IRMA