The popular Japanese manga and anime series “One Punch Man” is soon set to receive a live-action adaptation.
According to Hollywood Reporter, as excerpted from Japanese Station on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the live-action adaptation project of “One Punch Man” being developed by Sony Pictures will involve Dan Harmon and Heather Anne Campbell from the sci-fi animated series “Rick and Morty,” as well as Justin Lin, the director behind five “Fast & Furious” films.
Dan Harmon, known for his comedic work on “Rick and Morty,” is an unexpected choice. However, his comedic sensibility aligns well with the humor style of “One-Punch Man.”
Both series feature absurdities with the interdimensional adventures of Rick and Morty and the light-hearted, humorous battles of Saitama.
Harmon’s ability to create witty dialogue and sharp observations could perfectly capture the comedic gold of “One Punch Man,” where the flamboyant action of superheroes is juxtaposed with Saitama’s efforts to challenge his powers.
Meanwhile, Justin Lin brings a wealth of experience directing action films. This expertise is crucial for portraying the spectacular fights between Saitama and the formidable foes from the Hero Association.
The choreography of the fights in “One Punch Man” is a major draw, and Lin’s experience will be vital in bringing these battles to life in a live-action setting.
As the “One Punch Man” live-action project is still in the early stages of development, Sony Pictures has not yet provided definite details regarding the synopsis, cast, or release date.
Nevertheless, many fans are eagerly anticipating the live-action version of one of Japan’s most popular manga.
One Punch Man Synopsis
This series tells the story of Saitama, a bald hero who can defeat any opponent with a single punch. The series is filled with hilarious satire and is packed with superhero action.
According to Skdesu, the seemingly expressionless Saitama has a very unique hobby: being a hero.
To pursue his childhood dream, Saitama trained tirelessly for three years, losing all his hair in the process. Now, Saitama is so powerful that he can defeat enemies with just one punch.
However, no one can match his power, which leads Saitama to an unexpected problem—he can no longer enjoy the thrill of battle and is quite bored.
One day, Saitama catches the attention of a 19-year-old cyborg named Genos, who witnesses his power and wishes to become Saitama’s disciple.
Genos suggests that they both join the Hero Association to become certified heroes recognized for their positive contributions to society. Surprised that no one knows who he is, Saitama quickly agrees.
With new allies and facing new enemies, Saitama embarks on a new journey as a member of the Hero Association to experience the thrill of battle he once felt.
Profile of the Creator of One Punch Man
One Punch Man was created by a Japanese writer using the pseudonym ONE, and it was first published in early 2009.
The series went viral, amassing over 7.9 million fans by June 2012. One-Punch Man is derived from ‘wanpanchi’ meaning ‘one punch.’
A digital manga remake of the series, illustrated by Yusuke Murata, began publication on Shueisha’s Tonari no Young Jump website in 2012.
The chapters are periodically collected and printed into tankōbon volumes, with thirty released as of March 4, 2024. Viz Media holds the license for the English serialization of the remake in the digital magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump.
The anime adaptation by Madhouse aired in Japan between October and December 2015. It was dubbed in English during the summer of 2016, and later that year, a second season was announced.
On September 25, 2017, it was announced that there would be changes to both the production company and the director.
