The Ultimate Showdown: 5 Shocking Ways The One-Punch Man Manga Is RETURNING To The Webcomic's Roots (Latest 2025 Update)
For years, the debate has raged: which version of One-Punch Man (OPM) is superior—the original, rough-draft webcomic by ONE, or the visually stunning manga remake illustrated by Yusuke Murata? As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the answer has become more complicated than ever, with a massive, unprecedented move by the creators to actively 'retcon' the manga and steer its storyline back toward the webcomic’s philosophical core. This shift, following major divergences in the epic Monster Association (MA) Arc, is the most crucial development in the series' history and completely changes the narrative's direction.
The manga, while praised for its breathtaking action and detailed art, had strayed into a realm of extreme power scaling and cosmic events that many fans felt betrayed the source material's simple brilliance. This article breaks down the most current and significant differences, focusing on the recent, controversial changes and the definitive return to the webcomic's beloved narrative structure.
The Creative Forces Behind One-Punch Man
To understand the differences, one must first know the creators and the production structure of One-Punch Man.
- ONE (Creator/Webcomic Artist): The original author and artist of the webcomic. His work, known for its simple, expressive art, is the blueprint for the entire story. He focuses on character development, satire, and the philosophical implications of overwhelming power. The webcomic is generally seen as the "final word" on the story's direction.
- Yusuke Murata (Manga Artist): The artist responsible for the manga remake. Murata’s work is legendary, featuring cinematic paneling, hyper-detailed action sequences, and frequent redraws to improve flow or detail. He adapts ONE's script, often adding new fights, characters (like Flashy Flash's extended scenes), and lore, with ONE's approval.
- The Manga's Role: The manga is an adaptation, not a direct copy. It serves as an expanded, visually enhanced version, often drastically increasing the scale of fights (e.g., Saitama vs. Boros).
5 Major Divergences and the Massive Retcon of Chapter 196
The core of the "webcomic vs. manga" debate centers on the plot points where Murata's adaptation, with ONE's blessing, introduced new elements that significantly altered the narrative, particularly during and immediately after the Monster Association Arc. The recent redraw of Chapter 196 is the definitive signal that the creators are now correcting course.
1. The Philosophical vs. Cosmic Battle of Garou
The most drastic and controversial difference lies in the final confrontation between Saitama and the "Hero Hunter" Garou during the Monster Association Arc.
- Webcomic Version: The fight is a condensed, philosophical exchange. Garou's transformation is more monstrous and less "god-like." The core theme is Garou's failure to become the "Absolute Evil" he intended, as Saitama treats him like a misguided child. The fight ends with a simple, yet profound, lesson in heroism.
- Manga Version (Original): The manga introduced "Cosmic Garou," a form granted power directly by the entity known as God. The battle escalated to an absurd, universe-threatening level, featuring concepts like time travel, the copying of Saitama's power, and a planetary sneeze. This divergence was criticized for sacrificing the character-driven narrative for spectacle and extreme power scaling.
- The Retcon: The recent redraws, particularly those leading up to and including the retcon of Chapter 196, have been a clear attempt to minimize the "Cosmic Garou" elements. The focus is shifting back to the emotional and character consequences of the fight, aligning more closely with the webcomic's original intent.
2. The Introduction of the Entity 'God' and Blast's Team
While the mysterious entity God exists in the webcomic, its involvement in the manga was drastically accelerated and expanded during the MA Arc.
- Webcomic Version: God is a looming, distant threat, rarely seen and only influencing events subtly. Blast, the No. 1 S-Class Hero, is a solitary figure whose mission is vaguely related to collecting mysterious cubes associated with God.
- Manga Version: The manga showed God directly influencing Garou and other characters. Crucially, it introduced Blast's interdimensional team, a group of powerful heroes who travel the cosmos to fight God's influence. This expanded the scope of OPM from a localized superhero satire to a multi-dimensional epic, a change that many felt was unnecessary.
- The Retcon's Impact: The Chapter 196 redraw includes a conversation between Flashy Flash and Blast about God and the mysterious villain Empty Void. By re-contextualizing these elements, ONE and Murata appear to be streamlining the 'cosmic' plot threads to be more concise and less overwhelming, ensuring the focus remains on Earth's heroes.
3. The Expansion of the Psychic Sisters Arc
Following the MA Arc, the manga began adapting the Psychic Sisters Arc, which focuses on the relationship between the S-Class hero Tatsumaki (Tornado of Terror) and her younger sister, the B-Class hero Fubuki (Blizzard of Hell).
- Webcomic Version: This arc is relatively short and serves primarily as a vehicle for Fubuki's character growth and her acceptance of her own strength, independent of her powerful sister.
- Manga Version: The manga adaptation is significantly longer and more detailed. It delves deeper into Tatsumaki's traumatic backstory, her time in a research facility, and the origins of her immense psychic power. It also introduces new villains and expanded fights, providing more context for the sisters' strained relationship. While an expansion, this change has been generally well-received for enriching Tatsumaki's character.
4. The Fate of the Hero Association and the Neo Heroes Arc
The aftermath of the Monster Association crisis led to different organizational changes in both versions, setting up the subsequent arcs.
- Webcomic Version: The original webcomic proceeds into the Neo Heroes Arc, a storyline that sees a new, technologically advanced rival hero organization emerge, challenging the established Hero Association. This arc is a direct critique of the Hero Association's corruption and incompetence.
- Manga Version: The manga has yet to fully enter the Neo Heroes Arc, but the groundwork is being laid differently. The manga's version of the Hero Association appears to be undergoing a more immediate and visible internal collapse, with S-Class heroes like Darkshine and Genos having more expanded roles in the immediate cleanup. The manga's setup for the new rival group is expected to be much more detailed and feature new characters not present in the original webcomic.
5. The Art and Pacing Difference (Murata's Signature Style)
This is the most enduring difference, regardless of plot changes. The art style itself dictates the pacing and feel of the story.
- Webcomic Pacing: The webcomic is fast, concise, and dialogue-heavy. ONE’s simple art allows him to release chapters quickly, focusing on the punchline and the philosophical message.
- Manga Pacing: The manga is often slower, with chapters dedicated entirely to a single, spectacular action sequence or a character's internal monologue. Murata’s detailed, dynamic art, which often involves multiple redraws, can make the release schedule unpredictable, but the resulting spectacle is unmatched in the industry. Characters like Mumen Rider and King benefit immensely from Murata's visual storytelling.
Conclusion: Which Version Should You Read?
The latest updates confirm that the creators are listening to the fans. The dramatic retcon in Chapter 196 is a powerful statement that the core themes of character, satire, and the simple story of a bored hero remain paramount. The manga is actively shedding the more extreme, divisive elements of the "Cosmic Garou" era to realign with the webcomic's narrative integrity.
If you want the most visually stunning, expanded, and action-packed experience, read the manga (drawn by Murata). If you want the most pure, concise, and philosophically grounded version of the story—the blueprint for the entire series—read the webcomic (by ONE). For the ultimate fan, reading both is the only way to fully appreciate the complex, evolving narrative of Saitama and the world of the S-Class Heroes.
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