In light of recent happenings in the One-Punch Man web comic, I think the Saitama-Tatsumaki dynamic plays host to bunch of really cool possibilities. Though they’re both inarguably the two most powerful heroes in the story, ONE somehow managed to make them perfect opposites in everything from their personalities, to their backgrounds, and even in their worldviews.

Tatsumaki is a natural-born prodigy, endowed from birth with a power rare even among heroes, and is basically one of the most powerful beings on the planet just by inheritance. As a result, she’s abrasive, arrogant, and elitist; she’s the self-elected enforcer of the hero ranking system, and is quick to remind any “small fry” of their place should they dare stray above their allotted station. Anyone she perceives as weaker than her (read: everybody) is useless, and she’s not above convincing or even forcing “unworthy" heroes to quit the business, based on the belief that talent is set in stone and the weak will always remain weak.

On the other hand, Saitama was a natural-born loser, with no ability but drive, no power but determination, but through that and sheer force of will shattered his limitations to become the most powerful hero in the world. Despite this, he remains a relatively humble and easy-going guy, and couldn’t give two wits about rank or hierarchy; heroes are heroes, regardless of class. Extending that belief further, he doesn’t disparage weaker heroes, recognizing the risks they go through, and goes out of his way to give them the credit they’re due. He even, on occasion gives encouragement, telling them to reach higher and push their limits.

There’s more. Tatsumaki is a workaholic control freak; Saitama’s lazy, and sometimes can’t be bothered to lift a finger if it doesn’t concern him directly. Tatsumaki is a bit of an attention whore, and needs constant reinforcement of how much more powerful she is than her peers; Saitama is low-key, and though naturally wants credit for his accomplishments, couldn’t care less how others see him. Tatsumaki aggressively enforces her lone wolf lifestyle by alienating those around her; Saitama has unintentionally gathered a small clique of heroes, and though he’s not particularly pleased with it, he doesn’t drive them away.

Yet despite all their differences, they do have one thing in common: they’ve both in different ways paid a price for their power - a price that’s affects their personalities and outlook on life.



In short, ONE’s created quite the potential character interplay between these two, even if by accident, and their relationship - as enemies, comrades, or competitors - can be quite explosive if he recognizes the potential there.

