One-Punch Man is one of the most original shonen manga published in recent times. Its protagonist, Saitama, takes the trope of the overpowered main character and pushes it to a whole other level, making it the (surprisingly effective) gimmick around which the series' mix of comedy and action revolves around.
While One-Punch Man is famous for his incredible humor, the series has also some of the best action scenes and fights that can be found in a manga. The fact that One-Punch Man manages to remain interesting despite having a literally unbeatable protagonist is a testament to the quality of the story and of the supporting cast. These heroes are those who are mostly involved in the series' exciting battles, so here is a list of One-Punch Man's best fights.
10 King vs Platinum Sperm
While hardly a proper 'fight', this sequence still deserves an honorable mention. It perfectly shows how One-Punch Man can seamlessly blend humor and action. King is a normal man who, by mere bad (or good) luck, happens to be credited with all of Saitama's monster kills. King's reputation is Saitama's merit and has grown so much that even monsters fear him. When the final evolution of Black Sperm, Platinum Sperm, comes face to face with King, rather than simply kill him he is in a high state of alert, waiting for the man to unleash his (nonexistent) Ultimate Hellfire Burst Wave Motion Cannon attack. This hilarious standoff is broken by Garou's arrival, but it's still a memorable moment that is very representative of One-Punch Man's sillier side.
9 Superalloy Darkshine vs Garou
This fight has the merit of properly introducing the concept of 'limiter break' in the series (which could be the secret behind Saitama's ludicrous strength). It was also the turning point for Garou who, facing the incredible muscles of the S-Class hero Superalloy Darkshine, is forced to evolve past the point of humanity, triggering his transformation into a monster.
8 Child Emperor vs Phoenix Man
A huge example of how creative the fights in One-Punch Man can get, this battle pitches Child Emperor's clever high-tech weapons and robots against a monster with the power of constantly evolving to adapt to his opponent. With both fighters having a vast range of abilities and weapons, this was truly one of the most unpredictable battles of the Monster Association Arc.
7 Zombieman vs Vampire (Pureblood)
Another highlight of the heroes' raid against the Monster Association headquarters, this fight is surely not the flashiest of the series, but it's certainly one of the most gruesome and interesting. Zombieman's only power is that he is basically immortal, and he will regenerate from any wound or injury. His opponent is an actual vampire, full of confidence in his great powers. However, this horror-movie showdown ends in Zombieman's favor, as he simply draws the vampire's stamina out by getting back up from any attack, showing his brutal but effective way of fighting.
6 Bang, Bomb, Genos, King (and Saitama) vs Elder Centipede
One of the great team battles in One-Punch Man, this one sees a group of heroes trying to defeat one of the biggest and most dangerous monsters to ever appear, a colossal centipede. After Genos, Bang, and Bomb fail to harm Elder Centipede due to his thick armor and regenerative abilities, Saitama and King arrive on the scene. Despite being terrified, King acts as bait to lure the monster to his position, before Saitama steps in and disintegrates the colossal creature with his Serious Punch, in one of the most epic panels of the series.
5 Saitama vs Boros
The best fight in the series according to many fans, especially thanks to the stellar adaptation delivered in Season 1 of the One-Punch Man anime. Boros is the first 'serious' enemy that Saitama ever faced, which led to a spectacular fight. However, in the end, the alien conqueror couldn't even make Caped Baldy break a sweat, but at least fans got the awesome 'Saitama kicked to the Moon' moment.
4 Garou vs A/B Class Heroes
Another not-so-flashy fight, which however highlights how the series can operate on different registers. Far-flung from alien warlords firing energy beams and tossing people to the moon, Garou's fight against the group of A and B-Class heroes dispatched to capture the 'Hero Hunter' mostly revolves around tactics and skill. None of the people involved have real superpowers, but this doesn't make the fight less exciting.
3 Saitama vs Orochi
One of the most anticipated battles in the series saw Saitama come face-to-face with the leader of the Monster Association who, in theory, is the strongest Mysterious Being on Earth. This fight showcases the core idea behind One-Punch Man better than anything else in the series. The story spent years building up Monster King Orochi as the ultimate villain, and the majority of this fight has him go all-out, throwing every sort of massive, earth-shattering attack at Saitama. However, as the hero says before the battle, regardless of all the titles, power-ups, final forms, etc., "you all end up getting one-punched anyway", which is exactly what happens to poor Orochi in yet another absolutely epic moment.
2 Tatsumaki, Genos, And Drive Knight vs Psykos (and Orochi)
Possibly the longest and most complex battle in the series, this happens after Psykos merges with the remains of Orochi's body to create the 'ultimate lifeform'. With Saitama lost underground, it's up to a group of heroes to team up to beat Psykos' new colossal form and her psychic powers. This battle is a true showcase of the epic and spectacular side of One-Punch Man, and it's worth checking out just for the breathtaking artwork by Yusuke Murata.
1 Saitama vs Garou
Saitama destroying a planet with a sneeze, check. Time travel, check. Rewriting reality with a punch, check. Naked Saitama, check. Awesome Saitama and Genos bromance moments, check. This battle really has it all, as was to be expected considering that 'Cosmic Fear Mode' Garou is without a doubt the strongest monster to ever appear in the series. However, the reason why this fight is One-Punch Man's best is simple: it's the only time that Saitama gets serious, after seeing Genos killed in front of his eyes. It's an incredible moment of growth for the character, which also leads to the most bombastic fight in the entire series.
Many other fights could have made this list, including the recent Saitama vs Tatsumaki battle that took an unexpected romantic turn. Ultimately, every fan will have their favorite moments, and a lot more will be added in the future, as One-Punch Man is truly a gift that keeps on giving.
