#mumen posting

[xx-amphibian-puke-xx]

Gonna be real, I stopped reading OPM since the end of the manga's Psychic Sisters arc, any new Mumen content boys?

occasionally I will spring out of bed wondering how Mumen Rider is doing and today is one of those days. OPMblr, report. what's going on with my special little guy? last I heard he got an Iron Man powersuit or something and killed his first monster.

[theomnicode]

Motivation, interpersonal relations & Food; Sharing is caring

In-depth Saitama character analysis

V Original date of writing: Oct 4 2022 V Location: Draft folder

Content warning: Old and extremely long analysis

In previous installments of Saitama and food, I've touched on the issues of self-consciousness and his aversion to eating well in public setting and how it may affect his body image or it being a metaphor for him eating well being beneficial to his health.

Saitama loves good food, that much is a given. He's often going after sales, cannot resist good meat and cannot resist invitations for a good meal and won't hesitate to take an advantage of a scenario for a chance of food, something a lot of other characters have taken note of.

But what does food otherwise mean for Saitama? In what kind of settings does he indulge in food? What is food besides nourishment?

The obvious answer is interpersonal relationships. Financial security. Comfort. The more he has money, the more he can afford food yes? Eating out in a group is less hassle than eating alone yea?

The less obvious answer though?

Base source of happiness.

Being able to share his love for food and tastes with people he most cares about. Being able to provide for them. Learning and showing indirectly that he cares.

Let's deep dive into the realm of Saitama and his relationship with food. And what it means with his relationship with Genos and other people.

Warning, this is a very, very long post. But I feel like it's a cathartic one when talking about Saitama and his relationships with people and how it develops over the course of the series. Saitama is at the same time, complex but inherently external motivation driven.

-*-

The very first thing Saitama does after Genos comes to his house, is set up tea for Genos. A means of expressing his hospitality but also setting the precedent that Saitama is willing to provide and share food with Genos, a very obvious cyborg he knows little about, regardless if he eats and regardless of his taste preferences. Showing that Saitama has always treated Genos like a human in this aspect. Saitama seems to score pretty highly on the conscientious scale in general.

"Go home after you drink."

An invitation for Genos and ticket for him to eat with Saitama in his house. A leeway no other character has, despite them enjoying hot pot together and I will explain why later. Possibly because Genos had already slightly impressed him in the fight against Mosquito girl by killing all the mosquitoes from around him because they annoyed him. To Saitama, perseverance is strenght of character but Genos is also showing interest in him, which has never really happened to Saitama before. Genos killed the mosquitoes, so Saitama saves Genos by taking care of Mosquito girl in return.

It is the first instance in which Saitama provides Genos with food, before Genos has accepted to becoming his disciple. Saitama barely manages to listen to Genos' speech, despite not really wanting to, but he deigns interest because Genos actually showed up like he promised. And learns quite a few things about his acquaintance that he can empathize with.

The teacup coincidentally reads: "Good things come to those who wait."

"Go home! It's not like we're related."

(The implications of these statements from Saitama cannot be understated. Genos perseverance to stay and help is what ultimately endears him to Saitama and he becomes a steady figure in his life and he finds a new home in Saitama's home.)

The second time Saitama gives Genos tea is when he's once again, at his house after he met Sonic. Saitama unloads his grievances to Genos when he realises nobody knows who he is. It is a sore point that he has done so much hero work, yet nobody actually cares and it was a close call that he did not give up on being a hero entirely. It's not like he particularly likes the violence involved and he's not getting any of the satisfaction from doing a good job from being thanked for doing it since nobody knows he's doing hero work, so what's the point if it no longer makes him happy?

Genos insisting on listening to his problems, despite Saitama trying to aggressively shoo him away, being a willing listener and providing an immediate solution and even agreeing to come along so Saitama does not feel alone and socially anxious does endear him to Saitama immediately and so, Saitama feels indebted to Genos.

Quid pro quo, Genos helped him out on heroism, so Saitama will mentor him.

Becoming a pro hero gave him immediate source of steady funding and suddenly he has a bit more money to spend. It's really not a lot, C and B-class heroes really don't earn a lot, but it's a start. He no longer has to look for an extra job, so he can just focus on being a hero. Or anything really that he wants to do. More money means more doors are open since everyday activities can cost things and it's a definite obstacle in enjoying the little things in life.

Saitama's immediate reaction is feeling bummed if Genos does not actually like his meal tastes. Noodles are affordable and Saitama just tested this noodle place few days before, so he knows it's a good place to take his new disciple out to eat.

It is to share his first meal with his disciple who already helped him out financially, helped him build public relations, aided his route to heroism and sets a good example of what it means to be a hero. Not to mention cool af.

Genos is just plain amazing. Hand's down. And already doing quite a lot for him.

Sharing a meal with Genos and providing is Saitama's way of showing he cares. That he wants to get to know Genos better and he's comfortable in his company.

When he's usually closeted off, to the point where people like Fubuki can't get his preferences out of him even via force and is surprised how easy it was to bribe Saitama with just a pack of meat, he willingly shares his preferences in food with Genos because he wants the connection. Or he's testing the waters with this newfound relationship.

He is glad he Genos likes udon and he's not picky. It makes it easier for Saitama to provide him with good food and share his preferential foods with Genos. It makes Genos more relatable to Saitama too.

Nothing bums a good cook more than people showing distaste in the food you make with love. We'll get back to this later.

So right afterwards of their sparring when they've become pro heroes, Saitama knows he's low on funds, but he's willing to provide regardless. He's now a mentor to Genos, his job is to see that his disciple has everything he needs.

Genos continues to surprise him by being able to eat even more than he can on a good day and being a good sport about it. But the scene already shows that Saitama is comfortable in Genos company that he does not care about other people gawking at them eating. Neither does Genos care if he eats his fill on food and instead, joins in on the fun of eating.

Saitama: “No, I couldnt take the stares I was getting pigging out alone.”

Saitama does not eat big meals alone. It's wasteful and he does not feel comfortable doing it. Other people would judge him if he ate his fill in calories and he becomes incredibly self-conscious about it.

But in addition, it's because he has nobody to share a good meal with. Share his love for good food. He probably feels lonely eating large meals alone. He barely cooks at home before Genos arrives either, just rice on eggs, despite knowing how. He was only going to buy crab pincers because they were cheap source of protein. He has the skillsets of being able to cook good meals but does not bother.

Smaller note about the crab pincers is that Saitama had to go buy new food after he had taken care of Beefcake. His heroism is directly interfering with his daily life and causing undue unhappiness, like when he broke his new eggs too. This is a point for later.

Afterwards, said disciple decides to move in with him. Without asking. Once again butting in on his life with the force of a bull that does not listen. He's comfortable in his company now, possibly trying to mentor him as well but living with the guy? Saitama already knows he's a handful and he has reservations.

How can he feed two mouths? He's the teacher and the master of the household, he should provide food right? And other essentials too. He doesn't have the money for that.

We know now that Saitama never used the rent money Genos gave him from interviews. So it is not greed that let him allow Genos to actually stay and turn around his mind.

It's the assurance that Genos can provide for himself, in the worst case scenario that Saitama cannot.

It's also assurance that Genos is willing to participate in the cost of utilities, should the need arise.

Because he's richer, he should have no issue even if shit hit the fan. That the younger cyborg, who is still under the age of majority of 20 years old MIND YOU, can apparently financially support himself, is a relief. Saitama at this point does not know what role Dr. Kuseno plays in Genos life and if he provides for Genos or not.

So Saitama only fondly asks if Genos has brought his own toothbrush with him, more apparent in the tone inflection of anime version. Brushing teeth is important for Saitama, so he wants to make sure Genos has basic necessities for living with him if he's to provide for him. He apparently can't shoo this insistent cyborg away.

Saitama can relate with Genos insistence for company. Because Saitama often relates with loneliness. He's been very lonely himself and yet he still craves human connectivity. He also relates to Genos' self-destructive tendencies, which keep popping up later in the story when he keeps finding Genos destroyed in some form or another.

Saitama officially takes Genos in his home and under his wing.

Guess he is stuck with Genos now. For good.

There is just one slight issue.

How the hell is he going to teach Genos? What the hell can he even teach him?

Meanwhile, Genos keeps raising the bar by taking the mentorship ultra seriously. Saitama feels even more indebted to provide something in return because he doesn't want to feel like an ass or a scammer. He can't yet figure out why Genos would want to stay at his place instead of somewhere else.

When Genos tells him that suddenly, his capacity to financially provide for the guy is in danger too, he gets very stressed out. If he can't get money, he can't feed his new disciple or buy him any necessities. Otherwise he probably would not care that much.

Then he even urges Genos to reach top ten, while bullshitting the entire time. Chances are he feels guilt about that, because it's very much unsafe to prompt his disciple to push himself in an environment like that.

Prompting Genos into getting into this workaholic attitude about heroism comes back to bite him later.

We are not shown or told this...but when he gets the money from arresting Sonic...he probably has a light bulb moment. About what he can actually provide for Genos. What he can mentor Genos with. What Genos was seeking for when he wanted to become his disciple and why he's insisting on staying at his house.

That Genos no longer considers himself human, so he would show him humanity. That he would never have to pinch pennies, because Saitama would provide for him and teach him how to save money. Give him a safe, familial and happy life in a peaceful environment. A place to live in that Saitama can protect to avoid homelessness. A family that is so strong he would never practically die to an attack. Teach him how to survive even when solo so he'd never be helpless again. Give him company so he'd never be truly alone again.

This is the gist that he retains from Genos' long introduction speech that he thinks Genos is missing in his life and why he came to Saitama in the first place. The rest, I am not sure if Saitama even retained because he has difficulty following long conversation and the only reason he listened was because he empathized.

Saitama can painfully relate, because he has no family of his own. He has lived alone since he was 12 and he's lonely as well. One thing he thinks daily is food insecurity because he does not have a lot of money, so he's pinching pennies all the time. Food is a source of comfort, security, warmth and social connectivity and eating food is one of the few sources of comfort he has left, having lost all motivation.

Because Genos listened to his problems, it was his turn to return the favour. And provide he does. In ways he can. Show him the value of life and enjoyment in the little things that life has to offer to Genos. Take him out to festivals. Take him out to bathhouse. Things like that. Start small, figure out what Genos likes to do.

And perhaps intentionally or unintentionally gives him the means of training his mental strenght in safe environment.

At Saitama's core, what motivates him is helping other people. It makes him happy to help other people and see them happy. Genos coming to him and asking to become his disciple and unloading to him like that meant he was unhappy and asking for his aid.

So Saitama would attempt his best to help Genos attain that happiness that he was lacking in his life.

Saitama: No no, that’s not it! Stuff like this is just FUN! It helps you forget the bad times! See? Festivals are the epitome of Summer! Look at all the kakigori (shaved ice) and yakisoba (fried noodles), and all the bustling food stands! For a normal young person, this kind of stuff really gets you in the mood, right? Genos: I am sorry, Sensei. I am not like other normal human beings as I have artificial parts and… Saitama: No, this has nothing to do with parts! sighs I just thought that, well, you’re always fighting monsters and taking all these notes, always being so serious and putting yourself under stress. I thought that maybe going out to places like this will be good for you. And it’s free too… Saitama: I see…I guess you’re not really into those kind of things? Well, it’s been a really long time for me as well…

One of the important things Saitama values in life is comfort in food. It helps him forget the bad times. The stress from being a hero and being able to unwind and relax in the comfort of his own house.

Saitama actually gets the motivation to start cooking again. For Genos.

He probably hasn't cooked in a while but now he can share that meal with someone else who would eat the food he makes. He wouldn't really bother to cook large meals for himself, not after he got depressed and lost motivation to do much anything. He can share a meal with someone else and Genos gets to eat food he makes.

(Provided he does not reveal the possible monster ingredients, he's unsure how Genos would react to that)

Sharing dinner becomes a tradition and Saitama is happy to cook for someone else. Showing that he cares.

He shops at the first opportunity for Kombu(seaweed) soup ingredients because he just got paid, showing he can provide in the household even with his meager funds and prepares a meal with a smile on his face.

Genos unfortunatly COMPLETELY misreads his intentions and provides a commentary about hair growth instead of the you know, food...like asking how it tastes or showing any kind of interest.

"Nobody said anything about hair!"

The dejection in the voice is real.

Haha, poor Saitama, everything is about his lack of hair. But it's ok. They have dinner now. But maybe the dinner just wasn't up to Genos' standards, he seems like a high maintenance sort of guy.

Pun intended.

(One might think Saitama's hair complex is rooted here because Genos was staring at his bald head, the next time Saitama thinks about providing Genos with food. His brain makes all kinds of interesting connections.)

The ingredients being on sale, the satisfaction of being able to make good, filling and tasty dinner for both of them (read: Genos), makes Saitama feel triumphant enough that his divine power flashes and his facial features change for a moment to show the true self.

That's a lot of motivation huh? A rare flash of his drive that's not hidden beneath apathy or veils.

He's bloody good at this sensei-thing. But Genos is apparently the best external motivator. Saitama seems to need a lot of external motivation in order to operate.

"Dinner target acquired." *smirk*

No doubt he hasn't actually made his favourite food in ages. If he has, only sparingly. Meat is expensive after all.

He lists out loud what kind of hotpots there are that they could make, for Genos benefit but also for himself. Listing the hotpots makes it easier to remember the ingredients it appears, but the second he gets to the Chicken hotpot, his memory is jarred and he remembers the premium chicken sale that was going on.

Hot pot without cabbage is according to Saitama, not a real hotpot though, so missing out on either ingredient immediately stresses him out. Hot pot without cabbage would taste bland, unfulfilling and it would not be a satisfactory enough meal. Only his best cooking effort would suffice since Genos didn't show interest in Kombu soup. Maybe Genos didn't like vegetarian foods.

Genos proves his worth as a disciple, by sharing the cost of food and by going above and beyond his duty and provides them with the meat for the hot pot regardless of everything that happened to Genos. Cementing his place as a reliable person in Saitama's household and not minding sharing the costs of food that allows Saitama more leeway to provide for Genos in multiple ways.

In parallel, Genos is able to provide the meat for the food despite doing his heroic duty, while Saitama in episode 1, lost the crab pincers he tried to buy because he had to go do his heroic duty and then had to go shop for eggs instead. So with Genos inclusion to the household, their source of food is in safer hands with the two of them. Even if Saitama has to take care of threathening enemies, it would not threathen their acquisition for good food. Such as source of protein that Saitama personally needs, so Genos is looking out for him back. Again a good source of motivation to keep Genos around but he does empathize that Genos had a rough time...about missing the sale.

Saitama also spoke from experience when he told Genos to not lose his house keys.

A growing trend in Saitama's quest to provide meaningful life for Genos in the form of happiness, comfort and familial environment, is Saitama's heroism coming in the way of that. Needing to make a choice between providing for Genos and needing to perform his heroic duty.

During meteorite incident, his favourite Supermarket got trashed because he did not perform his heroic duty "adequately" enough, making it harder to source food fast and get to supermarkets on time for sales. Leading to everyone in the town criticizing his actions as a hero and being a failure. Then he even forgot a sale for food because of that.

The combination of being able to get some potential crab meat in the house and finding a strong enemy at the same time is good amount of motivation to head out.

That Genos is willing to follow him, regardless of his stance on heroism and stay by Saitama's side and encouraging him to ignore the citizens and still believing he's a good person despite that, does wonders to Saitama's self-esteem and his self-worth. Genos believes in him as a person, not as a hero, that he's not too weak and is amazing in his own right and he's doing something right with this mentorship and that he does not need to be a perfect example of a role model hero to be a good mentor. Heroism isn't what he's trying to teach to Genos anyway, because Saitama feels Genos is a far better hero than he is. Genos prioritizing Saitama's comfort and happiness and encouraging him to get out of the situation and back home gives him massive points in Saitama's eye.

Saitama also tries to teach Genos to be self-sufficient. Because Genos wants to be strong but Saitama cannot exactly teach him traditionally, Saitama finds other ways to help Genos be self-sufficient so he can grow as a person and become as strong as he can be. Spiritual training. Such as teaching him how to clean house and source his food from wild game (and monsters), in the case that Genos cannot buy meat from the store.

No doubt Saitama has at this point, been the guy who taught Genos how exactly to clean the house, fix the apartment and the surrounding blocks and other life lesson that Genos takes to like fish to water. Saitama has done numerous odd jobs and probably had to learn how to fix his house and the surrounding blocks just because monster attacks became so numerous. And he has a tendency to break stuff.

Z-city emptied and Saitama also knows the scarcity of being able to get food. Grocery stores closing, supermarkets getting destroyed in monster attacks...there are many ways how person is incapable of just being able to buy food, even if they had the money.

Saitama provides life lessons to Genos, but not stiffle his potential. So whenever Genos asks Saitama to not interfere when he's tackling a monster, Saitama does not because it's important for Genos and his own protection that he become as strong as he can be and without facing any challenges, Genos cannot reach his true potential. It is not that Saitama is blase. It is more that he wants to trust in Genos abilities. Genos needs to be able to survive on his own if he's to be happy in life.

When the Sea king incident arrives, Saitama truly begins to worry for the first time for Genos' safety. And he is relieved that Genos is alive, for now. But it awakens the protective instincts in Saitama.

He worries, when enemies get increasingly difficult and increasingly numerous and Genos does not actually come home in time.

Unable to come home in time to eat dinner.

That Genos being heroic is also a detriment to his ability to stay intact, that Saitama prompted him into doing. Detriment to Genos being able to stay happy if he continues to be workaholic.

Being able to provide for Genos is one thing, but there are some things you can't buy with money. There are more important things in life than just material goods and even food. That's being able to preserve the life of those he cares about and having immaterial things around him can bring him happiness too. Saitama is slowly coming to realize what Genos truly means to him.

The age old saying that money cannot buy happiness.

Food has always equaled happiness to Saitama. A source of dopamine his brain desperately needs. Food is material so it won't ask for anything back...unlike other people might.

Genos is always more than willing to go buy expensive meat for food. Genos knows by now that Saitama can't resist free meat. But what if Genos ran out of money? Making do with what ingredients you have can still make an excellent meal when prepped optimally, such as when Saitama tells Genos that just adding BBQ sauce to cabbage alone is a good meal. Being frugal can save money for bad day, for worst case scenario. So he would never have to go hungry just because he lacked access to certain ingredients.

But Saitama also attempts to teach Genos to be more prepared to face the unexpected scenarios that one comes across in their lives that make it difficult to live life at their fullest.

Unexpected loss of life is one.

Saitama feels very responsible for whatever happens with Genos, so like a good mentor he is, will also stop Genos from drinking as he's still under the age of majority and should not be allowed to drink.

Life continues on after Boros' attack as Saitama continues to provide for Genos. In life lessons and in food and utilities. Things like shampoo, despite Saitama not even having hair, he feels responsible for Genos life now and his well-being and that Genos continues to enjoy the major and little things in life to the fullest.

He takes Genos out to festivals, to bathhouse, to fishing, to flying a kite, to swimming, christmas meal at home etc. Everything he can think of, he wants to share what he values in life to Genos.

Then he meets King and one of the first things Saitama again does, is extend an invitation with food towards King because he thinks he can relate with King in some way. Notably extending an offer of drinks. Discuss their life over food and start relating to each other sounds like a fair deal.

Saitama shows incredible empathy for King's situation and he relates to the need of requirement to be strong. That one cannot appear to be weak in this world filled by monsters and people need a role model to encourage them to be strong too. That he too needs to be a good role model for Genos so Genos can grow strong as well. But Saitama probably questions if he's a good role model to begin with because in his mind, he just pretends to be a hero, still. But Saitama cares a lot and so tells King he will come around to play games with him in the future. Saitama offers his hand and maybe, he can have fun playing games with King in return.

Ironically enough, it is only at this point that Saitama even gets any inkling that Genos has been able to eat, let alone taste the food he makes. Yet it does not bother him. Genos ate the food he provided and seemed happy to do so, that was all that mattered. It was the connection he made with Genos and the relationship they share over eating that mattered more.

He advises Genos to not look at gift horse in the mouth. If an offer of kindness such as free food is given, it would be rude to refuse. Sharing is caring after all. Saitama can also appreciate Dr. Kuseno who gave Genos ability to eat and taste food and enjoy this comfort in life.

What Saitama does NOT appreciate however, is other people butting in when he attempts to have quiet and peaceful dinner with Genos. And attempts of destroying his means of sharing these moments with Genos really pisses him off.

Saitama has really grown to appreciate the comfortable setting of just enjoying a peaceful meal with Genos, as it gives him peace of mind as well and allows him an opportunity to relax. The constant surge of monsters all around the cities, the forces of evil not stopping, can easily wear one down.

Somewhere down the line, he has also taught Genos how to cook as well. Genos is a quick learner and the more self-sufficient he is, the better. That Genos wants to cook for Saitama is a sweet sentiment to show that he cares back, something Saitama definitely understands.

Not offering Fubuki any refreshments or food when she comes knocking? Nope, Saitama can't relate with that woman as of yet lmao. And does not want to, apparently. Acquaintance-zoned.

He's more than happy to buy some bananas and check on Mumen at the hospital though.

Saitama seems to have internalized that sharing food works as means that he can show his empathy for other people's blights and that he can relate with it. This is something he has learned from interacting with Genos, who has so far been receptive to the idea that sharing food works to connect with other people, because he really has difficulties with forming relationships with other people. It has become a way for him to offer his care and comfort to them.

It is so very cute in a neurodivergent way.

'I empathize. Here, have some food, for comfort. You'll feel better eating.'

It does not seem like much to others, far from it. But Saitama honestly tries. Mumen selflessly helped save Genos and shared food with him and did not expect anything back. So Saitama after hearing Mumen is in the hospital, goes out on his way to bring him some food.

I am laughing a bit when he offers Tank-top Master a banana too, the very second he mentions taking out monsters in one hit. Saitama you're being so wholesome.

Quid pro quo still applies, since he offers his empathy, he can probably ask for something in return.

Saitama really does not ask for a lot in life and he has gotten very little help in his own life. So this type of approach probably stems from his bad experiences in social life in general. Not getting anything for free but he has to offer something first and extend a hand. Then they are less likely to turn him down if they feel indebted, even if they don't actually like him. Interacting with Genos seems to have reinforced this mentality.

It is sad in a clever, survivalist point of view. He does not know Tank top master, so he won't know how he would react, but he really wants to know more about what happened to him in detail.

What I have personally determined must be ADHD is actually popping up on his chapter more too, when he gets very distracted and hyperfixated on the price money. For a long time, he could be secure financially? Count him in!

Emotional dysregulation and difficulties with connecting with people do go hand in hand with being neurodivergent.

The tournament arc does serve a major turning point in Saitama's life however. That he has learned to empathize with the blight of other people when previously in fight with Beefcake, he did not empathize at all. The guy's brother dies and the city goes splat and all he says is "oh." He used to care a lot in the past but when he started losing to apathy and losing his humanity, he also lost the ability to empathize. Meeting Genos and allowing him in turns him back on the right track and provided him the means of how to become a true hero.

Once again, the feeling of being inadequate in his heroism, no matter if he tries his best, rears it's head again. That he's just letting all these monsters roam free when he seemingly does not care enough. Letting all these monsters do what they wish, like hurting people he cares about, such as hurting Genos.

Saitama does care, a lot. He instinctually pulled the big chinned kid from out of the way of harm and awakened his drive and source of passion deep within. And after that he showed care and empathy for other people like when he saved King, without thinking he needed to get something in return. He used to be happy just doing service for society and protecting other people, just because, not out of need to get anything back but simply from his own desire.

That he has forgotten his, he has forgotten what made his hero work satisfactory in the first place and what motivates him to do it. Personal interest is very integral for people with ADHD as key motivation. So it slowly became quid pro quo and when nobody appreciated what he was doing because he started tackling stronger and stronger monsters and not interacting with actual people any longer, he simply lost all the motivation, source of happiness and became bored and unhappy. He always wanted, at this base core, protect and connect with other people more.

He needed to gain something to be bothered to do hero work again, so he turned to seeking stronger opponents for the thrill and trying to motivate himself. Saitama does not like violence though, so when he began to tackle monsters instead of helping old ladies cross the street and saving kids from getting ran over a car, he started hating himself too. Hating his powers and hating what he does. Feeling like a shitty person for becoming too strong. The stronger he got, the more his apathy grew because he had to become detatched from his own emotions in order to continue his hero work so he would dislike himself less. The stronger he got, the more he started to have difficulties enjoying small things in life and what constituted as his source of happiness in life, like playing games. He was breaking things he enjoyed doing. It created stress. Stress meant he became more impulsive. It became a self-perpetuating cycle.

Chasing heroism for the sake of being a hero does not work as a motivator for Saitama, as he tells to King. Being a hero was just the end to achieve the means of what he truly wanted to do; not have his heart be so empty anymore and attain that happiness. Not be weak anymore to help other people and find his place in the society.

More stress means he is connecting with his emotions more though and he worries for Genos when King reminds him that he hasn't even seen Genos all day. Unfortunately, Saitama is also easily distracted, yet another trait of ADHD.

He does succesfully punch the monster and finds Genos somewhat intact, so that's a relief that he made it in time at least.

Punching away stress not only released the negative emotion, seeing Genos be unharmed from his serious punch made him feel relaxed again. That and being able to trust in King's advice, that King has great heroic instincts, would allow him to keep Genos safe.

^ Original date of writing: Oct 4 2022 ^

Location: Draft folder

v New edit: September 22, 2024 v

Uh oh

Wee-oo-wee-oo-wee-ooo *sirens blaring*

Genos does not seem like he's alright here. He's completely flipped how he thinks about Saitama's heroism to its head. This idolization is very concerning.

[batneko]

Another thread I wrote on twitter a while back.

Wrestling au: Saitama was never formally trained in sport wrestling, but he taught himself from books and videos. Nobody believes he wasn't at least on a high school team because he's just that good.

On the indie entertainment wrestling circuit he made up a pretty generic character. Good guy, friend to children, wrestles for the love of the "sport." But somehow the audiences always turn on him, and he's openly advertised as a heel whenever he doesn't write his own copy.

Mumen has nearly the exact same character but he's universally beloved despite being a jobber. He shows up and gets his ass kicked to show how tough the latest heel is before they're challenged by the local face. Once he and Saitama had a tag-team. It's still circulated online.

Genos actually started off as a heel but he's so damn pretty that it didn't stick. He was a little disgruntled about that - especially since he's disabled and wanted to show he can be a heel without being a stereotype. He's been Saitama's fan for years and wanted to fight him.

Faces CAN fight each other, of course, but it's not the same. He wanted Saitama to really GIVE IT TO HIM. Beat him until he begs to tap out. Mop the ring with him.

Genos has not unpacked these desires.

Once he's revamped as a babyface (it doesn't take much, even his cold perfectionist persona gets to stay) Genos is so popular he doesn't have to travel much. Local shows are built around him. New fish are on waiting lists just to be defeated.

Saitama, on the other hand, travels all the time. His best feature according to the managers is that he doesn't have a dayjob and is always free to fill in. Despite living in the same city, he and Genos rarely cross paths.

Genos's manager (Kuseno) pretty quickly figured out the link between Saitama and shows Genos wants to take part in. He follows Saitama's social media so he can anticipate those requests. Genos honestly thinks it's a coincidence and Kuseno is just looking out for his career.

Saitama and Genos don't fight each other, though. For Away shows Genos is usually scripted to lose against the hometown face in an honorable match. Despite his popularity this doesn't upset the fans, because icy precision losing to firey passion is more satisfying anyway.

Backstage, Genos always introduces himself to Saitama and then follows him around like a duckling during all his downtime. Saitama only actually forgot his name that first time, but Genos doesn't want to take the risk. Saitama doesn't think it's weird. Genos SAID he was a fan.

Saitama is usually scripted to lose, eventually, but good managers always make sure to include a REASON for it. Dirty tricks, threatening the audience or his partner, distractions. Saitama isn't popular, but he's so damn GOOD that seeing him lose can break the fans' immersion.

The first time they fight each other, Saitama is supposed to lose to Genos because a heel wanted to fight Genos in the next round and sabotages Genos's equipment backstage so he will hurt Saitama for "real." It's a good story and would really inspire Genos's character.

But during rehearsal Genos is so excited he can't concentrate. Even after he takes a cold shower (or two) he can barely hide it. And when it comes time to "hurt" Saitama Genos gets so upset he nearly cries. HOW can he hurt his HERO?

The managers are like, "Fine, fuck it, this is the story now" and tweak Genos and Saitama's dialogue to imply they've secretly dated. Saitama doesn't figure it out until he's actually saying the lines. Genos gives the most convincing performance of his life, but never realizes.

The in-character backstory is now Saitama and Genos have A History. What that history IS is kept ambiguous, and the fans that don't like shipping tend to interpret it as Genos training under Saitama.

The managers like it because it gives both of them depth.

When Genos takes part in a show he's not supposed to win, but they haven't booked a popular enough heel or hotheaded enough face to beat him, they just put him up against Saitama in the quarter-finals and down he goes. And Genos showing an emotional side gains him even more fans.

But it gets harder and harder for Genos to fight Saitama. He thought he'd get used to it, but every time is more thrilling than the last. Not even Saitama can stay oblivious when Genos pops a boner in Every. Single. Rehearsal.

They start meeting up outside of work. Saitama originally invited him to go jogging, Genos automatically replied that he does all his training at a gym, and then realizing he'd missed an opportunity invites Saitama to join him THERE.

on the "backyard" wrestling circuit (a misnomer, they usually rent event spaces, often indoors) kayfabe isn't really enforceable. Performers are EXPECTED to have outside lives. But Genos has a lot of fans, and people know he goes to this gym.

Word gets out. PICTURES get out.

Now people are wondering - how much was character and how much was real? Are Genos and Saitama really friends? Really DATING?

And the answer is no, not yet, but the barrage of questions when Saitama rarely gets ANY on his social media is kinda scary.

it's hard enough starting a new relationship without randos asking you personal questions. So... Saitama draws back. He keeps Genos firmly in the Friend category. He ignores the way he looks at him.

Genos, thankfully, didn't even know Saitama HAD been considering dating him.

So time passes. They keep wrestling, keep building their storylines, make friends and alliances and have a good time. If it wasn't for those sad puppydog eyes every time Saitama makes an excuse not to get dinner with Genos, it would be great!

Then a rumor starts going around that a scout from a tv stable is coming to matches. REAL professional wrestling. That, in fact, it's Amai Mask, who used to do the backyard circuit before he was scooped up, and after only a few years he's already started getting acting work.

Everybody brings their A Game, putting more effort into costumes and gimmicks, trying to sell their characters. But it seems pretty obvious that if anyone will get offered a job, it's Genos.

The local indie league's championship is a mess. Everyone is going WAY too hard and coming up with new ideas last minute. They want to put on the best show possible and it's too much all at once.

Nobody gets seriously hurt, at least. And the belt goes to Genos.

Afterward, Amai Mask approaches Genos and Saitama. They were talking together, laughing. Relaxing, for once, after the stress of the day. But Amai is there, and he doesn't just have an offer, he has a CONTRACT.

For Saitama.

Genos and Saitama had talked about the rumors earlier, and Genos said he thought he'd turn an offer down. He's still very young, and indie wrestling is FUN. He likes the freedom and creative control.

Saitama had agreed and said he'd probably turn it down too. But that was then.

The network doesn't NEED another pretty face. What they need is someone solid and dependable, who can take a hit safely, who can play any role a story calls for. Amai encourages Saitama to look at the contract and think it over, then leaves them alone again.

Genos appears to be genuinely excited for him. He knows that Saitama doesn't even have a manager, so he tells Saitama he'll ask Kuseno to represent him. Saitama agrees. But he tells Genos he doesn't want to think about the contract right now. He's got bigger plans for tonight.

The next morning Genos can't think about pretty much anything except how thoroughly his world got rocked, but Saitama does manage to meet up with Kuseno and go over the contract. It's pretty standard, not UNfair, but there's an expectation that Saitama will negotiate for more.

After a couple days of thinking, and a lot more time with Genos, Saitama finally calls the number Amai gave him.

Saitama will accept the contract, as-is, no negotiating, but ONLY IF they also hire Genos.

Honestly it's a bluff. Saitama expects them to say no. What he doesn't know is that Amai has been trying to quit and do movies fulltime, so oops it turns out they DO need another pretty face after all.

(this was probably Amai's plan all along)

It takes some time. Saitama doesn't hear back for a week. And when he does, GENOS'S contract negotiations take at least twice as long. But in the end they've both got offers they're happy with. They've got to move to a new city, but that's not so bad. They can move in together.

And that's the end! More or less. Genos stays in wrestling for the rest of his working life, both in and out of the ring. Saitama is the one who ends up with an acting career, though pretty much always as a goon or mook. He still enjoys it.

They're together. They're happy.

more characters

Sonic is a heel of the Fighting Narcissist/Gorgeous George mode. Since this is 2020 him being androgynous and sexual doesn't make the audience hate him though, they think he's GREAT. His social media has almost as many followers as Genos.

He's popular enough that he could flip to a face, but he never would. He loves dirty tricks and flirting with the refs too much.

He and Genos only fought a couple times but the videos are super popular

King is a manager both in and out of character. He also plays the ref a lot, and sometimes a masked wrestler if they need to fill out a tag team. He's not strong enough to lift any of the other wrestlers so he's not interested in playing one more often.

He actually does the booking for a lot of the local shows, and he knows who will work well together (or not). As a character, he most often plays the manager for Tatsumaki and Fubuki, with a running gag that they fight over his attention. IRL Tatsu does their personal booking.

I've already talked about Mumen - he works hard and has a decent amount of fans but he can't seem to stand out and gets injured whenever he tries a risky stunt. He's often squashed in the first round to show off how tough another wrestler is.

Garou's a heel and he LOVES being a heel, but he's unfortunately gained a reputation as a jerk because his in-character trashtalk is a bit too... accurate. Just because a wrestler relies on a particular move all the time doesn't mean they want it pointed out.

He's good at what he does though, and audiences love him. He's still a newbie but he's picking up fans FAST. So despite opponent objections, he keeps getting booked.

What none of the other wrestlers know is he's also a face. When he puts on the mask he goes FULL method.

As the masked wolf he's calm and cool and heroic. He fills in, saves tag teams, exposes heels who have distracted or bribed refs. Backstage he NEVER removes the mask, and never breaks character.

That's part of why he keeps getting booked. Two characters for one appearance fee!

[tribow]

Thinkin about how bad powerscaling discourse is again lmao.

Y'all really be using real life physics and math for fictional worlds and characters.

You cannot just apply real world physics to fiction unless the author establishes their fictional worlds abides by real life physics. Otherwise, the author has free reign to do anything they want physics be damned.

I do not care if a character needs whatever metric tons of force to pull off a certain feat. It doesn't matter how strong something needs to be to break a boulder of a certain size. If the author didn't give the numbers themselves then you're projecting reality on a character that doesn't exist in it.

As an example, lets take Makoto from Blazblue. She can do an uppercut so hard that it sends her opponent into the moon, plants a giant imprint of her fist on said moon, and shatters the moon completely.

For powerscaling, this would mean Makoto can at any time, blow up the planet by punching really hard. However, in the context of Blazblue Makoto can only do this by getting enough meter to use her Astral Finish. The move is super reactable, Makoto can just whiff or just get blocked. She has to confirm a specific hit that she dumps all her energy into just to do it. Otherwise, Makoto is mostly throwing very strong, but not moon destroying punches. She can't start a fight with that punch nor can she just simply land it.

Are you now telling me anyone who can theoretically out-perform Makoto in hand-to-hand combat enough to not get hit by her Astral Finish is a planatary level threat? That's dumb. Every Blazblue character is capable of withstanding a moon obliterating attack because they can block? That's even more dumb!

Also that word: "perform". That's important in any battle. You can't apply numbers to a performance, that's a skill. Real life MMA fighters don't win their battles because of their powerscaling numbers. It's just raw skill expression of battle. Not to mention the numerous other factors that go into a fight. How's their mental health, physical health, the environment, weather, focus, knowledge of who they're fighting, and what are their wants and needs?

If you ask me, any character can win any fight all thanks to our lord and saviour:

Context

That's what makes a fight fun.

[movedto-mrs-bluemarine]

"Yeah I'm just not into superheros, or robots really. Just not really my cup of tea. Anyway villains are way cooler."

Seven years later: showing symptoms of rabies while i stare at pictures on my phone. "I need to bite his shiny metal ass"

[skelebab]

Getting notes on a really old post is like a jump scare

[b-alerted]

I had to pause the show at this point, laughing uncontrollably.

Basically a villan who's been thrashing the good guys senses the overwhelming psychic presence of Mob, the protagonist.

Enter Reigen, a normal ass man with no supernatural abilities, casually walking up to him from stage right and kicking the shit out of him.

[evagora]

this fucking guy has officially made me [REDACTED]

[ethereal-feline]

Fuck it. Mob Psycho 100 mood. Lets add MHA because I'm still in disbelief/denial(?) of it being over in a week. And I specifically mean add Tokoyami and Hawks for this title:

"Fraud Mentors and their Ridiculously Strong Students"

Maybe a reality warping Quirk, maybe some esper/psychic in the MP100 world who knows, these idiots meet. I got 3 appointments to get to over the nect few days so we'll just spit ball some dynamics, ok? Ok. Going with...pre-Meta War and like Post S1 MP100.

Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama and Fumikage Tokoyami are the most wholesome duo/trio. Mob will look up to Tokoyami (not literally because apparently they're the same height at 5'2"), and once Dark Shadow comes out? 100% Adoration. Mob doesn't really get Tokoyami's way of speaking but they make it work. Tokoyami takes it upon himself to be a role model and Mob is dutifully listening. Until something happens, and Tokoyami has to deal with it the best way he can. Fun! Mob canonically cannot math. I headcanon that Tokoyami cannot math. They can not math together.

Hawks and Reigen. "LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE-" "TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE YOU SONUVA-" So much sass. So much bullshitting. Hawks sees right through Reigen and will throw some occultish buzzword he heard from Tokoyami just to see what bullshit Reigen says in an attempt to act like he knows wtf it is. Reigen will pull an Uno Reverse somehow and figure out Hawks isn't all that he appears. If he finds out about Hawks' Super Spy mission, he's cutting that shit out as soon as he can. Am I saying Reigen can beat the LOV through bullshit, luck, and charisma? Maybe. He'll definitely try. As much as he's a conman he's also a good man. Practically adopting psychic children like Batman. Reigen would have words with Batman. Reigen will have words with the Commission.

Reigen and Tokoyami. Good lord, is this a peek into Mob's emo phase? Did Reigen have an emo phase? He's gonna be feeding Dark Shadow any chance he gets if only to avoid getting eaten himself. Tokoyami MIGHT see through his act, depends on the circumstances. Might be a situation similar to S2 MP100. Reigen doesn't feel happy about a kid running around fighting crooks even in a super society. Kids should be kids. Reigen will pull a Mumen Rider. He may not have powers, he may not be strong, but he's the adult dammit! He'll kick a villain's ass! SELF DEFENSE RUSH!

Hawks and Mob. "Oh so he's like a less edgy more shy Tokoyami." Depending on how this crossover happens the progress to Mob's explosion will be going up steadily the more he hangs out with Hawks. Not because Hawks is actively stressing him out but because its a stressful situation and Hawks is trying his best but this kid doesn't emote and where the hell is his kid??? Soon as Mob mentions having trouble with his powers it is impromptu Quirk Counseling Time at Hawks' Agency. It doesn't really go well because its Hawks. Man probably teaches the same way Reigen does through motivational speeches when he isn't putting floaties just before shoving his poor student in the deep end of the pool.

All four of these chucklefucks together? You got a conman, an industry plant, an edgelord with a sentient shadow monster, and a psychic middle schooler. None of them can math. What could possibly go wrong?

*cue a building or two being destroyed in the inevitable 100% Explosion or even ???%*

[someonebeatyoutothisuser]

🚨 A Distress Call From Gaza 🚨

Hello dear, I hope you are well. I am Mumen from Gaza 🍉🇵🇸 I am asking for your help 🙏🙏 The situation here is catastrophic. We are displaced in a tent after losing everything 😔🥺 Please help me save the lives of my family and my little siblings who could not bear it anymore. Stand by them and donate. Every donation will give them hope to survive 🙏💔

GoFoundMe Donation Link

https://gofund.me/f3c977b8

PayPal Donation Link

https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=LZADENS8WU2SA

PLEASE PLEASE DONATE! OR SPREAD THE WORD IF YOU CAN'T, REBLOG THIS POST, DO NOT JUST LIKE! IT WILL NOT HELP!

[rants-about-opm]

Rating OPM Characters Solely On How Good Their Fan Art Usually Is

Saitama- 7/10, lots of fun headcanons, but also a lot of really terrible outfits and out of character interactions. Sometimes they make him smile like a normal person and it scares me.

Genos- 2/10 Ya'll be waaay too thirsty, I am so tired of seeing this man half dressed on my timeline, at least tell me something you think is cool about him (you aren't allowed to mention his looks.)

Garou- 6/10 also a lot of horny posting with him, but usually it's cool anatomy studies so that makes it a little more bearable, plus I think he's cooler than Genos so I'm innately biased.

Fubuki, Psykos, Tatsumaki- 0/10 Go to horny jail.

Mumen Rider- 8/10, not enough of him, but what I do see is usually pretty dope. Artists seem to be more creative with characters they aren't horny for.

Manako- 10/10 I have never seen a bad post about pink flesh grape, she's got some funny ass fans.

Flash and Sonic- 0/10 Go to horny jail.

[jusmango-shake]

🥭:Welcome to my rules post! Please read it before asking.

Masterlist!

Rules!

Allowed

Nsfw (I'm an adult dw,)

Mildly kinky shit

Poly relationship

Dub-con (Drunk, high, etc)

Yandere (stalking, possessiveness, imprisonment, etc)

Basically anything, Still though. Ask if you're not sure about something.

!!NOT!! Allowed

Non-Con (even for the yandere, too dark. It js don't sit right wit me)

Character x character

Romantic Adult x Child relationship

Non aged up Kid character X Kid character Nsfw/suggestive

Zoophilia, pedophilia, the normal x3

Oc x character

More info!

🥭: I have a very short attention span, so I will not be taking any requests that aren't from the shows/games stated below. I also go on hiatus quite often and randomly at that. if I have "Hibernating" in my bio, well, it means I ain't available.

Fandoms I'm in!

Currently: Blocktales

Writing for: Griefer (sorry CK fans)

EddsWorld

Writing for: Tom, Edd, Matt, Tord, Jon

Fire Force

Writing for: the adults and minors (ask)

One Punch Man

Writing for: Saitama, Sonic, Garou,

Mumen ily mumen , Fubuki, Charanko,

Genos

Dr Stone

Writing for: Senku, Gen, Ryusui,

Chrome, Kohaku, etc (ask)

[hatchiy]

Sooooo i was bored and i found this web

I case you can't read it since it's blury

Distric 1 : King & Saitama

Distric 2 : Manoko & Flashy flash

Distric 3 : Fubuki & Bang

Distric 4 : Sonic & Mumen

Distric 5 : Child Emperor & Metal knight

Distric 6 : Metal bat & Garou

Distric 7 : Tanktop master & Puri puri

Distric 8 : Tatsumaki & watch dog man

Distric 9 : Drive night & Dr. Kuseno

Distric 10 : Blast & Zombieman

Distric 11 : Genos & Amai mask

Distric 12 : Lightning genji & lightning max

(i make this randomly, so don't ask anything about the pairing 😇)

Begin!

Bloodbath!

Metal knight had it personal 🤣🙏

Day 1

Tanktop master, if you did anything to my baby i will hunt you and the rest of your generation

Status check!

This is fun lol! I'm very lazy to put the picture, and i'll post day two tomorrow i guess!

Continue ->

[amanesknife]

The Perks of Being a Deus Ex Machina

So I recently binged The Perks of Being An S-class Heroine/ A Transmigrator's Privilege and I need to talk about it or I'll implode.

I apologize in advance because this is gonna be a long post as I can't stop hyperfocusing on it and I need to scream into the void ([tumblr]).

This series honestly has one of my favorite uses of an overpowered MC in a while. I've also seen a lot of people complain about Ailette being too powerful and how much it hurts the story. I've only read until ch170 in the webnovel so I could be wrong but I don't think that's really the story they're trying to tell.

Ai is our main character but she's not the correct main character. She's so strong and gets so much help from the system that nothing poses a real threat to her. I can see how that could be boring for some people. But she was never supposed to be in this story. It's heavily implied that if Tesilid dies in her timeline, the whole world resets again without her ¹ (under spoilers) and it'll be like her version of Ai never existed (Manhwa ch31). It's not just about how well she can survive, it's also about how well she can protect Tesilid. Suddenly this story becomes an escort mission. She's Resident Evil 4 Leon and it's game over when Ashley dies. Or more aptly, she's Gandalf, trying to protect the self-sacrificing Frodo as he journeys to Mordor. It doesn't matter how powerful she is, if Tesilid dies anyways. She can't just leave him alone to kill the big bad on her own, either - Tez dies from like 500 different causes in the original story.

!! Webnovel spoilers under the cut !!

In my opinion, the story doesn't really start until Tesilid's regressions start (which probably won't be until s3 in the manhwa). For some people this is understandably too long. But it's really only a power fantasy during the tutorial period; when she finally gets to meet with (1)17th Tesilid, she turns into a walking Deus Ex Machina. It makes for an interesting dynamic imo, since Tez's powers are so restrictive and he has little choice but to be a self-sacrificing pushover. He even goes so far as to tank for her when he thinks she's about to take a killing blow. On the other hand, she’s all-powerful with a questionable sense of morality. It's like if Ai was Saitama (another Deus Ex!) but he dies if Mumen Rider dies. You know it'll all work out when they arrive, but it's incredibly tense if they're separated. It's cool to read a story from the protector's point of view for once- to see things from their perspective as they try to keep alive the main characters always running around trying to get themselves killed. Especially since we basically already know that there's virtually no way for Tesilid to succeed alone. Ailette has virtually all the power to help Tez and she thinks she knows how, but the farther we get into the story the more we learn that she probably doesn't understand as much as she thinks. Does she know how to end the loops? Or that Tesilid can loop again to a previous iteration? It's a mystery wrapped in power-fantasy skin.

¹ When Reed repeatedly kills Tez before the end of the tutorial, the whole world resets. This suggests that time in this universe revolves around Tesilid and it doesn’t flow for others if he’s dead.

[ceaseless-enemy]

🚨🚨🇵🇸🍉 A Cry for help from Gaza 🇵🇸🍉🚨

Hello, my name is mumen Quffa, now from inside the bombing and destruction in Gaza, I hope my message reaches you and you are well. I would be really grateful if you could help me by donating even 10 euros. Every donation from you will save my family and all the children in the family from death, this will support us and ease our suffering and encourage people to donate more help 🍉🍉 Please share, publish or donate to my family 🙏🙏🙏

https://gofund.me/95d42cb3

Alrighty, unfortunately I don't have a method of payment on me at the moment, but I did some checking, and from what I can tell? This Gofundme's legit. There's a post of how it's been vetted.

So, if anyone can spare the money, please send it Ahmed's way, thank you.

[gofancyninjaworld]

Morality pets redux

Some parts of this I've posted here before. In the light of the manga's Psychic Sisters arc, I thought it was worth putting my thoughts together. Long-ass post.

"I don’t believe our lives change completely for the better at a short notice. It’s all the small progress we make that’s important ..." -- ONE, interviewed in Yamada Reiji’s Young Sunday ep. 30.

I'm here to talk about characters changing their lives as a result of an important interaction. Part A will seem quite obvious to many, but I ask you to bear with me as it's the foundation from which to build.

A: The Moment

For a guy who doesn't believe in sudden changes, ONE sure has a lot of characters seeming to do just that. Morality pets, the characters who force other characters to look into themselves and learn to be better people, have been a staple of One-Punch Man since the beginning. They're everywhere!

To pick a few (there are many more):

Saitama had the Butt-Chinned kid. His entire destiny changed because of this child.

The seminal moment (chapter 2)

Garou has Tareo.

There's nothing he wouldn't do for this kid (chapter 91 online /93 in print)

Genos gets Tatsumaki. Somehow, this cranky, complicated little asshole whose hands are none too clean and who’d savage him nearly as happily as she does monsters is just what the doctor ordered for his personal development. No one said morality pets had to be cute or helpless!

Feisty, isn't she? Yet she's got things to teach (chapter 133 online/137 in print)

And Tatsumaki has Saitama.

chapter 182

B: Before the Moment

“Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.” ― Jacob August Riis (1849-1914)

So how do we address the contradiction between what ONE says he writes and what we see? By noting that every apparently Damascene conversion turns out to have roots. The reason the Morality Pets are so for the characters is that they force into focus a moral issue the characters have been struggling with and get the characters to make a decision about the issue.

Saitama

Saitama's encounter with the butt-chinned kid and Crablante was not the first time he'd thought of becoming strong enough to fight monsters. He'd been desperately hating being weak even back in middle school, and had been muscle training since.

So he decided to do something about it (extra chapter: 200 Yen)

What Crablante brought into focus was that becoming so strong that he could defeat any monster was something he wanted to 100% do, rather than something he worked on in between work. More importantly, it was something he wanted to do to be a hero. I'll revisit this in the next section.

Chapter 2

Genos

Genos confronted two important philosophical questions that have troubled him. The first is who needs help. Heroes help those who can't so the direction of travel is allegedly clear -- help flows from the strong to the weak, so the stronger you are, the less help you need/deserve/get. When he sets out to follow after Tatsumaki and help her, we see him consider that question explicitly, remembering Saitama coming through for Mumen Rider. The answer to who needs help is anybody, regardless of capability. Which is a radical change to the sense of noblesse oblige that prevails unexamined.

What is a hero for, if they're not for everyone? (chapter 143)

The second is another that's troubled him for a long long while: where the balance of destroying enemies versus protecting others lies. Genos has been as strict a utilitarian as Metal Knight is, with the difference that he's willing to lay down in front of the trolley himself if need be. The cold logic of the matter is that if there's any innocent people to kill to stop a terrible threat from killing many more people, heroes are the right people to kill. They're the people who are prepared to die for others. Genos acknowledges explicitly that killing heroes would have been something he'd do without hesitation if the outcome was that a monster as terrible as Black Sperm didn't escape.

To sacrifice a few to save many more would seem moral (chapter 150)

So what changed the calculus? Tatsumaki. By working so closely with her, she ceased to be a hero in the abstract, or even just a person. She was the person he’s flown in the teeth of one of the most terrifying monsters ever to give her space to work. She’s the person he’s plunged down a mile to summon help for, then clambered back up to guard her when she could no longer protect herself. She’s the person he’s carried in his arms, giving his back to every obstacle and blow so as to keep safe. Furthermore, he’s seen and empathises with Fubuki’s fear for her sister’s well-being and that impels him to try that much harder for Tatsumaki. And Tatsumaki is a person who really, really doesn't want to die.

But when 'heroes' ceases to be an abstract concept and becomes a small, scared woman who trusts you... (chapter 145)

Therefore, when push came to shove, the question wasn't 'are you going to kill a dozen heroes to save millions of lives?' It was: 'are you going to kill Tatsumaki? Is that your idea of justice? REALLY?' It's at that point that he gets on top of her to shield her from being stamped to death, to protect her come what may. It might not have worked out as well as it did in the end, but no matter: Genos has decided that his path to justice and strength does not lie in strategically sacrificing others.

...somehow, the 'moral' sacrifice cannot be countenanced (chapter 150)

Tatsumaki

Tatsumaki might have surprised some for not appearing to change when Genos had quite graphically showed her that others could indeed help her. Quite simply, she wasn't yet in the right place. It's worth noting that she had reached out to Fubuki to help her extract Psykos and it couldn't have gone any worse: all her worst fears appeared to be validated. The enemy was all too real, Fubuki's hangers-on had a traitor in their midst, and the ones who weren't traitorous were too weak to be of any help. And yet, when she looks around the room, is it with a sense of vindication at having all her warnings come to pass? No, it's with sadness: she's sad that it's come to this yet again.

Rarely has a person been sadder to be able to say 'I told you so' (chapter 177)

She really wants things to go differently but she can't see how. And that's how it comes to be that she's prepared to change what she does to not end up all alone again.

Surely there has to be another way (chapter 182)

C: Afterlife of The Moment

“A farmer went out to sow his seed... Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root..." Matthew 13:3-6 (NIV)

No epiphany, no matter how strong, will last unless there's a way to support it. ONE has been no slouch in exploring the way in which epiphanies turn into lasting change.

Saitama

Back when Saitama was still new in his hero journey, his neighbourhood was still populated, and being thanked by people he helped was the thing that gave him the strength to persist through his travails.

What gave his struggles meaning (extra chapter 'Brushing up')

Indeed, when we first get to hear Saitama's thoughts, we find that what's getting him down (other than fights being boring) is that he can no longer see that his actions have any positive effect on the world. His neighborhood was empty -- everyone having fled for their lives -- and monsters kept coming day after day.

Once he lost people around him, he started to lose himself (chapter 5)

The reason that saving the ugly child had been so important to him comes back to him when he's looking at the bodies of the fallen heroes, slain by Cosmic Garou. He'd been so lost in the sauce of seeking personal gratification that he'd forgotten that he'd become a hero to help others. It might involve great fights, but that had never been the point. Tragically, he realised it too late. Luckily for him (and to stop the story from ending too soon), Saitama's gotten a do-over. Only he's forgotten. Oh dear.

Remembering what mattered too late (chapter 166)

Genos

In the aftermath of King (really Garou) appearing to scatter the cadres and Saitama arrive to check on him, we see Genos doubting himself. He'd already been unsure if he'd done the right thing. Maybe what he'd really done was to chicken out because he wasn't prepared to die. So he asks Saitama. Getting the answer that not throwing his life away was indeed a sign of strength, it was the validation he needed to commit to a new path. What that path will look like, ah, we just have to wait and see.

Most necessary validation. Also, geeze Genos, learn to take a compliment, will ya? (chapter 155)

Tatsumaki

While it's too early to know what will happen, the fact that Tatsumaki has a sister who loves and trusts her enough to already have a relationship with her, and who is interested in having a better realtionship with her is a good start.

It helps a lot that those two actually like each other (chapter 176)

The way we see her at the end of chapter 182, standing with the Blizzard Group, is grounds for cautious optimism that she will be able to learn a new way of relating to others. It won't be perfect or perfectly smooth sailing, but what in this story is?

This is better than sitting miserable and alone again -- let's hope it sticks! (chapter 182)

D: No Freebies

Right, let's sum up. There's a reason insurance companies jack up premiums for drivers who have been in accidents: people really suck at learning from experience. Until we decide that we are ready to learn, things that happen to us are just things that happen. Even if it's our fault. This has no relationship to IQ, unfortunately.

Many stories are fond of the life-changing moment, and in particular, the life-changing interaction with another person. What ONE has been doing is to dig into this idea a bit more (each statement is <20 words).

The life-changing interaction is something seen as important by the actor.

They find this important because something within them has them open to change and the interaction addresses it.

Life-changing moments only become life-changing with ongoing reinforcement.

I think overall that it's a more realistic way of approaching personal change than many stories do it.

And that's me. What do you think?