The return of the One Punch Man anime has generated more controversy than excitement. After the premiere of the third season, many fans expressed frustration with the animation quality — and, incredibly, some are resorting to artificial intelligence to try and "correct" scenes from the episodes.
AI attempts to save the One Punch Man animation
Users of the X network (formerly Twitter), such as @koko_shishi_022 , have started posting videos modified with Sora , OpenAI's AI model, to enhance the facial expressions and movement of characters. While some see this as a fun curiosity or a technical experiment, others warn of the ethical and creative risks of this type of practice.
The discussion quickly spread throughout the community. Some of the audience sees AI as a useful post-production tool, while others classify the result as " AI Slop "—a term used to describe artificially generated and soulless content.
The controversy surrounding the use of AI in animation
The first season of One Punch Man, produced by Madhouse , is still remembered today for its impeccable animation and impressive battle moves. The third season, however, helmed by JC Staff , has been criticized for its stiff movements and scenes that "don't have the same impact."
While the use of AI can give some scenes a smoother appearance, the issue goes beyond aesthetics. The use of these technologies without the consent of the original creators raises legal and moral concerns. Furthermore, already overburdened studios could face even more pressure from the requirement of AI-generated adjustments.
Ultimately, while One Punch Man faces criticism, taking control out of human hands could cause even greater damage to the animation industry. Creativity, after all, remains an essentially human—and irreplaceable—trait.