In a surprise twist, the recent Chapter #193 (or #191 in Viz’s English translation) of the renowned manga series “One-Punch Man“, catapults our favorite hero, Saitama, into what seems like a plot lifted straight from a classic Fantasy RPG. Saitama, known colloquially as the “Caped Baldy”, finds himself in an uncharted territory where prophecies and age-old artifacts rule.
Our hero learns of a sinister prophecy where the ominous Cruel Dragon is set to wreak havoc in the distant future. An entire cult is hell-bent on assembling the nine artifacts that can summon this feared beast. But Saitama, in his classic “get it over with” attitude, seeks to end the prophecy right then and there. Without a second thought, he embarks on a mission to gather these artifacts even before the cult can lay their hands on them.
A chase ensues, with Saitama dodging those attempting to thwart the prophecy’s fulfilment. In a display of unmatched prowess and inimitable wit, Saitama not only collects the artifacts but also summons the Cruel Dragon. And as fans would have guessed, the dragon’s menacing reign was ended with just a single, decisive punch. All this, and Saitama still manages to get back home for a gaming session with King.
Saitama’s “get it over with” approach to ancient prophecy is an interesting move on his part.
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Foreshadowing Saitama’s Showdown with God?
What makes this side adventure truly intriguing is the potential implications it has for Saitama’s original world. There, the daunting “Earth is in danger” prophecy, foretold by Shibawawa, ominously hangs. This prophecy has led many to speculate that the world’s greatest threat, and potentially Saitama’s biggest challenge yet, is lurking just around the corner.
Drawing parallels between his swift handling of the Cruel Dragon prophecy and Shibawawa’s ominous prediction, there are subtle hints that Saitama might opt for the same strategy to tackle the looming global threat. Will he attempt to bring the prophesied disaster to the forefront and snuff it out before it evolves into an insurmountable challenge?
Shibabawa’s prophecy is likely connected to God, the mysterious ultra-villain that has become a new focal point of the series.
A glaring clue pointing towards this is the striking resemblance between the artifacts that sealed away the Cruel Dragon and the enigmatic cubes associated with God. Could these cubes be the key to unlocking the mysteries of the looming prophecy and saving humanity from a foreboding fate?
The Uncelebrated Savior
While Saitama’s endeavors consistently put him on the frontlines against cataclysmic threats, the recognition he truly deserves eludes him. Whether he’s taking on prophecies or mysterious life forms intent on decimating humanity, Saitama faces them head-on, often with little more than his iconic punch. But as has been the recurring theme in “One-Punch Man“, despite his unparalleled heroics, acclaim and acknowledgment remain just out of his grasp. Whether he eventually gets his due remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: the world can rest easy as long as Saitama’s around.
