Anime fans around the world had been waiting for One-Punch Man Season 3 with bated breath, hoping for the same explosive action, clever humor, and stunning animation that made the first season a phenomenon. But with its latest episode, many are feeling a mix of disappointment, frustration, and disbelief. Episode 7, titled “Counterstrike,” has become the latest flashpoint for criticism, highlighting what some are calling the worst production missteps in the series’ history.

Captain Mizuki’s Outfit Controversy

The biggest point of contention revolves around Captain Mizuki, a long-awaited hero who has been teased for years. Fans had been excited to finally see her in action, expecting a fight scene worthy of her status in the manga. However, what they got instead was a combination of censorship issues and animation errors that left viewers scratching their heads.

In the manga, Mizuki wears track briefs, a defining part of her character design. Yet in the anime, the production team decided to censor her, switching the briefs to track shorts. The confusion doesn’t end there. The opening sequence for the first few episodes still showed her in briefs, only for later episodes to replace them with shorts. To add to the inconsistency, a single scene in Episode 7 briefly shows her in the original briefs again. This inconsistency has left fans wondering if the animators ever finalized her character design, or if the censorship decision was made too late in the process. Either way, it feels sloppy and shows a lack of attention to detail that anime fans notice immediately.

Animation Errors That Fans Can’t Ignore

The problems go beyond just costume issues. Fans have also pointed out major animation mistakes in Episode 7. One scene, at 9 minutes and 56 seconds, shows Captain Mizuki with six fingers on her right hand during her “First Event: Pole Vault” sequence. While the scene is fast, fans caught the error instantly, highlighting how scrutinized every frame is when the quality dips.

But the most jarring example comes at the episode’s climax, where a single-frame shot is stretched over 30 seconds, with the camera panning from top to bottom. This cheap trick, likely used to save time or money, robs the moment of any real energy and leaves viewers feeling cheated. Many fans now jokingly refer to Season 3 as “One-Frame Man,” a jab at how many scenes rely on static images instead of real movement.

Behind the Scenes: Studio Changes and Pressure

Part of the backlash has also been directed at the production studio, J.C. Staff, which took over from Madhouse, the studio behind the celebrated first season. The new direction has clearly struggled to replicate the visual flair of its predecessor. Fans have criticized not just the animation, but also the pacing, sound design, and even voice acting, claiming that the series feels muted compared to earlier seasons.

The human side of this issue has not gone unnoticed either. The director, Shinpei Nagai, reportedly deleted his social media account following harsh fan criticism, citing the toll on his mental health. Veteran animator Takashi Hashimoto defended the team, warning that if the community continues to bully the creators, more staff may leave the project. These incidents underscore a broader issue within the anime industry: the tension between high fan expectations, tight production schedules, and the well-being of the people actually making the show.

The Impact on Fans and the Future of the Season

Despite the controversy, some aspects of the season are still appreciated. Fans continue to enjoy Saitama’s humor and the story’s core narrative, but the inconsistency in animation and character design makes it hard to fully immerse themselves. Many are returning to the manga to relive the fight scenes and character moments in the quality they originally expected.

Episode 7 feels like a turning point. It’s more than just an isolated mistake; it’s a reflection of broader issues in the production process. From Captain Mizuki’s censored and inconsistent outfit to six-fingered errors and extended single-frame shots, the episode has become a symbol of the season’s struggles. For fans who loved the first season, this is a bitter pill to swallow — a reminder that even the most popular anime can falter when production decisions, deadlines, and budget constraints collide.

One-Punch Man Season 3 may still have episodes left to improve its image, but for now, the conversation among fans is dominated by disappointment. The once-celebrated hero Saitama may defeat villains in a single punch, but the anime behind him seems to be struggling with every frame. The hope remains that future episodes will course-correct, but Episode 7 will likely be remembered as the point where expectations met harsh reality.