Why Garou is the perfect anti-hero in One Punch Man, explained

The One Punch Man series has introduced fans in the animanga world to a diverse and captivating cast of characters. Along with its intense and thrilling action, the series has also been praised for its emphasis on character development. A standout character from the second season of the anime was Garou, who quickly gained a large following.

Despite being introduced as a villain in the second season of the series, Garou’s role gradually shifted as the manga chapters progressed. The Monster Association arc is especially intriguing as it delves deep into Garou’s character development throughout the series.

In the end, he transformed into one of the most notable anti-heroes within this medium. Consequently, numerous fans have discussed the reasoning behind Garou’s anti-hero status, and some have identified distinctive traits that set him apart in this role.

Please be aware that this article contains major spoilers for the One Punch Man manga chapters.

One Punch Man: Understanding why Garou is a great anti-hero

Garou as seen in the second season of One Punch Man (Image via J.C. Staff)

To determine Garou’s true worth as an anti-hero, it is necessary to examine the defining characteristics of this archetype. One crucial aspect of anti-heroes is their complexity, mirroring the complexities of the real world where things are rarely black and white. These characters often grapple with moral dilemmas and navigate the grey areas of morality.

Anti-heroes are often plagued with internal conflicts. Despite their natural inclination towards a certain course of action, they are torn due to their moral code. Garou embodies all of these traits, a fact that fans will only fully appreciate when the third season of the anime series premieres.

Garou even fought against his former teacher (Image via Shueisha)

As previously mentioned, Garou may be perceived as a villain by those who only watch the anime. He continues to engage in villainous actions, many of which stem from his troubled past. Garou’s resentment towards heroes stems from being bullied by his classmates, who were firm believers in heroism. This skewed perception of heroes caused Garou great pain and led him to rebel against them.

Despite his desire to inflict pain, Garou consistently struggles internally before acting. This is evident in numerous occasions where he has displayed a more compassionate side. One such instance was his encounter with Tareo, a child he encountered in the park. Seeing himself in the young boy, Garou made sure to spare him from harm.

Despite engaging in a battle against Bang, Garou still experienced moments of hesitation. This was due to his core beliefs centered on relentlessly pursuing and eliminating every hero and monster, ultimately cementing his reputation as a terrifying figure.

Despite this, the ultimate purpose is for all heroes to have a shared cause to come together and defeat a mutual adversary, putting an end to issues such as discrimination and harassment. The sole concern for humanity would be survival, which was the main objective. However, he still struggled with the idea of harming Bang, who had once been his mentor.

Garou's reason for wanting to become the symbol of fear (Image vai Shueisha/Yusuke Murata and ONE) — Garou’s reason for wanting to become the symbol of fear (Image vai Shueisha/Yusuke Murata and ONE)

Gradually, Garou came to terms with all the mistakes he had made in the manga and accepted them. It took nearly 100 chapters for him to confront his internal conflicts and gain a sense of clarity, realizing the wrongdoings he had committed. His transformation from a pure villain to someone grappling with conflicting ideals was a gradual process.

After turning over a new leaf, he made the decision to apologize to those he had hurt. This led to Bang officially adopting Garou. His journey serves as a prime example of why he was a commendable anti-hero in the animanga series.

Keep an eye out for additional updates on the latest anime and manga news throughout the course of 2024.