Saitama is the star. We get it. He punches things, they explode, he gets bored. But honestly, if you're only watching for the "One Tap" wonder, you're missing the real drama happening in the background. The one punch man women are frequently the ones actually driving the plot forward while Saitama is busy grocery shopping or complaining about his rank.
It’s a weird dynamic.
In a world filled with muscular dudes screaming about their "ultimate techniques," the female characters in ONE and Yusuke Murata’s universe often feel like the only ones with actual, messy, human stakes. Take the Psychic Sisters. They aren’t just "strong for girls." They are literally among the most terrifying beings on the planet, and their relationship is a toxic, codependent disaster that is fascinating to watch unfold.
The Psychic Powerhouse: Why Tatsumaki Isn’t Just a Brat
Tatsumaki is an absolute menace.
She's the S-Class Rank 2 hero, and she earns every bit of that status. People often write her off as the "bratty lost child" because of her design, but that’s a massive mistake. Her power scaling is absurd. We’ve seen her pull a literal meteor out of space and twist an entire city like a wet washcloth. But what makes her a top-tier character isn't just the fact that she can flatten a monster the size of a skyscraper without breaking a sweat. It’s the trauma.
She was sold.
Her parents literally gave her up to a research facility because she had powers. She spent her childhood in a cell. When Blast—the Rank 1 hero—finally saved her, he gave her the worst possible advice: "Don't expect anyone to save you." She took that to heart. Now, she’s a control freak who thinks she has to carry the entire world on her shoulders because if she relies on anyone else, she’s weak. It’s tragic, really. She pushes everyone away, especially her sister, because she’s terrified of being vulnerable again.
When you see her fighting, she isn't just trying to win. She’s proving she doesn't need anyone. That’s a deep well of character motivation that many shonen series completely ignore for their female leads.
Fubuki and the Burden of the "Second Best"
Then there’s Fubuki, the Blizzard of Hell.
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If Tatsumaki is the peak of raw power, Fubuki is the master of influence. She’s the B-Class Rank 1 hero, and she stays there on purpose. Why? Because she knows she can’t beat her sister. She can’t even beat the top A-Class heroes like Amai Mask. So, she built a gang.
The Fubuki Group is her way of coping with an inferiority complex the size of a moon.
She’s one of the most relatable one punch man women because she’s actually struggling with the hierarchy of the Hero Association. While Saitama ignores the rules and Tatsumaki breaks them, Fubuki is obsessed with them. She wants to be a "big fish in a small pond" because the ocean scares her. Watching her slowly realize that she can’t hide behind her subordinates forever—especially during the Monster Association arc—is some of the best character growth in the entire series. She’s learning that leadership isn't just about having people bow to you; it’s about actually stepping up when the world starts ending.
Beyond the Psychics: The Support and the Villains
Don’t forget about characters like Mizuki or Psykos.
Mizuki is a great example of Murata’s ability to take a simple concept—a track and field athlete—and turn it into a hero design that feels grounded yet superhuman. She uses sporting equipment to fight monsters. It sounds silly, but it works because the world of One Punch Man is built on that kind of absurdity.
On the flip side, Psykos is a nightmare.
She’s the shadow leader of the Monster Association and a former friend of Fubuki. Her descent into madness is a dark mirror to Fubuki’s own struggles. While Fubuki tried to control people through a hero group, Psykos tried to control the world through monsters. Their confrontation isn't just a "catfight"—it’s a clash of ideologies and a reckoning with their shared past. It adds a layer of history to the world that makes it feel lived-in.
How Murata’s Art Changes the Narrative
We have to talk about Yusuke Murata.
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The man is a god with a pen. Some critics argue that his depictions of one punch man women are overly sexualized. It’s a fair point to discuss. Murata definitely leans into the "pin-up" aesthetic for characters like Fubuki and Do-S. However, he also gives them incredible agency and some of the most dynamic action panels in manga history.
When Tatsumaki fights, the world literally warps around her. The sense of scale is breathtaking.
Murata doesn't just draw these women to be "pretty." He draws them to be formidable. There is a weight to their movements and a ferocity in their expressions that commands respect. You’re not just looking at a character; you’re looking at a force of nature. This balance between aesthetic appeal and genuine power is what keeps the fanbase so engaged. It’s not just fan service; it’s spectacle.
The Problem with Hero Association Rankings
The ranking system is a joke.
We know this because Saitama is constantly underrated. But it hits the women of the series differently. For someone like Fubuki, the rankings are a prison. For Tatsumaki, they are a lonely pedestal. The Hero Association is a corporate machine that commodifies these people based on "popularity" and "contribution points."
It’s interesting to see how the female characters navigate this corporate hellscape.
- Tatsumaki ignores the bureaucracy but is used by it as a "nuclear deterrent."
- Fubuki tries to game the system to maintain her status.
- Lin Lin (from the martial arts tournament) represents the world outside the Hero Association, showing that strength exists everywhere.
The Saitama Factor
Saitama's impact on these women is actually quite profound.
He doesn't treat Tatsumaki like a god or a child; he treats her like an annoying brat. This infuriates her because her entire identity is built on being feared and respected. When Saitama survives her attacks and just asks her if she’s "done yet," it shatters her worldview.
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For Fubuki, Saitama is a reality check. He shows her that her "group" is a security blanket she doesn't actually need if she wants to be a real hero. He doesn't give them speeches about "girl power." He just acts as a mirror that reflects their own insecurities back at them. It’s blunt, it’s rude, and it’s exactly what they need to grow.
What to Watch Out For in the Next Arcs
If you're following the manga (or the webcomic by ONE), things are getting intense.
The fallout from the Monster Association arc has left everyone changed. The relationship between the psychic sisters is at a breaking point. We’re seeing more of Tatsumaki’s internal monologue, and it’s becoming clear that she’s reaching a limit. She can’t keep the "invincible hero" act up forever.
There's also the introduction of new characters and the evolution of minor ones. The "Neo Heroes" saga promises to shake up the status quo, and I'm betting we'll see Fubuki finally try to step out of her sister's shadow in a real way.
Why This Matters for Fans
One Punch Man isn't a "waifu" show.
Sure, the internet will do what the internet does, but the writing for these characters is surprisingly sturdy. They have flaws. They make bad decisions. They are often their own worst enemies. That’s what makes them "human-quality" characters in a world of caricatures. You aren't just rooting for them to win a fight; you're rooting for them to get over their baggage.
Actionable Steps for New Readers
If you want to actually understand the depth of these characters, don't just watch the anime. The anime is great, but the manga has details that get cut for time.
- Read the Manga from Chapter 1: Even if you’ve seen the show, Murata’s art in the "Psychic Sisters" arc is essential viewing. The nuances in their facial expressions tell half the story.
- Compare to the Webcomic: If you want to see the "raw" version of the story, check out ONE’s original webcomic. The art is crude, but the dialogue and character beats are even more biting.
- Watch the OVAs: Some of the Original Video Animations focus on the side lives of these characters, giving Fubuki and others a bit more screen time that isn't just about fighting monsters.
- Follow the Redraws: Murata is famous for redrawing chapters to perfect the story. Keep an eye on the official releases, as character motivations often shift and improve in these updates.
The one punch man women are essential to the series' soul. They provide the emotional weight that a guy who can end any fight in one hit simply can't provide. Without them, the story would just be a series of cool explosions. With them, it’s a story about what it actually means to be powerful in a world that wants to put you in a box.