Best of
Best ONE Manga: From Mob Psycho 100 to One-Punch Man
Discover ONE's best manga series—from One-Punch Man's overpowered hero to Mob Psycho 100's emotional psychic. Explore what makes this creator's art and storytelling unique.
Why ONE Stands Out in Manga
In an industry where polished, intricate artwork often defines success, ONE took a different path. The Japanese manga artist—known simply by his pen name—launched both his major series as webcomics with deliberately simple art. Yet his work spawned two massively successful franchises, multiple anime adaptations, and a devoted international fanbase.
What makes ONE's manga compelling isn't technical virtuosity—it's his ability to subvert genre expectations while telling genuinely emotional stories. Whether you're already a fan of One-Punch Man or Mob Psycho 100, understanding what unites these series reveals why this creator's voice is worth following.
ONE's Complete Manga Library
Both of ONE's major works are available in The Grimoire catalog, each offering a distinct take on superpowers, self-worth, and what it means to be extraordinary.
One-Punch Man: Deconstructing the Power Fantasy
Best for: Readers who love action-comedy and genre satire
ONE's breakout hit began as a webcomic in 2009 and asks a simple question: what happens when a hero becomes too strong? Saitama can defeat any opponent with a single punch, transforming every battle from a thrilling challenge into a mundane chore. The real conflict isn't physical—it's existential boredom and a desperate search for meaning.
What Makes It Special
The genius of One-Punch Man lies in its inversion of shonen battle manga tropes. While most action series build tension through escalating power levels and hard-won victories, ONE strips away the struggle entirely. Saitama's overwhelming strength becomes the joke, the tragedy, and the central philosophical question all at once.
The comedy emerges from the gap between how heroes should behave and how Saitama actually does. He misses villain monologues because he's grocery shopping. He fails hero certification exams despite being the strongest being alive. The series constantly undercuts epic moments with mundane reality—and it works because ONE genuinely understands the genre conventions he's subverting.
Beyond the satire, the supporting cast carries real emotional weight. Characters like Genos, Mumen Rider, and King each grapple with their own limitations and what heroism means when you're not the strongest. These B-plots provide the earnest character development that Saitama's overpowered nature prevents him from experiencing.
The Art Evolution
The published manga version features stunning artwork by Yusuke Murata, who redraws ONE's original webcomic with intricate detail and dynamic action sequences. This collaboration created an interesting duality—ONE's straightforward storytelling paired with some of the most visually spectacular fight choreography in modern manga. You're reading ONE's story, but Murata's art elevates the action to another level entirely.
Who Should Read It
One-Punch Man appeals to action manga veterans who appreciate genre commentary, but it's also accessible enough for newcomers. The humor works whether you've read hundreds of battle manga or this is your first. The series is ongoing with 34 volumes available, and while the humor stays consistent, later arcs develop increasingly complex storylines involving hero associations, monster organizations, and cosmic threats.
If you enjoyed the existential comedy but want something more emotionally grounded, Mob Psycho 100 offers a natural progression.
Mob Psycho 100: Power as Emotional Metaphor
Best for: Readers who want character-driven supernatural drama with comedy
Where One-Punch Man deconstructs power fantasies through comedy, Mob Psycho 100 explores them through emotional growth. Shigeo Kageyama—nicknamed "Mob"—is an incredibly powerful esper (psychic) who deliberately suppresses his abilities because he fears what happens when his emotions explode. The percentage counter tracking his emotional state becomes a literal ticking time bomb.
What Makes It Different
Mob Psycho 100 is ONE's more mature, introspective work. While it shares One-Punch Man's comedy and action, the heart of the story focuses on an anxious middle schooler trying to navigate adolescence, romantic crushes, school clubs, and friendships—all while possessing godlike abilities he's terrified to use.
The series argues that supernatural power doesn't make you special. Mob's journey revolves around accepting that psychic abilities won't solve his real problems: building confidence, connecting with others, and developing as a person. His mentor Reigen—a con artist with zero psychic power—ironically provides the most valuable life lessons, making their relationship one of manga's best mentor-student dynamics.
What ONE does brilliantly is use psychic battles as metaphors for emotional struggles. When Mob's suppressed feelings hit 100%, the resulting explosions aren't just spectacle—they're externalizations of repressed trauma, anger, or grief. The action has psychological stakes that ground even the most over-the-top supernatural showdowns.
The Original Art Style
Unlike One-Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100's published manga retains ONE's distinctive art style. The character designs are deliberately simple, with Mob's blank expression and plain appearance reflecting his desire to be unremarkable. This minimalist approach actually enhances the storytelling—when ONE wants to emphasize emotion or action, the contrast hits harder.
The art improves noticeably as the series progresses, but it never becomes conventionally polished. That rawness feels intentional, keeping the focus on character psychology rather than visual spectacle. When Mob's powers explode, ONE conveys the chaos through energy and composition rather than detail.
Who Should Read It
Mob Psycho 100 is complete at 16 volumes, making it an excellent binge-read with a definitive ending. It's perfect for readers who want supernatural action but care more about character development than power scaling. If you've ever felt anxious about fitting in, struggled with self-worth, or questioned what makes someone truly valuable, Mob's journey resonates on a personal level.
The series also works beautifully for fans of coming-of-age stories who want something different from typical school manga. The supernatural elements serve the character development rather than overshadowing it.
What Unites ONE's Work
Subverting Power Dynamics
Both series fundamentally question what power means. Saitama has infinite strength but no fulfillment. Mob has overwhelming abilities but views them as irrelevant to being a good person. ONE consistently argues that extraordinary powers don't solve human problems—and might even create new ones.
Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Worlds
ONE's protagonists are refreshingly normal people dealing with abnormal circumstances. They're not chosen ones with tragic backstories or burning desires for vengeance. Saitama became a hero as a hobby. Mob just wants to impress a girl and make friends. This ordinariness makes their struggles relatable despite the supernatural settings.
Earned Emotion Through Comedy
ONE's humor isn't just window dressing—it's the foundation that makes his emotional moments land harder. Because the series establish a comedic tone, sincere character moments feel genuinely earned rather than manipulative. When Mob Psycho 100 gets serious, it hits different because you've spent volumes laughing with these characters.
Distinctive Visual Identity
Whether working with Murata or drawing himself, ONE's storytelling prioritizes clarity over complexity. Panel layouts are straightforward, character acting communicates emotion clearly, and action flows logically. This simplicity is a choice—ONE knows how to compose a page to maximum effect without relying on visual flash.
Which ONE Manga Should You Read First?
Start with One-Punch Man if you want:
- Accessible, episodic storytelling you can pick up anywhere
- Action-comedy with minimal emotional investment required
- Genre satire that works even if you're new to manga
- Stunning artwork courtesy of Murata's redraw
- An ongoing series you can follow long-term
Start with Mob Psycho 100 if you want:
- A complete story with a satisfying conclusion
- Character-driven emotional development
- Coming-of-age themes mixed with supernatural action
- ONE's unfiltered artistic vision
- Something you can finish in a focused reading session
Honestly, both series are excellent entry points, and reading one enhances your appreciation for the other. They showcase different facets of ONE's strengths—One-Punch Man demonstrates his satirical edge and structural experimentation, while Mob Psycho 100 reveals his emotional depth and thematic sophistication.
Beyond the Page: Anime Adaptations
Both series received highly acclaimed anime adaptations that introduced ONE's work to global audiences. The One-Punch Man anime (especially season one) became a phenomenon for its spectacular animation and faithful adaptation. Mob Psycho 100's anime is equally beloved, with studio Bones translating ONE's raw art into fluid, experimental animation that captures the story's emotional intensity.
If you've only experienced these stories through anime, the manga offers different pleasures. One-Punch Man's manga provides Murata's incredible artwork at your own pace, with extra chapters and different story pacing. Mob Psycho 100's manga contains subtle character details and panel-to-panel storytelling that animation necessarily changes.
The Broader Impact
ONE's success challenged conventional wisdom about what makes manga commercially viable. You don't need elaborate, polished art to tell compelling stories—clarity of vision matters more. His webcomic origins proved that authentic voice and strong concepts can overcome technical limitations.
For The Grimoire community, ONE's work represents the accessible end of action-comedy manga. These aren't intimidating art showcases or impenetrably complex narratives. They're human stories about flawed people with extraordinary abilities, told with humor, heart, and sharp genre awareness.
- Is ONE's art style "bad"?
- ONE's art in Mob Psycho 100 is deliberately simple rather than technically limited. As the series progresses, you can see clear improvement, but the style remains minimalist by choice. It prioritizes expressive character acting and dynamic composition over detailed backgrounds or intricate linework. One-Punch Man readers get both worlds—ONE's storytelling with Murata's polished art.
- Do I need to read One-Punch Man's webcomic?
- Not necessarily. The published manga redrawn by Murata follows ONE's original story but with expanded content, better pacing, and spectacular artwork. The webcomic continues ahead of the published version, so dedicated fans eventually read both. Start with the published manga for the best experience.
- Are these series connected?
- No, they exist in separate universes with no crossover. However, they share thematic DNA—questions about power, self-worth, and heroism. Reading both gives you a fuller picture of ONE's creative interests and storytelling range.
- Which series is more serious?
- Mob Psycho 100 has more consistent emotional depth and character development, though both series balance comedy with genuine heart. One-Punch Man is primarily satirical comedy with occasional serious moments. Mob Psycho 100 is a character drama with comedic elements.
- Has ONE created anything else?
- ONE has worked on other projects, but One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100 remain his two major works available in English. Both are substantial series that showcase his range as a storyteller.
Start Your ONE Collection
Whether you're drawn to Saitama's existential boredom or Mob's emotional journey, ONE's manga offers something rare: action series that trust their characters and themes enough to undercut their own spectacle. They're funny without being empty, exciting without being mindless, and surprisingly moving without being manipulative.
For fans of either series looking to explore the other, you'll find familiar DNA—the deadpan humor, the subverted expectations, the ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. For newcomers to ONE's work, both series demonstrate why simple premises executed with clarity and heart outlast technically impressive but soulless alternatives.
The best ONE manga is whichever one speaks to where you are right now. Need a laugh and some spectacular action? One-Punch Man delivers. Want emotional growth and supernatural metaphors? Mob Psycho 100 has you covered. Either way, you're experiencing one of modern manga's most distinctive creative voices.