Saitama & Genos: Superman & Batman

In some ways, Saitama and Genos from One Punch Man are a similar pairing to Superman & Batman. Saitama is the strongest man in the world, virtually unstoppable. He is also fairly upbeat, at least on the surface. (His inner doubts and underlying apathy are a natural consequence of his unstoppability--and a dilemma I wish writers would give Superman.) Genos, on the other hand, has a dark backstory (in 20 words or less) and a degree of impetuosity. He also depends on machines and an "Alfred" to confide in. 

There are multiple differences, of course, especially since Genos undisguisedly looks up to Saitama, even to the point of moving in with him. ("Absolutely not," Saitama says. "Oh, you'll pay rent. Gotta toothbrush?")

But the major difference, to me, is something inherent to the franchise, namely, neither Genos or Saitama are expected to do everything, not even Saitama. 

That is, Saitama is limited in one very important way: he can only fight where he is, when he is, and if he knows about the threat. When the arena gets invaded by monsters, Saitama is in the bathroom. He gets out only after Suiryu is practically pulverized.

The reality here is also true with Superman & Batman. Lois & Clark has a decent episode in which Lois, temporarily a superhero, gets upset when she realizes that stopping to help in one crisis will prevent her from helping in another, no matter how fast she is. 

The difference is that One Punch Man assumes that, of course, heroes can't be everywhere at once. When the alien ship comes to conquer Earth, a few S heroes are on the ground; Tornado is doing her thing while getting irritated; a few C and B heroes are helping survivors. Genos, in the anime, is supervising Child Emperor. Saitama is the only hero on board the ship, where he wanders around trying doors and saying, "Hey, where's the head boss?" 

He finds him and defeats him. The point is, he can't do that AND manage the stuff on the ground. 

This assumption is so embedded that when Handsome Kamen Amai Mask shows up and castigates the heroes' failure to prevent all the devastation, the response isn't shame but disgust at his ego. He isn't totally wrong; others, including Iaian, have pointed out that organizing superheroes is like herding cats. But he is in no position to criticize since he wasn't there.

Genos and Saitama don't bother to argue (Saitama is still on the ship). One does the job one can. One does the job of the moment. A hero is a hero for coping, not for being all things to all people. 

Saitama's consistent refusal to use his powers to bargain for special treatment is part of this reality--and indicative of Saitama's inherent moral code, of which he seems largely unaware. A great many things end up on his To-Do list because they occur in front of him--or because Genos got himself into trouble. And the fact is, "It's in front of me" is the ultimate reality. Saitama only knows what he knows.  

Hence, the difference to Superman and Batman. Criticisms of Saitama by fans and non-fans seem to be mostly based on him not having the "proper" superhero attitude (like those DC guys). He is supposed to run around and tackle all the problems! He is supposed to fret about what he didn't do! Oh, the angst! He is supposed to know where he is going all the time, every time, on every occasion! He is supposed to be suave and elegant, as Amai Mask proposes. 

In terms of "output," he does as much as Superman and Batman. He simply pretends a lot less.

In sum, Genos and Saitama are limited, and they expect to be limited. 

It makes them, for all the monster-killing stuff, more relatable than many superheroes. 

It likely helps that their reactions are delightfully pure young male.