Some call this a love/hate series, but as seen by the many 5-8s, this is not entirely accurate. What I think is it's a love/look-down-on series. Some love it, and others find it good or average or trash but consider it inferior to animes with intricate methods of storytelling. To disregard OPM for its innocent nature is to do yourself and the show a great disservice. There is a saying which you've likely heard: "It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round." This is true in all things, equally true for art as it is for people. Does OPM have the same style of masterful storytelling as HxH, or the same gripping, meticulously thought out plot of Monster? No. Does it need to? Hell no. In fact, it is better without it. What a viewer should instead ask is: Does OPM achieve what it sets out to do? That answer is yes. By god, yes, and to a degree that is equalled only by other animes crafted with similar lev
els of mastery. This show is mindless fun with lots of heart and production value. What it aims to do is simply be enjoyed. And I'll squeeze it in here, Genos is a great character and Saitama is hilarious and badass.
Now, if the reason you don't like this anime is because you don't agree with its humor, that is something I cannot objectively argue. Personally, I think its style of parody fits the show perfectly. But I will say that although humor is by far its most prominent element and the mechanic which drives the show, it is again doing the anime a disservice to say it has nothing else going for it. In addition to the well-built action, the simple, childlike nature of a story which is about heroes who want to protect mankind from destruction is presented in a continually inspiring way by the second half. Saitama's development from Hero-For-Fun to self-proclaimed, largely unrecognised defender of the world's justice really gets me. Again, I'm not claiming there is any masterful storytelling here, but if you can't find inspiration in it then embrace your inner-child and general giving a shit about the betterment of mankind and watch the show again. These themes are presented well to say the least.
This deeper meaning to an otherwise comedic story teamed with its passionate, skillful direction, outstanding acting (in the Japanese), and 11/10 production value makes it a masterpiece in my books. Albeit a peculiar, goofy masterpiece, but IMO that only makes it as brave as its hero who reminds us that, in the end, good will always triumph over evil, and the world is worth protecting. You don't need to think too much about that.
