'One Piece' animator defends 'One Punch Man' Season 3 amid criticism over animation quality

'One Piece' animator Vincent Chansard has defended 'One Punch Man' Season 3, calling the backlash against J.C. unfair

One Punch Man Season 3 has faced heavy criticism from fans over its animation quality, prompting One Piece animator Vincent Chansard to step in and defend the production team.

The anime, produced by J.C. Staff, premiered recently but has divided audiences who compared it unfavourably to the acclaimed first season.

Speaking on the KOL: Requiem YouTube channel, Chansard, known for his work on One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Castlevania, said the situation was “a bit more complex” than fans realise.

“I think a lot of people blame J.C. Staff, but it’s a bit more complex. Sometimes, it’s not about the animation studio – sometimes it’s about the production committees that are on top of everything,” he explained.

Chansard also described the working environment within Japan’s anime industry as “very difficult,” noting that J.C. Staff is composed of artists “trying to survive” under immense pressure.

He criticised online harassment targeting the production staff, saying, “People on social media are harassing the staff… everyone has work conditions that push them to make choices.”

His comments align with those of One Punch Man Season 3 director Shinpei Nagai, who recently urged fans to “stop with the harassment and the persistent questions that I can’t answer due to NDAs.”

The criticism intensified after Episode 2, where fans mocked scenes featuring still frames, particularly one of Garou sliding down a hill. The moment quickly became a meme, with some dubbing the show “One Frame Man.”

Despite the backlash, other viewers have defended the series, arguing that Season 3 still delivers strong action sequences. Chansard emphasised that comparisons to Season 1, produced by Madhouse, are unrealistic due to different teams, resources, and production constraints.

One Punch Man Season 3 continues airing, with Episode 3 set to release on October 26.