One Punch Man’s appeal isn’t just about Saitama’s unbeatable strength. Many of its side characters have unique personalities, fighting styles, and backstories that could easily carry their own projects. In the right hands, these heroes and antiheroes could headline spin offs ranging from story rich console games to high action online experiences. By focusing on their strengths, each project could offer a fresh lens into the series’ world.
Speed o Sound Sonic – A Stealth Action Showcase
Sonic is more than just a recurring nuisance to Saitama. His agility, ninja techniques, and personal vendetta make him perfect for a stealth action game in the vein of Tenchu or Sekiro. Missions could focus on infiltrating villain hideouts, using parkour and silent takedowns, and upgrading weapons to master his assassination craft.
In an online format, his story could also expand into themed challenge modes. Character skins and timed events could keep players engaged, offering limited-time rewards tied to Sonic’s ninja aesthetic.
Mumen Rider – The Underdog’s Road to Glory
Despite lacking superhuman abilities, Mumen Rider embodies grit and selflessness. A spin-off focusing on him could blend narrative-driven gameplay with choice-based progression. Players might face moral decisions that test their ideals—helping civilians at the cost of failing a mission, or choosing between personal safety and public duty.
This concept could extend to casual game modes or themed mobile slots, where visual designs use Mumen Rider’s signature bike, urban landscapes, and hazard-filled roads. The mechanics of these mobile slots could incorporate bonus rounds based on quick-time events, echoing his relentless willpower.
Bringing Film and TV Inspiration into Game Design
The way pop culture portrays games of chance often shapes how audiences imagine them. A breakdown of gambling in film and TV, like the one explored in From Counting Cards to Rolling Dice: Gambling in TV & Film, shows how directors use these scenes to reveal character traits, raise stakes, or create tension. Applying similar principles to One Punch Man spin offs could turn side activities—whether high stakes tournaments or tense one on one duels—into key storytelling moments. These touches can make supporting characters feel even more layered.
Tatsumaki – A Physics Bending Power Fantasy
Tatsumaki’s psychic abilities open the door for a high-powered action RPG. Using real time telekinesis, players could fling debris, crush enemies, and manipulate the battlefield. Dynamic destruction physics would not only make combat satisfying but could also serve puzzle-solving segments.
A standalone movie could dive deeper into her strained relationship with her sister Fubuki, balancing explosive battles with emotional drama. Her intimidating yet vulnerable personality could hook viewers far beyond the spectacle of her powers.
King – The Master of Reputation
King is famous for winning battles he never actually fights, thanks to perfectly timed coincidences. A comedic, choice driven visual novel could explore how he navigates situations where people expect him to be a hero. Each chapter might force players to bluff, stall, or manipulate events so that victory happens without lifting a finger.
For an online mini game, developers could experiment with probability-based mechanics, mirroring the luck that defines his career. The fun would come from strategising when to risk exposure versus maintaining the King persona.
Why Side Characters Work Well for Spin Offs
Side characters offer narrative freedom. Without the pressure of matching Saitama’s overpowered status, games and films can explore varied genres—stealth, strategy, RPG, even satirical comedy. This flexibility invites experimental mechanics, storylines, and visual styles that wouldn’t fit the main series.
Example Concepts at a Glance
| Character | Spin Off Concept | Unique Gameplay Element |
| Speed o Sound Sonic | Stealth action console game | Ninja parkour and silent takedowns |
| Mumen Rider | Moral choice adventure + casual slot theme | Quick time rescue bonus rounds |
| Tatsumaki | Action RPG with telekinesis | Physics based combat and puzzles |
| King | Comedic visual novel | Probability based event outcomes |
Transforming the Breakout Role
A well crafted spin off can transform a secondary figure into a breakout lead, like the strongest characters in One Punch Man. By pairing each character’s traits with fitting genres and mechanics, developers could create experiences that stand on their own while enriching the One Punch Man universe. Integrating cinematic tension, moral stakes, and creative gameplay loops ensures these projects appeal to both fans and newcomers.
If executed with care, these side stories wouldn’t just feel like bonus content—they could redefine how audiences connect with the series’ diverse cast.
Expanding the Appeal Beyond the Screen
Exploring these One Punch Man side characters through games or films doesn’t just entertain—it deepens fan engagement. When players or viewers experience events from another character’s perspective, they notice details and worldbuilding elements they may have overlooked in the main storyline. This layered storytelling can also bridge gaps between manga readers, anime viewers, and gamers, creating a unified fan conversation.
For developers, thinking creatively about mechanics—whether that’s physics based combat for Tatsumaki or probability-based bluffing for King—can also influence how audiences remember a character. Meanwhile, themed side activities, like narrative driven tournaments or stylised mini games, keep the experience varied and replayable. By grounding these concepts in each character’s established personality, spin offs avoid feeling forced, instead becoming natural extensions of the original work.