Article Key Points
The narrative of One Punch Man centers on several institutions, including the Hero Association, Monster Association, Dark Matter Pirates, House of Evolution, The Organization, Paradise Group, Council of Swordmasters, Neo-Heroes, and Tsukuyomi.
The Hero Association serves as the main barrier against monsters, whereas the Monster Association seeks to eradicate both the Hero Association and humanity in order to create a world dominated by monsters.
Both organizations possess distinctive objectives and qualities, which play a significant role in shaping the narrative of One Punch Man and establishing the contrasting notions of good and evil.
The presence of various organizations in the One Punch Man story significantly influences its narrative. Nearly every character introduced in the storyline is affiliated with one organization or another, including some that have not yet been officially introduced. These organizations span a wide spectrum, ranging from groups of heroes assembled to combat monsters to organizations entirely controlled by monsters themselves. The collective presence of these organizations essentially determines the concepts of good and evil within One Punch Man.
In this article, we will explore the prominent organizations featured in both the manga and anime, discussing their roles within the plot. However, it is worth mentioning that organizations exclusive to the webcomic, such as the Heavenly Ninja Party or the Church of Otherwordly Reincarnation, will not be covered. Additionally, smaller sub-groups like the Fubuki Group or Blast's Group, who are opposing God, will also not be discussed, as they are unofficial factions rather than recognized organizations.
The Hero Association
The Hero Association, known as "the good guys" in the world of One Punch Man, serves as the primary defense against the rampage of destructive monsters. Despite acknowledging the existence of corruption within their ranks, as depicted in Chapter 187, this organization houses all the Hero Classes. These classes are ranked from weakest to strongest and encompass a diverse range of heroes. At the top echelon of the association is the renowned S-Class of heroes, entrusted with the formidable task of defeating the mightiest monsters.
The Monster Association
The Monster Association, the direct enemy of the Hero Association, stands as a formidable force that opposes and counters them. In the arc dedicated to this organization, we were introduced to the group of adversaries who were responsible for the increase in monster attacks worldwide. Similar to the Hero Association, they consisted of individuals with varying ranks, ranging from Wolf to Demon in the Disaster Level rankings. The Cadres, who held the executive position within the organization, comprised of 9 Dragon Level threats. Only the strongest heroes were capable of defeating them, as their ultimate goal was to eradicate the Hero Association and establish a world dominated by monsters.
Dark Matter Pirates
The Dark Matter Pirates, led by Lord Boros, were an immense pirate organization that traversed the vast reaches of the universe, looting countless planets. Renowned throughout the galaxy, this notorious group consisted of a diverse array of formidable aliens, with the most powerful among them posing as Demon Level threats. Notably, it took multiple S-Class heroes to finally vanquish Melzargard, showcasing the sheer strength of this pirate band. Lord Boros, a Dragon Level adversary, grew weary of his existence as he surpassed all opposition in terms of power, much like Saitama. Propelled by a prophetic vision received twenty years prior to the events of One Punch Man, he eventually arrived on Earth in search of an adversary who could match his unparalleled might.
House of Evolution
Established by Dr. Genus, the House of Evolution emerged as a malevolent entity dedicated to advancing the future of humanity by means of artificial evolution. Its workforce exclusively comprised clones of Dr. Genus, and it housed an array of formidable creatures generated through a fusion of human and animal DNA, such as lions and rhinoceroses. Among its notable inhabitants, Carnage Kabuto reigned supreme as an immensely powerful monster, attaining Dragon Level threat classification and effortlessly overpowering Genos, necessitating Saitama's intervention to defeat it.
The Organization
Paradise Group
The Organization is an assembly of malevolent sentient robots who play a far more significant role in the overall narrative than commonly perceived. Their debut occurred during the initial stages of season 2 of the anime, where their formidable member, G4, engaged Genos in combat. Their objective is twofold: to leave a trail of destruction in their wake and to confront formidable adversaries in order to gather valuable information, subsequently bolstering their own power. During the Monster Association arc, it was unveiled that they had formed an alliance with the eponymous Monster Association.
The Paradise Group, under the leadership of B-Class criminal Hammerhead, was a relatively obscure and smaller organization. Recognizable by their bulky battle suits, which immensely enhanced their strength, they possessed the ability to demolish entire buildings with a single punch. Surprisingly, these powerful suits were stolen from The Organization, and it was later uncovered that the robots had intentionally allowed this theft to occur. The primary objective of the Paradise Group was to establish a utopian society where all work was voluntary, as Hammerhead harbored a strong aversion towards traditional employment. However, following their defeat, Hammerhead vowed to find employment.
Council of Swordmasters
Much like the Paradise Group, the Council of Swordmasters is an official organization, albeit a relatively small one. All members of this organization are skilled masters of the blade, and they strive to achieve two primary objectives. According to Haragiri, the Council assembles solely during times of crisis to aid the Hero Association in vanquishing threats to the world. Additionally, their leader Nichirin has disclosed that another objective of theirs is to locate the legendary Moon Blade.
Neo-Heroes
The Neo-Heroes, an enigmatic group introduced in the manga adaptation of the webcomic, remain shrouded in mystery. This independent organization of heroes has emerged with the sole purpose of supplanting the existing Hero Association. Disillusioned with the Association, many individuals believe it fails to exemplify true heroism and is plagued by corruption. While their objectives and actions remain largely concealed, it is evident that the Neo-Heroes have successfully recruited formidable individuals into their ranks and have actively sought to sway heroes within the Hero Association to join their cause.
Tsukuyomi
Tsukuyomi, the latest addition to the organizations in One Punch Man, is the most enigmatic and elusive. Despite their mysterious nature, it was revealed in the manga that they had imprisoned and conducted experiments on Tatsumaki when she was a child due to her extraordinary esper abilities. As a result, Tatsumaki unlocked her hidden potential and powers, leading to the demise of many members of the group in the presence of young Fubuki, who also awakened her psychic abilities. Their debut occurred in Chapter 175 when they offered a substantial sum of money for Psykos, but were ultimately defeated by Tatsumaki. Although their objectives remain unknown, it is evident that they rely on psychics to fulfill their ambitions.
These organizations essentially represent diverse factions within the world of One Punch Man, each striving to achieve their own objectives. Additionally, there are numerous independent sub-groups and teams operating alongside these organizations.
One Punch Man can be streamed on Netflix and Hulu.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I find the world of One Punch Man to be incredibly engaging and imaginative. The variety of organizations featured in the series adds depth and complexity to the narrative, and I appreciate the way they explore different themes and ideas.
The Hero Association, for example, represents the traditional notion of heroism and justice, while the Monster Association challenges those ideals and presents a more nuanced view of good and evil. I also enjoy the way the series explores the relationships between these organizations and the characters that inhabit them.
Overall, I think the organizations in One Punch Man are a great example of how world-building can be used to enhance a story and make it more compelling.