The One Punch Man series gets its name from the protagonist, Saitama, a character renowned for his incredible strength. Saitama has the extraordinary ability to defeat most monsters with a single punch, making him unmatched in power and durability. It is possible that the inspiration for Saitama came from real-life beings, such as the Mantis Shrimp, which shares certain characteristics with the One Punch Man character.
Delving into this unusual comparison, content creator Dianna Cowern, known as Physics Girl, teamed up with Marine Biologist Dr. Kate Furby to learn more about the Mantis Shrimp. Note: This article may contain minor spoilers from the One Punch Man manga.
Taking a look at the real-life One Punch Man - Mantis Shrimp
Image of a Mantis Shrimp - the real-life One Punch Man (Image via National Geographic Kids)
The Mantis Shrimp, a marine crustacean with a carnivorous nature, is truly remarkable due to its incredible ability. The astonishing speed and power with which it delivers blows is nothing short of spectacular. Videographers had to use a camera that records at 2000 frames per second to capture the Mantis Shrimp striking an object, a testament to just how fast this creature is. It's no wonder that fans have dubbed it the real-life One Punch Man.
Similar to Saitama’s punches, the Mantis Shrimps have a Raptorial Appendage capable of exerting a force equivalent to 200 pounds. The speed of this creature's attack rivals that of a .22 caliber bullet, reaching speeds of 0-60 mph in just 0.2 milliseconds. The astounding physical capabilities of the Mantis Shrimp only serve to solidify its status as a real-life embodiment of Saitama.
Underwater attacks trigger a phenomenon called cavitation, where the rapid change in fluid pressure creates countless small cavities that implode, causing the water to boil even at room temperature. This rapid collapse of vapor bubbles releases light and heat, with temperatures comparable to those on the surface of the sun.
The Mantis Shrimp is a formidable hunter underwater, known for its ability to consume various beings including those with hard shells. Using its powerful Raptorial Appendages, this creature is able to break through the tough exterior of its prey to access the delicate soft tissues within.
The Mantis Shrimp's extraordinary abilities have sparked a wave of excitement among fans, with some even dubbing it the real-life One Punch Man (Screengrab via YouTube/@physicsgirl). Insights from Dianna Cowern, Dr. Kate Furby, and Dr. Sheila Patek have offered fans a captivating look into this remarkable creature. One enthusiastic fan went so far as to christen the creature One Punch Shrimp, drawing parallels to the iconic Caped Baldy from the beloved anime and manga series.
Fans are convinced that this amazing creature closely resembles Saitama from the One Punch Man series. The Caped Baldy has become a legendary figure in the anime world for nearly obliterating Jupiter by mistake and defeating Boros, who was able to send Saitama into outer space with a single punch. Keep an eye out for more updates on anime and manga news as we move through 2023.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan of the One Punch Man series, I am fascinated by the revelation that the real-life inspiration behind Saitama's character is the Mantis Shrimp. The fact that this creature possesses such incredible strength and speed, capable of delivering blows equivalent to 200 pounds and reaching speeds of 0-60 mph in just 0.2 milliseconds, is truly mind-boggling. It's no wonder that fans have dubbed it the real-life One Punch Man.
The Mantis Shrimp's ability to trigger cavitation underwater, creating boiling water and releasing light and heat comparable to those on the surface of the sun, is simply awe-inspiring. It's amazing to think that such a small creature can generate such immense power. The fact that it uses this power to hunt and consume various beings, including those with hard shells, further demonstrates its incredible strength and adaptability.