‘One Punch Man’ season 3 release date: Premiere delayed to 2022 if fans get requested studio change?

The wait for “One Punch Man” season 3 is unique than the previous years because some fans have another very specific demand aside from an official announcement of the third installment. Some very passionate anime viewers want the third season to be produced by a different studio than J.C.Staff.

However, if this group of fans gets their way, it could affect the “One Punch Man” season 3 release date window. Some are even speculating that having a different studio produce the next season might push the anime’s return to as late as 2022.

‘One Punch Man’ season 3 release date: Anime won’t return until after 3 years?

The much-awaited second season of “One Punch Man” premiered and concluded earlier this year with 12 episodes similar to season 1. However, season 2’s run has been marred with criticisms on its animation quality and pacing of adapting manga chapters into the anime series. So even if all fans are in unison in wanting “One Punch Man” season 3 to happen, many are insisting that changes in the production are needed.

Thousands have signed an online petition demanding that “One Punch Man” season 3 should not be produced by J.C.Staff. They want the anime series to go back with the studio Madhouse and hope that season 1 director Shingo Natsume would also return to work on the series instead of season 2’s Chikara Sakurai.

Viz Media has yet to comment on the backlash toward season 2’s animation and pacing, as well as if having a different studio produce season 3 is being considered. But it should be noted that the last time the series changed its producing studio, it delayed season 2’s premiere by several years. With that, there are speculations that if producers would agree to fans’ demand, “One Punch Man” season 3 might not be released until 2022 at the earliest.

‘One Punch Man’ season 3 production: Is there a chance for a two-cour release?

Another interesting aspect of the “One Punch Man” season 3 production is the pace of the events covered compared to the released manga chapters. Season 2 ended at the very early parts of the Monster Association Arc, which is also the ongoing story in the manga.

Some fans are now wondering if the producers would consider waiting for the said story arc to be completed that they think could happen in two years. With that much source materials, it does open the possibility for “One Punch Man” season 3 to have a two-cour run doubling the episode count from the previous seasons. It is actually not a bad idea and makes it viable for season 3 to have a proper finale.