The fan-favorite One-Punch Man manga has entered another sudden hiatus, leaving readers waiting for the next chapter. This break comes just after the highly anticipated “Ninja Arc” redraw concluded, and now fans are looking ahead to mid‑July for the manga’s return.
On May 21, 2025, artist Yusuke Murata confirmed via social media that the series will pause until July 17, 2025, “due to various circumstances”. No additional explanation was provided, but Murata expressed his apology for keeping readers waiting. This marks the second time in under a year that One-Punch Man has taken a multi-month break—the previous two-month hiatus occurred in June 2024.
In the wake of the announcement, reactions have been mixed. Many fans showed understanding and encouraged the creative team to prioritize rest and quality. One commented, “We’re looking forward to the manga’s return. Rest and come back stronger!” while another added, “You and ONE sensei needed a break. I hope the art and story have better coherence from here on”. Others, however, expressed fatigue over the interruptions and the redrawn chapters that have slowed the progress of the new story.
Story Synopsis
The latest major arc, known as the Ninja Arc, underwent a third full redraw by Murata, delaying new narrative developments for fans hungry to see Saitama and Garou face off once more. With the manga temporarily paused, readers will now have to wait until mid‑July to see whether the next chapter features brand-new content or yet another revised version of past work.
Character Summaries
Saitama – The bald hero with unbeatable strength, Saitama, can defeat any villain with one punch—but struggles to find meaning in life without a worthy challenge. New readers should know his deadpan humor, existential boredom, and heroic stance are central to his appeal, and his involvement in the Ninja Arc was minimal as Murata prioritized redrawing earlier content.
Garou – Often called the “Hero Hunter,” Garou is an anti‑hero whose martial arts skills and complex motivations drive much of the conflict. His character explores themes of justice, morality, and what it means to be a true hero or monster. With the Ninja Arc focusing again on his backstory, fans are eager to see if the upcoming chapters advance beyond revisiting old ground.
Release Outlook & Fan Expectations
As of now, July 17, 2025, is the confirmed date for the manga’s return, though no preview materials have emerged. Meanwhile, One-Punch Man Season 3 is scheduled to debut this October, so while animation brings new momentum, the intrigue builds off of the manga’s pacing. The hiatus may give the team breathing room to craft stronger material, but fans have voiced frustration over repeated delays and slowed story progression.
In Summary
One-Punch Man enters a two-month hiatus following the release of chapter 203 (a polished version of Ninja Arc). The next chapter is slated for Thursday, July 17, 2025, with no clarity yet on whether it will be new content or another redraw. Fans remain hopeful that the break allows Murata and ONE to return with renewed focus—and possibly new plot developments.
