One-Punch Man Season 3 continued its high-stakes narrative with the release of Episode 9, titled “Brave Child,” on December 7, 2025. The highly anticipated episode delivered a pivotal confrontation, primarily focusing on the S-Class hero Child Emperor and his challenging battle within the Monster Association arc.
The episode became available to stream on Crunchyroll worldwide (excluding Japan), and on Hulu and Disney+ in the United States, at 8:45 AM Pacific Time / 11:45 AM Eastern Time.
Child Emperor’s Fierce Battle Against Phoenix Man
Episode 9 thrust the young prodigy Child Emperor into a critical and anxiety-inducing scenario against the formidable Phoenix Man. The battle showcased Child Emperor’s strategic genius and powerful weaponry, including the deployment of his giant mech, Brave Giant. A significant moment involved the use of the “Millennium Emperor Nova,” a massive energy beam that demonstrated the immense power wielded by S-Class heroes.
However, Phoenix Man proved to be a resilient foe, exhibiting a unique resurrection ability tied to a children’s TV show gimmick, allowing him to revive and become even more powerful after seemingly being defeated. This regeneration capability complicated the fight, turning it into an existential crisis for the Child Emperor as his strategies struggled to achieve a definitive victory. The episode highlighted that despite inflicting significant damage, Child Emperor’s efforts were largely absorbed by Phoenix Man’s suit, which even allowed the monster to absorb other powers and reanimate bodies. The main objective for Child Emperor in this segment was to rescue Waganma from the Monster Association’s underground headquarters.
Saitama’s Brief Appearance and Ongoing Arcs
While the spotlight largely remained on Child Emperor, the titular hero Saitama made a brief, characteristic appearance. He encountered the resurrected ninja duo Hellfire Flame and Tempest Wind within the Monster Association’s labyrinthine base. In typical Saitama fashion, he effortlessly dealt with the threat without exerting noticeable effort, prompting the ninja brothers to flee.
The episode further revealed multiple S-Class heroes operating independently throughout the Monster Association’s subterranean lair, hinting at their paths converging as the season progresses towards its climax. Zombie Man also responded to a communication from Child Emperor, indicating his future involvement in the arc.
Season 3’s Trajectory and Reception
One-Punch Man Season 3 officially premiered on October 12, 2025, with a recap special airing a week prior. The season is expected to run for 12 episodes, consistent with its predecessors, and is deeply entrenched in adapting the fan-favorite Monster Association Arc from the manga. This arc sees the Hero Association facing its greatest threat as powerful monsters unite to challenge humanity.
Initial reception for Season 3 had reportedly been mixed, with some episodes receiving lower ratings. However, Episode 8 marked a positive turning point, breaking a trend of disappointment among fans. Episode 9 continued this momentum, setting the stage for the remaining three episodes of the season, which are expected to conclude by December 28, 2025.
