‘One Punch Man’ S3 Director Quits Social Media After Fan Backlash Turns Toxic

The release of One-Punch Man Season 3 has caused a major stir online, with many fans unhappy about the show’s animation quality. The backlash has gone far beyond simple criticism. The show’s director, Shinpei Nagai, has deleted his X account after receiving heavy harassment from angry viewers.

In a message posted on X before closing his account, Nagai explained that he decided to leave social media because of the growing negativity and personal attacks.

He said that some fans had twisted his words from earlier posts, damaging both his reputation and that of the animation team at J.C. Staff. The online hate, he shared, had become too overwhelming for him to handle.

Nagai had asked that his role as director for One-Punch Man Season 3 remain private until closer to its premiere. However, once it became public, fans began blaming him for what they viewed as weak animation and disappointing production.

Despite trying to answer questions and ease concerns, Nagai continued to face anger online, which led him to lock his account and eventually shut it down completely.

On October 21, he posted a message expressing his sadness over the reaction from fans after the second episode aired. “It’s sad to see kind fans who had high expectations get angry and curse, saying ‘you betrayed our expectations!’” he wrote.

The director also criticized those who use social media to provoke or insult creators, reminding people that the quality of an anime depends on many factors, including budget limits and time pressure.

He pointed out that the staff was working hard under tough conditions to deliver the best they could.

It’s understandable that fans get upset when a series they’ve waited years for doesn’t meet expectations. Still, crossing the line into harassment is never acceptable. Animators and directors pour their time and energy into their work, and constant hate only makes things worse for everyone involved.

This kind of behavior needs to stop. It’s fine to criticize a show, that’s part of being a fan, but it should always be done respectfully. Harassment doesn’t improve the animation or the story; it only drives away the people who make the shows we love. What do you think about this situation? Share your thoughts in the comments.