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The original was posted on /r/onepunchman by /u/sirDangel on 2025-06-09 17:04:58+00:00.
Despite his short-lived appearance, the alien conqueror left a big legacy in the series.
Volume 7 cover
Lord Boros is the perfect philosophical opponent for Saitama, a reflection of the latter's tragicomic condition. They're two sides of the same coin: that of unparalleled strength. In absence of challenge, there is no growth or excitement but only stagnation; while Saitama was wallowing in numbness, Boros believed he stood at the top of the world, actively seeking a worthy opponent during his ravages across the universe.
Clash of two worlds
Born on a harsh planet, possibly in a Type II or higher civilization, Boros rose as an individual with endowed abilities among his kindred. His strength soon brought him boredom so much that he had to seal his power with a restraining armor. He wandered the universe as the captain of the Dark Matter Thieves until the space pirate was foretold he'd meet, on a distant blue planet, an opponent who can grant him the fight he longed for.
Boros' observation haki in play (Chapter 33)
When the two met, Boros immediately sensed in Saitama limitless potential and did not take him lightly, setting him apart from other villains of the series. He showed Saitama respect by exchanging introductions and confessed his excitement for the battle. However, Saitama was as usual jaded and delivered a fast, devastating punch to Boros. To the hero's surprise though, for the first time the villain was not vanquished in one punch. Unlike any other opponent he fought, Boros endured as he was stronger than Saitama expected him to be. A big fight was being preluded.
One-Punch Man's most iconic scene
In the heat of the battle
The battle is staged as though Boros was actually matching Saitama's power, an encounter with a potential disaster level God foretold by the seer Shibabawa. The alien is shown keeping up with Saitama's pace, even landing some hits in his released form. Unlike Garou, who was scraping to get past Saitama to reach the summit, Boros believed he stood on it until the very end.
Boros was confident he could defeat Saitama, but it's soon revealed that the hero was unfazed by the attacks, even when delivered in his strongest form: Meteoric Burst.
This was the battle Boros was looking for: an opponent who he can fight at full power. The tables are now turned.
A solemn proclamation (Episode 01x12)
Boros' spirit blazes with emotion and passion: an exhilaration that almost compels the spectator to root for the alien. He was the underdog of the fight, giving his all against the unfairly strong opponent that is Saitama. Boros was the main character in that moment, fighting the battle he and Saitama dreamed of.
This connection is emphasized in the anime by studio Madhouse, which created visual and musical parallels between Episode 12 and Episode 1 (Saitama vs the Oniric Subterraneans) coming full circle.
Parallels between Saitama and Boros (Episode 01x01 and 01x12)
Standing proud in defeat
An exchange of trump cards and the battle ends: Boros is defeated. Despite the loss, the depleted alien showed himself satisfied of the "splendid" battle and acknowledges Saitama's victory. Saitama also agrees, acknowledging Boros' strength. And this is where the alien shines one last time.
Boros sees right through Saitama: he knows it was a lie and refuses proudly the opponent's sympathy. It was not a real battle.
Boros' awareness (Chapter 36)
Saitama could have defeated Boros in any moment but made him run wild as long as the fight was on the spaceship, perhaps wanting to see what power the outer space could offer. In the end, Saitama saw himself in Boros. He lied so that Boros could fulfill his goal; it was a showing of respect.
Nevertheless, Boros comes to terms with his defeat and realizes the prophecy wasn't truthful: he may have gotten the fight he was looking for, but it was against someone he never had a chance of defeating, someone who wasn’t even truly fighting.
And for Saitama it was another painful reminder; even the Dominator the Universe was still no match for him.
https://preview.redd.it/49xbhed5lx5f1.png?width=1000&format=png&auto=webp&s=536fd1f0f0bd1966e356f579161363e30f811e27
An endless chase
Boros' introduction was the perfect narrative device to further develop on Saitama's tragicomic condition. Through him we can empathize with Saitama, exploring an alternative path the hero could have taken.
The kind of threat Boros posed was not direct but existential: if this is all the Dominator of the Universe has to offer, what else is there to fight? Boros was the only one he could relate to, strong enough to gauge Saitama's power; and yet there's still an abyss between the two. Where else could Saitama find accomplishment and satisfaction?
Furthermore, Boros could have been the strongest villain in the series ever and it would not have mattered because ONE breaks the cycle of "villain of the week". Stronger and stronger foes serve no purpose to Saitama as he didn't need to get more powerful: he is an end series main character of a shonen. Of course, this concept weaned off when God was introduced to raise the stakes of the plot.
Murata on the deviant storytelling of ONE's parody (One Punch Man Notes: Secret Compus Vol. 2)
Later on our bald hero finally found an opponent strong enough he can actually spar with in Cosmic Garou. Despite that he shows no excitement, realizing that a hard-fought battle may not be all that there is.
Saitama and Cosmic Garou on Io (Chapter 167)
A search for one strong opponent after another is perhaps not the answer Saitama seeks. That is what he saw Boros pursue: an endless chase of a fleeting thrill.
Conclusion
While seemingly a shallow short-lived character with no deeper motivation, Boros has demonstrated to be the perfect One-Punch Man villain who elevates the core dilemma of the series. His strength, magnetic personality, and narrative purpose set him as a fan-favorite in the series.
The star who shines the brightest collapses the fastest, revealing with its light the many facets of a gem.
https://preview.redd.it/i1k3bizdlx5f1.png?width=1000&format=png&auto=webp&s=dcf36ffb0002de23d8531ff62c3ba3e3cf2d68f9
PS: you can find this essay with better format on my blog. Check also my analysis on Boros' society and Collapsing Star Roaring Cannon.
