Chapter 68: ONE – The Webcomic Artist Who Punched His Way to Fame

Note: All figures below are estimates based on publicly available information. Actual figures may vary.

Author Snapshot

• Author: ONE (ワン)
• Type: Japanese manga artist/writer
• Genre: Action, comedy, superhero, parody
• Career Span: 2009–present
• Notable Status: Creator of One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100; both became massive anime hits; known for deliberately crude webcomic art that became beloved

The Amateur Artist Who Defeated Heroes

ONE began posting One-Punch Man as a webcomic with deliberately simple, crude art. The story of Saitama—a hero so powerful that he defeats everyone with a single punch—became an internet sensation. When Yusuke Murata redrew it as a professional manga, it exploded. Mob Psycho 100, ONE’s other creation, proved his success wasn’t a fluke.

Estimated Lifetime Gross Revenue

Total Estimated Range: $15 million to $30 million USD (2009-2024)

Two massive franchises generate substantial income.

Revenue Breakdown by Source

1. Manga Sales (Estimated: $6-12 million)

• One-Punch Man (Murata version): 30+ million copies
• Mob Psycho 100: 10+ million copies
• Ongoing serialization

2. Anime Royalties (Estimated: $5-10 million)

• One-Punch Man Season 1 (Madhouse) – acclaimed
• One-Punch Man Season 2-3
• Mob Psycho 100 (three seasons, Bones)
• Source material royalties

3. Gaming & Merchandise (Estimated: $3-6 million)

• Video games
• Merchandise

Top Works & Impact

One-Punch Man (2009–present)

Saitama, a hero so strong he ends every fight with one punch, searches for excitement in a world of monsters and heroes.

Why It Works:

• Parodies superhero genre while honoring it
• Saitama’s boredom is the joke AND the drama
• Supporting characters carry emotional stakes
• Action spectacular despite comedic premise

Mob Psycho 100 (2012-2017)

Mob, a middle schooler with immense psychic powers, just wants to be normal. His journey of emotional growth resonated deeply.

Why It’s Beloved:

• Emotional depth surprising
• Growth > power message
• Reigen (mentor) became iconic
• Animation (Bones) extraordinary

The Amateur Who Won

ONE proved you don’t need professional art to tell compelling stories. His webcomic’s crude style became part of the appeal—when Murata’s gorgeous art replaced it for the manga, some fans missed the original’s charm.

In the Golden Quill Chronicles, ONE represents authenticity—the creator whose deliberately amateur art launched two of the decade’s most beloved anime, proving story trumps polish.