In One Punch Man, Blast is the top-ranked S-Class hero of the Hero Association — a mysterious figure who had long been mentioned but only revealed during the Monster Association Arc. Known as the strongest hero in the association, fans have constantly speculated about his true power. How strong is Blast really, and how does he compare to the unbeatable “Bald Hero” Saitama? Let’s break it down.
Who Is Blast?
Blast is introduced as the number one hero of the Hero Association, who defeated Elder Centipede — a Dragon-level threat — two years before Saitama emerged. In the manga (Chapter 135 onward), he makes a full appearance, confronting Cosmic Garou and even “God” — the mysterious entity threatening humanity. Unlike Saitama, Blast treats heroism as a hobby alongside his regular office job, yet his power surpasses every other S-Class hero.
Blast’s Power
Combat Abilities
- Physical Strength: Blast punches Cosmic Garou — a being near god-level — and sends him flying, showcasing immense striking power (Chapter 164).
- Super Speed: He uses teleportation to intercept Garou, moving so fast that others can’t even perceive it.
- Durability: He withstands direct exposure to “God’s” energy and powerful attacks from Garou without taking serious damage.
Special Abilities
- Dimensional Travel: Blast uses portals to warp across space and dimensions — even transporting Saitama, Garou, and others to safety (Chapter 166).
- Energy Manipulation: He can fire concentrated energy attacks capable of countering Cosmic Garou’s particle beams.
- Cosmic Awareness: Blast understands higher dimensions and cosmic threats, suggesting he’s as much a genius as he is a fighter.
Major Feats
- Defeated Elder Centipede, a Dragon-level monster that Genos, Bang, and Bomb couldn’t handle together.
- Held his ground against Cosmic Garou, who had been empowered by “God.”
- Actively battles “God,” being the only hero aware of this looming threat.
Blast vs. Saitama – How Do They Compare?
| Criteria | Blast | Saitama |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Power | Punched Cosmic Garou away | Defeated Garou with one punch |
| Speed | Teleports instantly | Faster than light (vs. Garou) |
| Durability | Withstands divine energy | Unaffected by any attack |
| Special Abilities | Portals, energy blasts | None – relies solely on strength |
| Feats | Fought “God,” restrained Garou | Destroyed meteors, defeated Boros, Garou |
Blast:
His power lies in versatility — blending physical strength, teleportation, and cosmic-level abilities. He’s capable of resisting divine threats and supporting large-scale battles. However, he has yet to end any major fight decisively with raw power alone.
Saitama:
His power is simple but absolute. A single punch ends every battle, regardless of the opponent’s power level — from Dragon-class Boros to Cosmic Garou. He doesn’t need special techniques — his raw power defies logic.
The Fight Against Cosmic Garou
- Blast: In Chapters 164–166, he clashes with Cosmic Garou but is quickly overwhelmed and needs support from allies.
- Saitama: Enters the fight and defeats Garou effortlessly in Chapter 168. He even destroys the surface of Jupiter during the battle — showcasing strength on a godlike scale.
Potential and Limitations
- Blast: Though incredibly powerful, he has clear limitations. He cannot defeat “God” or Cosmic Garou alone and works with mysterious dimensional allies.
- Saitama: His power appears limitless — increasing exponentially when emotional, far beyond any character in the series.
Can Blast Rival Saitama?
Currently:
Blast is the strongest hero in the Hero Association with cosmic-level abilities. But compared to Saitama, the gap remains huge:
- Raw Power: Saitama’s strength, speed, and durability eclipse Blast’s on every level.
- Finishing Ability: Blast has never ended a major battle decisively — Saitama always does.
In the Future:
If Blast receives power from “God” or continues to evolve, he may edge closer to Saitama’s level. However, One Punch Man is designed around Saitama being peerless, so it’s unlikely anyone — even Blast — will surpass him.
The Symbolism of Blast’s Power
- The Ideal Hero: Blast represents the traditional hero — strong, responsible, and smart — a contrast to Saitama’s subversive simplicity.
- Guardian Against “God”: His true strength lies in his role — protecting humanity from “God,” a cosmic threat even Saitama hasn’t directly faced.
Conclusion
Blast is a cosmic-level hero with a wide array of powers, intelligence, and a critical role in fighting universe-threatening foes. He’s the Hero Association’s #1 for good reason. But when it comes to raw power, he still can’t match Saitama, the “Caped Baldy” who breaks every rule and limitation in the One Punch Man universe.
So how strong is Blast? Extremely strong — but not Saitama strong. Will he play a larger role in the battle against “God”? Keep following the manga to find out!
