In One Punch Man, the battle between Garou and Saitama stands as one of the most intense moments in the manga (Chapters 164–168). Empowered by the mysterious entity known as “God,” Garou pushed Saitama to unprecedented levels — but ultimately lost to a time-reversing punch from the titular “One Punch Man.” So the question remains: if Garou kept evolving, could he stand a real chance in an extended fight? Let’s dive into Garou’s potential and explore whether he could ever overcome Saitama.
Garou’s Power During His Fight With Saitama
The Absolute Evil
- Origin: Garou received power from “God” — the ultimate being — after reaching peak “Monsterfication” (Manga Ch. 164).
- Abilities: In his “Cosmic Fear Mode,” Garou manipulated cosmic energy, created nuclear-level explosions, teleported, and even copied Saitama’s moves after just a single touch (Ch. 167). His shockwaves were lethal and killed multiple S-Class heroes remotely.
- At His Peak: Garou forced Saitama to use Serious Punches repeatedly, causing Saitama’s power to increase exponentially just to keep up (Ch. 168).
Major Achievements
Garou was the only opponent to make Saitama “somewhat serious,” far beyond Boros — who only took one Serious Punch to defeat (Ch. 35). He even pushed Saitama to improvise with moves like the “Serious Sneeze,” and finally the time-reversing punch that ended it all (Ch. 168).
If Garou Continued to Evolve
Potential Growth
- Copying Abilities: Garou instantly replicated Saitama’s Serious Punch (Ch. 167). Given more time, he could adapt to other hidden techniques or develop unique ones through God’s cosmic energy.
- Connection with God: Garou only received a portion of God’s power (Ch. 164). A full blessing or fusion with God could unlock destructive capabilities on a planetary or multiversal scale — something Saitama hasn’t directly faced.
- Battle Adaptability: Garou evolves rapidly in every fight (e.g., vs. Bang, Darkshine). Without interruption, he could shatter his current ceiling and evolve into something unrecognizable.
Extended Battle Scenario
- Early Phase: Garou continues mimicking and adapting alongside Saitama, extending the fight (Ch. 167).
- Mid Phase: If God directly intervenes, Garou might gain new powers — like space or time manipulation — giving him a chance to counter Saitama’s brute force.
- Final Phase: Garou would need a perfectly timed, overwhelming strike to defeat Saitama before he can react — something he couldn’t achieve in the original timeline.
Saitama – The Limitless Force
Current Power Level
Saitama has no clear limits. During his battle with Garou, his strength multiplied exponentially in just minutes, effortlessly nullifying Garou’s attacks (Ch. 168).
The Zero Punch — which reversed time — proves Saitama can break the laws of reality itself. Garou couldn’t copy that ability fast enough (Ch. 168).
Adaptability
Saitama scales his strength mid-battle, moving from Normal Punches to his Serious Series when needed (Ch. 167). If Garou evolves further, Saitama can simply match or exceed him, or create new techniques on the spot — which he already did during their battle.
Could Garou Ever Defeat Saitama?
Garou’s Best Chances
- Strengths: Garou’s ability to copy and adapt in real time is his greatest weapon. If God grants him multiversal powers or immortality, he could prolong the fight long enough to spot a weakness (if one exists).
- Probability: In the manga, Garou lost because Saitama surpassed him too quickly (Ch. 168). If the fight lasted longer and Garou accessed more of God’s power, he could pose a greater threat — but still not guarantee victory.
Limitations
Saitama seems truly limitless — for every evolution Garou undergoes, Saitama rises higher still (Ch. 167). Even infinite evolution may not be enough, because Saitama’s power is rooted in the absurd and unknowable logic of the series itself.
Power Comparison
| Criteria | Garou (Cosmic Fear) | Saitama | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Power | Universal | Limitless | Saitama |
| Skills | Copying, Cosmic Energy | Punches, Improvisation | Garou |
| Potential | Continuous Evolution | Infinite Scaling | Saitama |
| Willpower | Relentless | Calm & Unshakable | Garou |
Conclusion
In a prolonged clash between Garou and Saitama, if Garou continues to evolve with full backing from God, he could push Saitama to take things even more seriously and extend the battle dramatically. However, the odds of actually defeating Saitama remain close to zero. Saitama’s strength has no defined limit — he simply surpasses any opponent, no matter how powerful (Ch. 168).
Garou may be Saitama’s most impressive rival in One Punch Man, but to truly win, he’d need a power-up that breaks the logic of the series itself — something beyond even divine intervention. What do you think? Could Garou ever stand a real chance? Share your thoughts and let’s dive deeper into the world of One Punch Man!
