When One-Punch Man made its debut as a webcomic in 2009, few could have predicted its trajectory toward becoming a cultural phenomenon in the manga and anime realms. The core concept—a hero who vanquishes all foes with a single blow—initially appeared to parody conventional action narratives, seemingly leaving little scope for suspense or plot growth. Nevertheless, creator ONE skillfully crafted this premise into an imaginative, humorous, and unexpectedly profound story that ensnared a large audience.
Following the success of One-Punch Man, ONE introduced his next series, Mob Psycho 100, in 2012. It tells the story of a socially awkward middle school student endowed with extraordinary psychic abilities, navigating the challenges of an ordinary life. This series further solidified ONE’s talent for intertwining drama, action, and comedy. As One-Punch Man gears up for its third season premiere in October 2025 and Mob Psycho 100 concluded its anime journey in 2022, ONE is embarking on an exciting new project, titled Bug Ego, which carries forward his legacy of merging quirky humor, emotional complexity, and innovative storytelling.
Origins and Official Launch of Bug Ego
Bug Ego Goes International
Bug Ego, illustrated by Kiyoto Shitara, debuted in the Young Jump Dai Ichiwa supplement of Weekly Young Jump, with its first chapter released on April 27, 2023. The series continued its ascent with a second chapter on January 18, 2024, and officially commenced regular serialization in Ultra Jump on October 19, 2024. By February 18, 2025, both the first two collected volumes were launched, signifying Bug Ego’s warm welcome into the manga landscape.
Accessibility in the U.S. is excellent, as Bug Ego can be read digitally on Shueisha’s MANGA Plus platform and Viz’s Shonen Jump website. English-language chapters are available simultaneously with their Japanese counterparts, making it convenient for global fans to follow the evolving narrative.
Reality-Bending Hacks and Unlikely Heroes
Friendship and Mystery: Core Dynamics
At the heart of Bug Ego lies the compelling dynamic between its two protagonists. Hitsujiya, characterized by his warmth and extroversion, contrasts with the enigmatic and introverted Kokudo. As their friendship blossoms amidst bizarre occurrences, the narrative layers additional emotional stakes. Their exploration of reality-altering hacks introduces intricate moral complexities, seamlessly blending humor, tension, and a sprinkle of science fiction while provoking thought about power, responsibility, and ethical boundaries.
Behind the Inspiration: Ura Waza and Childhood Glitches
The Power of Duos: A Signature Element of ONE’s Storytelling
In a recent interview, ONE disclosed that the fascination with “ura waza,” or hidden techniques—especially from classic video games—inspired Bug Ego. Nostalgic memories of discovering glitches in the original Game Boy, such as the legendary trick to capture Mew in Pokémon Red and Green, informed the narrative’s sense of intrigue. This theme of exploration continues to resonate throughout Bug Ego’s storyline.
Additionally, ONE shared insights into his tendency to create male duos, a recurring motif in his works like One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100. He notes that such pairings allow for natural dialogue and a more captivating pacing, fostering character development without excessive reliance on monologues or exposition.
Darker Themes and Ethical Dilemmas
Echoes of Mob and Reigen with a Unique Twist
One striking aspect of Bug Ego is its distinctive art style. While ONE’s simplistic yet engaging illustrations set the tone for his earlier works, illustrator Kiyoto Shitara lends a more realistic and nuanced touch to Bug Ego. His intricate linework and vividly emotional characters imbue the narrative with a sense of gravity, diverging from the comedic elements that characterized previous series—at least initially.
The rapport between Hitsujiya and Kokudo draws parallels to the dynamic between Mob and Reigen from Mob Psycho 100, featuring one character as the ethical beacon and the other possessing secretive knowledge and power. Their relationship is flavored with mentorship, tension, and humor but retains room for surprise; for example, teaching a hack that boosts popularity while subsequently coping with the aftermath of memory alteration.
Bug Ego also incorporates strong horror elements, marking a thematic departure from ONE’s earlier narratives. Reviews from Japanese audiences reveal that the series can be quite unsettling for those sensitive to horror motifs. Nevertheless, it retains a semblance of hope amid despair, a hallmark of ONE’s storytelling approach. The relationship between Hitsujiya and Kokudo deepens the story as they grapple with the ethical consequences of manipulating reality through their exploits with ura waza.
Keeping Pace with Japan
What’s on the Horizon for Bug Ego?
As of March 25, 2025, Viz Media has released eight chapters of Bug Ego, keeping in step with its monthly releases in Japan via Ultra Jump. The English versions are readily accessible on Viz’s Shonen Jump platform, often on the same day as their Japanese launch.
Though it is still in the early stages, Bug Ego’s engaging premise, vibrant character interactions, and burgeoning fan community promise an exciting future ahead. Whether it will eventually blossom into an anime adaptation, akin to ONE’s previous successes, remains to be seen. Bug Ego, originating from basic tricks and youthful hacks, is rapidly becoming an intricate puzzle filled with secrets yet to be revealed, enticing readers with each new chapter.