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Subterranean King

Character

The Subterranean King is the towering monarch who led the underground-dwelling Subterranean People in a bid to seize the surface world. His campaign collapses the instant he confronts Saitama, who ends him with a single strike.

Height: 400 cm
English Voice: Kirk Thornton
Japanese Voice: Yōji Ueda
Status: Deceased
Disaster Level: Demon
First Appearance (Manga): Chapter 4: Dark Undergrounders
First Appearance (Anime): Episode 1: The Strongest Man
First Appearance (Webcomic): Chapter 4
Allegiances: Subterranean People
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Appearance

Standing at roughly twice the height of an ordinary person, the king carries a broadly humanoid shape plated in interlocking black armor, with a glow of blue lava seeping through the gaps between the plates. Three slim eyes sit in his face, and four arms branch from his body, each ending in a three-fingered hand that grips a blade of red-hot magma. The manga renders him differently, wrapping his frame in brown plating with yellow and reddish molten rock churning inside, a palette drawn straight from a living volcano, and coloring his swords to match.

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Personality

What little the king reveals of himself is pure bravado. He struts onto the battlefield brimming with certainty in his own power, only for that confidence to evaporate almost the moment the fight begins.

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History

Ruling over the Subterranean People from beneath the earth's crust, the king judged that his overgrown nation should claim the world above and marched them toward the surface. In Saitama's dream, a grueling war against his subjects ends just as the king steps forward for a final duel, and Saitama wakes before the two can trade blows. Discovering that the invaders are real, Saitama eagerly heads out to meet them, and when the actual king appears he is felled in a single instant, sending his people scrambling back underground in surrender.

Very little is confirmed about his combat ability given how quickly he died, though wielding four flaming swords at once implies some grounding in swordsmanship. Each blade pours out a lava-like substance so that every slash both cuts and scorches. Officially rated at Demon level, he is placed on par with the Deep Sea King and the Sky King, and he commanded an army of formidable subterranean Mysterious Beings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Was Saitama's fight against the Subterranean King a dream?

The first encounter with the Subterranean King's forces happens in a dream, where Saitama wakes up just before the two can trade blows in a final duel. The Subterranean People's invasion turns out to be real, and Saitama then goes to face the actual Subterranean King.

Who is the Subterranean King in One Punch Man?

The Subterranean King is the ruler of the underground dwelling Subterranean People, who leads his forces in an attempt to seize the surface world. He stands roughly twice the height of an ordinary person and wields four lava swords.

How does the fight between Saitama and the Subterranean King end?

Saitama defeats the Subterranean King in a single instant once the two actually meet in battle. The king's forces immediately retreat back underground in surrender after his fall.

What weapons does the Subterranean King use?

The Subterranean King wields four flaming swords made of lava, one in each of his four arms. Each blade pours out a molten substance so that every slash both cuts and scorches.

What disaster level is the Subterranean King rated?

The Subterranean King is officially rated at Demon level, putting him on par with threats like the Deep Sea King and the Sky King. He commanded an army of formidable Subterranean People before his defeat.

Sources & Information

Looking for more on Subterranean King? The One-Punch Man Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.

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This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the One-Punch Man anime series, manga, and official materials. One-Punch Man was created by ONE and Yusuke Murata, published by Shueisha, and animated by J.C.Staff and Madhouse. All rights to One-Punch Man and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

Rights holders

  • Created byONE and Yusuke Murata
  • Published byShueisha
  • Animated byJ.C.Staff
  • Animated byMadhouse

All rights belong to their respective owners.

Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:

  • Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to J.C.Staff, Madhouse and Shueisha.
  • Game pages: official box art, credited to the game's respective publishers.
  • Manga chapter pages: volume covers, credited to Shueisha and ONE and Yusuke Murata.

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