The 156th chapter of One-Punch Man sees Atomic Samurai finally draw the telepathic Sun Blade against Homeless Emperor and Golden Sperm, only to burn out, leaving King to step forward against a wall of monsters.
Summary
Homeless Emperor rains searing energy spheres on Iaian, Spring Mustachio, and Atomic Samurai, steadily grinding down the two A-Class heroes. Atomic Samurai fights to unsheathe his new Sun Blade, recalling Nichirin's warning that the weapon reads minds and yields only to someone it judges worthy. Emptying his thoughts into a still, mirror-like calm, he finally earns the blade's answer.
Now armed, the swordsman vaults upward and cleaves through the massive energy sphere. Homeless Emperor's follow-up barrage fails against the blade, and just as Atomic Samurai moves to finish him, Golden Sperm blocks the strike. The edge only skims his hardened body, but when he tries to snap it, the blade twists at impossible angles and lops off half his right arm. The weapon then sheathes itself as an utterly drained Atomic Samurai loses his grip on it. Evil Natural Water reappears, startling Iaian, who assumed Superalloy Darkshine had put it down.
As the cadres ready a counterstrike, King arrives, and Black Sperm, Golden Sperm, Homeless Emperor, and Evil Natural Water all tense to face him. Metal Bat opts to hunt stray Black Sperm clones rather than assist, while Child Emperor and Puri-Puri Prisoner climb from the rubble. The heroes feel relieved, but King, calm on the outside, is privately terrified and regrets ever rushing in to rescue Genos.
Key Events
Atomic Samurai awakens the Sun Blade by clearing his mind, slices Homeless Emperor's energy sphere, and severs part of Golden Sperm's arm before exhaustion forces the weapon to sheathe itself. Evil Natural Water returns to the fight. King arrives to confront the assembled cadres, hiding his terror behind a composed front as Metal Bat, Child Emperor, and Puri-Puri Prisoner regroup nearby.
Notes
Released on October 30, 2021, this Monster Association Arc chapter appears in Volume 30 and partly adapts webcomic chapter 73. Viz keeps the title as The Greatest Obstacle. The crowded cover assembles Saitama, Flashy Flash, Manako, King, Atomic Samurai, Bang, Black Sperm, Golden Sperm, Homeless Emperor, Fuhrer Ugly, and Garou.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chapter 156 of One-Punch Man titled?
Chapter 156 of One-Punch Man is titled "The Greatest Obstacle," released October 30, 2021 in the Monster Association Arc.
How does Atomic Samurai unlock the Sun Blade in Chapter 156?
In Chapter 156, Atomic Samurai finally earns the telepathic Sun Blade's cooperation by clearing his mind into a still, mirror-like calm, since the weapon reads intentions and only answers someone it judges worthy.
What does Atomic Samurai do with the Sun Blade against Golden Sperm?
Atomic Samurai's Sun Blade twists at an impossible angle and severs half of Golden Sperm's arm in Chapter 156, though the exhausted blade sheathes itself right after and Atomic Samurai collapses.
Who confronts the assembled monster cadres at the end of Chapter 156?
King arrives to face Black Sperm, Golden Sperm, Homeless Emperor, and Evil Natural Water at the end of Chapter 156, though he is privately terrified while keeping a calm exterior.
What is Homeless Emperor's attack against the A-Class heroes in Chapter 156?
In Chapter 156, Homeless Emperor rains searing energy spheres down on Iaian, Spring Mustachio, and Atomic Samurai, steadily wearing down the two A-Class heroes.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Chapter 156? The Dragon Ball Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Dragon Ball anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
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:
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- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Akira Toriyama.
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