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Max, better known by his hero name Lightning Max, ranks nineteenth in the Hero Association's A-Class. A dedicated karateka who fights with explosive electrified kicks, he pairs a sharp analytical mind with the willingness to put himself in harm's way for others when it counts.

Age: 21
Height: 178 cm
English Va: Ben Pronsky
Japanese Va: Sōichirō Hoshi
Status: Alive
First Appearance (Manga): Chapter 20
First Appearance (Anime): Episode 1: The Strongest Man
Allegiances: Hero Association

Also Known As

Lightning Max
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Appearance

Lean and clearly athletic, Max keeps his blond hair swept back into a sharp point that leaves a pronounced widow's peak. Dark markings ring his eyes beneath heavy brows, and a lightning emblem sits on his left cheek. His hero costume clings to him as a coordinated set of tank top, shorts, tall socks, and forearm sleeves, all cast in black, trimmed with yellow, and dotted with lightning motifs. When training as a martial artist, he swaps in a karate gi while holding on to much of that hero gear.

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Personality

Max prefers to study a target before striking, scouting them to work out the surest approach, though he privately wrestles with doubt about his own skill. Losing to the Deep Sea King pushed him to train harder and grow tougher. His selfless streak surfaced against Gouketsu, when he and Sneck threw themselves in to buy Suiryu a chance to escape, fully aware they might stall the monster for only a heartbeat.

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Abilities

As an A-Class fighter, Max is both powerful and technically sound, and his level-headed read on his own limits keeps him from overreaching. A single kick from him burst one of the Three Crows, each a Tiger-level threat, on contact. His durability let him rise again after the Deep Sea King battered him into a building, and he walked away from both a Gouketsu kick and an otherwise lethal fall without lasting harm. Speed is another asset, heightened further by his signature footwear.

His chosen art is Hyper Karate, a kick-driven style delivered from shifting angles and rhythms. The Lightning Shoes at its core hide gunpowder, boosters, a heel-mounted detonation switch, and an iron sole plate, all feeding devastating techniques such as the explosive Lightning Kick and the Flying Reverse Round-House Lightning Kick. He also carries a telescope to observe his marks from a distance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lightning Max?

Lightning Max is the hero name of Max, a karateka who ranks nineteenth in the Hero Association's A-Class and fights with explosive, electrified kicks.

What is Max's fighting style?

Max fights using Hyper Karate, a kick-driven martial art style delivered from shifting angles and rhythms with the help of his Lightning Shoes.

What are Max's Lightning Shoes?

Max's Lightning Shoes hide gunpowder, boosters, a heel-mounted detonation switch, and an iron sole plate, powering devastating techniques like his Lightning Kick.

How strong is Max in One Punch Man?

A single kick from Max burst one of the Three Crows, a Tiger-level threat, on contact, and his durability let him survive being battered by the Deep Sea King and a kick from Gouketsu.

What is Max's personality like?

Max prefers to study a target before striking and privately doubts his own skill, but he is willing to put himself in harm's way for others, as shown when he helped Sneck stall Gouketsu for Suiryu.

Sources & Information

Looking for more on Max? 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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