
Genos
佐野 真一郎 | |||||
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Alias(es) | Demon Cyborg(鬼サイボーグ,Oni Saibōgu)(Hero Name) | ||||
Biological Information | |||||
Race | Human | ||||
Gender | Male | ||||
Age | 19 | ||||
Status | Alive | ||||
Height | 178 cm (5’10”) | ||||
Weight | Undisclosed | ||||
Hair Color | Blonde | ||||
Eye Color | Black sclera with yellow irises | ||||
Debut | |||||
Webcomic | Chapter 5 | ||||
Manga | Chapter 5 | ||||
Anime | Episode 1 | ||||
Status | |||||
Occupation | Hero | ||||
Rank | S-Class: Rank 11(Current) S-Class: Rank 14(The Blizzard Group Arc–Psychic Sisters Arc) S-Class: Rank 16(Sea Monster Arc–Garou Introduction Arc) S-Class: Rank 17(National Superhero Registry Arc–Giant Meteor Arc) |
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Affiliation | Hero Association Saitama Group |
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Relationship | Saitama(Teacher) Dr. Kuseno (Grandfather Figure)
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Family | Fubuki(Younger Sister) | ||||
Portrayal | |||||
Japanese Voice |
Kaito Ishikawa |
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English Voice | Zach Aguilar | ||||
Abilities | |||||
Abilities | Cyborg Physiology Flight Fire Manipulation Electricity Manipulation Energy Projection Self Destruction Highly Skilled and Strategic Combatant |
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“Using sheer numbers to compensate the lack in strength of each individual, that kind of wishful thinking will get one killed one day.“ |
Appearance
Genos is a mechanical cyborg with the appearance of an average human male in terms of height. His face and ears are designed to resemble that of a normal human, made from artificial skin, while his eyes feature black sclera and yellow irises, giving him a distinct, robotic look. He has spiky blond hair, with blond eyebrows (brown in the anime adaptation), and pierced ears.
Genos typically dresses in casual street clothes, with all of his upper-body attire being sleeveless to facilitate the transformation of his mechanical arms without obstruction. He possesses multiple sets of arms, each equipped with unique abilities and varying levels of strength. Notable examples include the arms he used during his sparring match with Saitama and those deployed in his effort to stop a falling meteor.
In some instances, such as when using his “Arms Mode” or following his upgrade during the Monster Association Arc, the mechanical enhancements he employs create a metal framework around his face. Additionally, during his battle against the Forest King, Genos sports an upgraded body that reveals the energy core housed within his chest.
Personality

Genos’ stern demeanor.
Genos is characterized by his extremely serious demeanor, seldom engaging in humor. His primary motivation is to become stronger, and he frequently seeks guidance from his mentor, Saitama, whom he refers to with great respect as “master.” Although Genos deeply admires and reveres Saitama, he is often perplexed by Saitama’s seemingly simplistic training regimen, which somehow produced immense strength. This contrast between admiration and frustration shapes much of Genos’s dynamic with his mentor.
Despite his stoic nature, Genos occasionally serves as a comedic foil to Saitama’s often oblivious attitude. Genos tends to approach battles with advanced techniques, strategic precision, and extensive use of robotic upgrades, often suffering significant damage in the process. However, these elaborate efforts frequently end in Saitama easily dispatching the same enemies with a single punch, reinforcing Genos’s belief that Saitama’s true strength must hold some deeper, hidden secret. His desire to uncover this mystery drives him to closely observe Saitama.
Before meeting Saitama, Genos was more intense and singularly focused on his quest for power. However, Saitama’s influence has tempered his approach, making him more reflective and measured in his pursuit of justice. A pivotal moment in Genos’s development occurs when he witnesses the hero Sweet Mask brutally killing alien prisoners, prompting Genos to reflect on how similarly ruthless he once was. Over time, he has also developed curiosity about everyday aspects of life, such as the concept of fun, marking a shift in his once purely goal-driven mindset.
Genos holds profound respect for two key individuals: Saitama and Dr. Kuseno, the scientist who saved him and continues to upgrade his cyborg body. He also shows professional respect to seasoned fighters such as Bang and Bomb, while being tolerant of individuals like King, whom Saitama befriends. However, Genos does display jealousy at times, notably when Saitama gives attention to Overgrown Rover, a monster dog, causing Genos to feel slighted.
While loyal and protective of Saitama, Genos is often dismissive or outright disrespectful towards those who interrupt or challenge his master’s authority. He is especially curt with heroes like Bang and Fubuki when they attempt to recruit Saitama, firmly asserting his role as Saitama’s disciple. This protective attitude extends to Dr. Kuseno as well, although he has been known to quickly apologize when overstepping, as seen when he chastised Saitama for referring to Dr. Kuseno as an “old man.”
Genos also displays a certain disregard for the authority of the Hero Association. During the Monster Association raid, he made it clear to Sitch that he would have participated in the operation regardless of the Hero Association’s official decisions. His actions and motivations often operate independently of the organization’s commands, driven by his own sense of justice and purpose.
In battle, Genos takes great pride in his abilities, but he is also aware of his limitations. For instance, during his fight with the Awakened Cockroach, he feels frustration at having to resort to instant adhesive gel, acknowledging that some monsters are faster than he is. His fights against opponents such as G4, Face Ripper, Awakened Cockroach, and Garou demonstrate that he values strategy as much as brute force, recognizing the importance of combining tactical planning with his raw combat power.
Prior to becoming a cyborg, Genos was known for being a diligent and responsible young boy, traits that continue to influence his personality even after his transformation.
History
Early Life
Genos lived a peaceful life with his family until the age of 15, when his town was attacked by a rogue, rampaging cyborg. The destructive assault resulted in the complete devastation of the town and the death of Genos’s family. Genos, though gravely injured, miraculously survived the attack. His survival was short-lived, however, as he would not have lasted long on his own had he not been found byDr. Kuseno, a scientist who happened to be passing through the town in pursuit of the same cyborg.
Desperate for revenge, Genos pleaded with Dr. Kuseno to transform him into a cyborg so he could fight for justice and track down the entity responsible for his family’s demise. Dr. Kuseno agreed, rebuilding Genos into a powerful cyborg. From that moment, Genos vowed to find and destroy the “Mad Cyborg” that had taken everything from him.
For the next four years, Genos traveled from town to town, battling monsters and dismantling evil organizations. Despite his continuous efforts, he was unable to locate any trace of the Mad Cyborg responsible for the tragedy that altered his life.
Hero Association
Saitama
Genos first met Saitama after Saitama killed Mosquito Girl, a villain Genos was on the verge of self-destructing to defeat. Shocked to see that an ordinary-looking individual had effortlessly killed the monster with one punch, Genos immediately asked to become Saitama’s disciple. Although Saitama casually accepted, assuming Genos wasn’t serious, their relationship evolved over time. Initially annoyed by the idea of having a student, Saitama eventually grew attached to Genos, even displaying anger upon hearing of Genos’s defeat at the hands of the Sea King.
To live closer to his master, Genos offered to pay rent and moved into Saitama’s apartment. Despite their bond, Genos’s intense nature, lengthy explanations, and frequent misunderstandings often frustrate Saitama. Genos deeply respects his mentor, marveling at Saitama’s unparalleled strength and dedicating himself to remaining his disciple. He strongly rejects any offers from others to become their disciple, fiercely guarding Saitama’s honor.
Though Genos tries to anticipate and fulfill Saitama’s needs, he can be overly zealous in his efforts. A recurring gag between the two involves Genos attempting to address Saitama’s baldness, even going as far as to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kuseno for artificial hair implants. Despite Genos’s confidence in Saitama’s abilities, he cannot fully comprehend Saitama’s true power. For example, when facing Gouketsu, Genos mistakenly believes Saitama would need help, unaware that Saitama could easily defeat the monster.
Saitama has a significant influence on Genos’s growth, both as a hero and in terms of his mentality. Genos often references Saitama’s teachings before some of his most courageous acts.
Tatsumaki
Genos’s relationship with Tatsumaki is strained, primarily due to their opposing personalities. Tatsumaki frequently dismisses Genos, referring to him only as “Demon Cyborg,” and has hurled him through walls on several occasions. Genos is particularly infuriated by her rudeness toward Saitama.
Despite their differences, Genos assists Tatsumaki during her battle against Psykos and Orochi by providing cover and deflecting attacks, earning her respect in the process. This newfound respect is solidified when they cooperate alongside Drive Knight in later battles. After Fubuki saves him from overheating, Genos returns to the battlefield to protect Tatsumaki, even using his own body as a shield against Black Sperm.
Metal Knight
Genos holds a degree of respect forDr. Bofoi, also known as Metal Knight, due to his advanced weaponry and scientific genius. However, according to Drive Knight, Bofoi may be Genos’s enemy, which sparks Genos’s interest in him. Though their interactions are limited, Genos remains cautious about Bofoi’s potential threat.
King
While Genos and King are shown to be friends, Genos is unaware of King’s true lack of strength. King, in turn, worries about Genos’s tendency to use Saitama as a constant benchmark for improvement.
Bang
Genos shares a respectful relationship with Bang, the martial artist and hero, who often offers advice to Genos. Although Bang has repeatedly tried to recruit Genos for his dojo, Genos consistently declines, loyal to Saitama as his only master. Despite their interactions, Genos rarely heeds Bang’s advice, though he respects his martial arts prowess and hero rank.
Fubuki
Initially, Genos holds Fubuki in contempt due to her practice of “rookie crushing” to maintain her status as the top B-Class hero. Genos’s first impression of Fubuki is negative, as she attempts to recruit Saitama into her group, an effort he watches fail with satisfaction. Genos continuously rejects Fubuki’s efforts to involve both him and Saitama in the Fubuki Group.
Despite this rocky relationship, Genos begins to change his opinion of Fubuki after she saves his life, using her psychic abilities to prevent him from overheating. While he doesn’t directly thank her, Genos shows newfound respect by giving her his jacket, symbolizing his recognition of her abilities as a hero.
Drive Knight
Genos treatsDrive Knight, another cyborg hero, with professionalism and respect. When they first meet, Drive Knight warns Genos that Metal Knight is his enemy, piquing Genos’s curiosity. Genos cooperates with Drive Knight during their battle against Psykos and Orochi, even fusing their abilities to enhance their power. However, when Genos is close to overheating, Drive Knight abandons him without warning.
Others
Dr. Kuseno
Genos viewsDr. Kusenoas a father figure, deeply grateful to the scientist for saving his life and transforming him into a cyborg. Dr. Kuseno, in turn, cares for Genos and supports him in his journey, providing upgrades and guidance. Genos often speaks to Dr. Kuseno about his admiration for Saitama, a sentiment the doctor has noted. Dr. Kuseno is also pleased by the positive influence Saitama has had on Genos, tempering his emotions and redirecting his focus away from vengeance.
Charanko
Genos has an adversarial relationship withCharanko, Bang’s disciple. Like Saitama, Genos rejects Bang’s offer to join his dojo, which leads to tension between him and Charanko. Genos has been harsh towards Charanko on occasion, particularly when the latter disrespects both him and Saitama.
Rivals
Speed-o’-Sound Sonic
Speed-o’-Sound Sonicis one of Genos’s rivals due to Sonic’s obsession with Saitama. Genos views Sonic as a competitor and often offers to eliminate him on Saitama’s behalf, though Saitama typically declines, concerned that Genos may cause unnecessary destruction.
Genos initially dismissesGarouas just another thug, but he later recognizes Garou as a significant threat and is impressed by the skills Garou developed under Bang’s training.
The Mad Cyborg
TheMad Cyborg, the entity responsible for destroying Genos’s village and killing his family, remains Genos’s ultimate nemesis. Although Genos’s time spent training with Saitama has limited his search, the desire to find and destroy the Mad Cyborg continues to drive him. After defeating Armored Gorilla, Genos inquired whether there were other cyborgs like him that might have attacked a village, showing that his quest for revenge is ever-present.
Abilities and Powers
Equipment
Trivia
- The kanji for Genos’s name (鏖) means “genocide.” In Chinese, however, it can also mean “to fight fiercely to the end.” The Chinese pronunciation of this kanji is “ao,” which is a homophone of the Japanese word for “blue” (青).
- During his battle with Mosquito Girl in the manga, Genos’s shirt features the word “Genocide.”
- The wordGenos(Ancient Greek: γένος; plural: ‘genē’) is an Ancient Greek term for a “clan” or a group with familial relationships.
- Genos ranked 4th in the popularity poll forOne-Punch Mancharacters.
- When designing Genos, Yusuke Murata considered pairing him with Kaneda’s jacket fromAkiraand referenced Tetsuo’s appearance. Murata later reflected that these early sketches were “over the top.”
- According to the official databook:
- His likes are Saitama’s teachings and oiled sardines.
- His dislikes are people who look down on Saitama and complicated electronics.
- His hobbies include surfing the internet, reading, and writing in his diary.
- Genos was the first new S-Class hero in two years. However, this is contradicted inWeapon, where Metal Bat is said to have been promoted to S-Class one year ago.
- Genos’s hero name, “Demon Cyborg,” comes from his aggressive attacks and fearless nature against vicious monsters and disasters.
- His signature move,Machine Gun Blow, may be a reference toStreet Fighter, where the move is one of Dudley’s special attacks.
- One week after joining the Hero Association, Genos was ranked 6th in popularity among the public and listed among the Top 5 most handsome heroes.
- Murata once drew Genos as a female character.
- ONEhas said that Genos is quite powerful, even among the S-Class heroes.
- Genos’s tears are made of oil, as revealed in the manga.
- Despite his entire body being mechanized except for his brain, Genos can still eat, thanks to Dr. Kuseno’s modifications, allowing him to enjoy human experiences like food.
- Genos’s face design is based on his appearance as a human before becoming a cyborg, at the age of 19.
- Genos has a built-in sleep mode and requires a high-pressure shower, similar to a car wash, to clean his body.
- ONE stated that a fight between Genos and Speed-o’-Sound Sonic would end in a draw.
- Genos can change into special arms dedicated to house chores when not in battle. His right hand has a built-in vegetable peeler, and his palms can generate warm air for drying dishes. He even has a bottle opener built into his right shoulder, as shown in official illustrations.
- In the manga’s Q&A special, it was commented that Genos could become a top-class housekeeper when equipped with his “housework arms.”
- Genos is known for carrying extremely detailed “training diaries” where he documents Saitama’s wisdom. However, much of the information he writes down is irrelevant, such as how to “properly hold and read a manga while slouching on a futon” or reports on Saitama’s nutrition.
- The design for theOne Punch Man Notes: Secret Compus Vol. 1 and Vol. 2is based on Genos’s training diaries.
- Genos cuts off the sleeves of his shirts because his shoulders don’t fit in them. He also finds them unattractive and inconvenient for using his arm weapons.
- Genos got his piercings after becoming a cyborg.
- Due to his heavy mechanical body, Genos is too heavy to swim without special modifications.
- During a stream, Murata drew aCinderellaparody, featuring Genos as “Deshiderella” (弟子デレラ,Deshi derera), Saitama as the Prince, King as The King, Tatsumaki as The Stepmother, Sonic and Fubuki as The Stepsisters, and Dr. Kuseno as The Fairy Godmother.
- In a separate stream, Yusuke Murata stated that in real life, Genos would look German.
- In the 2017One-Punch ManHalloween cover, Genos was depicted in two costumes:
- A bunny costume with golden arms, holding a rabbit-shaped vacuum cleaner tube and a pink duster.
- A devilish form with purple wings, horns, and black armor, holding a demonic carpet beater and a frying pan.
- Murata noted that the “Promoted Rook” design was based on Genos’s dream of new designs, and the “Dragon King” is a pun on his fighting style, referencing his use of the Thunder Drill Cannon.
- Genos’s eye, as depicted in the anime, features a reticle commonly used in the Russian PSO-1 optical sniper sight, notably used in Dragunov rifles.
- Murata tweeted that Genos owns at least 1,098 notebooks where he records Saitama’s “teachings.”

Genos Databook