Chapter 194 of the One Punch Man manga gave audiences more insight into Saitama’s relationships with other characters.
When thinking of the bald hero’s friends, who has the closest relationship with Saitama? Maybe many people will think of Genos, the bald man’s loyal and close student.
However, it was King who received the title of “friend” from Saitama. There is a simple connection between the two, unlike others who always complicate things.
It can be said that King and Saitama are like two sides of the same coin. King acts as a mirror to Saitama, reflecting a reality where appearances can deceive the common eye, but in reality strength cannot be judged by appearance.
Saitama and King can play video games together and have frank conversations that have nothing to do with powers. Their relationship is the most honest representation of friendship in the manga, without forced heroism or passionate admiration.
As for Genos’s case, although his feelings for his teacher are admirable, he does not understand the simplicity that Saitama truly values. Genos sees Saitama as a “demi-god”, while King sees the bald man as simply a guy who likes to play video games.
While Genos is lost in his own delusions and admiration, King and Saitama share genuine moments that transcend ordinary powers to reach emotions and psychology.
In their most recent interaction, when Genos and everyone else misinterpreted Saitama’s refusal to become a teacher or competitor as due to lack of confidence, only King understood Saitama’s normal heart.
Saitama is not looking for someone who admires him for his extraordinary strength, what he needs is someone who understands him and shares with him the most mundane moments of life. King may be the weakest physically, but in terms of understanding and emotional support, he is definitely Saitama’s best friend. At least for now, no one does it better than King.