When One-Punch Man first debuted as a webcomic in 2009, it seemed unlikely that it would grow into a blockbuster manga and anime hit. After all, the premise—a hero who defeats every enemy with a single punch—sounded almost like a parody of traditional action series, with little room for suspense or escalation. And yet, creator ONE pulled it off, turning a simple joke into a smart, funny, and surprisingly deep story that kept fans hooked.
ONE’s next series, Bug Ego, which continues his tradition of blending offbeat humor, emotional depth, and inventive storytelling.
Bug Ego’s Origins and Official Launch
Global Access: Bug Ego Goes International
Bug Ego, created by ONE with illustrations by Kiyoto Shitara, began its life in the Young Jump Dai Ichiwa supplement of Weekly Young Jump, where its first chapter was published on April 27, 2023. A second chapter followed in the same magazine on January 18, 2024. The series officially launched as a regular serialization in Ultra Jump on October 19, 2024. Shortly after, the first two collected volumes were released simultaneously on February 18, 2025, marking the series’ full arrival in the manga world.
In the United States, Bug Ego is available to read digitally both through Shueisha’s MANGA Plus platform and Viz's Shonen Jump website. New chapters are released in English simultaneously with the Japanese publication, making it easy for overseas fans to keep up with the series.
Reality-Bending Hacks and Unlikely Heroes
Character Dynamics: Friendship and Mystery at the Core
Bug Ego takes place in a world where life hacks aren’t just handy tips—they can actually bend reality. The story kicks off with Makoto Hitsujiya, a friendly transfer student who tries to help out his awkward classmate, Kokudo. At first, it’s all harmless advice about surviving school life, but Hitsujiya soon learns that Kokudo knows real “hacks”—strange tricks that can change how the world works. That discovery pulls them into a bigger mystery full of strange powers and hidden rules.
The dynamic between the two leads drives the story. Hitsujiya is warm and outgoing, while Kokudo is more mysterious and withdrawn, and their growing friendship adds some heart to the weirdness unfolding around them. As they dig deeper into these hacks, things get more complicated—morally and otherwise. The series blends humor, tension, and a touch of sci-fi, all while asking big questions about power, consequences, and the lines people are willing to cross.
Behind the Inspiration: Ura Waza and Childhood Glitches
The Power of Duos: ONE’s Storytelling Signature
In a recent interview with Shueisha Online, ONE shared that the idea for Bug Ego came from his longtime fascination with “ura waza”—secret tricks or hidden techniques—especially in retro video games. He recalled childhood memories of experimenting with glitches on the original Game Boy, like the infamous method for catching Mew in Pokémon Red and Green. That sense of mystery and discovery left a lasting impression, and it's a theme he wanted to explore through the story and world of Bug Ego.
ONE also spoke about his recurring use of male duos in his stories, as seen in both One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100. While not something he deliberately plans, he explained that having two main characters allows for more natural dialogue and helps keep the story moving. It gives him room to balance character development with pacing, making the narrative more dynamic without relying too heavily on inner monologues or exposition.
Darker Themes and Ethical Dilemmas
Echoes of Mob and Reigen with a Twist
The first thing that stands out about Bug Ego is the art style. While ONE’s crude but charming drawings set the tone for One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100, illustrator Kiyoto Shitara brings a more grounded, realistic look to the page. His detailed linework and expressive characters give the story a sense of seriousness and weight, making it feel less comical and more grounded… at least at first.
The relationship between Hitsujiya and Kokudo feels a bit reminiscent of Mob Psycho 100’s Mob and Reigen, with one character acting as the moral center and the other holding knowledge—and power—that’s not always easy to trust. Like Mob and Reigen, their dynamic mixes mentorship, tension, and humor—but with a twist. One moment Kokudo is teaching Hitsujiya how to use a hack that makes him instantly popular, and the next they’re dealing with the fallout of accidentally erasing someone’s memory.
Bug Ego also contains strong horror elements, which is a departure from ONE's previous works. Some readers in Japan have expressed that the series is quite frightening, especially for those sensitive to themes of fear. However, the narrative also offers glimpses of hope beyond despair, a characteristic feature of ONE's storytelling. The interplay between Hitsujiya and Kokudo adds depth to the plot, as their experiments with the ura waza lead them to confront the ethical implications of altering reality.
Keeping Pace with Japan
What’s Next for Bug Ego?
As of March 25, 2025, Viz Media has published eight chapters of Bug Ego, keeping pace with its monthly release in Japan via Ultra Jump. The English chapters are available digitally through Viz’s Shonen Jump platform, often on the same day as the Japanese release.
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It’s still early in the series, but with its unique premise, strong character dynamics, and growing fanbase, it’ll be interesting to see how Bug Ego continues to evolve—and whether it eventually gets the anime adaptation treatment like ONE’s previous hits. Bug Ego may have started with simple tricks and schoolyard hacks, but it’s quickly becoming a fun puzzle box of secrets, waiting to be unlocked chapter by chapter.
