Welcome to the Nihongo Lesson feature. We strive to give you useful manga-based Japanese language tips and maybe even a glimpse into the translation process. This week’s lesson will focus on the funny character names of One-Punch Man. This series has always done a fantastic job of blending amazing action with strong comedy, and the names of the characters have always provided a good laugh. It’s pretty hard to take someone called Bald Cape seriously!

SODACHISUGITA POCHI (そだちすぎたポチ)

One of the most powerful monsters in the Monster Association is called Overgrown Pochi. Pochi is a generic dog name, meaning that this monster is literally just a puppy that got way too big! Garo asks how a dog can become a leader of the organization and gets the funny answer that the hierarchy is strictly based on destructiveness! Pochi is nothing if not destructive!

IKKAKU (イッカク)

IKKAKU can mean “one point” or “one horn” and was translated with comedic flair as Unihorn. It’s also the name of one of the best characters in Bleach! Unihorn, Super Mouse and Showerhead made for an awesome villain group, and it was a bit sad to see them crushed so easily.

Read the latest chapters of One-Punch Man in Weekly Shonen Jump!