Toaster Dude is my next attempt to get more traffic. Webtoons do better than most of my other posts. And I’ll be comparing it to One-Punch Man. Wait didn’t somebody else do that? Well yes but I’m doing something different. These comics were made by complete amateurs in the art field but their simple stories capture readers hearts. They became so viral they were remade by professional artists, especially for print. Having read both series, I notice they share a similar core message. But who actually wins in this central theme?
Saitama: The One-Punch Man
Let’s start with the more recognizable One-Punch Man. Saitama’s entire gimmick is being a post-Shonen manga protagonist. He is so absurdly powerful, he often beats opponents in one punch. But Saitama put all of his passion into his as ridiculously simple training and burning out. Sure, he still goes out being a hero, but it’s just a (morality-driven) hobby for him. Saitama’s only real goal in life is to live his life to the fullest. He tries to do that in mundane things and finding an opponent who can push him. But he’s okay with spending time with people he comes to be friends with.
Toaster Dude… What Kind of Name Is ‘Dude’?
Meanwhile Toaster Dude is just some average dude; seriously Dude is his name. He’s one of the plainest, most average, guys you’d meet. Even Saitama’s chrome dome is more notable than this guy’s look. He’s so average, his only goal in life is to own and use a toaster. Plus, Dude doesn’t mind his financial situation where he can only use expired bread on his toaster. He’s practically indifferent to everything else, only acting if his toaster is involved.
Toaster Dude vs. Saitama
Now let’s examine their character. Both Saitama and Dude act pretty indifferent to the things around them. Because of their simple mindsets and direction in lives, they don’t take anything seriously. They also don’t have much social skills with how blunt their indifference makes them. Their best features are arguably their willingness to help people just because they can.
As for contrasts, Saitama has a bit more layers than Dude. Part of this is because he’s sensitive about people bringing up his shiny head. But he’s also money conscious; valuing bargain sales and trying to steal gold from monsters. While Saitama doesn’t actively chase popularity, he does want some recognition. Just enough to not be considered a threat or nuisance to anyone. Probably because his great power came with a sense of isolation.
Dude meanwhile is plainer than the Average Joe. He doesn’t even have any superpowers, he’s just highly capable and resourceful. Dude’s entire life practically revolves around his toaster. Okay he apparently can’t afford full loaves of bread since he takes expired ones from his retail job. But he doesn’t mind that or when someone betrays him. The only thing that seems to bother Dude is when his life gets thrown off. Especially if it means he can’t enjoy his toaster.
These ‘Heroes’ Need One-Punch To The Face!
With these so-basic everymen, a good supporting cast is necessary to help flesh them out. On Saitama’s end comes his cyborg disciple Genos to everyone he inspires. Both King and Fubuki bring out Saitama’s indifference to fame. Saitama in turn respectively advises them to either fit their roles or not seek approval. I believe Death Battle’s Wiz and Boomstick say it best. Not to measure our lives on accomplishments but enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
All of which many of the heroes sorely lack. Fubuki’s petite if older sister Tatsumaki for example is so full of herself she wouldn’t let Fubuki have friends. In her mind she’s strong enough to protect and be Fubuki’s moral compass. But she fails to realize how toxic this was to Fubuki’s development. Other heroes like the Tank Topper Army are only in the game for self-serving interests. Two of them were willing to try and make Saitama look bad so that they would get famous. As for the Hero Association itself, some of its staff revel in their high status, telling a policeman to beg for their help.
Popularity vs Infamy
That’s part of what drives Garou, a human aspiring to be a great monster. Since childhood he was never popular and was bullied by the popular kids. Not even the adults would help him out. When the top A-Class hero Sweet Mask considers popularity to be a hero’s most important trait, it raises a point. Especially since he’s a gatekeeping narcissist who considers anything that drags down his reputation evil. So Garou goes on a crusade to be the most powerful monster to inspire unification by fear. Because to him justice is a bias that allowed heroes to coverup their misdeeds. The only problem is seeking infamy is just as toxic and unfulfilling as popularity.
Toaster Dude: Keeping Your Dreams Simple
If One-Punch Man is about how fame’s overrated, Toaster Dude is all about dreams’ nuance. In contrast to the one-track mind of Dude, his supporting cast bigger dreams have led them astray. His idol neighbor Annabelle Rivers despite her fame feels unfulfilled. She like a lot of other people thought things would get easier with a dream job. As for Dude’s former classmate Jimmy Peterson, his dreams of being an inventor is at odds with his bad luck. Most of his inventions didn’t just explode, they put him in debt. It got so bad, Jim sold Dude out to achieve his dreams. Thankfully Dude didn’t hold a grudge and was grateful about his toaster getting fixed.
Frankly a lot of characters feel stuck on their unattainable goals. From a wannabe superhero, a landlord desperate to keep his family’s building up, to a henchman wanting a perfect marriage. Not even Dude was happy with just owning a toaster. But all of these characters manage to turn things around by realizing what they’ve got or going in a new direction.
Who Wins; Toaster Dude or Saitama?
Alright, alright, enough yakkin’. Who actually wins in this battle of fulfillment? That actually goes to Toaster Dude. Unlike Saitama who is still going through an existential crisis, Toaster Dude got the fulfilling life he always wanted. No amount of distractions from a moral hobby can change that. While both of these not-so Average Joes enjoy the little things, only Dude actively does this. Maybe One-Punch Man can take a cue from Toaster Dude and take it easy.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.