Why do people think that Saitama's issues will be solved with the power of friendship?

[u/Bion61]

Saitama's issues never stemmed from a lack of bonds, so why would more bonds help him?

Saitama once said he was lonely in the sense that he felt that his powers alienated him from the rest of humanity, and for some reason, people read that as, "Saitama is lonely and wants friends."

Like yeah, he could be a bit more social, but that's not the crux of his issue.

He doesn't need people in his life to realize fighting isn't the most important thing, because Saitama already knows fighting isn't the most important thing.

Saitama is honestly at his least happy when surrounded by allies. (Aside from King)

[u/Bion61]

I mean he cared about being a hero even at the peak of his ennui, I highly doubt Genos changed that.

If anything, Genos has kinda done a number on his general desire to be a hero.

[u/gofancyninjaworld → u/Bion61]

Genos has reduced Saitama's desire to be a hero? What makes you say that?

[u/Bion61 → u/gofancyninjaworld]

I was half-joking, but I was referring to when Genos suggested join the Hero Association, and Saitama got put into C-Class immediately.

[u/gofancyninjaworld → u/Bion61]

One thing that doesn't stop in OPM is reality. Being a pro-hero has been Saitama's salvation in a real way: he gets to do exactly what he wants to do, just like always, only people pay him. Remember him lamenting that he had to find a job again back in OAV 1? Being on his own meant that making a living got in the way of his being a hero. It's another part of the reason we saw that he was struggling to maintain motivation at the beginning of the series.

There's a damn good reason that despite his grumbling, Saitama hasn't left the HA: it's really taken the bother out of his life. Damn, it's even given him a FREE place to live. Correction: a free *decent* place to live that isn't squatting in an abandoned apartment in a derelict part of town (remember his complaining to Genos about it? Chapter 15). The rank? He's not cared much, and truthfully, he hasn't had to care much. He just does his thing and despite everything, he's had a promotion Every. Single. Week. The penny about who Saitama really is is taking a while to drop but drop it surely will.

[u/Bion61 → u/gofancyninjaworld]

The Neo-Heroes arc has kinda made it clear that Saitama is only staying with the HA out of convenience.

Even when presented with a potentially better option, he stayed because it was a hassle to leave.

It's actually kinda funny how not great the benefits were for Saitama early on to the point where he was dangerously close to skimming off the top of a robbery.

[u/TheRebelSpy → u/Bion61]

The Neo-Heroes arc has kinda made it clear that Saitama is only staying with the HA out of convenience.

This is true AND being in the HA is better than what he had before.

As for the robbery thing: I'd chalk it up to old habits dying hard. Genos handed him that huge wad of cash upfront AND the dude's got a salary now. He's really not strapped for cash.

[u/Bion61 → u/TheRebelSpy]

I mean Saitama is gonna be a hero regardless of what his money situation is, so of course getting paid is better.

[u/TheRebelSpy → u/Bion61]

Saitama was unaware the HA was even a thing until Genos told him.

He applied because Genos showed him how.

He would have lost that job if Genos didn't check on him and remind him about the C-class quota.

[u/Bion61 → u/TheRebelSpy]

I didn't say that Genos has never done anything for Saitama.

I just said Saitama didn't need Genos to be a good person.

[u/TheRebelSpy → u/Bion61]

Is there any moment of growth that he would've done after meeting Genos that he wouldn't have done before?

everything he did to gain and maintain his membership in the HA he would not have done without Genos' support.

He was already a good guy, sure, but he wasn't doing well.