Bang is no leader
This is a meta that's been fermenting on the back burner for a long time, thought it might as well see the light of day today.
The Audacity!
Let's start in medias res, with a rather shocking panel of Genos not only telling the venerable hero that he has no intention of listening to any orders but permitting -- permitting -- the latter to follow him.
Even more shockingly, Bang does follow him.
And instead of putting the whippersnapper in his place, Bang just follows.
How the hell has this preposterous scenario come to pass? Well, it's true that Genos is an extremely blunt and driven person who hands out respect like it's made of gold, but even he's not that insane.
The truth is: BANG TAUGHT HIM TO DISREGARD HIM AS A LEADER.
Let's wind back a bit.
Getting there
If you're looking to understand a One-Punch Man character, look to how they are when we first meet them. ONE has a habit of taking that first impression and deepening it, both to put roots under it and as a platform to build on. We first meet Bang when he is the only S-Class hero other than Genos to attend an emergency summons to the Z-City regional headquarters. Remember the advice he gave Genos when the latter was agonizing over what to do about the meteor? 'When in a pinch, just muddle through.' No planning, no thinking, just try whatever and hope it turns out okay.
To say that Genos was skeptical is an understatement but it wasn't like he had a better idea.
Well, trying something rather than nothing in a patently hopeless situation can't be held against Bang as evidence of his lack of leadership ability. However, the next incident is harder to overlook. When Elder Centipede molted and grew into an even bigger threat than before, both Bomb and Genos looked to Bang to provide some leadership as the senior hero. And... he couldn't. He simply couldn't decide what to do, which is when Genos decides to offer himself up so the others can escape.
Bang only sprang into action once there were no options left other than to run away, and decided to fight back when even that was no longer an option. It's in keeping with his 'muddling through' advice -- do what comes in the moment.
That's our Bang, letting the circumstances force decisions rather than deciding proactively.
The third incident happened the very next day; it's minor but it really was the cherry on top for Genos. King arrives at Saitama's apartment to find that Saitama is out, and the incursion into the Monster Association base is about to begin. What to do? Well, Bang doesn't step up to give an answer: instead he asks King.
When it's clear that no good answer is forthcoming from anyone (sorry Fubuki), Genos suggests that the others take the lead, and Bang thanks him for the idea.
Bang's happy to take Genos's suggestion. And so, his fate is sealed in the young cyborg's eyes.
And with that, Bang has impressed on Genos that he's an incredibly powerful hero, highly technically skilled, brave as the day is long. If you're in a pinch, there are few people better to have your back, but for god's sake, do not rely on him to make decisions when it matters. That's why the incredibly blunt Genos is telling Bang just where to go.
A teacher who does not lead? What could go wrong?
So, here's a question this raises for me. If his lack of leadership is evident to a guy who has met him on only a few occasions, how much more so is it clear to those who come to train under him? Many many moons ago, I wrote about Bang struggling to keep pupils and looked at it through the lens of his offering a technique that wasn't quite what it seemed to be. However, in light of what happens in this arc and afterward, it's at least as significant that Bang appeared to have abdicated responsibility for managing the dojo to his senior disciple, with strength and technical skill the deciding factor. Not much leadership happening there! Now it's true that people join a dojo to learn a martial art but it's not just skill: there's a personal development and spiritual side to its cultivation too, which Bang has given scant thought to.
Nope, I can't see any flaws with that plan either.
Everything comes to a head once Garou shows up on the battlefield and demonstrates Bang's old killer technique. That's when Bang realises that he has a lot of unfinished business with himself to deal with. And then we get his back story, which adds up wonderfully. As a young man, Bang was a guy who acted without consideration for others. He was all about himself, at least until Bomb beat some sense into him. Bang turned over a new leaf, developed his trademark defensive-based martial arts, and opened his new school on the site of the family dojo. However, as we've seen since, he's not exactly learned how to manage others.
During that fight, that's when it comes to him that he fucked up. Whatever else has been going through Garou's mind, whatever Garou can be held responsible for, this situation is in part Bang's responsibility. He is the one who failed to provide guidance to his disciples, and by pushing the blame onto Garou for driving away his disciples instead of seeing that it's their weak relationship with him that gave them permission to quit, he's been slow to accept that responsibility.
I'm still moved deeply by Bang all but begging Garou for a chance to start over.
Old dog wants new tricks
The epilogue of the monster association arc saw Bang accompany Garou to the police station to sort out the issue of the dine-and-dashing, and afterwards goes with him on his apology tour. To Garou's protestation about Bang not being his dad, Bang remarks that it's a teacher's duty to lead one's pupils. This is such a fantastic change from his old focus on martial arts skills and strength.
I love seeing his newfound resolve.
This isn't just a new chapter for Garou. It's a new one for Bang, too, as he has to learn what it actually means to lead. I wish him the best. Garou deserves it.