A punch that crosses scientific barriers: Extreme mechanical analysis of impact in One Punch Man

Abstract

The destruction of a meteorite by a single punch, as depicted in the One Punch Man series, presents a fictional yet extreme scenario that enables the analysis of the mechanical behavior of a rocky body subjected to a highly concentrated, high-intensity impact. In this study, the mechanical response of a meteorite is evaluated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA), combining both static and dynamic simulations. The body was modeled as a large-scale ellipsoid with hypothetical mechanical properties defined from theoretical estimations, aiming to characterize the distribution of stresses, strains, and impact-induced energy throughout the structure. The results indicate that the maximum Von Mises equivalent stress is not located at the direct impact point but rather within a lateral radial region of the body, where significant shear stresses concentrate and promote the initiation of fracture. The stress–strain response obtained from the dynamic simulation exhibits high strength and low ductility, with behavior dominated by plastic energy dissipation. Integration of the area under the stress–strain curve reveals that most of the absorbed energy is dissipated within the plastic region, whereas the elastic contribution remains minimal. The established energy balance considers that the energy transferred during impact must be at least equal to the sum of the meteorite’s kinetic energy and the fracture energy required for its complete disintegration. Furthermore, the simulations identify dominant failure mechanisms, including radial shear fracture, hydrostatic collapse in the central region, and tension–compression gradients along the impact axis, all of which are consistent with the stress distribution patterns obtained through finite element analysis.