Making the switch to a free-to-play, live-service model was one of the most divisive changesOverwatch 2could have ever made. And while fans are still divided, the future is looking a little brighter with the recentannouncement ofOverwatch 2Season 3. In-game currency and store controversies aside,Overwatch 2is shaping up to be a solid live-service title, with new content coming to the game on a fairly consistent basis now, from new maps to new playable heroes. And much like it’s biggest live-service inspiration,Fortnite,Overwatch 2could be starting to introduce some pop-culture crossovers.
For years now, long beforeOverwatch 2released, fans have engaged in heated discussions about which pop-culture characters bear similarities with whichOverwatchheroes, naturally leading to some fans wanting skins based on those iconic characters. Well, with Blizzard announcing a crossover with thepopular anime and mangaOne Punch Man, these fans might actually end up getting what they want.
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One Punch Man Could Pave the Way for More Pop-Culture Crossovers in Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is set to receive its third Season on July 19, 2025. Along with a bunch of Valentine’s Day-related activities, skins, and modes, Season 3 is also introducingOverwatch 2’s very first major IP crossover. From March 7 to April 6,Overwatch 2is running aOne Punch Manlimited-time crossover event. While Blizzard is keeping things pretty secretive right now, it has been confirmed that Doomfist will be receiving a skin based onOne Punch Man’s main protagonist Saitama, giving him a yellow jumpsuit, red gloves, and a white cape.
According to Blizzard, even moreOne Punch Man-themed cosmeticswill be heading to the game during this limited-time event, such as more skins and a unique loading screen. It sounds like this crossover has been in the works for quite some time, and seemingly has a surprising amount of effort put into it, which if nothing else shows that Blizzard is willing to work with other popular IPs now.
Though it hasn’t launched just yet, thisOverwatchxOne Punch Mancrossover could open the floodgates for crossovers with other popular IPs, and there’s plenty of potential already baked into the core DNA ofOverwatch. Long-time fans have already noticed some key similarities between some of Marvel’s most iconic characters andOverwatch’s cast of colorful heroes, and a line of crossover skins would work perfectly. There could be a Beast-inspired Winston skin, a Captain America-inspired Soldier 76 skin, and maybe even a Black Widow-inspired Widowmaker skin. The same could be done with DC, withWinston getting a Gorilla Grodd skin, Hanzo donning a Green Arrow costume, and Junkrat putting on The Joker’s makeup.
OnceOverwatch 2dips its toes into the world of IP crossovers, it’s likely to sink down into its depths, with the possibilities being truly endless. From skins based onStar Warsto skins inspired by other popular gaming properties,Overwatch 2’s crossover potential is limitless, and it’s proven to be a lucrative source of income and popularity for other live-service titles likeCall of Duty: WarzoneandFortnite. Even if fans roll their eyes at these IP crossovers, or they’re not interested by that particular IP, there will always be a collection of fans that rush out to buy every skin based on it. These IP crossovers also do a great job of attracting even more players, with newcomers trying out the game just to see their favorite characters and sticking around long after the event has wrapped up.
Overwatch2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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