'Mob Psycho 100' Is a Blast

I’ve finally recently got into Mob Psycho 100, the sister anime of One-Punch Man (both are created by ONE).  The anime debuted back in 2016, and since then, I often heard it being described as better than – or at least as good as – One-Punch Man.  Since I consider One-Punch Man to be awesome, I had always been curious about the hype surrounding Mob Psycho 100, but I never got around watching it. So with its second season having just aired – plus, season two of One-Punch Man kicking off this month – I thought it would now be the perfect time to jump into it, and in one night, I binged the whole series – all 25 episodes so far.

Mob Psycho 100 centers on Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama, a middle school boy who, despite his seemingly unremarkable appearance, is actually an extremely powerful esper – someone with psychic powers.  He has to consciously keep his emotions in check, for when they accumulate to 100%, he loses control and the full, devastating extent of his powers burst out of him.  He’s poor in academics, sports, and socialization, but he works hard to improve himself as a person – partly because he wants to impress Tsubome, his crush since childhood.  But in his pursuit of self-betterment, he doesn’t use his powers for his benefit.  In fact, he maintains the philosophy that his powers don’t make him more special than other people and are unnecessary in attaining a meaningful life, and thus, he avoids using them.  The only exception is when he’s on his part-time job as an assistant to Arataka Reigen.

Reigen works as a psychic despite not having any psychic powers – basically a con artist.  He’s simply charismatic, good with words, quick to think on his feet, and skilled in random things (especially in giving massages), and these qualities allow him to deal with his clients’ “supernatural” problems.  When a case is of legit supernatural nature, such as an evil spirit that needs to be exorcised, he asks Mob to perform the necessary task.  However, even though he’s technically exploiting Mob, he does sincerely care for him.  When necessary, Reigen will readily step in and provide Mob with the protection and guidance he needs.

Aside from Reigen, the anime has a bunch of interesting, colorful characters to serve as Mob’s solid supporting cast.  He basically starts off as friendless at the very beginning.  But as the story progresses, he gradually gains more and more friends and acquaintances.  Many of them are his schoolmates in Salt Middle School, but a couple are actually former enemies.

Actually, this is a recurring occurrence in the show (SPOILERS): everyone who goes against Mob becomes his friend, ally, or admirer in the end (but not before witnessing how ridiculously powerful he is).  As I mentioned some paragraphs ago, as a general rule, Mob avoids the use of his powers.  Furthermore, he vows never to use them against fellow humans – an instruction from Reigen which he has taken to heart.  Thus, he’s basically a pacifist, and doesn’t desire to fight and beat an enemy in the first place.  His primary MO is to talk his opponents out of any conflict.  However, he does get forced to fight many times during the series (particularly when his emotional counter arrives at 100% or over). Still, he ultimately “wins” by means of heartfelt words and empathy.

This is not the first time that I’ve encountered a story that has a protagonist who seeks non-violent solutions when confronting an enemy (e.g. Doctor Who, Foundation, etc.) or has a story in which every encountered antagonist has a heel-face turn after being defeated by the hero (e.g. Katekyo Hitman Reborn).  But Mob Psycho 100 is truly one of the best who have utilized these concepts in its overarching narrative.

In the end, I’m still Team One-Punch Man.  I still feel it’s the more hilarious and more exciting show.  The shonen humor and action in Mob Psycho 100 are also outstanding, but One-Punch Man’s – as far as its season one is concerned – are simply superior.

However, I do understand why there are many who consider Mob Psycho 100 as the better anime.  I admit that it has more depth and a more developed, subversive narrative.  Moreover, coming off these is a more spelled out and more thought-provoking message.  However, although there are lessons to be had from it, its idealistic view of the human condition is flawed and unrealistic that it doesn’t really impress me significantly in this end.

Nevertheless, I like Mob Psycho 100.  It’s well-written, well-crafted, and well-directed in general – making it a notably smart, absorbing, humorous, and entertaining anime series.  Watching it has been a blast.