Mob Psycho 100 Anime Review
If you can be what you want to be then why not be a fan of Mob psycho 100. This popular Japanese web manga series that was later adapted into animation by Studio Bones is a masterpiece created by One. This new Gen anime was a highly anticipated adaptation by the fans of ONE. For someone who had loved One Punch Man the previous creation of the manga artist, the expectations for this one were quite high. The new elements and a completely dedicated (anime/manga) creation to ESPers and the fascinating concept of psychic abilities with a modern twist were highly awaited.
Mob psycho 100 is somehow similar to One Punch Man. Instead of her superhero with immense physical strength, we get one with immense psychic strength in Mob Psycho 100. This anime series follows the trajectory of high school boy Shigeo Kageyama’s life. Shigeo popularly known as Mob is only regular in his appearance. At first, people might mistake him for a stock character owing to his play-in personality, regular bowl-cut hairstyle, and incredibly reserved personality. Doesn’t it seem like a character similar to Saitama from One Punch Man?
The anime series Mob Psycho 100 is largely famous for breaking the conventions and being a witty parody of shounen anime. Unlike any other superhero-centric anime the story and drama genially play into some unpredictable action in every episode. Right from the very opening, the show flaunts the idea of finding the uniqueness and answers to questions we all have. Even the introductory concept design of psychic powers of something beyond science sets the right tone for the beginning. Also, it’s a unique way to present a healthy image of self-recognition and self-love.
ONE has beautifully reworked his success of a superhero simple in design but solitary in power. In terms of personality, Mob is incredibly reserved and has a straight face for a larger part of the series. Contrary to the challenge-loving lesser-known hero Saitama, our beloved Mob is the one who just wishes to keep his power under control and camouflages in the crowd. The character lacks hobbies, particular interests, or even social awareness, all he does is exist with his unbelievable psychic power. His 300 yen per day job as a psychic assistant under the self-proclaimed psychic wonder Arataka Reigen is proof of it. The detail of the character design represents the passionate spirit that went behind its creation.
Contrary to the mundane personality of Mob is the flamboyant side characters who do not fit in the stereotypical image of secondary characters. These characters are more interesting in personality as well as in terms of design. Foremost of these vibrant characters are of course Arataka Reigen. His contribution to life and the story is so much that he is the first one to be introduced to us. He is Mob’s employer who helps him polish his powers and manipulates him to gain out of the exorcism business. And our main character conveniently believes him to be the master of psychic powers. For that matter, Ritsu the younger brother of Mob is a foil character of him. He is more outgoing and confident.
The core character list might be rather small due to recurring appearances of evil spirits and bizarre challenges. With the progressing seasons, we witness this anti-shounen kind of main character exploring a romantic angle. His awkward social interactions and semblance of a bland personality bring him to the cult of workouts in the form of the Body improvement club. And the consequent season delves into the theme of repressed emotions ending the growing psychic cult. Before the final credits roll out the show falls in perfectly with the continuity of the preceding seasons with an equally enthralling journey toward the end.
Moving on to the other aspects let’s begin with the art and design. The animation and design of this popular series were quite brutally criticized as a non-intimidating aesthetic. But each and every frame throughout the series speaks brilliance. Just like Mobs breakdown meter keeps rising the brilliance of design and unleashed aesthetic with psychedelic fashion just amazes the audience. The visual and animation design might be minimal but it’s no less than a spectacle for the lovers of ONE. The unhinged and mesmerizing switch between animation styles and the combination of them with raw manga sketch-like frames somehow fits in the two extremes.
In Mob Psycho the brilliance in the choice of colors compliments the simple design and the interesting story. Studio Bones gives in its best in terms of animation with this masterpiece. The seamless incorporation of 24 frames per second in some of the action sequences is unforgettable and class apart. The art team behind Mob Psycho 100 has successfully kept intact the eccentric design of manga while bringing the world of Mob alive with modern animation. Kudos to the voice artists too, for them, what is consistent as any other factor that contributes to the popularity of this anime.
The show strikes of balance with its experimental designs. However, another gem-studded feature that intensifies the passionate creation of this one is the music. The sound aspects, the very detailed design, and the upbeat music given to the OP theme make everything exciting. Special mention to the use of a CGI model, Kaleidoscope, Zoetrope, and a couple of frames with picket fence animation in the knockout opening theme 99.9. A lot of fans debate over the supremacy of the opening music for the first one. Regardless of it the whole soundtrack list suits the theme and justifies the brilliance of design that ONE aimed to convey through the wacky style of Mob in the manga.
If there is anything that makes Mob Psycho 100 unique and dominating among the new anime shows is its list of subliminal thematic concerns. Alongside Mob does series is also juggling some significant problems that are non to be the lesser discussed ones. The prominent idea of self betterment, change, repressed emotions, and learning things to complement a talent is highly loved by the fans. Though many shounen anime lovers would debate about the simplicity of this anime yet the fact of the show has something interesting to dominate other anime in its time is still real.
Whatever Mob falls short of in terms of the main character, the variety of antagonists and other characters make up for it. The blend of humor with the visuals of Mob losing track in the story brings up gags. The self-aware humor that artist ONE is known for pays of well with this simply structured underdog hero. The visual extravaganza and supernatural elements put together by studio Bones are worth viewing. These characters with depth are perfect to get any animal lover invested in the show Mob Psycho 100.
With a total of 3 seasons divided among 37 episodes and 2 OVA, the adaptation justifies the aesthetic of the manga. The jaw dropping details that a person might discover while re-watching this show; are the result of a 100% ambitious step up for the world of imagination. It is as big as the hit One Punch Man was. There are so many things to love about this show; from the voice acting to the OST, and the animation that no one can ever get bored of it.
The Mob Psycho 100 season 3 just wrapped up with the last episode aired on December 22, 2022. If you haven’t watched it already, you are missing out on a lot of fun!! Go, watch it for yourself.
