Hello TheAnimeRealm community, how are you all? I hope well, full of much joy and happiness, today I want to share with you another analysis of an anime that many should have seen while others did not give a little curiosity, today I come to change that opinion to some who did not give the seen to this anime, do not judge the book by its cover, I thought I would not like it and it turns out that it was the opposite. Mob Psyco 100 is an anime that will encourage you to watch it for its unique characters and story development, but here I will explain it gradually....
Let's start here, this was another anime that I watched at the time of the pandemic, honestly I did not have much hope for it, but I had nothing to do, there are anime that I watch it in its original language and others that if they have the availability of Latin American dubbing I watch it as long as I like it, not all dubs are good, but when I got to hear it for the first time I liked it a lot, that's where we are going well. It was produced by Studio Bones in July 2016 and directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa. This is an anime unlike any other, created by ONE (the genius behind One Punch Man), it offers a mix of absurd comedy and emotional depth. At first glance, it might seem like just another fighting series, at first glance you'll say it looks ugly as if a grade schooler did it. With psychedelic painting-style visual effects, but underneath the layer of telekinetic explosions is a powerful message about identity, emotions and the value of human endeavor.
Now on to our characters starting with protagonist Shigeo Kageyama, aka “Mob” a teenager with psychic powers so devastating that they would make any other shonen protagonist rethink his career. However, instead of bragging about his strength, “Mob” prefers to lay low and focus on improving himself as a person. His greatest desire is to be normal, which in a world full of psychic megalomaniacs is practically an act of rebellion. This boy is the representation of tranquility when he has no active broadcast, when one sees him they will say that he looks like someone normal, but when he takes action he is different. His biggest struggle is not with the villains, but with his desire to be a better human being.
Here enters Reigen Arataka, his “mentor”, this is the spark of the series that gives the excitement to everything, he is the one who has the morals of a used car salesman and the confidence of someone who has convinced the world that he knows what he is doing. Although he is a charlatan with no psychic abilities... you have to see it from the first chapter, you have no idea how much fun I had with this character... his influence on Mob is surprisingly positive, teaching him that true strength lies not only in powers, but in self-control and emotional intelligence. Despite being a charlatan he says sensible things that know how to convince not only Mob's clients who come to his office but also the people who watch the series. But this character is the essence, the charisma of this crazy story.
Mob is not an only child, he has a brother named Ritsu Kageyama, Mob's younger brother, who has the classic identity crisis of the sibling who is not the chosen one. For a long time he is jealous of Mob's abilities and his inability to manifest powers of his own consumes him. His development in the series is one of the most interesting: from being insecure to learning that true strength lies not only in psychic ability, but in his own determination.
Teruki “Teru” Hanazawa is the version of Mob if he had decided to use his powers to be a popular, cocky teenager. Before meeting Mob, Teru believed his psychic ability made him special and superior, until he receives a much-needed lesson in humility. His evolution from a narcissist with a god complex to a dependable ally is fun to watch.
And finally “Dimple” (Ekubo) What in any other anime would be a terrifying evil spirit, here is a green cloud with a mocking face. Dimple is a former cult leader who Mob defeated with ease, and instead of disappearing, he decides to become his companion. His role as a cynical advisor is a great source of humor, though he also has key moments in Mob's development.
Mob Psycho 100 may seem like just another action anime, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a complex exploration of power and identity. Mob is a unique protagonist, not because he has impressive supernatural abilities, but because he rejects the idea that power defines him. In a world where people with psychic abilities are considered superior or dangerous, Mob represents a new kind of hero: one who does not seek to be the strongest, but simply to find his place in the world. The presence of Reigen Arataka also plays a key role in this conclusion. Although at first glance he is an unethical hustler, his influence on Mob turns out to be surprisingly positive. In a world full of people obsessed with strength, Reigen is the voice of reason, constantly reminding Mob that true strength lies not in the ability to destroy, but in the ability to build relationships, grow as a person, and control one's destiny. His most iconic advice encapsulates this perfectly, "You are you. You don't need to compare yourself to others."
The series also has its focus on mystery and horror, where you can explore urban legends about ghosts and mysterious apparitions in different parts of the city. There is a lot of similarity to these urban legends in real life in Japan. These cases tend to be the least impressive assignments Reigen receives, but they make for some comical moments. Though on the other hand these same spirits and supernatural beings are not simply mindless terrifying creatures; each brings something to the story. Some serve as challenges to Mob, others as comedic elements as I said above, and several as reflections of their own internal conflict over power and identity. The series uses the supernatural to explore deep themes, such as the influence of emotions, regret, and the nature of strength.
As for the animation, I thought the opposite was true. In a world where most anime try to polish every detail and make their characters as appealing as possible, Mob Psycho 100 breaks the rules and goes for pure expression. Its artistic style, far from being a limitation, is what gives it its identity, allowing the animation to feel alive, chaotic and emotionally impactful.
The psychic effects in the fights don't follow a standard “glowing energy” line; instead, they look like paint strokes, ink explosions and distortions of reality. This makes each confrontation feel unique, as if the powers are breaking the very fabric of the animated world. From the overflowing energy of the fights to the iconic simplicity of its characters, the series proves that animation is not just about “making something pretty,” but capturing the essence of the story and its emotions in a unique way.
Beyond the vibrant visuals and impressive fights, Mob Psycho 100 is a story about personal growth, identity and the meaning of effort. The series moves away from the classic “the strongest wins” narrative and presents us with a more mature vision: true strength is not in the ability to destroy, but in the ability to build a purposeful life. By the way, the opening music and soundtrack is very good hehehe....
I hope you liked this analysis of this anime, that it is worth watching, yes, get up from that chair and see it with your own eyes, those who are from Latin America will have a lot of fun with Reigen and its voice dubbing, the rest of the regions I do not know exactly, but I do know that it will not disappoint at all, I highly recommend it for those people who have not given it a chance. I recommended it to many of my friends and they have told me that it was the best. Well gentlemen, I'll leave you here, I say goodbye and thank you all for coming this far, take care and see you in the next post...
In making this publication, the images were taken by me from my PC. The following tools, programs and websites were also used:
Bandicam: Photos or images.
Canvas: Banners or separators
Movavi Video Converter 21 Premium: Creation of Gifs
Deelp: Translation Spanish - English