I was wondering how Mob Psycho 100 was going to follow up last week’s emotional tour de force. The truth is, of course, you can’t – those kind of highs just wouldn’t work on a weekly basis, and that one took a few episodes to build anyway. In a way I think it was a more effective action blockbuster than the ones we got in the first two seasons, because it was more personal. The character at the heart of it, antagonist and ally for Mob, was someone we’ve come to care deeply about. And the arc ended with consequences which cut deeper than any that have come before.
As such, going in a completely different direction both tonally and narratively makes a lot of sense. Mob is still mourning Ekubo in his quiet and dignified way a month after the fact, but he’s a minor player for much of the episode. The plot driver is Tome’s decision to quit the Telepathy Club, itself driven by the harsh reality of impending graduation (and entrance exams), lack of progress, and indifference from the boys in the band. But she doesn’t go without a shower of tears of regret, which is enough to guilt said boys into taking the mission of contacting aliens just a bit seriously.
Once the baka trio decide to make Tome’s dream come true, they naturally turn to Mob in a matter of the paranormal. But this is a reminder than Mob isn’t a telepathist – his powers may be unmatched but they don’t run in that direction. Still, Shigeo is Shigeo – he wants to help. His first thought is the Shiratori Brothers (in their first appearance of the season), but they’re not exactly ideal as they can only communicate with each other. They can, however, blast out general psychic noise over a half a kilometer or so, which they reckon might be able to catch the attention of a true telepath. And with Mob as a signal booster, they can triple that range.
Enter Takenaka-kun (Kawanishi Kengo). Though, to be honest, I was expecting someone (or something) a lot scarier – seems to me that blasting out a telepathic homing beacon is just asking for trouble. Takenaka is an ex-club member and paints his arrival as coincidental (running away from a harsh tennis club practice), but it’s pretty obvious why he’s here. He doesn’t give a fig about Kome’s dream, he just wants to shut off the damn noise. But his refusal to help doesn’t hold up in the face of Shigeo’s mild-mannered counter, and eventually Takenaka agrees to help the boys out.
As most big character moments in Mob Psycho are, this was pretty understated, a don’t-blink-or-you’ll miss it kind of thing. But this conversation is more compelling evidence of Mob’s growth – and with that growth, a growing sense of being at peace with who he is. Yes, he tells Takenaka, he’s tired of his powers sometimes too – but they’re part of who he is whether he likes it or not. And if he can use them to help some friends out and have an adventure once in a while, that’s a good thing.
This all ends up with a planned New Year’s Eve trip to Mud Boat Mountain to try and signal aliens – one which Tome initially refuses to join, but relents on the day. Mob recruits Reigen as a designated driver, which Reigen complains bitterly about to Serizawa to cover the fact that he’s delighted to hang with Mob and his friends instead of being alone on New Year’s. It all has the air of a fun, childish diversion – but I can’t shake the vibe that it’s a stalking horse for a possible weightier and darker plot twist. And I wonder – is it a coincidence that both Takenaka and Reigen overslept and were late for the meeting? Possibly – but this is a series where coincidences usually aren’t coincidences at all…
Raikou
November 17, 2022 at 11:08 pmYeah, I was wondering about that overslept thing too.
Something’s gone wrong, I assume. Probably the Telepathic Blasting called the wrong guy.
Guardian Enzo
November 18, 2022 at 7:49 amI was surprised Mob wasn’t more cautious about that. When you try to get someone’s attention sometimes you draw attention from someone you’d rather not notice you.
Jibi
November 19, 2022 at 2:43 pmThe supposedly strongest esper(Claw’s boss) in the world was already defeated.
Aera
November 17, 2022 at 11:48 pmI personally did not expect Takenaka, who quit the Telepathy Club at Season 1 Episode 2, to be relevant two seasons and 5 episodes later, and turned out to be an actual telepath (he did make a cameo at the end of Season 2 but that’s it). I like his character, and how cynical his personality is. Being able to hear people’s thoughts is really not a good ability to have, and having it since he was 5, it really must be tough for him.
His cynicism immediately defrosts when Mob approaches him, understands his feelings, and most importantly–he’s being honest. Takenaka then seems pretty startled before he decides to help. That scene is pretty interesting. Did Takenaka hear Mob’s thoughts and end up learning a lot more about Mob than he should? Or was he simply moved by Mob’s honesty especially after spending all of his life hearing people’s thoughts that are often opposite to what they say? Or did he take a glance to Mob’s eyes and realize that Mob understand him, just like how he accurately described Ritsu’s character just by a look to his eyes?
When Telepathy Club noted how Mob had become so reliable, and when Mob told Takenaka that it’s okay to use his power to at least help someone and have a good time, I feel so proud of Mob. His character growth has been subtle, but it’s there and we can see it. Mob in S1 wouldn’t have been able to convince Takenaka like this, but current Mob has gone through a lot, and has learned that he can use his powers to help others.
I love this episode, as much as I love the slower, slice-of-life episodes of Mob Psycho 100, it’s a much-needed break after emotional gutpunch of an episode last week. Here is hoping that all the kids and Reigen will have a good time, regardless whether or not they are able to summon aliens.
Thank you for your review as always!
Guardian Enzo
November 18, 2022 at 7:44 amWow, I totally forgot Takenaka has priors in the series. And two of them at that!
Scampi
November 18, 2022 at 4:29 amSome typos: Prez’s name is Tome not Kome.
Scampi
November 18, 2022 at 4:33 amAlso want to point out another blink and you’ll miss it moment is when all the kids ran to Reigen’s meeting spot, Mob is the only one who didn’t get winded out, all the Body Improvement Club work really paid off, so proud of the boy.
Guardian Enzo
November 18, 2022 at 7:45 amGood call, didn’t even think about that.