Mob Psycho 100 Season 3 First Impressions

“Anyway, after some twists and turns, here we are today. At first, it was just on a whim, but I wouldn’t be lying when I say that this is what I want to do now.”

Of all the shows airing this season, I was probably most surprised to learn that Mob Psycho 100 was coming back for another season. It’s not that it doesn’t deserve one, it unquestionably does. However, I actually thought Season 2 might be the conclusion, as the story seemed to wrap up neatly at the end. Mob Psycho is admittedly one of those franchises that could probably go on for ages without becoming tired or stale. Still, it wasn’t until I came across the new opening that I even considered the possibility of a new season, but here we are. So, is the premiere of this new season good? Why would you even ask that question, weird straw-man person?! It’s Mob Psycho 100! This show is as good and weird as ever, and my only lament is that Mob Psycho 100 and Spy x Family have to share the comedic stage this season, as both series deserve to have it to themselves.

Mob Psycho 100 follows the adventures and trials of a young psychic named Mob, who has restrained his emotions to prevent himself from harming others with his immense powers. This season picks up in the aftermath of season 2’s battle against the organization Claw. The skyline of the city is still shaped by the gigantic crown of broccoli that Mob manifested in that climactic fight. Look, Mob Psycho 100 is weird. If those first three sentences didn’t make any sense to you, that just means you need to go watch/rewatch the first two seasons. In the wake of his victory, Mob finds himself faced with an existential dilemma which rocks him to his core. His middle school has handed out a career path survey, and he is trying to decide what he wants to do with his life. What follows is relatively par for the course as far as Mob episodes go. Mob seeks insight from a multitude of characters within his orbit, he deals with a cataclysmic spiritual incident, and at the end, he reaches a conclusion that leads to personal growth. The biggest upset to the formula (if you can even call it a formula) is the inclusion of former Claw member Katsuya Serizawa as part of the staff at Reigen’s office. I think this was a development that occurred at the tail end of season 2, but in all honesty, I had to look him up to remind myself who he was. Still, he serves as a nice inclusion, particularly as some of his own personal development compliments Mob’s during the course of this episode.

I think Bones is starting to phone it in… I thought I’d start this paragraph with a joke. Bones might not guarantee the unassailable levels of quality they once did, but they still offer some of the most refined visuals in the industry. I’ve often described the anime Ping Pong the Animation as “beautifully ugly” (Bones didn’t animate that. That isn’t my point), and Mob Psycho 100 often captures a similar aesthetic element. It can be weird, surrealistic, and abrasive, but when it’s melded together, the end result is gorgeous to behold. Given that Bones is often associated with crisp designs from series like Eureka 7, Soul Eater, and My Hero Academia, it’s always impressive to see them taking on the rough stylings associated with ONE. And that opening… that opening makes me afraid. Every time a new opening for Mob Psycho 100 comes out, I think it’s one of the greatest openings I’ve seen and heard. I thought that with season 1. Then season 2 came along, and I loved it even more. Now we’re on season 3, and I hesitate to say it, but I think this is the best of the three. Where does it end? Musically, I think Mob Choir keeps topping themselves, and Bones’ visuals are perfectly constructed to capture the appropriate atmosphere while constantly evoking the question, “What am I looking at?” And if that isn’t the question that the show embodies, I don’t know what is.

Before I wrap up, a few Notes and Nitpicks:

• In my opening, I began to joke that season 48 would focus on Mob coming to terms with being a father, while trying to protect his child from a council of spirits themed around canned veggies. It would be an allegory for passing on healthy emotional habits and proper salt intake to one’s children. As you can see, the joke started to run long and I cut it, but I still felt like sharing… So here it is.
• There is some foreshadowing regarding plans that Dimple might have moving forward. Given his growth, I’d rather hate to see him turn villainous again, but either way I’m intrigued.
• Mob’s percentage towards explosion information shows up several times throughout the episode, though it doesn’t get very high. It’s impressive how that little reminder can add a layer of tension to events.
• I’m a sucker for when shows add an overlay telling you how good of students each of the characters are. This is a fun example, but my favorite was when My Hero Academia did it, as it reinforced aspects of characters that you knew of, but hadn’t truly digested (i.e. Bakugo actually being one of the best scorers in the class).