Call Master Reigen Arataka: Mob Psycho 100

 In a mundane world, people search for the extraordinary in the ordinary. Finding out if you have Psychic powers is one way to add spice to your daily routine. You can find tips online on how to bend spoons, or if you’re feeling daring attempt to contact the spirits in your basement. There are a lot of jumping-off points for your psychic journey, and you have to find what works best for you. The best part about Psychic powers is technically anyone has the power to unlock them, but it’s rare. Unless you live in Seasoning City, a hub for all psychics who are still growing.

Mob Psycho 100 is the story of a middle school kid named Shigeo Kageyama who is gifted with incredible psychic powers. Everyone just calls him Mob though and he doesn’t really want his psychic abilities preferring to attempt to live a normal life. Unfortunately for him, Mob keeps getting pulled into hijinks and chaos from supercharged schoolyard fights, to secret evil psychic organizations, and accidentally becoming a cult leader.  Mob takes every day one step at a time attempting to not only understand his powers, but how to just be a kid navigating life. The story is an interesting mix of slice-of-life, comedy, and beat-em-up drama that can have you on the edge of your seat. When Mob’s story gets intense it doesn’t pull punches, especially after the light tone the show starts with.

At the heart of Mob Psycho 100 are the connections Mob makes with his family, friends, and adversaries. In each episode, Mob meets new people most of whom become reoccurring characters. They each push Mob to be a better version of himself by teaching him how to be himself. In turn, Mob seems to have just as much life advice to trade. All of Mob’s life advice comes from the same place his Psychic Master Reigen Arataka-the psychic tamer.

Reigen is seemingly in tune with his clients who come to see him for all their psychic needs. He knows exactly what to say to panicked clients to get them to calm down and pick his best spirit removal package. Regien Arataka is a smooth-talking businessman who very obviously does not have real Psychic powers, but he does have a way with words and splashing salt around the room. He makes sure to leave some weaker spirits for Mob to take care of. Reigen has a way with Psychics who need a bit of direction in their life. This man with no supernatural abilities can get very powerful psychics on his side.

The best part about Regien’s character, besides his charisma, is his genuinely good moral compass despite it all. His advice is truly powerful because it is not half-assed. If Regien is speaking to someone in a powerful tone he means what he’s saying from the bottom of his heart, it’s not just his natural way with words. If he’s giving that advice he cares. At the start, Regien is the one who instills in Mob his mantra of powers are not to be used on other people, and just because Mob has these amazing Psychic abilities it does not mean he’s better than everyone. Thus, Mob finds himself unwilling to fight and instead tackles his problems with words, even when he's being pummeled into a paste. It also encourages Mob to improve himself like everyone else. When presented with the option to cheat in a race using his powers Mob, who is not a runner, takes the time to train even though it’s physically taxing. It feels like he wants to prove to himself, he is more than his psychic abilities.

Mob respects Regien even during Regien’s darkest moments. Reigen is a source of comfort for Mob during hard times. When Mob is in his most panicked state ready to tear the city to shreds Reigen is there to center him and protect him, because, at the end of the day, Mob is just a shy kid. No matter how powerful he is.  In turn, Reigen watches Mob grow breaking free from his shell to find his own personality. It’s hard for Reigen at first to let Mob go, but Reigen eventually recognizes when Mob is thriving and Reigen must let him experience a life outside of hunting spirits.

Reigen doesn’t keep his vast well of life advice for just Mob but extends his teachings to other psychics. Most notably a group of higher-ups in Claw – an evil psychic organization- who need a reality check. Once he gives them the old, powers don’t make you better than everyone else, speech, they see Reigen as a master much like Mob. They even become allies and assist in the future. Dimple may want to be a cult leader, but if anyone could do it, it could be Reigen.

At the heart of all the hijinks Mob Psycho 100 is about the people you know and how you connect with them. Do you raise them up or tear them down? Do you see a villain as always, a villain to be defeated, or would you offer a hand and allow them to grow? Who do you hold close as you take on life?

If you’re searching for a slice-of-life comedy that’ll make you laugh and feel good I recommend Mob Psycho 100, it’s a great watch with friends.