Manga Review: Mob Psycho 100 Volume 1 by ONE
Arataka Reigen is a psychic for hire, taking on people’s supernatural problems for a fee. And quite reasonable fees at that! In reality, of course, most people’s supernatural problems aren’t supernatural at all. Con artist Reigen uses his fast tongue and improvisational skills to deal with their mundane issues while making it seem like he’s being a spirit medium. But when real paranormal menaces appear, Reigen calls on his apprentice Mob, the actual protagonist of the series!
This manga is a later work by ONE, creator of One-Punch Man. ONE’s art has improved enough to stand on its own, while the writing remains solid. Shigeo Kageyama is nicknamed “Mob” because he’s one of those people who doesn’t stand out from the crowd. He’s a quiet boy, who keeps a tight lid on his emotions.
Mob is also an extremely powerful psychic, capable of destroying entire city blocks with his mind. He’s taken a position as assistant to Reigen to learn how to control his abilities. Mob’s unimpressive appearance and puny body combine with his mild persona to make people and spirits underestimate him.
After a couple of chapters to establish the characters of Reigen and Mob, Mob is invited to join the Telepathy Club at his junior high school. Seems they’re about to be disbanded for minimum membership, and having an actual esper on their roster would be a huge boost. Too bad he’s much more interested in the Body Improvement Club!
Then Mob falls into the clutches of (LOL), a cult dedicated to making its members happy. No matter what it takes. But there’s something sinister behind their smiles. Can Mob rescue himself and journalism student Ichi Mezato?
The volume wraps up with a bonus story which was sort of a trailer for the series, in which Mob and Reigen exorcise a haunted road tunnel.
The art is still crude, but effective for the purpose. While the manga is mostly silly, with some awesome fight scenes, what makes it stand out is the heart. Mob is a kind person who needs to learn to be kind to himself as well. Reigen, by contrast, is not a good person at all, and exploits Mob, but is also someone who knows what common sense is, and genuinely tries to give good life advice to his apprentice. Later in the series, Mob will undergo considerable character growth and help others grow as well.
Recommended for science fiction fans from middle school on up.
Here’s the opening of the anime adaptation!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw-5Lka7gPE
