Promoting Good Animation: Mob Psycho 100
Following the success of Studio Mad House’s anime adaptation of One Punch Man, Studio Bones had some big shoes to fill with their adaptation of web author ONE’s other popular series, Mob Psycho 100. Here is episode 1 of the 12 episode season.
Design: Unlike One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100 is adapted straight from the original web comic and, while ONE has gotten better at drawing, it has a very rough style. Thankfully, the animators were more than happy to take that rough style and run with it, giving us a instantly recognizable anime compared to most other series.
Movement: ONE is known for big and chaotic in one moment and mundane in the next. There are plenty of examples of nice fluid movement throughout the show, but there are also lots of scenes where characters are exaggerated and going off model. The opening credits at 7:17 is a great introduction because to shows of all the different kinds of absurdity to expect in this show.
Story/Concept: Mob Psycho 100 takes place in a world where psychic people exist, some use their power to make themselves popular while others try to take over the world to compensate for their inferiority complexes. Mob is one of the most powerful psychic in existence, however he sees his power as a burden as he must constantly suppress his emotions in order to control his limitless power. In a world where most people are raised believing that the world owes them something, Mob knows that if he wants the girl he like to notice him, he’s going to have to work for it. The chaotic nature of having psychic powers is in great contrast to the mundane life of a middle school student. Unlike most stories about kids with a special talent, life is not going to give Mob a free ride, 10:50 to 11:45.
Sound: All I can say for the sound design is that music in any given scene is more or less appropriate for that situation. The opening credits song had to be sped up slightly to avoid copyright. I usually avoid English Dubs, however from what I’ve heard the dub for this is actually pretty good.
Creative Daring: ONE is a crazy author, so it would take an equally crazy animator to make this happen. Having watch all 12 episodes, I can tell their mindset was, ‘if you’re going to do something, go all out’. The fight at the end of this episode is a taste of what to expect 19:13. This entire episode only scratches the surface of what Mob Psycho 100 has to offer. I strongly recommend watching all 12 episode.
