The main character of Mob Psycho 100, Shigeo Kageyama, AKA Mob, stands out not only for his immense psychic powers but also for his humble, reserved demeanor — a far cry from the usual Shonen heroes who take great pride in their powers. This resulted in many viewers speculating that the creator of the series, ONE, might have created Mob as a reflection of himself. However, according to ONE, this is so not true.
In fact, the creator believes Mob to be the exact opposite of him. ONE has admitted that Mob is closer to an “ideal protagonist” — a character embodying qualities that even he struggles to manifest in real life.
The Birth of a Distinct Protagonist through Mob in Mob Psycho 100
When ONE first conceived Mob Psycho 100, he had no intention of creating a traditional Shonen manga. In an interview which was translated by Mark Cha, ONE revealed that the original concept was centered on kindness and human connections, rather than the superpower-oriented action fans have come to expect from the series, as he “wanted it to be something that feels kind”.
His vision for Mob Psycho 100 was closer to a slice-of-life story that just happened to involve psychic abilities. And it is indeed witnessed throughout the series. Despite its transformation into a full-fledged action series, Mob Psycho 100 never lost sight of that central theme of kindness. The show remains grounded in Mob’s reluctance to use his powers; a rare trait for protagonists in this genre.
Mob Psycho 100 anime’s director, Yuzuru Tachikawa pointed out Mob’s rejection of his own superpowers is what sets him apart. This trait of him contrasts with other anime heroes who often struggle or surrender to the enticement of their abilities. However, it sparks a genuine question: what is the creator’s original vision for Mob’s character? Is he a mirror self of ONE himself?
Mob as the “Ideal Protagonist” According to ONE
Mob may seem like a perfect fit as a reflection of his creator, but ONE quickly dismissed this notion. When asked if Mob was based on himself, ONE laughed and responded that Mob is rather the person he wished he could be, claiming,
I’m just trying my best to come off as a good person. But I think Mob’s not pretending; he’s a bona fide good person. He’s almost an ideal protagonist. In situations I’d run away from, I want my hero to stay and face the threat; in times I’d throw in the towel, I want my hero to persevere. And I feel like I gave Mob those heroic traits.
Mob possesses the traits of courage, persistence, and moral integrity, qualities that ONE aspires to but doesn’t necessarily have in the same way. This difference between the creator and his creation highlights a fascinating dynamic where Mob represents not ONE’s real-life personality but rather the virtues he admires most.
Although Mob’s personal story is fascinating in and of itself, Mob Psycho 100 also revolves around his connections with other characters. Each connection that Mob has, whether it be with his mentor Reigen, younger brother Ritsu, or psychic rival turned buddy Teru, helps him develop personally. These ties uphold the value of interpersonal relationships, which is consistent with ONE’s original aim for the series.
Mob’s paradoxes are what give him depth as a character. Despite having amazing psychic abilities, he aspires to lead an ordinary life. Even though he has the strength to control others, he chooses to be kind and humble. In this way, Mob Psycho 100 is a compelling exploration of what it means to be human in a world full of superhuman abilities rather than just an action-packed Shonen series.
Mob Psycho 100 is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
