5 Point Discussions: Mob Psycho 100 2 – Episode 4

The fourth episode of Mob Psycho 100 2 dropped on January 28st, so let’s get right into it with a 5 Point Discussion. If you liked this article and other 5 Point Discussions, make sure to share on Facebook, Tumblr, or Twitter. If you have any questions or comments for me, you can find me @fistfuloftea on Twitter.

1.I love that Reigen pocketed the carfare and took the train to save money. That’s exactly what you do when you’re broke. This combined with the table covered in cup noodles really hammers home his genuinely difficult situation without being too maudlin about it.

2. Is it truly necessary for anime to use fakey Native American costumes for their character design? While the connotation is slightly different given that this is a Japanese product and not an American one, it’s still insensitive and bizarre. It’s not as if no one at Studio Bones could possibly be aware that having a random psychic wearing a feather headband could come across badly, especially in a product that’s definitely going to be exported overseas.

3. When Reigen and the other psychics receive their mission, none of them believe that the little girl is actually possessed – except Reigen. This was extremely well done. The explanation that everyone believed – that this poor little girl was being abused by her father – seemed plausible. Also, given the narcissism of previous human villains, it also seemed plausible that he’d invite hundreds of people to bear witness to that abuse.

There were just enough hints that shrewd viewers could guess that she was really possessed, but they were so subtle that if you weren’t paying attention, it still came as a surprise. That’s some great storytelling.

4. Speaking of human narcissism, it’s interesting to note that the villains in this show – the real villains – are almost always human who have grown too powerful. Mogami wasn’t a spirit – he was a man who amassed immense power in order to make other people understand true suffering. His desire to make others feel the pain he himself has felt is brutally human – and it makes him more dangerous than any spirit could possibly be. This show’s true aim seems to lie in exposing the flaws of humanity, even when spirits appear to be the greater evil.

5. Mob’s powers – both a blessing and a curse for him – have been taken away. He’ll probably get them back – that’s how anime works – but watching what his life is like without them is going to be fascinating. Who is he going to be, what will he want, and what choices will he make with no powers to cloud his mind? Will he and Reigen even know each other? Will Reigen’s spine be okay? We’ll find out in episode 5.