Shonen anime often follow a set formula of tropes—the underdog protagonists, intense battles that are won by a hair’s breadth, and romance. This is the way it has been, be it in Dragon Ball, Naruto, or Bleach. It might start off slow, but there are always hints of it.
The other norm that Shonen follows is having conventional-looking characters. Unlike some Seinen anime that need their characters to look different, Shonen usually has a very distinct recognizable sort of character design, the major thing is all the main characters are ‘cool’ or ‘attractive.’
However, Mob Psycho 100 is a unique series that defies these two major conventions of the genre, proving that great storytelling can be done without following just one recipe. Let us delve deeper and understand why a show like Mob Psycho is so endearing.
No romance, no distractions
Romance is not just a genre that is used to placate the viewers or give them fan service. It is there to carve out a web of intricate relationships that feel relatable and natural. It is one of the ways to organically progress characters.
So what happens if a Shonen anime discards romance entirely? With no romance and a cast of unattractive-looking characters, on paper, the series seems like a failure and an average work. But Mob Psycho makes it work!
Mob Psycho 100 carves out a unique niche in anime, prioritizing self-growth and relations of camaraderie without using any romance. This is not entirely surprising considering that it comes from the same creator as One Punch Man. But unlike its predecessor, Mob Psycho 100 feels more involved and less satirical.
Romance is often used to add emotional stakes. Series like Naruto, Bleach, and My Hero Academia incorporate love interests into their protagonists’ journeys to make the story seem more natural (and traditional).
Romance or the depiction of ‘love and affection’, requires the characters to be vulnerable and emotional, that is something Mob Psycho flips over. By ridding the constraints of managing a romantic relationship, the series shines in narration and effective delivery of emotional impact.
Unique characters are not a flaw, but a strength
Mob Psycho is an offbeat, action series that blends comedy with the supernatural. With a depth of emotional storytelling that seems to contrast the expressionless face of Shigeo Kageyama (nicknamed Mob), the series has life spring out of the boring-looking images and captivates the viewers when they least expect it.
It has a distinct flair from your usual Shonen. When it comes to Shonen usually, it is blood-pumping and exhilarating. The main character is the focus of admiration- they do not give up, keep fighting, and are ‘cool’ all in all.
Mob defies this by looking like a weird introverted kid. The kind who is an outcast in all social groups. Yet with his little to no expression, he manages to captivate (and make the audience laugh uproariously).
The protagonist is a middle schooler with immense but uncontrollable psychic powers. This is what sets the wheels of the narrative into motion. Despite his overwhelming abilities, Mob desires a normal life, as evidenced by his lack of interest in any excitement.
To prevent harming others and to avoid psychic outbursts, he had been suppressing his emotions. This struggle is at the core of the story.
A trailblazer in the Shonen genre
While Shonen protagonists are usually driven by rivalries (looking at you, Naruto, and Sasuke) and dreams of becoming the strongest or greatest (‘I am gonna be the Pirate King!’), Mob’s journey might seem lackluster. The show sees him get deeply introspective, adding a nuanced layer to it.
Mob’s story revolves around self-discovery, accepting the affection and trust of others, and learning to navigate and control his emotions. Mob Psycho is special not because of the tremendous amount of abilities that its protagonist has- but because it tells us that there is worth beyond his psychic powers.
This is why the unique design of Mob Psycho (albeit unappealing at first sight) is a strength that makes the work more memorable. By avoiding the traditional Shonen motivations, Mob Psycho 100 delivers a refreshing take on the genre, paving the way for further works that revolutionize and redefine what Shonen is.
Mob Psycho 100 is currently streaming on Hulu.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
