Hey. Wait a minute!!! I thought it all ended for good?! Because the last time a certain esper main character and his buddies took down the big bad boss of a big bad organization, wasn’t that the last of it?! Or was it just me assuming everything ended? Yup. Seems like that. Because I was sure helluva surprised when Mob Psycho 100 S3 came out. Didn’t think there would be more but I guess the story isn’t just about facing off against Claw. Because Mob still has a few issues to deal with. You know, like confessing to his crush? Oh yeah. That is the ultimate battle for Mob that he will need to face sooner or later.
Episode 1
It’s that time of year where students have to hand in their career paths. And Mob is fretting about it since he isn’t sure what he wants to do. He isn’t the only one as his Telepathy Club buddies too share the same dilemma. With these guys at the bottom of the school rankings, isn’t hard to see why. He gets awed hearing Tsubomi is aiming for an elite high school. Well, she is in the top 5 ranking. Mob also goes to talk to Reigen about it but nothing much comes out of it. Then they attend to a client who claims this expensive doll he bought is cursed. Reigen thinks he is scammed and didn’t think much of it until Mob points out it is indeed curse. To cover up his mistake, Reigen blames Serizawa for not pointing this out and was testing him to see if he could spot it. To make amends he has him exorcise it. No biggie but he broke the statue! No worries too as Reigen glues it back together. Perfect. Mob continues to fret over his career path. His family is too simplistic while the Body Building Club all already have their paths decided. Then Mezato talks to him about the recent terrorist attack and believes Mob has had a hand in it. Yeah, making it sound so dramatic, eh? So much so, people started worshipping that broccoli-cum-tree and calling it the Psycho Helmet Religion. The talk diverts to the career path but as usual, Mob still can’t think of anything.
Reigen and co visit the house of a hoarder who believes his home is haunted. Reigen is scared not because of possible ghosts but cockroaches! He bails with excuse to go get ‘powerful exorcism tools’ and has the duo listen to the rest of the story. Basically he is wallowing in depression of the wrong choices he made in life and is left with nothing. But unknown to them, this has caused an evil spirit to appear and is making everyone in the vicinity to fall asleep. Reigen just finished buying those cleaning tools (evil spirits hate clean houses?) when he sees this atrocity. He rushes back to tell the duo about it. He gives excuse his exorcism is too powerful and might hurt others so he leaves it to them. Yeah. The duo purge the spirit but also blows away all the hoarding items and the roof. But the guy now feels great and thanks them. After they leave, he begins to go back to his hoarding business… Serizawa and Mob are depressed since what that guy said hit too close to home. They too could’ve picked the wrong path and end up like him. So as Mob hands in his career path, he doesn’t have anything particular in mind. The teacher is mindful to give some advice. So Mob wants to travel the world now? With that, Mob then talks to Reigen that although he is comfortable here, he cannot see himself working here in the future for fear he might get complacent. Because when that happens, the only thing that will change is his age. Well, Reigen now says what he said earlier was a joke. He is sure he will find what he wants to do. Reigen reveals he left his previous job because he was bored. He started this one on a whim and thought of closing up after a year. But then Mob came at the right time and look where they are now? What he is trying to say is that what he wants to do doesn’t have to be work. He should just live however he wants. Mob is so enlightened and thanks him and leaves. So uhm, is he still coming back to work here or not?
Episode 2
A yokai hunter named Haruaki Amakusa arrives in town. Something ominous is going on. Meanwhile Mob’s class will do a haunted house for the cultural festival. He is in charge with other guys to do the costumes. They get lazy and think using a white sheet as ghosts will do. Mob thinks they should do more but he himself lacks any ideas. Meanwhile Amakusa arrives at Reigen’s office. Yeah, another one of those passionate cosplayers, huh? Because of his way of speaking that sounds so ambiguous, Reigen snaps at him to make it clear. So basically this is what he needs his services for. He sensed the presence of yokai in this town and wants his help to slay them. Namely the Hundred Demons. If they let them be, they will steal the energy of others. Reigen is not interested in this until Amakusa shows the money. 100 million yen enough as consultation fees? ALRIGHT! Now we go yokai hunting! Break free from cycle of sadness! Yeah, whatever issues Mob needs to talk to him have to wait. Hence as he follows them, he isn’t fully concentrating as he keeps thinking about his haunted house issue. So as they go hunt for the yokai base, all duds until the building that Mob exorcised before. Venturing inside, it is creepy as hell and you can tell they’re venturing deep into yokai territory. Then the yokai attacks. Well boys, time for some action. Oh my, Amakusa’s expensive sword just broke! Don’t worry, Mob and Serizawa will do the job. In the end, Hundred Demons’ generals and even big boss, the Great Yokai King comes out. Yeah, those yokai are the ones who are supposed to be scared! Yup. Easily defeated. Even if the king himself transforms and powers up. Too bad we couldn’t see how he was defeated in a flash. Amakusa is so amazed he wants to hire and pay them as yokai hunters. But Serizawa and Mob decline. Reigen tries to mock him that they have their own lives so Amakusa feels sorry and apologizes for trying to use money to buy his friends! Yeah, I guess no more money, huh? In the end, Amakusa leaves and Mob doesn’t need Reigen’s help. He already figured it out. So he calls his friends and tells them his plans. Yup, all inspiration gotten from this incident. Well, not the best Great Yokai King design but nobody is complaining. The cultural festival proceeds smoothly. Meanwhile Ritsu’s class is doing cross-dressing maid café. Ritsu might not like it but those moms certainly have fallen for him! And Reigen uses the face of Great Yokai King as his homepage avatar.
Episode 3
Mob gets a bit happy after talking a bit to Tsubomi. Later Mezato tries to invite to come to a gathering for the Psycho Helmet Religion but he declines. Then there is Tome who is asking his help to find more telepathists. Because Emi points out he is getting a bit popular with the girls, this has Mob get a bit conscious. He starts to notice other girls staring at him. Because of that, his emotions reaches 100%. Now he is on his high horse. That night, Mezato calls Mob, still trying to convince him to come to the gathering. She further explains that many people have claimed to be the founder and hence there will be an audition to see who will become the founder. She believes there can be no one else but him. Besides, it will make him popular with the girls. Like Tsubomi. There’s the buzzword. And so Mob will think about it. It has been a while so Dimple returns and learns about Mob thinking he is popular with girls. He brushes it off as coincidental and then talks about the audition. Of course we all know Dimple wants to become the founder but Mob is quick to point out this has nothing to do with him. Besides, Mob isn’t power hungry and will not join forces with him to control the masses. He wants Dimple to stop his greedy ambitions. With that, Dimple just quietly left. There is nothing else more to be said. Mob then talks to Reigen about the audition. He plans to show up to at least see what is going on. Reigen checks their website and finds it shady. At first he tells Mob not to go but after seeing they’ve got so many followers and the cash… Oh boy, this can bring in the business! Yeah, he tells Mob to go and possibly help promote his business too. Reigen then gives him money to buy some clothes. Does Mob know anything about fashion? Don’t worry, Teru is here to help. He also hears about him being popular with girls and is supportive of his idea. Well, I think Teru has bad fashion taste too. But whatever. WTF this Smart Monkey brand… Now we see lots of weirdoes at the audition. Mob is not here as he is waiting somewhere else for Mezato but she didn’t show up. As Reigen watches the audition online, he thought Mob finally comes on stage but he can tell this is not Mob. He tries to call Mob but damn, Mob’s phone out of battery. The imposter gives his speech and elects himself as the founder who will protect this city. This causes everyone to get mad and vehemently object. This is when the imposter shows his magic as he sprouts another mini divine tree. Or is it a broccoli really…
Episode 4
Mob wonders why Mezato didn’t turn up as planned. She mentions she forgot and now that the founder of the faith has showed up, she apologizes for dragging him into this. Mob is further suspicious when even Tome turns her Telepathy Club into a branch of Psycho Helmet Religion. Later Mob talks to Reigen about this. He doesn’t think much about it needs Mob’s help because there have been requests to investigate buildings that plant vines and roots suddenly growing on them. He believes that broccoli is the root of it all because doing such jobs don’t bring in the money. He wants to eliminate that divine tree that they were also partly responsible for. Meanwhile Teru is tasting some new treats made from the divine tree. He soon starts to worship it but spits it out in time after realizing it has brainwashing effects. Hence he jumps over to the divine tree and faces the supposed founder. Once again, he almost gets brainwashed but snaps out of it. He begins fighting him but with the founder’s regenerative abilities, Teru is going to tire out at this rate. He realizes the founder is no other than Dimple who admits he is using Mob’s image to make others worship him. It is his goal to become a modern day God. Hence this is not brainwashing but a blessing to give everyone a place of belonging. Teru will not buy that crap and will eliminate him. Minegishi realizes the divine tree’s roots spreading everywhere in this city and absorbing the life force of the plants. At this rate, the entire city will die. But upon this realization, Minegishi starts to grow weak.
Reigen’s plan is to transport the broccoli and sink it into the ocean. Hence it is Mob’s job to uproot and transport it while Reigen will secure the root. Mob thinks it is going to be a lot of work so he asks Ritsu for help. At first he is reluctant but after a few ‘convincing’ words from Reigen, he agrees. Ritsu then brings them to a civic centre where he introduces them to a bunch of people who are members of Psycho Helmet Religion! They know about his plans to cut down the divine tree and want to talk to change their mind. Clearly Ritsu has been brainwashed as Reigen and Mob sprint the hell out as fast as they could. Reigen points out to this candy that has been brainwashing people. But everywhere they go, followers of the faith approach them and keep telling them their plan is futile. Mob replies Reigen’s question about the faith. They aren’t bad people and are just a group of people gathering to have some activities. But all that changes when the founder turned up. He doesn’t like what he is doing and cannot condone to his brainwashing methods that is fooling others. However, Reigen suddenly says the religion isn’t bad, that they should live in harmony, blah, blah, blah. The moment he tells Mob to forget about it and go home, that is when Mob realizes he too has been brainwashed. Realizing he may be the only one left in the city not brainwashed. He goes to the divine tree and claims of wanting to meet the founder. This is when everyone forms a path as they start praising Mob as the original founder. We have 2 founders now! All hail Mob!
Episode 5
As Mob makes his way into the divine tree, he talks to the imposter founder about this religion. Basically he doesn’t know what’s good for anybody so he just let his followers decide. Isn’t that good enough? Mob then sees Teru tied up and is told that he tried to shut down this religion first but failed. Mob is of course not impressed and knows the one behind this is Dimple as he calls out to him. Dimple then explains how his simple exposure to touch or consume anything related to the divine tree has everyone soon brainwashed and at this rate, the entire world will be united under this new religion. Mob disagrees since he is just brainwashing them not to go against him. True. But how is that different from real society? Will Mob resort to violence too if this fails? Because he is the same if he does. Teru tries to convince Mob that Dimple isn’t bad and if he uses violence, it’s all over. Because he will be the one to stop him. While it may sound like Teru is brainwashed, Dimple claims he isn’t. Since Mob remains adamant for Dimple to free anyone, Teru fights him. Eventually Mob’s tremendous power blows Teru far away from the divine tree. Now Mob has to face Dimple’s clones as he calls out to that fake God to face him. Since he isn’t, does he mean he is scared of him? Finally Dimple appears in the flesh. Or at least his usual ghost form. If Mob won’t become part of his religion, he’ll get Tsubomi to convince him! He gets honest that he has no chance with her since she is a strong woman. Even he had trouble trying to brainwash her at first. Now that she is under this religion, Mob has a shot at her if he joins. This only makes Mob madder as he gives Dimple a beat down. Dimple is then reborn into his new form. Imagine the Oscar’s statue all buffed up. Yup. Hideous! He tries to bet down Mob with his godly attacks. This is a ploy to wear down Mob as he has been constantly sucking his power ever since he entered this divine tree. Despite how powerful Mob his, his powers are finite. But Dimple starts to sweat as Mob still has this much power. Mob will not accept Dimple because this is all fake. This makes Dimple mad since he is denying this godly existence he has always wanted. Even unleashing all that raging madness, Mob still has lots of powers left. Mob is somewhat glad since this is Dimple’s true feelings. But it’s goodbye seeing Dimple claims he has always been using him. Dimple is going to finish him off when he sees Mob in that funny monkey shirt! LAME! Yeah, but Mob’s emotions have reached 100% now!
Episode 6
Mob seems to let loose all his powers. Dimple thought he is going to attack and puts up a defensive barrier that blows Mob away pretty easily. Strange. He now senses Mob has no power left. Could it be that he did it on purpose? Looks like it is. Because now that his powers are out of the way, they can talk. He believes Dimple will not kill him and proving him right, Mob gets close to him. Dimple is Dimple. He isn’t dangerous. He just got carried away. His earnest comments on his shirt sealed the deal. Dimple remains suspicious that he is planning something although Mob assures he isn’t. Mob also admits himself that he got carried away too. Because he was trying to become popular, he forgot about Dimple and should’ve talked things out with him. He will listen to all that he wants to say. Dimple is confused as he tries to put all this together. Despite for what he is, Mob still accepted him and he thought he could use Mob for his ultimate goal. Even so, being chummy with Mob made him lose sight of his goal and perhaps his reason for existence. Then he realizes what he needed wasn’t to become God or followers. He just wanted a friend. Just like that, Dimple gives up on his ambitions and wants to go home. He’ll erase everyone’s memories. Mob even asks if he is okay with that! You sure you want to change his mind on that! With Mob exhausted, Dimple carries him back home. But on the way out, Dimple is shocked to see a Psycho Helmet clone. He wants Mob to be left behind as sustenance. Dimple realizes the divine tree has absorbed too much from the city and has taken a life on its own. Dimple protects an unconscious Mob as he staves off the Psycho Helmet clones. Dimple realizes he is fighting a losing battle as Psycho Helmet is also absorbing his energy. That scream of frustration, is it the end? When Mob wakes up, Dimple is before him. Dimple says he has never exerted this much power before. He now realizes what Mob goes through every day suppressing his own power. He is such an amazing guy for not letting it get to his head. Dimple alters Mob’s memories and then gives him his final orders to walk his own home. A dazed Mob does so as we hear sounds of crashing and smashing in the background. Dimple gets eaten by Psycho Helmet. Mob goes out and before the crowd, tells them all to go home. Late that night, the news reports the divine tree suddenly flying up into space. Can’t be Mob, right? He and everyone else can’t remember what happened that evening. But Mob cries and knows this is Dimple’s work. He has nothing but thanks for his friend. Oh Dimple… This episode so bittersweet… :’(…
Episode 7
Tome just realized… She will soon be graduating! Hitting the panic button, she feels the need for her Telepathy Club to do something. However the guys are being lackadaisical and thinks lazing around and doing nothing has been fun. Yeah, not even bothered. This disappoints Tome so much that she quits the club and leaves! Now the trio panics so they head down to Mob’s place to seek for some telepathic help. Since Mob can’t use telepathy, Ritsu suggests someone who might. This Shiratori brothers explain about the noise they can produce and hopefully somebody who can ‘hear’ it will pick it up. Back at the clubroom, with Mob’s enhancement they try to amplify that. Suddenly somebody comes into the room. Who is this Momozo Takenaka? Well, a former Telepathy Club member who left. Now he is in the Tennis Club and he claims he is ditching practice. He still mocks them for trying to do such childish stuffs. They ignore him and continue. Takenaka starts to look pale before he tells them to freaking stop it. Soon he reveals he is a telepathist. From young he could hear thoughts of others whether he wants to or not. As he grew older, its range grew larger to a point he can even inject his thoughts into others. Of course he got sick of it all and managed to ‘seal’ it by wearing earplugs. He has no intention of joining them when Mob says he was trying to look for similar people like him, the reason he joined the club. Too bad it wasn’t what he was looking for and that’s why he left. Mob will not coerce him into doing this because he too is sometimes sick of his powers. However it is part of him so he tries to have fun with it once in a while. Takenaka gives a little thought and somewhat agrees to join in this experiment. Their plan is to head up to Mt Mud Boat on New Year’s Eve. The Telepathy Club trio try to invite Tome to join but she refuses, citing she has some study camp. Mob got Reigen to drive them but I guess he overslept and is running late. So as Mob and the rest wait, they are shocked to see Tome here too. Change of heart? Well, she didn’t want to join the study camp. She is surprised to see Takenaka but refuses to believe he is a telepathist and thinks they’re tricking her. With Reigen arriving, the gang begin their road trip up the mountains.
Episode 8
Reigen drives until he can’t drive anymore? Time to take a walk till they reach the hiking trail. When they finally manage to do so, the gang feels like they want to continue this UFO summoning ritual that this trip is all about. However Tome is against this. Things have not been going their way so it’s best they return. But when they point out they planned this for her, she takes this as an insult and thinks they are blaming her. This is precisely the reason she disbanded the club because she doesn’t want situation like this. She was in a dilemma to come or not and then they lied to her about Takenaka being a telepathist. She is done with all this and wants to go home. But with Mob extending his hand to help her carry, she realizes being a dick isn’t the best thing so she reluctantly agrees to carry on the journey. At the top of the mountain, Takenaka starts preparing and doing rituals for the summoning. Apparently the reason he was late for the gathering is because he was doing research on this so he remembered it by heart. So as everyone joins in, soon Reigen calls out Takenaka’s bluff. He is forced to admit the author of the research got arrested for being a fraud. Yup, none of this works. Reigen agrees with Takenaka that the important thing is that they do things together and had fun. This will become their precious youthful memories. So as they continue their fake summoning, suddenly a real UFO pops up! Holy sh*t! YOU MEAN IT’S REAL?! Then aliens descend. Wow. This is how they look? Now I’ve seen everything! After shaking Tome’s hands, they invite them back to their ship. Uhm, reminds her a bit of their club. Hanging out and eating snacks. The Earthlings join them and even share and teach them a few games. Such fun times. Then they realize it is getting late and they need to go home. As token of friendship, the aliens give this beautiful shining stone. The Earthlings give whatever they have in return. Mob doesn’t have any so he shows a bit of his powers. Then they all return home just in time to catch the dawn of a new year. But wait. Isn’t somebody missing? Yeah, Inukawa is left on board! As he narrates, he is taken back to their world. Because he cannot speak their language, he went with the flow. Time passes and not sure what happened to him because did he get raped by them? Because the aliens also have a natural enemy eating their crops, Inukawa helped took care of it by simply using weapons. He became a hero and treated as one. One day he wanted to go back and managed to relay to their hearts his message. All he had to do was look them in the eye and convey it from the heart. As he returns, his memories of the alien world become fuzzy and vague.
Episode 9
The next school term has begun. The teacher as usual reminding his class to keep up with their studies, etc. For some strange reason, he tells them about Tsubomi moving away! And she’s not even in Mob’s class! You bet this makes Mob worried. Need to confess to her? Well, he’s not alone. Yeah, other guys have the same idea too! Hence Mob talks to his Body Building Club buddies for advice. They claim he has developed nice muscles so show that to her! Then he goes to the Telepathy Club for the same. Takenaka even has the same idea although he doesn’t want to use his mind reading. Of course Tome’s advice is to change his hairstyle while the guys can only lend moral support. Now we see a long queue of guys waiting their turn to confess to Tsubomi. It’s going to be a long day of rejection… As Mob is anxious outside Tsubomi’s class, Mezato tells him about the rejection queue. She advises him not to join in since he might get swept in the rejection wave. She also advises about the need for him to be a gentleman and mind her manners since Tsubomi is the kind who doesn’t seem to trust others. She knows she has learnt how to view other people from a different angle. He should do the same. Mob even sees Reigen for advice. He looks like he is winging it and yup, he’s just reading it line by line from some website! Of course in his own words, Reigen wants him to be himself and to say it from his heart. Yeah, even later Teru gives his 2 cents worth of advice. Just relax and maybe get her some flowers. Wow. Even Ritsu knows about it? He looks way more anxious than Mob! That’s because he knows Mob’s chances are very slim and hopes he won’t get too disheartened. Soon, Mob makes a call to Tsubomi to meet. Denying he is nervous or anything (obviously he is), he agrees to meet her at the park tomorrow. Next day, he goes to get some flowers. He can’t afford a big one so this small one will do. However Minegishi does him a service and swaps him with a bigger and better bouquet for free. While waiting to cross the road, Mob saves a stray cat by using his powers to stop a car before it gets hit. But soon, a kid glued to his video game crosses the street but a sleepy driver didn’t see and is going to hit him. Not enough time, Mob dives and pushes him away. Crash! Oh dear… MOB IS DEAD???!!!
Episode 10
Well… Electronics are not working and Mob has awakened to become a Super Saiyan?! Oh damn, each step he takes, he is causing destruction all over town! Everyone thinks this must be some long earthquake! As everyone evacuates, Mob encounters Teru in the woods. Teru knows Mob is behind this and tries to talk to him. However words have no effect so Teru tries to use his powers to bring him down. Mob is obviously stronger. Yeah, the second time this season Teru is sent flying away! This time through the town. Teru continues to be patient with Mob. He knows something must have happened as he would never use his powers against others. Even till now, he knows Mob is crying inside alone and wants someone to stop him. Can Teru be that person? He tries to withstand Mob’s powers but looks like it is almost déjà vu as his clothes are blown off and he is bleeding all over! Oh my, it’s not funny! When Mob finally realizes, he can tell the destruction is his own doing. Before him is a semi-lifeless Teru. Almost bald! Oh sh*t, it’s not even funny! Teru continues to challenge him to use all his powers on him instead on others. Because he is his rival. Teru claims victory but I guess he was just lying to himself as he passes out and Mob returns to his Super Saiyan mode and continues his journey. Ex-Claw guys working at a convenience store now, see Mob as an esper and try to stop him before he destroys their store. Well, we all know how it will turn out. Meanwhile Tsubomi continues to wait for Mob at the park. Running a little late, isn’t he? Is this the only peaceful and undestroyed place in town?! As images of Mob’s Super Saiyan mode gets posted on the internet, some think it is Psycho Helmet returning. But for others like Reigen, they start to worry and identify him as Mob. So if Mob is unstoppable, who is going to stop him? Oh damn, they’re calling in the Suicide Squad now???!!! Heh. At least a bunch of convicts who will get their sentence reduced if they pull this off. However all the convicts are taken out by a single comrade who claims he is the only one who can deal with this. Oh damn, is this the return of Claw’s boss, Suzuki???!!! Oh wow. How the tides have turned.
Episode 11
It’s like Ritsu could sense his brother turning into an evil Super Saiyan. So he ditches his student council meeting to rush to his side. He fears Tsubomi has rejected him and thus this situation. But now can Suzuki stop this rampage? Well… No. He could have been dead had not Shou come to his rescue. Father and son realize something must have happened to Mob for him to turn that way. Suzuki’s answer is that because he is releasing so much energy at this rate, he will eventually run out of it. Hence the strategy is to absorb some of it and that’s why he has been taking a few of Mob’s hits. However that soon won’t work as Mob absorbs back all that energy. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Suzuki wants Shou to run away as he plans to do the ultimate sacrifice of becoming a vessel to absorb all his energy. He is already prepared for that. However with visions of a normal life flashing before him, Suzuki realizes he isn’t that strong. So he agrees to flee with Shou. Living a normal life is their priority now. Mob continues his way. Now it’s the Body Building Club members he bumps into and they know Mob is in some sleep waking state. Time to flex their muscles. Only, they also fail to his powers and got knocked out. Who’s next? Ritsu. He worst fears have come true but ultimately realizes he shouldn’t be scared of Mob because this is part of who he is. Meanwhile the real Mob can only watch helplessly from inside as he tries to warn Ritsu to get away but to no avail. Ritsu wants to be there for Mob as his younger brother. He gets caught in Mob’s powers but ultimately finds a power to fight back. Still, it is not enough as Ritsu is flung away. Now Mob has turned into an eerie giant tornado in the middle of town. Hopefully our last hope AKA Reigen and Serizawa rush to this epicentre, can quell this final rage. At the same time, Mob is confronted by his other self. Both claim they are real and the other fake and should disappear. The imposter claims he awakened after Mob got hit by the car. Mob is now moving by sheer will and determination to see Tsubomi. Though, Mob claims it is not because he will not harm others. The imposter thinks he is only holding him back and invalidating him. Once he disappears, he will not hold back anymore. Because the next time Mob wakes up, it will be this imposter who will fully take control.
Episode 12
The hurricane is getting closer to the park. Oh Tsubomi, she would rather still wait around because of Mob?! I don’t know if that is the sweetest or the dumbest! Mob continues to argue with his imposter about Tsubomi. Mob is reminded the reason why he fell for her in the first place. Because she treated him no differently compared to others. She accepted him. That is why the imposter believes it is this version whom Tsubomi loves. What about Reigen? Isn’t he the same? No. He is a scam. A fake. Only using you for his own benefit. Speaking of him, Reigen tries to inch closer to Mob but the way he gets slammed by the wind and all, wow, how the f*ck is he still alive?! Must be his iron clad determination to talk to Mob. But too late, the imposter has fully taken over Mob. You think it is a bridge too far for Reigen but he doesn’t give up and finally catches Mob. Mob isn’t amused and looks like he is going to terminate this conman. Surprise! He can withstand all that and is more powerful! Was Reigen this powerful before?! Well actually, Dimple returns to lend him his power! Yeah, all this raging storm has managed to bring him back! Time for Dimple to return the favour and save his friend! Reigen makes the biggest confession ever: He has no powers at all! This calms a shocked Mob down. He continues admitting everything was a lie from the start (hope he isn’t shedding crocodile tears). However he thinks it is not all that bad. Because of this lie, he was able to meet Mob and look at how his powers grew. Hence he is fine the way he is. Mob is further shocked because this means Reigen accepts him for who he is.
The original Mob returns as he is not afraid if Tsubomi rejects him because so be it. Let’s accept that. With that, Mob is a whole again and returns to his normal self. He goes to see Tsubomi. Reigen and Dimple thought she has left since Mob came back quick. But with a smile on his face, Mob says Tsubomi rejected him! Oh dear. Now the tears flow. Reigen gives him some positive words. But now let’s focus in fixing this town. Yeah, look at the trail of destruction! In the aftermath, Mob becomes the vice president of the Body Building Club while Ritsu is now the student council vice president. They meet up with Teru who has his hair all grown back as they head to Reigen’s office. Serizawa has now gotten used to his job while Tome is now working full time as the secretary. It is said that Mob and Tsubomi continue to converse with each other over the phone. Then we see a few characters coming in like Shou and the Telepathy Club members. This is to surprise Reigen for his birthday. Guy tries to hide his tears but drops the cake. Thankfully it is saved but he got his face planted in it! Everybody laughs their asses off although Mob’s smile is the best. Haven’t seen him with that great expression before.
Rule Of The Mob
That’s a wrap, folks. Live goes on for everybody and it is a bittersweet ending because Mob didn’t get the girl in the end. Uh huh. But that is only right because if you think about Tsubomi’s case, it is very much expected. As she treats everyone equally and this means Mob is no exception. That’s right. Just because he is Mob (and the main character) does not mean he has the privilege to her heart. Maybe one day in the future but for now, that’s the heart breaking reality that Mob has decided to accept because that is only way for him to move forward. Yeah, at the cost of nearly destroying the entire town! All just for a confession! I can see the justification of Tsubomi turning him down now. All is not lost since they continue to remain friends. Friendzone?
As I found out recently, that this season is actually the final stretch of the manga that already ended when a year after the first season of the anime debuted back in 2016. So I guess this is really the final season, huh? I didn’t think there was going to be anything really epic after last season’s big final showdown with Claw’s boss and the big victory over it. But of course, life still has to go on and Mob still has his powers to deal with. So the earlier episodes might not seem much especially with a couple at the beginning that feels a bit like some standalone filler followed by the divine tree arc whereby it tries to ‘get rid’ of Dimple’s character. Then the strange middle arc in which our gang meets the extra-terrestrial life form and I find it the strangest and mind boggling story ever. Because whatever happened to Inukawa and that ending of that particular arc, I believe they want us to draw our own conclusions on what happened. It could have been real, it could all be just a dream. Since the next story started without any hint of this ever happening at all. Thus it felt like one of those bizarre Twilight Zone moments but I guess for this series that deals with paranormal stuffs, something of this sort shouldn’t come as a surprise. Though, it still feels weird eventually.
And of course the final arc having Mob being engulfed and taken over by his other dark side. It doesn’t look like another version of Avengers’ Thanos versus everybody like the last time Mob and co did last season against Suzuki. But it is somewhere along that vibe albeit in a different way. In the sense that it isn’t a blatant all-out fight against Mob but some of the characters taking their turn to try to bring Mob back to his senses. Eventually the only one who can do it is of course Mob himself. Therefore ringing true the proverb that you are your worst enemy and anything else similar among those lines. Only you and yourself can beat the inner demons that haunt the deepest recess of your memories and consciousness.
Hence this whole season could be one big season for Mob to eventually come to terms with the powers that he has been living with. While to other ordinary people, Mob may look just like your average kid but nobody knows the struggle of how he tries to live a very normal life despite in possession of a very powerful ability that is sought after by so many. That is, if you’re interested in world domination. Thankfully at this point and after Claw, nobody harbours such ambitions so Mob is free to have this sort of arc for his own redemption. Despite having all that, Mob is just a normal kid. Has his own problems and worries to deal with. Some insecurities and anxieties that a high school kid typically goes through. So you have to commend Mob for trying his best and not taking the easy way out AKA using his powers to get what he wants. In the end, Mob manages to stay mostly true to his principles and of course as pointed out, his only worst enemy is himself and literally, his other dark alter ego. A lesson for Mob that he shouldn’t shoulder everything by himself and he has his friends and family he can sometimes rely on. That is the other kind of ‘power’ that he is blessed with.
As for the other characters, I feel that many don’t really make a great impact and some are just winging it. Appearing for the sake so as not to be completely forgotten. Yeah, that’s how I feel. After all, in the past 2 seasons, the series has introduced a reasonable amount of quirky characters. Of course some supporting mainstay ones like Reigen will always be there. Not to say he is the perfect adult and he too has his own shortcomings. Especially he looks more like a suave conman than anything since it always looks like he is using Mob to cover his ass. I mean, isn’t it the greatest excuse for him to let his disciple practice and take care of hard stuffs when sh*t hits the fan? But other than that, I won’t say Reigen is totally a scumbag or a bad guy as at times he tries to be a good adult. Especially for Mob since he has been in his kind service for a while so it only makes sense when Mob needs some sort of advice, Reigen will do his best at lip service. In one of the greatest redemption of his character, Reigen reveals the real truth of himself and if Mob wants people to accept him for who he is, then he must do the same for others. Thus this move earns Reigen a lot more points although I’m not sure if he continues to run a scam job or a genuine one.
Then there is Ritsu. While this season doesn’t feature him much save for the final arc, at least he is stepping up to his role as Mob’s younger brother who can be there for him if he needs a shoulder to rely on. That’s what brothers are for, right? Also to mention Teru. Not sure if this is a running joke and I don’t think it is because this guy feels like the first line of defence to try to stop things but ultimately he has his limits. He ends up like the first time he duelled Mob: Bald and naked! Not sure whether to laugh at this. After the time he has taken to grow back his hair… Oh well, that can grow back again but at least he built his friendship with Mob. Or should I say rivalry.
If there is another character who has made the greatest redemption, it would be Dimple. Ah yes, remember this sleazy guy’s goal of wanting to be God and trying to achieve it? Yeah, this lame cult thingy was the perfect reason to do so but it could all be just an excuse for him to have a friend who acknowledges him. Hence it was a bittersweet moment that Dimple has finally redeemed himself and moved on from being a cunning sidekick to perhaps become one of Mob’s best friends but only to have him make the ultimate sacrifice. RIP, Dimple… And of course the final arc… The return of the great one! No, return of the friend! Time to return the favour. Paid back in full. Thank you.
Art and animation remain consistent as in previous seasons. That’s right. This means the simplistic and ‘crappy’ art style I have gotten used to. Not much paranormal and supernatural cases here and even so, it didn’t spook the hell out of me the last time. Yeah, must have gotten used to it and didn’t bat an eyelid. Even those aliens look funnily strange instead of scary. Uh huh. I would have labelled those aliens as scary looking if they were featured in the last season. This season’s opening theme, 1 by Mob Choir tries to sound edgy in its rock piece. Can’t say that I’m a fan of the song since the background vocals feels like, uhm how should I put it, some sort of cheerleading and sports team support? The same group sings the main ending theme, Cobalt, another rock outfit. There is a couple of episodes with a special ending theme. Exist also by Mob Choir is more of a dramatic slow rock.
Overall, this third season is still good and I’m having mixed feelings about it being the last season. After all, everything has to come to an end. And this is it for this series. This is perhaps the best ending and closure for everything that it deserves after 3 seasons. From Mob to sob. Sorry, bad pun. Unless they make an anime only sequel. Not likely. Don’t want to tarnish all the goodness this series has brought us. Especially the great character development we have seen on our titular character. Is there anything else we can look forward to after this? Oh well, I guess we now have to look forward to the third season of One Punch Man! Yeah, gotten over this pretty quick.
Chua Tek Ming~*Anime Power*~ !LiVe FoR AnImE, aNiMe FoR LiFe! 