1 00:00:03,445 --> 00:00:06,181 What makes a good protagonist? 2 00:00:06,181 --> 00:00:10,079 Good, not in its meaning of being well-written but as a matter of 3 00:00:10,079 --> 00:00:15,890 virtue and morality. A protagonist whose ideals and values are kind and honorable 4 00:00:15,890 --> 00:00:21,707 in their actions. Mob Psycho 100 is a story elevated by its means of showing 5 00:00:21,707 --> 00:00:27,114 kindness perpetuated by Mob, a child born with tremendous psychic abilities but 6 00:00:27,114 --> 00:00:31,761 whose warm-hearted nature defines his character. As storytelling has developed 7 00:00:31,761 --> 00:00:36,181 overtime, writers have explored the intricacies of developing heroes and 8 00:00:36,181 --> 00:00:40,657 protagonists outside of righteously good personas through the inclusions of 9 00:00:40,667 --> 00:00:45,499 anti-heroes, pragmatic heroes, and situated characters within a morally 10 00:00:45,499 --> 00:00:50,369 grey void. Protagonists who don't waver from their kind persona have become far 11 00:00:50,369 --> 00:00:54,553 fewer. Protagonists who don't deviate from their ethical morals are deemed 12 00:00:54,553 --> 00:00:59,694 one-dimensional and boring compared to heroes undertaking ambiguous actions, 13 00:00:59,694 --> 00:01:04,923 whose development is regarded as multifaceted and complex. Mob's growth 14 00:01:04,923 --> 00:01:09,727 over the series isn't grand comparable to other shounen stories. Whilst in other 15 00:01:09,727 --> 00:01:14,544 narratives where the hero's powers increase over time, Mob Psycho 100 never 16 00:01:14,544 --> 00:01:19,844 once explores the ideology of growing Mob's powers instead forming and applying 17 00:01:19,844 --> 00:01:24,032 differing interpretation of the overpowered protagonist trope. Mob's 18 00:01:24,032 --> 00:01:28,331 psychic powers aren't there as an exemplar of his progression, as they don't develop 19 00:01:28,331 --> 00:01:33,073 nor advance through a training arc, but rather exist as another element to Mob's 20 00:01:33,073 --> 00:01:38,948 being. Instead the creative focus is on developing his humanity in lieu of powers, 21 00:01:38,948 --> 00:01:43,830 showcasing how Mob's humility as a person can also shift and help the lives of 22 00:01:43,830 --> 00:01:49,760 others. Unlike superhero counterparts, Mob refrains from using powers with the upmost 23 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:54,937 sincerity, procuring a resolve in dismantling vicious scenarios through the 24 00:01:54,937 --> 00:01:59,458 goodwill of listening and understanding. Being sympathetic and compassionate of 25 00:01:59,458 --> 00:02:04,180 both humans and the paranormal alike, Mob's truest power is enacting change in 26 00:02:04,180 --> 00:02:08,219 others. As said from mentor Reigen Arataka himself, 27 00:02:08,219 --> 00:02:13,907 "The truth behind one's charm is kindness. Be a good person. That is all." 28 00:02:13,907 --> 00:02:18,499 Superpowers waver a thin line of stability and are useless in the hands of 29 00:02:18,499 --> 00:02:23,282 someone callous. Greed and megalomaniac thoughts are prominent within people who 30 00:02:23,282 --> 00:02:28,777 possess great power. To see oneself more worthy than average people. Yet, despite 31 00:02:28,777 --> 00:02:33,582 Mob's powers, the show embodies the importance of fighting with kindness and 32 00:02:33,582 --> 00:02:38,022 compassion, arguably the hardest traits to keep in one's heart, but the most 33 00:02:38,022 --> 00:02:43,753 invaluable and rewarding. Initially starting the series, Mob persistently 34 00:02:43,753 --> 00:02:48,606 contemplates the purpose of his existence, evidentially shown during the nervous 35 00:02:48,606 --> 00:02:52,860 break he endeavors once asked, "What is it that you really want to do?" 36 00:02:53,140 --> 00:02:57,250 It's a question that could throw many people off, but for Mob in particular, 37 00:02:57,250 --> 00:03:02,387 it's a stark reminder towards the fear of a life unfulfilled, thus making his 38 00:03:02,387 --> 00:03:07,487 decision in joining the Body Improvement Club much more endearing. Mob recognizes 39 00:03:07,487 --> 00:03:11,602 the ease of which relying on psychic abilities could hinder his own personal 40 00:03:11,602 --> 00:03:16,745 development. Psychic abilities can only help so much. They can't develop social 41 00:03:16,745 --> 00:03:21,451 skills, make you friends, nor magically improve your physique, and those are 42 00:03:21,451 --> 00:03:26,207 goals Mob wishes to achieve. To become comfortable in himself and build on his 43 00:03:26,207 --> 00:03:31,999 growth without depending on his powers. In many ways, because of his powers, Mob is 44 00:03:31,999 --> 00:03:36,890 a ticking time bomb. His friends and family sometimes fear Mob's instability 45 00:03:36,890 --> 00:03:42,349 when confronted with intense emotions and the aftermath his 100% or unknown 46 00:03:42,349 --> 00:03:47,495 percent state leaves behind. Through observation, Mob's variety of intense 47 00:03:47,495 --> 00:03:52,988 states mimic that of real life. When feeling of rage, animosity, and tenacity 48 00:03:52,988 --> 00:03:57,771 overwhelm him, Mob's actions are impulse. He unconsciously attacks with 49 00:03:57,771 --> 00:04:02,698 negative emotions bursting at the seams, leading to incidents later filled with 50 00:04:02,698 --> 00:04:08,835 regret. But his 100% states charged with gratitude, compassion, and kindness are 51 00:04:08,835 --> 00:04:13,478 the times of which he's most conscious of his actions. Fully aware of the help he's 52 00:04:13,478 --> 00:04:18,155 achieving, Mob takes initiative without the lingering results of remorse or shame, 53 00:04:18,155 --> 00:04:22,794 showing the differing consequences of letting positive or negative emotions 54 00:04:22,794 --> 00:04:28,104 drive your actions. On that note, the execution towards Mob's handling of 55 00:04:28,104 --> 00:04:32,701 emotions could be interpreted as someone on the autistic spectrum: finding 56 00:04:32,701 --> 00:04:37,545 difficultly with social cues, facing ridicule for being outwardly emotionless 57 00:04:37,545 --> 00:04:42,866 despite very much being the opposite, and his 100% explosions an allegory of 58 00:04:42,866 --> 00:04:48,058 autistic meltdowns. There's much evidence to suggest Mob is heavily coded as 59 00:04:48,058 --> 00:04:52,532 autistic. As referenced from the National Autistic Society, 60 00:04:52,532 --> 00:04:57,457 "Meltdowns happen as an intense response to an overwhelming situation, allowing for 61 00:04:57,457 --> 00:05:01,957 temporary loss of control. When a person is completely overwhelmed, and their 62 00:05:01,957 --> 00:05:05,904 condition means it is difficult to express that in another way, it is understandable 63 00:05:05,904 --> 00:05:07,769 that the result is a meltdown." 64 00:05:07,999 --> 00:05:12,215 From the description alone, it's hard to interpret Mob's explosions as anything 65 00:05:12,215 --> 00:05:17,690 but similar to autistic meltdowns, and it makes sense. Mob is often found burrowing 66 00:05:17,690 --> 00:05:22,005 emotions away. He grew up with a connection to humans and non-humans, 67 00:05:22,005 --> 00:05:26,797 directly placing him as an outsider of normality. Having to carry the weight of 68 00:05:26,797 --> 00:05:31,559 his actions and the pressures faced as a result of his powers, it's only natural 69 00:05:31,559 --> 00:05:35,849 Mob would suppress emotions that could uncontrollably escalate under stressful 70 00:05:35,849 --> 00:05:41,923 scenarios. In saying this, despite the negative connotations people unrightfully 71 00:05:41,923 --> 00:05:47,209 push towards autism, in Mob Psycho 100 Mob's outbursts and difficulty in 72 00:05:47,209 --> 00:05:52,775 recognizing nonverbal cues are never once framed negatively or as a hindrance. His 73 00:05:52,775 --> 00:05:56,931 friends and family calm him down when spotting signs of distress not because 74 00:05:56,931 --> 00:06:01,402 they see him as a danger or threat but because they care for his well-being. Mob 75 00:06:01,402 --> 00:06:06,732 is haunted by the damage caused during his childhood, the reminder of Ritsu calling 76 00:06:06,732 --> 00:06:11,774 in pain surrounded by injured bodies, the origin of Mob's resolve to never use 77 00:06:11,774 --> 00:06:17,089 powers on humans. Some mistake this as complete pacifism, but Mob will step in 78 00:06:17,089 --> 00:06:22,230 when justifiable against non-humans, exorcising evil spirits or defending 79 00:06:22,230 --> 00:06:28,000 himself against espers when necessary. And yet, even then, Mob shows a 80 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:32,855 determination in proving to others violence isn't the answer. Showing power 81 00:06:32,855 --> 00:06:38,157 not through brutality but courage and attempting to inspire kindness in others. 82 00:06:38,517 --> 00:06:43,232 Most of the vigorous battles in the show Mob has settled through nonviolent actions 83 00:06:43,292 --> 00:06:48,071 His impact not conveyed in heroics of saving people like in other shounen 84 00:06:48,071 --> 00:06:53,224 stories, but the connection he's able to form with others to enact change. 85 00:06:53,224 --> 00:06:55,466 Like the creator himself stated, 86 00:06:55,466 --> 00:07:00,228 "I wanted to build on the idea of a protagonist who changes people's lives." 87 00:07:00,448 --> 00:07:04,250 What good is defeating an enemy if their morals are unchanged? 88 00:07:04,310 --> 00:07:08,917 Mob sees a chance of improvement and rehabilitation in anyone and it's because 89 00:07:08,917 --> 00:07:14,228 of this that many in the cast are inspired by Mob. He makes them realize their own 90 00:07:14,228 --> 00:07:18,885 mistakes and wrongdoings through the goodwill of his personality. His younger 91 00:07:18,885 --> 00:07:23,297 brother Ritsu, riddled with newfound powers and rage by his inferiority 92 00:07:23,297 --> 00:07:27,852 complex, was left in tears hearing Mob's confession of admiration for his younger 93 00:07:27,852 --> 00:07:33,025 brother. Mob dismissed his challenge of a fight and even apologized on his behalf 94 00:07:33,025 --> 00:07:38,063 to those he hurt. Ritsu lived his childhood feeling inferior and frustrated 95 00:07:38,063 --> 00:07:43,395 towards Mob and his powers, and yet it's Ritsu's intelligence and charisma of which 96 00:07:43,395 --> 00:07:48,778 he earned without powers, that Mob finds so inspiring. Mob loves Ritsu and was 97 00:07:48,778 --> 00:07:53,760 elated to hear Ritsu earned his powers, knowing just how much he wanted them. 98 00:07:53,900 --> 00:07:58,989 But powers or not, Mob is always proud of his brother, even through the mishaps 99 00:07:58,989 --> 00:08:04,025 he created from being power-hungry. It's this earnesty that confronts Ritsu of his 100 00:08:04,025 --> 00:08:08,874 misdeeds, changes the way he uses his powers, and slowly learns to overcome his 101 00:08:08,874 --> 00:08:13,582 low self-esteem. Mob's confrontation with Serizawa is handled mostly through lack 102 00:08:13,582 --> 00:08:18,636 of confidence, too. Mob instead is willing to listen to his troubles, understanding 103 00:08:18,636 --> 00:08:23,947 his fear of losing control and offering him the kindness he lacked all his life. 104 00:08:23,947 --> 00:08:28,744 Rather than manipulating the vulnerable like Suzuki, Mob consoles Serizawa, 105 00:08:28,744 --> 00:08:33,742 offering an ear to listen rather than a fist to hurt. Even during the rare 106 00:08:33,742 --> 00:08:38,366 occasions Mob's powers directly hurt someone, he's left overcome with feelings 107 00:08:38,366 --> 00:08:43,903 of deep sorrow and regret. For instance, his unknown percent state going berserk 108 00:08:43,903 --> 00:08:49,222 and harming Teru as a result of Mob falling unconscious. Mob felt intense 109 00:08:49,222 --> 00:08:53,407 sadness and devastation when seeing the aftermath of his actions. Even if they 110 00:08:53,407 --> 00:08:58,119 were unwittingly done, he's someone that takes every action he does to heart, and 111 00:08:58,119 --> 00:09:02,548 with that comes the unfortunate times he's faced with the repercussions of his 112 00:09:02,548 --> 00:09:07,557 negative emotions. In a similar manner, Mob feels regret when attacking Suzuki 113 00:09:07,557 --> 00:09:11,714 during the World Domination Arc, telling the hotheaded esper he doesn't want to 114 00:09:11,714 --> 00:09:16,531 hurt him, despite Suzuki making it necessary through his unhinged behavior. 115 00:09:16,531 --> 00:09:20,681 It's through realizing his attempts at talking him down proved pointless that 116 00:09:20,681 --> 00:09:25,037 Mob admits he's not strong enough. And that's something admirable about Mob: he 117 00:09:25,037 --> 00:09:29,448 doesn't consider his lack of strength as a result of his weaker psychic abilities, 118 00:09:29,558 --> 00:09:34,189 but in his attempts to help and change others. He's upset that his words aren't 119 00:09:34,189 --> 00:09:38,619 strong enough to reach out and help Suzuki, which forces his hand to violence 120 00:09:38,619 --> 00:09:43,607 instead. However, after an intense battle between the two, and Mob's sacrifice in 121 00:09:43,607 --> 00:09:47,598 trying to minimize his self-destruct explosion, Suzuki does eventually 122 00:09:47,598 --> 00:09:52,140 take Mob's words to heart. Everyone grows because of their encounters with other 123 00:09:52,140 --> 00:09:57,950 people. People need other people. If not for Mob's kindness, many people's lives 124 00:09:57,950 --> 00:10:01,654 wouldn't have changed for the better. Reigen's reputation would still be 125 00:10:01,654 --> 00:10:06,353 tarnished from the humiliation of his press conference. Emi would continue to be 126 00:10:06,353 --> 00:10:11,404 shamed of her writing work, the ripped pages of creative writing she poured hours 127 00:10:11,404 --> 00:10:15,619 into still blowing in the wind. Minori Asagiri would still be suffering, 128 00:10:15,619 --> 00:10:21,086 possessed by Mogami. And heartwarmingly enough even Setsuo Ito, Mob's voice 129 00:10:21,086 --> 00:10:25,761 actor might not have gained the slightest self confidence boost if not for Mob. 130 00:10:25,761 --> 00:10:29,841 Mob's strength in pushing purpose and motivation in others is what is 131 00:10:29,841 --> 00:10:34,740 constantly supported. Through being kind to others you receive respect in return. 132 00:10:34,860 --> 00:10:40,163 Mob's connection to friends and family is what keeps him grounded, to not wander too 133 00:10:40,163 --> 00:10:45,072 deep into the power of the unknown, but also as a reminder of who he is and what 134 00:10:45,072 --> 00:10:50,076 his morals are. During his time in Mogami's fake alternative reality, Mob 135 00:10:50,076 --> 00:10:54,195 comes away from the experience feeling even more grateful for the people in his 136 00:10:54,195 --> 00:10:58,848 life, understanding the despair and misery he could've endured if not for the 137 00:10:58,848 --> 00:11:03,788 kindness he received too. Mob genuinely believes he was influenced because of the 138 00:11:03,788 --> 00:11:08,224 people around him. A boy who was once secluded and riddled with inner thoughts 139 00:11:08,494 --> 00:11:13,304 now having a massive list of friends who help and support him, even for something 140 00:11:13,304 --> 00:11:18,387 as simple as building stamina. And it's this very reason he deems no one as 141 00:11:18,387 --> 00:11:23,466 worthless nor undeserving of attempted change: because if Mob was able to change, 142 00:11:23,606 --> 00:11:29,215 then anyone can. The premise of this series and Mob's character might not look 143 00:11:29,215 --> 00:11:33,944 unique from the offset, but Mob is a warm-hearted person and amiable at 144 00:11:33,944 --> 00:11:39,222 his core. He's still a young boy who makes mistakes and is flawed; he's terrible at 145 00:11:39,222 --> 00:11:44,053 maths and even worse at sports, not to mention easily exploited and taken 146 00:11:44,053 --> 00:11:49,267 advantage of. Even Reigen pays him pennies for the constant work and requests he asks 147 00:11:49,267 --> 00:11:53,956 of Mob. But as the series progresses, you see a change in all aspects of these 148 00:11:53,956 --> 00:11:59,469 flaws. Not progress in his powers, but Mob as a person and the relationships he 149 00:11:59,469 --> 00:12:04,757 builds. "To be the protagonist of your own life," is a beautiful message. Make 150 00:12:04,757 --> 00:12:09,698 choices your own. Choose a path you think is fitting for you. And if things go wrong 151 00:12:09,698 --> 00:12:14,866 it's still your own story to change and alter the direction of. Mob Psycho 100 is 152 00:12:14,866 --> 00:12:19,078 a favorite show of mine because its protagonist is kind to an unfaltering 153 00:12:19,078 --> 00:12:24,006 degree. He knows everyone suffers differently- people come in all degrees of 154 00:12:24,006 --> 00:12:29,378 fault and issues because the world can be harsh - but decides to be kind anyways. We 155 00:12:29,378 --> 00:12:33,918 watch as a young and impressionable boy concerned about his powers slowly turns 156 00:12:33,918 --> 00:12:38,619 to a boy more assured of himself, how he wants to fit in this world, and the lives 157 00:12:38,859 --> 00:12:40,945 he wants to touch. 158 00:12:43,352 --> 00:12:48,292 As always, thank you for watching. Sorry for the little delay in this video; 159 00:12:48,467 --> 00:12:53,031 I caught Covid during the production, causing a little halt in the process. 160 00:12:53,417 --> 00:12:58,177 But all is relatively good now. I want to thank my Patreons again for being patient 161 00:12:58,177 --> 00:13:02,570 with this video, and I'll see you next time with a manga video.