WEBVTT 00:00:03.445 --> 00:00:06.181 What makes a good protagonist? 00:00:06.181 --> 00:00:10.079 Good, not in its meaning of being well-written but as a matter of 00:00:10.079 --> 00:00:15.890 virtue and morality. A protagonist whose ideals and values are kind and honorable 00:00:15.890 --> 00:00:21.707 in their actions. Mob Psycho 100 is a story elevated by its means of showing 00:00:21.707 --> 00:00:27.114 kindness perpetuated by Mob, a child born with tremendous psychic abilities but 00:00:27.114 --> 00:00:31.761 whose warm-hearted nature defines his character. As storytelling has developed 00:00:31.761 --> 00:00:36.181 overtime, writers have explored the intricacies of developing heroes and 00:00:36.181 --> 00:00:40.657 protagonists outside of righteously good personas through the inclusions of 00:00:40.667 --> 00:00:45.499 anti-heroes, pragmatic heroes, and situated characters within a morally 00:00:45.499 --> 00:00:50.369 grey void. Protagonists who don't waver from their kind persona have become far 00:00:50.369 --> 00:00:54.553 fewer. Protagonists who don't deviate from their ethical morals are deemed 00:00:54.553 --> 00:00:59.694 one-dimensional and boring compared to heroes undertaking ambiguous actions, 00:00:59.694 --> 00:01:04.923 whose development is regarded as multifaceted and complex. Mob's growth 00:01:04.923 --> 00:01:09.727 over the series isn't grand comparable to other shounen stories. Whilst in other 00:01:09.727 --> 00:01:14.544 narratives where the hero's powers increase over time, Mob Psycho 100 never 00:01:14.544 --> 00:01:19.844 once explores the ideology of growing Mob's powers instead forming and applying 00:01:19.844 --> 00:01:24.032 differing interpretation of the overpowered protagonist trope. Mob's 00:01:24.032 --> 00:01:28.331 psychic powers aren't there as an exemplar of his progression, as they don't develop 00:01:28.331 --> 00:01:33.073 nor advance through a training arc, but rather exist as another element to Mob's 00:01:33.073 --> 00:01:38.948 being. Instead the creative focus is on developing his humanity in lieu of powers, 00:01:38.948 --> 00:01:43.830 showcasing how Mob's humility as a person can also shift and help the lives of 00:01:43.830 --> 00:01:49.760 others. Unlike superhero counterparts, Mob refrains from using powers with the upmost 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:54.937 sincerity, procuring a resolve in dismantling vicious scenarios through the 00:01:54.937 --> 00:01:59.458 goodwill of listening and understanding. Being sympathetic and compassionate of 00:01:59.458 --> 00:02:04.180 both humans and the paranormal alike, Mob's truest power is enacting change in 00:02:04.180 --> 00:02:08.219 others. As said from mentor Reigen Arataka himself, 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:13.907 "The truth behind one's charm is kindness. Be a good person. That is all." 00:02:13.907 --> 00:02:18.499 Superpowers waver a thin line of stability and are useless in the hands of 00:02:18.499 --> 00:02:23.282 someone callous. Greed and megalomaniac thoughts are prominent within people who 00:02:23.282 --> 00:02:28.777 possess great power. To see oneself more worthy than average people. Yet, despite 00:02:28.777 --> 00:02:33.582 Mob's powers, the show embodies the importance of fighting with kindness and 00:02:33.582 --> 00:02:38.022 compassion, arguably the hardest traits to keep in one's heart, but the most 00:02:38.022 --> 00:02:43.753 invaluable and rewarding. Initially starting the series, Mob persistently 00:02:43.753 --> 00:02:48.606 contemplates the purpose of his existence, evidentially shown during the nervous 00:02:48.606 --> 00:02:52.860 break he endeavors once asked, "What is it that you really want to do?" 00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:57.250 It's a question that could throw many people off, but for Mob in particular, 00:02:57.250 --> 00:03:02.387 it's a stark reminder towards the fear of a life unfulfilled, thus making his 00:03:02.387 --> 00:03:07.487 decision in joining the Body Improvement Club much more endearing. Mob recognizes 00:03:07.487 --> 00:03:11.602 the ease of which relying on psychic abilities could hinder his own personal 00:03:11.602 --> 00:03:16.745 development. Psychic abilities can only help so much. They can't develop social 00:03:16.745 --> 00:03:21.451 skills, make you friends, nor magically improve your physique, and those are 00:03:21.451 --> 00:03:26.207 goals Mob wishes to achieve. To become comfortable in himself and build on his 00:03:26.207 --> 00:03:31.999 growth without depending on his powers. In many ways, because of his powers, Mob is 00:03:31.999 --> 00:03:36.890 a ticking time bomb. His friends and family sometimes fear Mob's instability 00:03:36.890 --> 00:03:42.349 when confronted with intense emotions and the aftermath his 100% or unknown 00:03:42.349 --> 00:03:47.495 percent state leaves behind. Through observation, Mob's variety of intense 00:03:47.495 --> 00:03:52.988 states mimic that of real life. When feeling of rage, animosity, and tenacity 00:03:52.988 --> 00:03:57.771 overwhelm him, Mob's actions are impulse. He unconsciously attacks with 00:03:57.771 --> 00:04:02.698 negative emotions bursting at the seams, leading to incidents later filled with 00:04:02.698 --> 00:04:08.835 regret. But his 100% states charged with gratitude, compassion, and kindness are 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 00:04:13.478 --> 00:04:18.155 achieving, Mob takes initiative without the lingering results of remorse or shame, 00:04:18.155 --> 00:04:22.794 showing the differing consequences of letting positive or negative emotions 00:04:22.794 --> 00:04:28.104 drive your actions. On that note, the execution towards Mob's handling of 00:04:28.104 --> 00:04:32.701 emotions could be interpreted as someone on the autistic spectrum: finding 00:04:32.701 --> 00:04:37.545 difficultly with social cues, facing ridicule for being outwardly emotionless 00:04:37.545 --> 00:04:42.866 despite very much being the opposite, and his 100% explosions an allegory of 00:04:42.866 --> 00:04:48.058 autistic meltdowns. There's much evidence to suggest Mob is heavily coded as 00:04:48.058 --> 00:04:52.532 autistic. As referenced from the National Autistic Society, 00:04:52.532 --> 00:04:57.457 "Meltdowns happen as an intense response to an overwhelming situation, allowing for 00:04:57.457 --> 00:05:01.957 temporary loss of control. When a person is completely overwhelmed, and their 00:05:01.957 --> 00:05:05.904 condition means it is difficult to express that in another way, it is understandable 00:05:05.904 --> 00:05:07.769 that the result is a meltdown." 00:05:07.999 --> 00:05:12.215 From the description alone, it's hard to interpret Mob's explosions as anything 00:05:12.215 --> 00:05:17.690 but similar to autistic meltdowns, and it makes sense. Mob is often found burrowing 00:05:17.690 --> 00:05:22.005 emotions away. He grew up with a connection to humans and non-humans, 00:05:22.005 --> 00:05:26.797 directly placing him as an outsider of normality. Having to carry the weight of 00:05:26.797 --> 00:05:31.559 his actions and the pressures faced as a result of his powers, it's only natural 00:05:31.559 --> 00:05:35.849 Mob would suppress emotions that could uncontrollably escalate under stressful 00:05:35.849 --> 00:05:41.923 scenarios. In saying this, despite the negative connotations people unrightfully 00:05:41.923 --> 00:05:47.209 push towards autism, in Mob Psycho 100 Mob's outbursts and difficulty in 00:05:47.209 --> 00:05:52.775 recognizing nonverbal cues are never once framed negatively or as a hindrance. His 00:05:52.775 --> 00:05:56.931 friends and family calm him down when spotting signs of distress not because 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 00:06:01.402 --> 00:06:06.732 is haunted by the damage caused during his childhood, the reminder of Ritsu calling 00:06:06.732 --> 00:06:11.774 in pain surrounded by injured bodies, the origin of Mob's resolve to never use 00:06:11.774 --> 00:06:17.089 powers on humans. Some mistake this as complete pacifism, but Mob will step in 00:06:17.089 --> 00:06:22.230 when justifiable against non-humans, exorcising evil spirits or defending 00:06:22.230 --> 00:06:28.000 himself against espers when necessary. And yet, even then, Mob shows a 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:32.855 determination in proving to others violence isn't the answer. Showing power 00:06:32.855 --> 00:06:38.157 not through brutality but courage and attempting to inspire kindness in others. 00:06:38.517 --> 00:06:43.232 Most of the vigorous battles in the show Mob has settled through nonviolent actions 00:06:43.292 --> 00:06:48.071 His impact not conveyed in heroics of saving people like in other shounen 00:06:48.071 --> 00:06:53.224 stories, but the connection he's able to form with others to enact change. 00:06:53.224 --> 00:06:55.466 Like the creator himself stated, 00:06:55.466 --> 00:07:00.228 "I wanted to build on the idea of a protagonist who changes people's lives." 00:07:00.448 --> 00:07:04.250 What good is defeating an enemy if their morals are unchanged? 00:07:04.310 --> 00:07:08.917 Mob sees a chance of improvement and rehabilitation in anyone and it's because 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 00:07:14.228 --> 00:07:18.885 mistakes and wrongdoings through the goodwill of his personality. His younger 00:07:18.885 --> 00:07:23.297 brother Ritsu, riddled with newfound powers and rage by his inferiority 00:07:23.297 --> 00:07:27.852 complex, was left in tears hearing Mob's confession of admiration for his younger 00:07:27.852 --> 00:07:33.025 brother. Mob dismissed his challenge of a fight and even apologized on his behalf 00:07:33.025 --> 00:07:38.063 to those he hurt. Ritsu lived his childhood feeling inferior and frustrated 00:07:38.063 --> 00:07:43.395 towards Mob and his powers, and yet it's Ritsu's intelligence and charisma of which 00:07:43.395 --> 00:07:48.778 he earned without powers, that Mob finds so inspiring. Mob loves Ritsu and was 00:07:48.778 --> 00:07:53.760 elated to hear Ritsu earned his powers, knowing just how much he wanted them. 00:07:53.900 --> 00:07:58.989 But powers or not, Mob is always proud of his brother, even through the mishaps 00:07:58.989 --> 00:08:04.025 he created from being power-hungry. It's this earnesty that confronts Ritsu of his 00:08:04.025 --> 00:08:08.874 misdeeds, changes the way he uses his powers, and slowly learns to overcome his 00:08:08.874 --> 00:08:13.582 low self-esteem. Mob's confrontation with Serizawa is handled mostly through lack 00:08:13.582 --> 00:08:18.636 of confidence, too. Mob instead is willing to listen to his troubles, understanding 00:08:18.636 --> 00:08:23.947 his fear of losing control and offering him the kindness he lacked all his life. 00:08:23.947 --> 00:08:28.744 Rather than manipulating the vulnerable like Suzuki, Mob consoles Serizawa, 00:08:28.744 --> 00:08:33.742 offering an ear to listen rather than a fist to hurt. Even during the rare 00:08:33.742 --> 00:08:38.366 occasions Mob's powers directly hurt someone, he's left overcome with feelings 00:08:38.366 --> 00:08:43.903 of deep sorrow and regret. For instance, his unknown percent state going berserk 00:08:43.903 --> 00:08:49.222 and harming Teru as a result of Mob falling unconscious. Mob felt intense 00:08:49.222 --> 00:08:53.407 sadness and devastation when seeing the aftermath of his actions. Even if they 00:08:53.407 --> 00:08:58.119 were unwittingly done, he's someone that takes every action he does to heart, and 00:08:58.119 --> 00:09:02.548 with that comes the unfortunate times he's faced with the repercussions of his 00:09:02.548 --> 00:09:07.557 negative emotions. In a similar manner, Mob feels regret when attacking Suzuki 00:09:07.557 --> 00:09:11.714 during the World Domination Arc, telling the hotheaded esper he doesn't want to 00:09:11.714 --> 00:09:16.531 hurt him, despite Suzuki making it necessary through his unhinged behavior. 00:09:16.531 --> 00:09:20.681 It's through realizing his attempts at talking him down proved pointless that 00:09:20.681 --> 00:09:25.037 Mob admits he's not strong enough. And that's something admirable about Mob: he 00:09:25.037 --> 00:09:29.448 doesn't consider his lack of strength as a result of his weaker psychic abilities, 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 00:09:34.189 --> 00:09:38.619 strong enough to reach out and help Suzuki, which forces his hand to violence 00:09:38.619 --> 00:09:43.607 instead. However, after an intense battle between the two, and Mob's sacrifice in 00:09:43.607 --> 00:09:47.598 trying to minimize his self-destruct explosion, Suzuki does eventually 00:09:47.598 --> 00:09:52.140 take Mob's words to heart. Everyone grows because of their encounters with other 00:09:52.140 --> 00:09:57.950 people. People need other people. If not for Mob's kindness, many people's lives 00:09:57.950 --> 00:10:01.654 wouldn't have changed for the better. Reigen's reputation would still be 00:10:01.654 --> 00:10:06.353 tarnished from the humiliation of his press conference. Emi would continue to be 00:10:06.353 --> 00:10:11.404 shamed of her writing work, the ripped pages of creative writing she poured hours 00:10:11.404 --> 00:10:15.619 into still blowing in the wind. Minori Asagiri would still be suffering, 00:10:15.619 --> 00:10:21.086 possessed by Mogami. And heartwarmingly enough even Setsuo Ito, Mob's voice 00:10:21.086 --> 00:10:25.761 actor might not have gained the slightest self confidence boost if not for Mob. 00:10:25.761 --> 00:10:29.841 Mob's strength in pushing purpose and motivation in others is what is 00:10:29.841 --> 00:10:34.740 constantly supported. Through being kind to others you receive respect in return. 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:40.163 Mob's connection to friends and family is what keeps him grounded, to not wander too 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 00:10:45.072 --> 00:10:50.076 his morals are. During his time in Mogami's fake alternative reality, Mob 00:10:50.076 --> 00:10:54.195 comes away from the experience feeling even more grateful for the people in his 00:10:54.195 --> 00:10:58.848 life, understanding the despair and misery he could've endured if not for the 00:10:58.848 --> 00:11:03.788 kindness he received too. Mob genuinely believes he was influenced because of the 00:11:03.788 --> 00:11:08.224 people around him. A boy who was once secluded and riddled with inner thoughts 00:11:08.494 --> 00:11:13.304 now having a massive list of friends who help and support him, even for something 00:11:13.304 --> 00:11:18.387 as simple as building stamina. And it's this very reason he deems no one as 00:11:18.387 --> 00:11:23.466 worthless nor undeserving of attempted change: because if Mob was able to change, 00:11:23.606 --> 00:11:29.215 then anyone can. The premise of this series and Mob's character might not look 00:11:29.215 --> 00:11:33.944 unique from the offset, but Mob is a warm-hearted person and amiable at 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 00:11:39.222 --> 00:11:44.053 maths and even worse at sports, not to mention easily exploited and taken 00:11:44.053 --> 00:11:49.267 advantage of. Even Reigen pays him pennies for the constant work and requests he asks 00:11:49.267 --> 00:11:53.956 of Mob. But as the series progresses, you see a change in all aspects of these 00:11:53.956 --> 00:11:59.469 flaws. Not progress in his powers, but Mob as a person and the relationships he 00:11:59.469 --> 00:12:04.757 builds. "To be the protagonist of your own life," is a beautiful message. Make 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 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 00:12:14.866 --> 00:12:19.078 a favorite show of mine because its protagonist is kind to an unfaltering 00:12:19.078 --> 00:12:24.006 degree. He knows everyone suffers differently- people come in all degrees of 00:12:24.006 --> 00:12:29.378 fault and issues because the world can be harsh - but decides to be kind anyways. We 00:12:29.378 --> 00:12:33.918 watch as a young and impressionable boy concerned about his powers slowly turns 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 00:12:38.859 --> 00:12:40.945 he wants to touch. 00:12:43.352 --> 00:12:48.292 As always, thank you for watching. Sorry for the little delay in this video; 00:12:48.467 --> 00:12:53.031 I caught Covid during the production, causing a little halt in the process. 00:12:53.417 --> 00:12:58.177 But all is relatively good now. I want to thank my Patreons again for being patient 00:12:58.177 --> 00:13:02.570 with this video, and I'll see you next time with a manga video.