Mob Psycho 100 is a is a tour de force of narrative excellence that is clear about its goals. ONE’s story demonstrates that fiction may contain both mature nuanced drama and absurdist comedy. Stories don’t have to be grim, gloomy, bloody, or violent to be sophisticated and well-written. All a piece of literature needs is a sprinkle of artistic flair and an honest, straightforward message. Here we have Mob Psycho 100 Season 3 Ending Explained (with a brief review) just for you!
The story by ONE, Mob Psycho 100, broke the mold of typical Shonen tropes and reached new heights of artistic expression. Instead of relying on the common inventory of Shonen clichés, this series presents a raw and relatable look at Mob’s puberty, as he navigates the complexities of high school romance. The climax masterfully weaves together themes of self-acceptance, rejection, and social anxiety with Mob’s psychic powers, in a way that is unique and innovative in its storytelling. Keep reading to find out more!
Mob Psycho 100 Season 3 Ending Explained: Reigen’s Confession
The finale of Mob Psycho 100 explores the internal turmoil of the protagonist, Mob, as he grapples with the news of Tsubomi’s relocation. The coda opens with Mob engaged in a struggle with his consciousness. Shigeo wreaks havoc on the outer world as Mob struggles to recover control. In a moment of selflessness, Reigen, despite lack of psychic powers, fearlessly throws himself into the whirlwind to save Mob. The fact that Reigen’s shoes fell off into the twister also had striking symbolic significance. In Japanese culture, people who commit suicide take off their shoes before the act.
This metaphorically conveyed that Reigen was ready to sacrifice himself for his student. As he fights to bring Mob back from the brink, he makes the shocking confession of his true identity as a con artist. Shigeo considered Reigen a fraud who always took advantage. In contrast, Mob felt that Reigen was a good mentor who never treated him special for his psychic powers. As Shigeo continued to march toward Tsubomi with his overwhelming aura, Reigen tried every means to stop him. But in a surprising turn of events, Dimple makes his comeback. He took over Reigen’s body and aided him in calming Mob.
Tsubomi Rejects Mob!
Dimple revealed that Mob kept him alive in his heart all this time. As a spirit, he would have faded away. However, Mob was the only one who remembered him even though he had lost all their memories. Together, Reigen and Dimple helped Mob regain control. As the tornado cleared, the sky became a brilliant shade of crimson, signaling a new beginning. With a newfound clarity, Mob was ready to confess his feelings to Tsubomi, who had been patiently waiting for him at the park.
But a few minutes later, he came back weeping. Tsubomi turned him down and said she didn’t feel romantic about him. In that moment of vulnerability, Reigen stepped in as a true mentor, consoling him and reminding him that they still had a city to rebuild. This moment captured the very essence of Mob Psycho 100, showcasing that people with extraordinary abilities, like Mob, are still human and are capable of experiencing the same emotional turmoil and heartbreaks as anyone else. It was a reminder that even those who are special are still subject to the complexities of the human experience.
The stagnation of Tsubomi’s character was deliberate. This deliberate ambiguity made it a thought-provoking exploration of attraction and human relationships, while also acting as a plot hook for the viewers. She was a plot device meant to act as a catalyst for Mob’s character growth. We were only given fleeting glimpses of her true self, but mostly we see Mob’s romanticized notion of her personality. Tsubomi’s vagueness allows viewers to imagine falling in love with someone like Mob.
At the same time, she is shown as the antithesis of a trophy girl. Viewers don’t know enough about Tsubomi to analyze her, stereotype her, or apply their own romantic assumptions to Mob and Tsubomi’s relationship. The duo hasn’t had any contact for several years. That’s why it’s not surprising that she turned him down.
The Meaning of ‘One And Only One’
Season 3 has been nothing but subverting expectations. The title of the final episode, ‘Confession,’ initially leads the viewers to believe that it will be Mob who confesses his feelings for Tsubomi. Yet it is Reigen who, after all these years, is the one to finally confess his falsehoods. Reigen was plagued by the guilt that he couldn’t train Mob to control his psychic powers. However, unknowingly, he managed to mold Mob into a kind person who never misused his powers. Without these threads of lies, they would have never met and made so many memories along the way.
Through their shared journey, both the master and disciple have grown and come to understand others better. The ending serves to highlight the strength of their bond, and the importance of his ‘lies.’ Finally, the rejection made Mob release all the emotions he had been suppressing since season 1. ONE is delivering a message here: Don’t bury your negative emotions but try to live with them. Both this series and One Punch Man are great examples of the existential crisis of a superhero. However, unlike One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100 creates a perfect blend of Shonen and Slice of Life. ONE delivered a powerful narrative of ‘coming of age’ and discovering one’s true identity.