Mob Psycho 100: Episode 2 Review

By: ScarletteWell, the second episode of Mob Psycho 100 is out, and all I have to say is: a day in the life of Mob has some entertainment factor.The second episode of Mob Pyscho 100 doesnt really move, or push forward, an over arching plot--rather, it makes me question (please keep in mind I have not read the web comics) if the series really does have a plot line or if its just one those shows that aims to entertain you for a 30 min segment each week. I suppose the further we get into the season, we'll find out. For the time being, its still too early for me to tell if the show is still setting down some roots or not. That being said, I feel like episode two sheds the "customary episode" skin and did so with an unapologetic hurry. Everyone knew Mob Psycho 100 was suppose to be a weird anime, was expecting some really outrageous things, and since they laid down the bare bones in episode one, there was nothing to lose in episode two. And boy, did they go full steam ahead with the weird- I mean, even past the normal standard of weird that is acceptable for anime.Episode two starts out relatively normal: its a day in the life episode. You get to see Mob live his usual life at home, school, at work, even get to understand more about him personally. Its a good episode that manages to blend all of Mob's daily life aspects, along with being an esper, into a single shot of understanding for the audience. But just some of the jokes and situations you find the cast in is kinda extreme. Again, I feel like the writing in Mob is over the top, and that's the purpose, but I think with all the over-the-top gestures and jokes it becomes overwhelming and a bit of a turn off. Episode two is all about how much weird can we put into a single episode? But what makes this particular episode watchable for me is that they mix it with just enough "normal" situations to give it a balance.We see Mob get to work with his Master, earning money by doing weird exorcist massages--but they do manage to actually take a paying job. Their clients? Students at an all girl's school, they're complaining that a ghost is haunting the campus and it needs to be taken care of--relatively standard plot device for an anime. How does Mob Psycho 100 kick it up a notch? Well, the ghost busting cast couldn't get visitor passes, so they enter the school dressed as female students. Necessary? Probably not. Entertaining, yes.To counter act all the weird in episode two, you get to follow Mob around school and learn a little more about him. He's just your average high school student with a massive crush on a childhood friend, and he'll do anything to get her to notice him again. But remember, this is an episode of Mob Psycho 100, Mob just cant attend school without something odd happening. This time around, the Telepathy club is hunting him down in order to increase their club numbers. Mob, being the polite yet clueless soul he is, thinks about possibly joining the club. Naturally his Master is against it because it would take away from Mob's work schedule, but the benefits of joining a club are plenty...Mob thinks maybe, if he does something extra special, he could get his crush to pay attention to him.In true Mob fashion, and comedy, he does decide a club. Just not the esper related one. Instead, he joins the track team (I think?) knowing that his beloved grows tired of his esper talents and is attracted to the physically accomplished. Something Mob clearly is not. I do look forward to seeing that kind of trouble Mob will find himself in while on a sports team.Episode two of Mob Psycho 100 is entertaining, but it did not make me invest in the character or grow too attached to them. It was nice to see Mob go about his daily life, but Im hoping episode three will move forward with some kind of plot for the series. What I did like about this episode was that the humor of Mob and the writing continues to stay true to itself, and even though Im not the biggest fan of some of the humor or delivery of the episode, the series knows what makes it different from other shows that are airing and holds tightly to its branded banner.Lastly: Mob just hit 40 on his meter!? So soon!? I thought it would take all season to climb! It would be good to know what exactly sets that meter off!