Mob Psycho 100 is anything but a run-of-the-mill shonen anime. From characters to animation, the series is a complete visual treat. What makes it a worthy watch is One’s storytelling. Often, fans compare the series to the mangaka’s magnum opus One Punch Man. Despite similarities, both protagonists are entirely different. Even the Director will vouch for this.
Yuzuru Tachikawa had an interesting process behind selecting Mob’s voice actor. He left no stone unturned in casting the perfect fit for the protagonist’s voice. Interestingly, the voice actor exemplified the hero’s plain yet powerful persona. This only proves that a story doesn’t require an attractive male lead to sustain itself.
Mob Psycho 100 Director’s choice for VA is the perfect fit
Mob Psycho 100 is a much-needed breather in terms of its storytelling and characters. Its outstanding aspect lies in terms of its character-building and compelling storyline. When it comes to the series’ art, fans have compared it to One’s magnum opus One Punch Man. Despite the similar art style, the protagonists are anything but common. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye.
The series fuses action and supernatural elements perfectly. The humor, though childish, fits perfectly with the themes in the series. What makes the series so good is its navigation of complex themes.
Compared to Saitama, Shigeo embodies a layered persona. His goals and ideals differ from most conventional tropes. Interestingly, the voice actor resounds these complexities through his voice.
In an interview, Director Yuzuru Tachikawa revealed the reason behind casting a newbie voice actor for the hero’s voice. He quoted:
I wanted Mob to have a voice nobody would recognize; I wanted the voice actor, just like Mob himself, to be someone relatively unremarkable. We had a huge number of candidates for the role, but in the end, Ito’s voice most fit my idea of Mob.
Tachikawa’s creative decision was praised by the mangaka himself. Interestingly though, the very idea of simplicity is what makes the hero unique. One’s writing of the protagonist sets him apart from the conventional tropes. It redefines the idea of heroism and bravery in most aspects. In his move to do so, the mangaka subverts the cliches associated with shonen heroes.
Shigeo Kageyama is the perfect blend of simplicity and subversiveness
Shigeo Kageyama outclasses many shonen protagonists through his traits. He stands out in most aspects, especially through his simplistic goals. It’s quite ironic, considering the character is plain. His name itself is a pun on his lack of presence in the series.
This is also because of his characterization as an unattractive protagonist. His ambitions and motives are rather simple compared to most Shonen heroes. On top of that, he is rather overwhelmed by his powers. While this trait prompts several fans to deem him weak, he is strong in more ways than one.
The series redefines the idea of strength and power through its writing of the characters. Shigeo’s approach to strength is rather realistic, considering his ordeals in life. This is reflected in his zeal to succeed as a person and not as a hero.
Most importantly, the mangaka isn’t trying too hard to subvert cliches. It just so happens in his method of creating a flawed protagonist, which makes it more appealing. Through his art and compelling storytelling, One made his point known. Especially the fact that a story doesn’t need attractive characters to thrive.
All in all, the Director’s decision to cast Ito Setsuo for Mob’s role is praise-worthy. Considering the voice actor truly breathes life into the character through his voice. Safe to say, some creative decisions are indeed best for the series, such as this one.
Mob Psycho 100 is available for streaming on Netflix.
