Thread by @SakugaRelux

Mob Psycho 100 III #01

Through tactfully implemented alterations and additions to the source material, Takahiro Hasui brings us a strong premiere that makes it feel like Mob never stopped airing.

Let's break it down!
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#mobpsycho100

The list of key animators on this episode is unusually small, consisting of only 10 names. Knowing that animators like Hayate Nakamura and Toshiyuki Sato only handled a couple cuts, it stands to reason that a few of them animated major chunks of the episode on their own.

While most of the episode is low-key dialogue content, small KA lists like this are often the mark of a particularly stable production, and are generally quite rare these days. That's no surprise, though, knowing that it was completed so long ago. Hayate Nakamura's cut here.

The episode's first half is a fairly straightforward adaptation of its respective content, although it does turn Reigen's rice fix into a special move just for the fun of it. This is how you really know Mob is back.

The animation throughout this Spirits & Such segment is consistently strong and features plenty of fun smears. As is the case with many of the dialogue scenes throughout, it's very technically competent even without being particularly flashy.

These harmony cels are incredible and it's tragic that Reigen had to die for their creation. You win some you lose some, I guess.

The 2nd half is where the anime's changes really begin. While this sad bald guy does exist in the manga, the entire scenario surrounding him has been heavily overhauled for this episode. For starters, the anime's version takes place in his house while the manga's was just at S&S.

This setting change is used to its fullest, even bringing back Reigen's fear of cockroaches from episode 1 of season 1 for some additional gags. The layouts and animation here are also quite solid, creating a strong uncomfortable atmosphere.

The evil spirit portion of this half is fully anime original, as the man simply left after delivering his life story in the manga. The imagery of the spirit and people in the surrounding area being put to sleep is pretty cool, I'm curious if ONE was involved in writing here.

Reigen's 2nd (and fully original) special move of this episode comes from Toshiyuki Sato, whose ability to animate Reigen being a dumbass is rivaled only by Kameda himself. Seeing as he's a massive fan of the series, I expect to see him a few more times throughout the cour.

Just prior to this we also see some of Miyo Sato's signature paint-on-glass animation, in quite a similar fashion to the way it was used in season 1's premiere. Knowing she solo animated season 3's ED has me very excited for next week, her ED for s1 is one of the best ever.

The biggest highlight of the episode comes from Kouki Fujimoto, who is most recently known for his contributions to Jujutsu Kaisen. He worked a lot on Supercrooks, which was Bones studio B's previous show, so he probably ended up on Mob as a result of that.

This shot appears to be a direct reference to season 1's premiere, which contained a similarly framed shot of Mob contemplating his hand as his current % is displayed.

Mob's final conversation with Reigen was expanded upon quite a bit as well, hammering his message home and even divulging some of his own past to Mob, which he never really did in the manga.

Next week's episode should reflect season 2's 2nd ep in terms of comedy and action content, so I look forward to some more unnecessary flexing from the staff. Serizawa's business card attack is a new addition from the anime, and a nice reference to the OVA as well.

So there it is! We're finally back in Mob season, and things are off to a great start. We'll be getting Miyo Sato's solo ED next week and much more, so stay tuned!