What's in an OP? - Mob Psycho 100's Hidden Secrets (Finally) 

All of the mushrooms are edible except Mob's Fly Agaric poisonous one. It makes him the odd one out of the group and also implies that he is dangerous.

Mob's White T Poison. The mushroom he's standing on is the only obvious poisonous one.

Can't believe you missed the masterful metaphor at 12:25, with a cactus turning into Teru of course being symbolic of how much of a prick he was at the beginning.

About the mushrooms, usually when someone is very gloomy in Japan you can say they are "growing mushrooms" as cultivating fungus require them to be in a dark and humid place. So since the Body Improvement club are exercising over the mushrooms it might mean that the way they rise above feeling gloom is by exercising and improving themselves.

i love op that spoil the shit out of the show without we noticing

Mob and Tsubomi's faces in the salt crystals also symbolises the purity of Mob's affection for her. (Salt is a symbol of purity).

This doesn't have anything to do with the OP, but I feel like Mob Psycho 100 really took advantage of having a 12 episode season. So often, a 12-episode anime season will screw up by wasting the first 9 episodes on character development, and the last 3 episdoes have an extremely rushed exposition, climax, and resolution. Not Mob Psycho 100, though. If you were to watch the whole show at once, it would feel like a 4 hour movie. Each episode seamlessly transitions to one another to make a complete story. And when I say transition, I don't mean a cliffhanger like One Piece does. No Mob Psycho 100 episode was made just to kill time and no Mob Psycho 100 episode was rushed.

The imagery in the OP is impressive by itself. Then we have the lyrics and boy oh boy how fantastic the lyrics are.

That shot with Reigen looking up through the glass of water really rustles my jimmies, because there's a saying here in Norway that says "ta seg vann over hodet" (literally: taking water over your head) that translates to "bite off more than you can chew". This saying fits him pretty well, concidering he takes in a ~dangerous~ psychic kid and/or perhaps the separation ark. Anyway, that shot always makes me fear for the guy.

I wonder if there's any significance regarding Mob doing squats on a poisonous mushroom while the other members of the improvement club were exercising on edible mushrooms.

Reigen w/ the glass of water I think is also in reference to another metaphor: Mob being like a plant in this coming-of-age story, and Reigen being the refreshing water that nourishes his growth. There's plenty of plant imagery throughout the series, and this OP alone, which is fitting for a story that muses over the "spring of youth" and what it means to grow up. Plus, like your comment in the ED vid with Reigen's morning routine - particularly the bit where he takes a sip of water & pours the rest into a small potted plant - we see another nod to his casually nurturing gestures. * coughs * Also one might just say...... Reigen is a "tall drink of water."

as much as I loved One Punch Man I think I enjoy Mob Psycho 100 more mainly because it reminds me of how I feel when I have a lot on my chest and I have no where to vent

VIDEO HAS MANGA SPOILERS

I think he wants Anthrax.

I never skipped the OP it's just great, total chaos colors insane animation. good job on the staff who worked on the OP.

Ahhh... shit. This does go into spoilers past where the show is. Well fuck, can't finish it. Thumbs up anyways. This opening is amazing.

At first I thought it was two Mobs curling up in a ball but I noticed the other person is actually Ritsu. It really shows how both of them look so alike with powers that are equivalent to each other! I love the Kageyama brothers. They both amaze me 🤩

When the spoilers started creeping in, I had to rip my earbuds out for a bit. I'll have to come back when I'm more familiar with the material. Regardless, this OP is phenomenal! I guess I could call it "one" of the best I've ever seen. :P

When Tome's head bursts open, her clubmates are also seen amongst her fantasies. I noticed that Mob seems to be floating closer to her fantasies than to her clubmates, possibly referencing the fact that they aren't especially close but that he still holds the supernatural properties she yearns to experience.

from my understanding the mushrooms in japanese culture are a euphemism for male genitalia, so in this case they would represent the manliness mob aspires to by joining the fitness club.

Special note should be made of the music, which was custom made for the OP. Every line corresponds with what's going on on screen, and yet still tells a story of its own, asking mob what he wants out of life. In all the character vignettes near the beginning, it describes their ambition and character traits, as if asking mob if that's the direction he wants to take his life, paralleling the theme of the show where all these other characters are trying to push him in a different direction while he's just trying to live his life. The extended version dives even deeper into it, and if you can find a version with lyrics attached to it, it's almost necessary to truly appreciate the power of the OP. Good luck finding it though, most lyric videos just have Japanese roumaji instead.

I like to think that that reigen shot with the glass of water is a reference to how he used to be a salesman for water coolers, and that the few final shots of mob standing in rubble as buildings get destroyed is a reference to the final ???% arc in the manga. Overall this is seriously so cool

Instead of descending from another world in that opening shot with the eye, I kinda saw it as Mob descending to Earth from the heavens as a god. Taking the lyrics of the song into account, I feel that the op is from the perspective of the Psycho Helmet Cult, if they knew that Mob was truly their god and he got the attention to begin with. The chorus calling out to follow Mob's movements and offering to give him whatever he wants really solidifies that for me.

The Body building Club are on Brown Mushrooms (Type you use for Food) Confidently working out. However Mob is on a "Mario Mushroom" (for lack of Fungus Knowledge) Mushrooms that are red with white spores on top are poisonous. Mob is Quivering in a struggle to keep balance on his Toxic Mushroom surrounded by the Body building club and their Normal Good for you mushrooms. I feel this would mean something about confidence and struggle of not being worthy of ones own health. But after watching the show 10/10 the dudes who made this OP were tripping major Shroom balls and had to "Enlighten" their Work.

Kirby Right Back Atcha what's in a op for April fools

I always thought that the cactus turning into Teru was a very literal presentation that he was a prick until he got beaten by mob.

Well now we get to hound you to finish the 100k special.

I was a little disappointed not to have the shot from 3:30 specifically mentioned. It's a representation of the way Reigen takes advantage of Mob, as even when he treats him to a meal he specifically gets him a much cheaper version of the dish, and at the same time you see Mob's emotions ticking up because of this unfairness. It's a pretty good hint that Mob has more of an idea of what Reigen does than is explicitly let on until later in the manga.

Reigen eating the dimple-takoyaki might be a reference to the mind-control candy he ate in the latest arc which put him, and others, under dimples control

My favorite thing is how the OP loops representing how Mob's emotions constantly build up inside him until they burst out. It works amazingly because as the lyrics count up while the music builds up in intensity alongside the characters and events that take place in the show as Mob reaches his limit, until he explodes and we see his powers overflowing at 12:31 before the title appears before the OP starts again as Mob continues to repress his emotions once the next arc begins continuing the cycle.

Why don't you do more lyrical analysis? The lyrics themselves of the OP are pretty meaningfull to the story.

The final shot with ???% Mob shaking the foundations of a city at the very end is in fact a direct shot from the most recent chapters of the manga, which absolutely blows my mind that the show's producers would include something in the intro that wouldn't happen until OVER A YEAR after the show came out. This show exudes the love and creative energy the studio had for it, and gives me some hope that they are planning on continuing to adapt the manga. The story of MP100 is one that absolutely deserves to be told to its finish.

"this is the best use of credits I've seen since..." was the end of that sentence going to be sono chi no kikyou?

Let's send him hentai

"this is the most effective use of credits ive seen since- nah, i dont wanna spoil that 100k special" lemme guess, jojo?

The mushrooms may be referencing the Telepathy Club itself. When a character in anime lazes about and does nothing, it's not uncommon to see a mushroom growing out of their head. The Body Improvement Club is on top of them referencing how they came and took over the club room and now kind of rule over them.

I hope im not just seeing things but I believed I noticed a couple secrets. Also Spoilers. To start off with you mentioned that eyes are important but never mentioned that peoples gazes also allude to a couple things here and there. For example when Mizato shows up with her camera at 4:44 her eyes are looking on mob at the back, showing how she is watching him and knowing he is the leader of psycho cult. There is more eye stuff during the salt crystal part at 8:21 . Here mob is looking around at Tsubomi all around him while each ones eyes are never directed at mob apart from the exception of one eye hidden away at the very left hand side of the screen showing that she is secretly watching him like in the manga chapter where Mob fixes the novel. This eye, along with another one that appears for less than a second at the left hand of the screen are covered up by Reigen at 8:35 There is another shot at 9:15 where Tsubomi turns and looks at the psycho cult poster which is on the screen. This next one im not sure if it is something or not but at 8:59 the eyes of the weird skeleton monster are looking at two things. Firstly towards dimples cult which would then become the psycho helmet cult as well as looking at Teruki. What bothers me is also that this creature is coming out from the representation of the Divine Tree. Im just not certain what this represents Bonus Fact, off to the right of the tree you can see where dimple would be collecting peoples energy from their prayers Going away from the eyes, at 7:32 if you look at the background it can seem like a large amount of energy coming from dimple in an almost divine like visage. That combined with the raindrops appearing in the background makes me think this is another image of dimple collecting power from peoples prayers to the divine tree At 7:14 when I look at the background and how the buildings are, I believe this scene is referencing the claw when they actually declare war. More specifically the final fight due to a very very feint explosion in the sky which is easy to miss unless you really look. I might be wrong but I think the water is Reigens heavy emotions during this time building up, but he manages to see past these referenced by how he always keeps his eyes above water level Finally at 11:19 you can clearly see that Dimple transformed from takoyaki into a sunrise before he was eaten by Reigen but I don't know what the exact meaning of this could be I would like to thank anyone who took the time to actually read my rambles and hope I wasn't just horribly wrong

I should have known there would be spoilers in here from the manga. That's what I get for being an anime only...

The 'mushrooms' used at 6:29 are a Super Mario Bros reference. The background is definitely meant to resemble the overworld so I suppose the mushrooms they are training on are supposed to symbolize growth for Mob and the body improvement club. The flying dumbbells refer to Mob's reliance to using psychic powers. That means the delinquents are bullet bills for some reason...

You just have to appreciate the editing. I was watching, and i just realized that you managed to sync up the audio to the visuals again seamlessly. Really good analysis as well, as always.

You should 100% do a "What's in an OP" for osomatsu-san OP 1, like seriously, it's so beautiful.

That guitar riff when they start chanting "Mob" though. . . mmm baby

The lyrics themselves also talk about the core themes of MP100. I just wonder if there are also references in it that foreshadow something bigger. I love ONE and his works. I can't find enough words to express how much I love ONE's works and how they resonate with me right now. Thanks MB for breaking this OP down and making me appreciate it even more.

NO SPOILER WARNING?

Damn, didn't realize I missed so many references. I have a whole new appreciation for the OP! Although I didn't get to the broccoli part in the manga :/ There should probably be a spoiler warning in the description. Other than that, cool video!

judging by the clouds and the background and especially the mushrooms, the mushroom scene seems to be a reference to super Mario probably eluding to the fact that the telekinesis club spends all their time lazying around playing games while mob works hard to improve himself in the body improvement club. the delinquents are bullet bills also

I won't lie, I was so pumped for this video! To me, honestly, Mob Psycho 100 is the best anime of 2016, it just resonates so much in me, I love it. I think that the hard cut about Reigen and the glass might be a reference to the Separation Arc, he looks contemplative, as in deep thought, maybe because he was too full of himself. Oh! You forgot to mention he has a nekojita (cat's tongue), meaning he has a sensitive tongue. I love the OP way too much, the amount of references is amazing. But my favourite ones have to be the tomato plant and the flying pieces of Emi's novel (a.k.a. the sweet moment when you sell your soul to Mob). And I also love the idea of how the OP flows from one arc to another! It almost feels like the story goes back and forth. It's be interesting to see this OP in the future, I do agree that BONES probably knows better than us what's to come after the Divine Tree Arc; the shot under the sea is a tricky one. Great video!

*uses Osomatsu-san as an example* Me: *_SCREAMING_*

Which one you liked more, Mob Psycho 100 or One Punch Man? Let's vote people! -better- -election- -than- -America's- -president- -candidates-

7:51 Oh shit, Mob is part of the World Government. No One Piece fans?

if you talk about osomatsu san in the top op video I'll die I love it

Maybe the shot of Mob with a labyrinth leading to his heart is meant to reflect the fact that Mob has a hard time showing his emotions.

Before I read the manga I thought the OP was amazing and a lot of the imagery was just good fun. But when I caught up on the manga and re-watched it, I saw all the pieces fall into place. But the scene with the heart transforming into the sacred tree in particular blew me away (no pun intended) Just a down right amazing OP

99 by mob choir is one of the few songs i have on my phone (because it has no space) and it never fails to make me bob and sway to the beat, even when im on the crowded subway best op hands down no question

This is one of Reigen's special moves where he overanalyzes an anime opening

I've never seen an OP mix so perfectly well with an anime, I love it. Not just the music or the visuals, but also the lyrics.

when I saw Emi's novel I screamed I just want her to be a successful author ok?

fun fact! Many of the voices in the "Mob Choir" are anime staff. I do not know how many joined in, but the director is amongst the people who used the voice changer. I wonder if they used the same kind of voice changer that is inside Ishiguro's mask....

Watching this after season 3. I cannot imagine that they even foreshadowed things that happen in the 3rd season. I’d like to point out that one shot of Reigen running with a pile of rocks around him, and with Mob pointing toward him absolutely shocked me in its relevance in the ending. They also always end the openings with Mob’s powers going out of control and destroying cities which is a exactly how the anime itself ends. Whether the animators knew, or it was pure coincidence at the time, this was an absolutely superb job and I appreciate this opening more than I ever could have watching this 6 years ago.

Or the glass of water could symbolize Mob's emptyness inside being filled by Reigan

Now I'm going to send Anthrax albums to your PO box.

some spoilers are fine but Advanced spoilers from the manga with no spoiler warning is not fine

I always thought the shot of Reigen with the glass of water was the animators trying to call him a “tall drink of water”

Even the way they sing the numbers is symbolic. At first, mob choir says sings the numbers unenthusiastically, but when mob's emotions are building up (the numbers get higher), mob choir sings more enthusiastically, ESPECIALLY when they get to 99.

"Provided it's not anthrax" awwww, dang

Dammit Geoff! What am I supposed to do with all this anthrax now?!

This opening is such a thing of beauty. I think it's my most favourite out of ALL opening out there, as no other one makes me so joyful, brightly-tearful and empathetically fluffy inside, on top of being an absolute feast for the eyes and an endless source of inspiration for my very own art projects. It's moving on so many levels and I feel incredibly appreciative and lucky to have ever found out about this series. The whole show is a delight to behold. Thank you for making the analysis of it.

I interpreted the shot of Reigen with the glass of water as him maintaining his composure under pressure.

You forgot the fact that when Mob is in his ???% state the Buildings being destroyed are supposed to refrence the Nightmare world Mob was put in and how he escaped (by going apeshit)

Most effective use of credits since Astersik Bleach op1?

Jeff, I love what you do here, so much. As an animation student, it's a great learning exercise to dig deeper into all of the fine details behind these animated sequences. Keep it up, man! you're the best!

You have no ideea how much I have been waiting for this video.You did a amazing job and the opening for Mob psycho 100 is amazing.

6:36 looks like a Super Mario Level. With mushrooms, Bullet Bills and, hell, the clouds look eerily similar to the pixelated clouds used in the game.

yessssssssssssssssssss

Another great vid as always! You just have the best voice for this kind of stuff. I just wanted to add that that's Dimple's eyes next to Reigen's in the first shot (no eyelashes)!

Great analysis! This is my favorite OP so far as well. Keep the videos going!

Isn't the mushroom part a reference to Mario ? We have people jumping/running on shrooms and living missiles crossing the screen. Very Mario-ish. Also the background looks like a video game (the clouds are especially reminiscent of Mario). This could be a metaphore to growth. In Mario shrooms make you bigger. While the self-improvement club members are trying to grow as people, Mob is struggling and shaking like crazy. This shows is internal struggle with growing up. Also, Mob is on the poisonous shroom while the others are on the edible ones. This could mean that Mob has no predispositions for self-improvement. Or it could mean that he is "Shiro T POISON" disguised as a normal member. However, his shrooms looks like Mario's. This could hint at his hidden potential for growth. Maybe... Just an idea...

wow, I'm surprised people like this OP so much... I actually like the ED more

It's funny, I always thought the phones were a reference to Reigen calling Mob in for jobs on short notice and Mob feeling a bit trapped or unable to say no, despite his warnings about calling him like that. Also, about the imagery of the outline of Mob in the maze - the maze is similar to the gyri and sulci of the brain

Finally finished Mob Psycho, so I can watch this video now. Great show, great OP, and as always great analysis. I loved the OP for the awesome and the seemingly random but extremely beautiful and smooth transitions, but now with you giving me context to all the visual stimuli I can appreciate it even more.

I was waiting for your video about this OP. I really appreciate your work. Kisses from Argentina 🙆🙆🙆

Cmon please put spoiler tags for the manga part at least...

i knew i loved the opening for a reason. i really like the way you stated you read the manga for a full detailed review. I've read it too but the amount of detailing you've caught is rediculously impressive. aka the tomato as example bloody well done.

i love the music as well and how things intensify as it gets closer to 100

Discovered the anime last week , as soon as I heard the OP I knew it would be an awesome show

I'll be sending exclusively framed pictures of Steve Buscemi

Seeing this op after the manga ended is so damn cool. Bones obviously had insight from 0NE on what was going to happen in the end. It's amazing to see the final shot

I was waiting for this and you didn't dissapoint. great video.

12:05 there's an optical ilusion in the background. It's 4 concentric circles made out of twisted squares but your brain has trouble recognizing the circle-ness of the squares because they're twisted. Instead we see some sort of weird spiral. Don't know how that could be symbollic of Mob Psycho though haha

I actually prefer you having the infobit in the end of the video. Will also make the video easier to share with new viewers. The most interested fans will watch until the end anyway, having the info in the start will affect audience retention.

when he's discussing effective credit placement, I'm pretty sure he's referring to the anime "Welcome to the NHK"

The water glass filling up could also be mobs’ emotions filling. Threatening to spill over

HOLY FUCKING SHIT THIS OP IS MUCH MORE AWESOME THAN I REMEMBERED!

You either love Mob Psycho 100, or you're wrong

It's kind of fun to hear him say that some of the stuff he is saying is from the manga, while me, who comes from the future of 2020, has already seen most of what he said in the 2nd season of the anime.

I know you normally don't talk about the songs in the op but this the song here is so great with the op as it also subtly tells the story of the show in it.

The broccoli knows all...

Oh, great! Now what am I going to do with this envelope of anthrax?

Great analysis as usual Geoff! I absolutely love this op too!

I think ur the very first anituber who I watch that breaksdown anime openings