You’ve heard of close encounters of the third kind; now get ready for close encounters of the K-ON! kind. Episode 8 of Mob Psycho 100 III is a towering achievement—a monument to Mob Psycho 100’s warmth, consideration, and implike impulse to roll with a dumb gag towards jaw-dropping ends. Depending on who you ask, this could be Mob’s grandest statement or stupidest sidebar. It’s probably a bit of both, but that’s why we love it so much.

A Long-Awaited Episode

Truth be told, I had been eagerly anticipating this eighth episode since the beginning of the season. I’d heard rumors on sakuga Twitter, which were then confirmed when Hakuyu Go was announced as the director, storyboarder, and animation director. Go, who previously handled the climactic fifth episode of the second season, is known for his ability to create psychedelic and emotional moments. And this episode lives up to the hype.

A Shift in Tone and Depth

What we get in this episode is different from Go’s previous work. The episode is quieter and more grounded, albeit until it leaves Earth entirely. Go beautifully portrays the small-scale interpersonal dramas of the Telepathy Club, infusing them with weight and gravitas. The meticulous layouts and expressive animation convey the emotions of the characters. It’s art of the highest caliber.

Themes of Friendship and Purpose

Mob Psycho 100 always returns to themes of friendship, relying on others, and finding purpose. This episode humbly and beautifully depicts the concatenation of these ideas. While not as action-packed, the body language and facial expressions of each character are tremendous feats of animation. The sense of nostalgia and ephemerality is palpable, until the aliens descend.

Dumb and Delightful Twist

I still haven’t read the manga, so I was not prepared for the truth about extraterrestrial life in this episode: they’re all bald anime girls. What a treat it is to see those big sparkly shoujo eyes in the context of Mob’s simplistic character designs. The joke is that the aliens, despite Tome’s complaints, do nothing but hang out and eat snacks. Yet, this interspecies exchange is unapologetically weird and nice. It reminds us of the simple pleasures of sharing time and memories together.

An Unexpected Finale

Just as we’re ready to wrap up on a wholesome note, the episode takes an unexpected turn. The epilogue treats us to three minutes of unfettered psychedelic alien imagination. It adds an extra layer of unpredictability to the series. The artists sprint with the idea of Inukawa getting abducted, infusing it with beauty and animated wit. They reinforce yet another basic tenet of humanity. This passion is why we still watch anime.

Rating:

Mob Psycho 100 III is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Steve is a regular freelance contributor and you can find him on Twitter. Feel free to roast him about this. Otherwise, catch him chatting about anime on This Week in Anime.

Fecomic