Mob Psycho 100 stands as one of the most innovative anime series of recent years, following the journey of Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama, a powerful psychic who seeks to live a normal life while working for the fraudulent psychic Reigen Arataka.
At its core, the series explores themes of power and responsibility, self-improvement, identity, and the subversion of typical shonen tropes through its unique animation style and character-focused storytelling.
While Mob Psycho 100 has garnered significant acclaim, there are numerous lesser-known anime that share similar qualities but haven’t received the same level of attention despite offering compelling blends of character development, thematic depth, and visual creativity.
1. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (2016)
Currently Streaming: Netflix, Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.41
Episodes: 120 (across multiple seasons)
Kusuo Saiki is born with immense psychic abilities and finds them more of a burden than a gift as he tries to live a normal high school life. Like Mob, Saiki views his overwhelming powers as an inconvenience rather than a blessing, preferring to blend into the background despite being potentially the most powerful being on Earth[5]. Both protagonists struggle with the responsibility of their gifts while maintaining a deadpan demeanor that provides much of the shows’ comedy.
Notable Production: J.C. Staff delivered consistently excellent comedic timing throughout its run, with director Hiroaki Sakurai masterfully balancing the rapid-fire jokes with occasional heartfelt moments.
2. Blood Lad (2013)
Currently Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.25
Episodes: 10
Staz Charlie Blood is a vampire boss who doesn’t like preying on humans and instead indulges in his otaku lifestyle until he meets Fuyumi Yanagi who suddenly dies and becomes a ghost.
Similar to Mob’s reluctance to abuse his powers, Staz refuses to use his elite status for evil despite being incredibly powerful, and both series feature protagonists with kind hearts who get pulled into supernatural adventures despite their preferences.
The series balances comedy with action in a way that will feel familiar to Mob Psycho fans.
Notable Production: Brain’s Base studio created vibrant animation that brings the supernatural world to life with a distinct visual style.
3. Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront) (2015)
Currently Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
MAL Rating: 7.83
Episodes: 24 (across two seasons)
After a gateway between Earth and the Beyond opened, New York was transformed into Hellsalem’s Lot where humans and supernatural creatures coexist.
Much like Mob Psycho 100, Kekkai Sensen features characters with special abilities navigating a world of supernatural phenomena with a perfect blend of action, comedy, and surprising emotional depth[5].
The series is animated by Bones, the same studio behind Mob Psycho 100, giving it similarly impressive visual flair during its action sequences.
Notable Production: Director Rie Matsumoto brought a unique rhythmic editing style that makes the chaotic supernatural world feel cohesive and vibrant.
4. Space Dandy (2014)
Currently Streaming: Funimation, Hulu
MAL Rating: 7.90
Episodes: 26
Space Dandy follows a dandy guy in space who hunts rare aliens with his robot assistant QT and cat-like alien Meow.
The series shares Mob Psycho’s willingness to subvert expectations and employ unconventional humor, while also featuring similar surprise shifts in animation style to enhance its comedic and emotional moments[6].
Both shows excel at balancing the absurd with genuine character development.
Notable Production: Created by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) and animated by Bones (same studio as Mob Psycho 100), featuring episodes directed by numerous celebrated animators who each brought their unique style.
5. FLCL (2000)
Currently Streaming: Hulu, Max
MAL Rating: 8.03
Episodes: 6
Naota’s life is turned upside down when he’s hit by a Vespa driven by a woman named Haruko, who hits him with a bass guitar causing robots to grow from his head. Like Mob Psycho 100, FLCL is a coming-of-age story disguised as a supernatural adventure, exploring themes of adolescence and self-discovery with surreal imagery and exceptional animation[6].
Both series deal with young protagonists trying to understand themselves while navigating bizarre supernatural circumstances.
Notable Production: The groundbreaking animation by Gainax and Production I.G still influences anime today, with its fluid movement and experimental visual techniques.
6. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Currently Streaming: Netflix, HIDIVE
MAL Rating: 8.41
Episodes: 26
Balsa, a spear-wielding warrior, is hired to protect a prince who is believed to be possessed by a water demon.
While more serious in tone than Mob Psycho 100, Moribito shares its emphasis on character growth and exploration of responsibility, featuring exceptional animation that elevates its action sequences[8].
The series surpasses several great “Sword and Sorcery” anime shows in terms of animation, story, and character arcs but remains criminally underappreciated.
Notable Production: Production I.G created some of the most fluid and realistic combat animation of its era, with meticulous attention to detail in both character movements and environmental design.
7. Mushi-Shi (2005)
Currently Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
MAL Rating: 8.74
Episodes: 46 (across two seasons)
Ginko, a traveling Mushi master, helps people deal with supernatural beings called Mushi that most humans cannot perceive.
Similar to how Mob deals with spirits, Ginko approaches supernatural phenomena with calm understanding rather than fear or aggression[8].
Both series take a thoughtful approach to the supernatural world, exploring how it affects ordinary people’s lives.
Notable Production: With an IMDB rating of 8.5, Mushi-Shi stands as one of the best adventure and supernatural anime but remains underrated due to its contemplative pacing and philosophical themes.
8. Scissor Seven (2018)
Currently Streaming: Netflix
MAL Rating: 8.23
Episodes: 30 (across three seasons)
A hairdresser moonlights as an amateur hitman with the help of his trusty pair of scissors, but his heart often prevents him from completing assignments.
Like Mob, Seven is simultaneously powerful and incredibly naive, creating both humor and heart as he navigates conflicts far beyond his understanding[9].
The series balances comedy with surprisingly effective emotional moments in a way that will resonate with Mob Psycho fans.
Notable Production: This Chinese animation features a distinctive art style and was one of Netflix’s first major Chinese anime acquisitions, gaining a cult following worldwide.
9. Charlotte (2015)
Currently Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
MAL Rating: 7.75
Episodes: 13
In an alternate reality, certain teenagers develop supernatural abilities during puberty, and the story follows Yuu Otosaka who can temporarily possess others for five seconds.
Similar to Mob Psycho 100, Charlotte explores the consequences of special powers and how they affect young people’s emotional development.
Both series feature characters learning to use their powers responsibly rather than for personal gain.
Notable Production: P.A. Works created consistently beautiful animation, particularly during the series’ emotional climaxes, while composer Maeda Jun’s soundtrack enhances the dramatic moments.
10. Paranoia Agent (2004)
Currently Streaming: Funimation
MAL Rating: 8.09
Episodes: 13
After the first victim is hit by a boy with a golden bat, paranoia spreads throughout a city as more victims appear and two detectives try to solve the case.
While darker than Mob Psycho 100, both series use supernatural elements to explore psychological themes and feature distinct, experimental animation styles during pivotal moments[6].
The psychological depth and exploration of society’s fears parallel Mob’s internal struggles in a more mature context.
Notable Production: Created by acclaimed director Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Paprika), whose distinctive visual style and psychological storytelling influenced filmmakers worldwide, including Christopher Nolan.
11. Kyousougiga (2013)
Currently Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.92
Episodes: 10
In a mirror Kyoto where supernatural beings live, a young girl named Koto searches for her mother while causing havoc with her brothers.
Like Mob Psycho 100, Kyousougiga features stunning animation during its action sequences and balances fantastical elements with genuine emotional development.
Both series excel at creating memorable characters whose powers are extensions of their emotional lives rather than mere plot devices.
Notable Production: Director Rie Matsumoto (who later directed Kekkai Sensen) created a visually stunning series that combines traditional Japanese imagery with surreal animation techniques.
12. Hamatora (2014)
Currently Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.16
Episodes: 24 (across two seasons)
In a world where certain people possess supernatural abilities called “Minimum,” two Minimum Holders run a detective agency solving cases that the police cannot handle.
Similar to Mob Psycho 100’s exploration of how different people use their powers, Hamatora examines the responsibility that comes with special abilities and the choices their users make.
Both series feature characters learning to use their gifts for good despite facing temptation.
Notable Production: Studio NAZ created energetic action sequences with distinctive color palettes that make each character’s powers visually unique and recognizable.
13. Kekkaishi (2006)
Currently Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.83
Episodes: 52
Teenagers Yoshimori and Tokine use their “kekkai” (barrier) techniques to protect their school from supernatural creatures called Ayakashi.
Like Mob, Yoshimori struggles with his power and responsibility while trying to maintain a normal school life, and both protagonists grow from insecure beginners to confident protectors through their experiences.
The series balances action with character development in a way that will appeal to Mob Psycho fans.
Notable Production: Sunrise Studio crafted consistent animation throughout its 52-episode run, with particularly impressive barrier effects that give the show its distinctive visual identity.
14. The Eccentric Family (Uchouten Kazoku) (2013)
Currently Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.08
Episodes: 26 (across two seasons)
In Kyoto, a family of tanuki (shape-shifting raccoon dogs) live among humans and tengu (crow goblins), trying to survive while their father was eaten in a tanuki hot pot by a group of humans. While not about psychic powers, it shares Mob Psycho 100’s beautiful animation, supernatural elements, and exploration of family bonds through challenging circumstances. Both series excel at creating emotional depth beneath their fantastical premises.
Notable Production: P.A. Works created stunning backgrounds of Kyoto and fluid transformation animations, bringing the magical realist setting to vibrant life.
15. Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited – Hyoubu Kyousuke (2013)
Currently Streaming: Funimation
MAL Rating: 7.49
Episodes: 12
A powerful esper leads an organization dedicated to protecting other espers from human persecution. Like Mob Psycho 100, this series explores how society treats those with supernatural abilities and features impressive psychic battle sequences. Both shows examine the responsibility of power and the choices their protagonists make about how to use their abilities in a world that fears them.
Notable Production: Studio Manglobe delivered high-quality action sequences with fluid animation during the psychic battles, creating visually distinctive power effects for each character.
Why These Anime Work for Mob Psycho 100 Fans
What makes Mob Psycho 100 special isn’t just its psychic powers or action sequences, but its heartfelt exploration of identity, growth, and the responsible use of power[2]. Each anime on this list captures at least one aspect of what makes Mob’s journey so compelling, whether it’s the burden of extraordinary abilities, the visual creativity in depicting supernatural elements, or the balance of humor with emotional depth.
These underrated gems deserve more recognition for their unique take on supernatural stories and character development, offering Mob Psycho 100 fans new worlds to explore with the same depth and creativity they’ve come to love[4].
Just as Mob learns that his powers don’t define who he is as a person, these anime demonstrate that the best supernatural stories are ultimately about the human experience—about growth, connection, and finding one’s place in a world that sometimes seems too extraordinary to navigate.
