Forget Jiraiya, Anime’s Best Mentor Changed the Meaning in 37-Episode Masterpiece

Jiraiya from Naruto will always be among the best mentors in anime, but most fans keep skipping the actual greatest mentor of all time. It’s a character from another popular anime, Mob Psycho 100, and his name is Arataka Reigen. Despite being only 37 episodes long, the anime has managed to portray Reigen as someone who leaves an extremely profound impact on the MC’s growth.

Especially after the final episode of Mob Psycho 100 Season 3, released on December 22, 2022, Reigen cemented himself as the best mentor of all time. Even almost four years later, he is still at the top. But why is Jiraiya in particular being compared to Reigen here? Well, the answer lies in the similarity of their core character traits, and below, we have explained exactly how Reigen still emerges victorious.

What Reigen Gets Right That Jiraiya Doesn’t

The comparison between Reigen from Mob Psycho 100 and Jiraiya from the Naruto anime makes a lot of sense, not only because both are deeply caring mentors to their respective series’ protagonists, but also because they present an unlikable front. Jiraiya gets flak for his perverseness, while Reigen is a despicable con artist. So, naturally, one might wonder how these two lowlifes could become the best mentors.

Well, the thing is, the most flawed people often turn out to be the wisest, as they can serve as living examples of what not to do. Therefore, both Naruto and Mob grew alongside them and still turned into great protagonists. But on a more psychological and philosophical level, Reigen changed Mob’s life in a way that Jiraiya simply didn’t, or rather, the plot didn’t allow him to.

Reigen taught Mob how to become a better person, which is also one of the series’ core philosophies, whereas Jiraiya mostly focused on making Naruto stronger. The fact that Reigen never glorified Mob for his powers and constantly made him question who he would be without them carries such a strong message. While Mob grew confident who could do just fine without his powers, Naruto may never have been the same without his.

Reigen basically taught Mob fundamental human values and empathy. Especially in the ending of Mob Psycho 100 Season 3, when Reigen becomes the one who stops Mob’s rampage, the moment was absolute cinema. Therefore, when it comes to character development and helping the MC become a better person, what Reigen did for Mob was much more significant than anything Jiraiya did for Naruto.

Why Arataka Reigen Is the Best Mentor in Anime History

Arataka Reigen from Mob Psycho 100 | Credits: Bones

Reigen might be a con artist, and to be honest, without Mob, he probably would’ve remained irredeemable. But, in a way, their relationship worked in both of their favor, and that’s what makes it even more special. The two met at the right time, and although Reigen’s advice and teachings may often sound flawed or selfish, they ultimately help Mob grow. Reigen simply staying by Mob’s side does a great deal of good.

In other anime, most mentors are generally more or less ideal figures from the beginning, but Reigen was never that way. Yet, his remaining true to himself while guiding Mob and preventing him from straying down a darker path because of his powers deserves the utmost respect. Without Reigen, Mob wouldn’t have become the person he is. That’s why Reigen is considered the best anime mentor of all time.

What are your thoughts on this?

The Mob Psycho 100 anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.