Summary
This exposition-heavy episode can sometimes drag a bit as we learn Dimple’s full plan. Still, the payoff is worth it in the end, with some intense fights and action-packed sequences.
We recap the Crunchyroll anime series Mob Psycho 100 season 3, episode 5, “Divine Tree 2 ~Peace~” which contains spoilers.
This week’s episode of Mob Psycho 100 picks up right where the last one left off, as Mob (voiced by Setsuo Ito) ventures into the Divine Tree to speak with someone. Things are definitely heating up in regard to action. We also learn a lot about Dimple‘s plan, which turns out to be a bit of a long-winded affair. While this episode executes some moments better than others, it’s still a satisfying installment in this season’s Divine Tree Arc.
Mob Psycho 100 season 3, episode 5 recap
As Mob walks toward the Divine Tree, a voice begins to speak to him. Mob asks if he is the one they are calling “Psycho Helmet”, but the voice deflects and instead asks Mob if he enjoys people cheering for him for the first time in his life. Mob says no and requests a face-to-face conversation.
As Mob enters the Divine Tree, the voice, who the viewers know is, in fact, Psycho Helmet (aka the founder, aka Dimple), reveals the tree has become more than just a broccoli. Here the pace of the episode slows a bit as Dimple begins to monologue about his rise to power and overall evil scheme. He continues to call himself a god and explains how he intends to lead the people down the right path and bring them peace. The exposition is kept fresh by Mob’s interjections that question the integrity of Dimple’s plan.
Dimple doesn’t actually care if the Religion does bring people peace. He just needs to make sure that they all pray for at least five minutes every day so that he can sustain himself.
As Mob climbs deeper into the tree, Dimple tells him to admit that “all of the believers are enjoying themselves,” explicitly listing Ritsu and Reigen. Mob’s eyes lock on Hanazawa, who is tied up with roots. The progress towards his next explosion rises to 69%.
The more Dimple talks, the more he reveals to Mob. He repeats a line previously used by Reigen, “You can’t win if you’re not having fun,” and immediately, Mob recognizes that Psycho Helmet and Dimple are one and the same.
Instead of getting upset, Dimple suggests that Mob join him instead. He doesn’t understand why Dimple needs him when he already has too much power, but the spirit is interested in Mob’s vast amounts of untapped potential. When Mob says no, he explains that everyone he loves has already been brainwashed and will never return to the people they were before. With that type of pressure, he wonders how long Mob will be able to hold out, but Mob stands strong and demands Dimple return everyone.
Even if he could, at this point, the Psycho Helmet Religion has grown so much it’s practically contagious. It’s spreading like wildfire across the country and will soon spread to everyone in the world. When that happens, Dimple explains, he will finally ascend to god-like status. To Mob, his entire plan sounds ridiculous, and he demands that Dimple undo his brainwashing.
Although Dimple believes he has done nothing wrong because he technically never changed anyone’s personality, Mob feels he is playing dirty because he’s used his power to take away his believer’s consent.
Things begin to get tense as Mob assures Dimple that he does not understand just how much he is holding back. Hanazawa suddenly appears beside him and informs Mob that they will no longer be friends if he attacks Dimple. Even if Mob should defeat him, he will have to go through everyone he loves until he has to fight everyone. Progress toward Mob’s next explosion is now 72%.
No longer interested in this back and forth, Mob demands Dimple reveal himself. When he doesn’t show, Mob begins attacking the stand-ins Dimple created using the Divine Tree’s roots. Hanazawa immediately attacks him, and they launch into an intense physical and psychic battle. Progress toward Mob’s next explosion climbs to 80% as he uses his powers to freeze Hanazawa in place.
He searches for Dimple again, only for Hanazawa to break free with the immense god-like power Dimple has granted him. Mob begs him to get a hold of himself but is blasted into a large crater where Divine Tree roots engulf him. He can feel how dangerous they are and even tries to warn Hanazawa before he destroys them, but it is no use. Hanazawa is blown away by Mob’s blast. Progress toward Mob’s next explosion hits 89%.
Things begin to pick up as Mob takes on any attack Dimple can throw at him. He takes out hoards of root enemies, with progress towards his next explosion slowly creeping up one percent at a time. He wonders if Dimple refuses to show himself because he fears Mob and begs him to come out so he no longer has to feel this level of distress. The more he fights, the weaker he seems to grow, and he soon realizes that his powers are being drained this entire time. As Mob grows weaker, Dimple finally reveals himself in his true form.
Mob Psycho 100 season 3, episode 5 ending
In a last-ditch effort to sway Mob, Dimple brings up Tsubomi. Progress toward Mob’s next explosion hits 93%, and he gets a sudden burst of power.
Dimple notes how Mob always gets worked up when she’s involved. He laments that Mob will never have a chance with her because she’s a strong woman who does not conform. Dimple continues to tear Mob down as he reveals that despite her strong will, even he still managed to get her to join the Psycho Helmet Religion. When he suggests that being the founder might get Tsubomi to notice him, Mob attacks Dimple yet again.
Dimple reveals a new golden form with the physique of a bodybuilder and godlike power. Progress toward Mob’s next explosion climbs to 95 and then 98% as they engage in another battle. Despite all the effort, it took for Dimple to get this power, he isn’t doing a great deal of damage to Mob at this point.
Mob accuses him of holding back and being a phony, so Dimple gathers his power into a tremendous godly beam and hits him head-on. He thinks he’s gone too far, but he can feel Mob’s rage through all the dust and debris. Progress toward Mob’s next explosion is now at 99%, and Dimple can’t believe how he is still so powerful.
As things heat up, Mob asks that Dimple be honest with him. When he reveals that all he’s ever wanted to do is take advantage of Mob, Mob wonders if this is where they will say goodbye. It’s interesting to hear, as we’ve seen Mob show him mercy in the past. Even Dimple seems shocked by this question and immediately prepares to go all out in an effort to save himself. He attacks Mob, but all he manages to do is destroy Mob’s school jacket, revealing the yellow monkey shirt he previously purchased with Hanazawa underneath.
In one of the more hilarious moments of the episode, Dimple breaks character to make fun of Mob’s shirt.
Progress toward Mob’s next explosion is now at 100%.
There’s a ton of information being dumped on viewers in this episode, and at times it almost feels like too much at once. It’s fun to see Dimple’s schemes grow in concept, but his motivation to become a god can sometimes feel a tad redundant. Still, we get to see Mob in action, and he’s always in his best form when he’s fighting for his friends. Now that he’s finally at 100%, the next episode will surely be even better.
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