Reigen Arataka – The Con Artist with a Heart of Gold

Reigen Arataka is not your average exorcist—mainly because he has no actual psychic abilities. Despite this, he runs the Spirits and Such Consultation Office, conning people into paying for his "special techniques" like table salt throws and questionable massages.

However, beneath his fraudulent exterior, Reigen is a surprisingly wise mentor, a caring boss, and the ultimate smooth talker, making him one of the most complex and beloved characters in anime.

1. Character Introduction

Full Name: Reigen Arataka

Nicknames: Master Reigen, The Greatest Psychic of the 21st Century (self-proclaimed)

Series: Mob Psycho 100

Affiliation: Spirits and Such Consultation Office

Occupation: Self-proclaimed Psychic, Business Owner, Life Coach, Con Artist

Reigen lacks any supernatural abilities but makes up for it with charisma, intelligence, and sheer audacity. He takes Mob under his wing, not just to exploit his psychic powers, but also to guide him through life’s challenges.

2. Age & Background

Date of Birth: October 10

Zodiac Sign: Libra ♎

Age: 28 years old

Height: 179 cm (5’10”)

Weight: 66 kg (145 lbs)

Race: Human

A self-made businessman, Reigen built his career by bluffing his way through exorcisms. While most would call him a fraud, he genuinely cares for his clients and employees, even if his methods are questionable.

3. Heroic (or Questionable?) Journey

Reigen’s journey is one of personal growth, deception, and unexpected heroism.

• Starts his psychic business as a scam but genuinely helps people in the process.

• Meets Mob, recognizing the boy’s true power and potential.

• Guides Mob in life, acting as both a boss and a father figure.

• Talks down the Claw organization, using pure psychological manipulation instead of violence.

• Earns Mob’s full trust, proving he isn’t just a conman but a true mentor.

4. Iconic Quotes & Their Meanings

🗨 "If you wanna be popular, just be a good person."

➡ Simple yet profound advice, showing Reigen’s hidden wisdom.

🗨 "You’re not special just because you have psychic powers. You’re special because you’re you."

➡ Teaches Mob that powers don’t define a person.

🗨 "I can exorcise you… with these hands!"

➡ His go-to bluff, usually followed by an anti-stress massage instead of an actual exorcism.

5. Anime Adaptation & Journey

• Becomes Mob’s "Master"

  • Takes Mob under his wing, pretending to be a powerful mentor.

    
    

• The Claw Arc

  • Convinces a room full of psychics to surrender—without using a single supernatural ability.

    
    

• The "Reigen Exposed" Arc

  • Faces public humiliation but regains Mob’s trust.

    
    

• Final Arc

  • Admits his deception to Mob, proving their bond was never about psychic powers.

6. Powers & Abilities

1. Master of Psychological Manipulation

🧠 Incredible charisma, can talk his way out of anything.

🧠 Expert at reading people and turning situations in his favor.

2. "Special Techniques" (a.k.a. Completely Fake Moves)

💆 Anti-Stress Massage – Instead of exorcising ghosts, he just massages clients until they feel better.

💥 Salt Splash Attack – Throws table salt at spirits (which does nothing unless purified).

🖐 Self-Defense Rush – A flurry of weak punches, often accidentally effective.

3. Surprisingly Wise Life Coach

✔ Despite being a scam artist, he gives genuinely good advice.

✔ Helps Mob develop confidence and control his emotions.

7. Relationships & Fate

Key Relationships

• Mob (Shigeo Kageyama) – His apprentice, his greatest asset, and his most important person.

• Serizawa – A former Claw member who joins his agency.

• Dimple – A spirit who sees through Reigen’s act but still respects him.

• Claw Organization – A group of dangerous espers… that Reigen humiliates using nothing but words.

  
  

Fate in Mob Psycho 100

• Reveals the truth to Mob, proving their relationship was always about trust, not just power.

• Continues running his business, still using questionable tactics but with genuine good intentions.

• Becomes a respected figure, even among real psychics.

8. Strengths & Weaknesses

✅ Strengths

✔ Charismatic and highly intelligent.

✔ Master manipulator and negotiator.

✔ Loyal to Mob and genuinely cares about him.

❌ Weaknesses

✖ Has no real psychic powers.

✖ Overconfident to the point of recklessness.

✖ Constantly relies on deception, which backfires at times.

9. Recent Releases & Updates

📌 Mob Psycho 100 Season 3 (2022) wrapped up Reigen’s full character arc, making him one of anime’s most well-written characters.

📌 Mob Psycho 100 Live-Action Adaptation featured a hilarious Reigen portrayal.

10. Relationship Stories

🔥 Reigen & Mob

• Acts as Mob’s mentor, guiding him through life.

• Despite using Mob’s abilities for business, he genuinely cares about him.

• Eventually admits his lies, proving he values Mob’s trust over his scams.

  
  

💖 Reigen & Serizawa

• Helps Serizawa adjust to normal life after leaving Claw.

• Treats him as a real employee, unlike how he used Mob.

  
  

👊 Reigen & The Claw Organization

• Singlehandedly destroys their confidence with his smooth-talking mind games.

• Convinces powerful espers to back down, making him one of the most dangerous non-psychic characters in the show.

11. Anime Seasons & Episodes

📺 First Appearance: Mob Psycho 100 Episode 1

🔥 Major Moments:

• Vs. Claw Members (Mob Psycho 100 Season 1)

• Reigen Exposed Arc (Mob Psycho 100 Season 2)

• Reigen’s Confession to Mob (Mob Psycho 100 Season 3)

12. Rating

⭐ Overall Rating: 10/10

📊 Rating Breakdown:

• Popularity: 10/10

• Humor: 10/10

• Intelligence: 10/10

• Battle Skill: 3/10 (He thinks he’s strong… but isn’t 😂)

13. Fun Facts

🎭 Reigen was inspired by real-life scammers and charismatic salesmen.

📖 He writes a self-help book in Season 3 (which surprisingly sells well).

🔥 His voice actor, Takahiro Sakurai, also voiced Griffith from Berserk!

14. Related Characters

• Mob – His apprentice and emotional support.

• Serizawa – His new employee and former Claw member.

• Dimple – A spirit who constantly calls out his scams.

• Suzuki (Claw Leader) – The one esper Reigen couldn’t manipulate.

15. The Journey Continues

Reigen Arataka is more than just a scammer in a suit—he’s one of anime’s most entertaining and unexpectedly heartfelt characters. His quick wit, wisdom, and comedic genius make him a standout mentor in the anime world, proving that you don’t need powers to be powerful.

"When push comes to shove… I’ll just bluff my way through it!" 😎🔥