An interesting theme present throughout much of The Mysterious Underground Men is the question of what it means to be human. The readers are first exposed to this question alongside the introduction of Mimio. Originialy introduced as a rabbit of notable intelligence, Mimio finds himself the subject of various bizarre and, ironically enough, inhumane experiments so that he might become more human. However, despite the brutal nature of these experiments, Mimio goes to desire recognition as a human above all else.
The question of defining humanity is raised again in the actions, and frequently flawed decisions, of the actual humans in the story. Not only does the reader find flaws in humanity through the villainous actions of Ham Egg and The Black Demon Club, but even the protagonists are shown to falter when John and his uncle cast out Mimio for accidentally aiding in The Black Demon Club's acquisition of the blueprints. Nevertheless, despite not being entirely human, Mimio continues to do good and eventually defeats the termites and saves John through his heroics.
Tezuka finally puts the question of defining to rest in the closing pages of his work with the death of Mimio and John's statement that Mimio is "greater than any human" (148). Instead of simply fulfilling Mimio's wish to be recognized as a human, Tezuka instead acknowledges Mimio's heroics and moral incorruptibility as surpassing humanity. This decision not only canonizes Mimio to the reader, but the juxtaposition with Mimio's character highlights the flaws inherent to humanity visible in the other character.
I think it's interesting that you pointed out the flaws of the human characters because the one time Mimio makes a mistake and knocks out Uncle Bill, thinking he was a gangster, the other humans quickly condemn Mimio. They tell him "No human would have done something so stupid" (107). Yet throughout the story, human behavior is marked by overambition, corruption, cowardice, and stupidity. Mimio ultimately sacrifices himself for the sake of his friends and the earth, and in this sacrifice becomes recognized as human, or even greater than human. It seems like even though Mimio never makes mistakes out of anger, false beliefs, stupidity or greed the way the other humans do, his path to humanity is marked by inhumane torture and self-sacrifice. Perhaps it is because he is so incorruptible that Mimio has to work to have his humanity acknowledged.
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