Mushishi review


I was a little late with watching Mushishi but I’m glad I decided to add it to my list of anime to watch. I just finished the last episode a few days ago and, surprisingly, for a series that remains basically the same throughout all of its 26 episodes, it was one of the best I’ve seen in a while.

Mushishi is different from most anime series’ in a couple of ways. First of all, the entire series is episodic. There are no story arcs nor any cliffhangers that tie the events of one episode to another. Each episode from 1 to 26 is a stand-alone story involving new characters with a Mushi problem that Ginko helps them with. Speaking of Ginko, that’s another aspect of Mushishi that makes it so different from other anime series’. Ginko is really the only main character who appears in all of the episodes. So with these two unique characteristics, watching even just the first episode of Mushishi will give you a good idea of what the entire series is going to be like.

So, a completely episodic series that only has one main character sounds like it should be boring and repetitive. But what makes Mushishi great is exactly that – it dares to be different and it succeeds well in this. It doesn’t use the stereotypical fast-paced action, complex fantasy, hyperbolic comedy, and intense violence that most anime series’ use. Rather, its pacing is slow, focusing more on the actual scenes and situations, allowing the viewer to absorb the background of each individual episode and the guest characters in that episode. It’s similar to Death Note in the way that the episodes have more dialogue exchange and information given that we’re made to think about and dwell on, rather than actual action taking place. This is definitely not the series for those who are A.D.D. ^^,,,

One of the major reasons Mushishi is special is because of the whole concept of the Mushi themselves. My opinion about this hasn’t changed much from my original review of Mushishi after having only watched the first two episodes: “…rather than the Mushi being depicted as vicious monsters or demons, and the main character, Ginko, having to fight against them in order to protect people, etc., the Mushi are depicted as mysterious living beings that are just trying to survive. And rather than using flashy super powers to destroy them, Ginko uses his skills and intelligence to understand the Mushi and find a way for them to coexist with people.” This in itself makes for a very unique story. Not only are the details and complexities behind the Mushis’ existence fascinating, but the characteristics of the different “species” of Mushi that appear in each episode are equally interesting; a Mushi that can make someone dream of the future, a Mushi that takes the form of a reversed rainbow, a Mushi that robs the warmth from its host, a Mushi that bestows the ability to see many miles away – the fact that the Mushi are depicted as non-sentient, “lower” forms of life, and yet are given these complex and mysterious abilities, makes them seem more realistic and makes each episodes’ individual story of their interactions with humans all the more interesting.

As for the characters, like I said before, the only reoccurring character is Ginko. His characterization isn’t anything special, since he basically remains the same in each of the episodes, but we do learn more background about him in a few of the episodes (particularly episode 12) and, since he’s the only character that appears in all the episodes, I guess you can’t help but get a little attached to him. He has a cool, knowledgeable, level-headedness to him that also makes him appealing too. And despite the great number of different guest characters that appear in each of the 26 episodes, their characterization does not fall too short either. Obviously, the one episode that they each appear in isn’t enough to give them proper character development, but still, they’re made to be unique and sympathetic enough. Most of the episodes involve a sequence where the main character talks about his/her background and current problem to Ginko (usually involving a Mushi). Despite the large number of characters’, each of the their situations is unique and engrossing. The only drawback to having so many guest characters is having to make each one look physically different. There really seems to be a limited number of character designs, so half way through the series, the guest characters started looking the same, especially ones in the same age group. But despite this, the characters, Mushis, and background story of each individual episode are detailed and brilliantly executed enough to make the series special, even if they don’t stretch beyond more than one episode each.

Another thing Mushishi has going for it is gorgeous animation, especially in the background art. The detail and color tone really capture the natural beauty of ancient Japan’s forests, mountains, and villages well. The music is fitting too, slow but pretty oriental-sounding tunes that match the somber mood of the series. The opening is a beautiful English song and, unlike other openings, the images accompanying the song are basically just scenes of pretty nature-ish background art. No characters appear in it. The ending song is similar, except that instead of a song, it’s just an instrumental piece. The gentle, slow-paced feel of Mushishi would be thrown off if the opening and ending were typically fast-paced and colorful like other anime series’, so they suit Mushishi well.

I liked Mushishi a lot, but I don’t think I quite consider it a favorite. I’ll admit some of the episodes were a bit boring or confusing, but most of them were great. If I could describe Mushishi in one word, I would say “trippy” =3 It really goes to show that even a very episodic anime series with only one main character can still be good, perhaps better than the norm. Fans of mainstream action and/or comedy anime series’ will probably find Mushishi boring, but hardcore fans looking for a series that’s different should definitely give this one a try! I doubt there’ll be another series like it anytime soon.

No Comments… read them or add your own.

  1. Hiro says:

    Hey! Im offended…I’m ADD, I watch great storyline driven stuff all the….wait…what’s that over there…..

    Sounds great! But I’ve never heard of it, where did you find it?

  2. Yumeka says:

    You can get a complete batch torrent of all the eps of Mushishi (1-26) on Box Torrents:
    http://www.boxtorrents.com/

    I think you may need to create an account to download from them, but it’s all free.

  3. Hiro says:

    Thanks a lot, Yumeka. I’ll check that out once I finish Death Note!

  4. K.I. says:

    Yea its a great series. I wonder why hardly anyone heard of it before though.

  5. amy says:

    I LOVE MUSHISHII *0*

  6. FaithFury says:

    Mushi-shi is the best

  7. La says:

    ACTUALLY…. i am ADD and i find your comment extremely offensive! Only ADD people with greater perception will be able to fully grasp this wonderfu- HEY LOOK A BIRD!! wait what was i talking about?
    (but honestly i love ginko and the mushi! they’re amazing)

  8. Christine says:

    If anyone knows about House, M.D, you should see a bit of a resemblance. Well, instead of House I watch this. (More Mother-Friendly) The children, expecially the boys, look a lot alike, but I find it a really great series. Funimation did a great job with the dub and the animation is beautiful. Tamaki Suoh gives it a thumbs up. (Meaning it’s great, but it doesn’t surpass Ouran’s place as top spot.)

  9. Francis says:

    I have ADD and I love it! (Btw, one can have ADD, but you can’t be ADD..).

  10. Zaibach says:

    Hello,

    excuse me, but i wish know who/what is Yota Itsuka ?
    This is writte on the picture.

    Thanks a lot.

    Mushishi is the Best.

  11. Yumeka says:

    @Zaibach

    It actually reads “Mata itsuka” and it means “See you again someday.”

  12. Geza Hoevarht says:

    Mushi-shi was an awesome anime… definitely a favorite now… hope they mkae more very soon :)

  13. jc says:

    I watched this show and was so creeped out with the the one were the little girl has her eyes burned out by the mushi creatures. Couldn’t even finish it. How does that one end?

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