Mushishi

Mushishi is a manga and anime that fits awkwardly between the occult and mystery genre. I found it randomly, on a day that I was feeling suitably melancholic, wrapped myself in layers of blankets and let myself be drawn in. It was unlike anything I had watched previously – it was odd world that somehow felt familiar, like it was the embodiment of a mood I often fell into. It takes place in a world where there are mushi – various spirits or other lifeforms that are often signs of things to come or affecting things as they are. Each episode relates a single story, the only common factor being a man named Ginko who is familiar with the mushi. I’m an easy crier – I always have been. But the simplistic beauty, message, and soul of each story touched me in a way that I was not accustomed to.

I was expecting something whimsical and supernatural, which I received, but I was not expecting it to intertwine so seamlessly with more real things like people and love and life. Here are some words others involved in the industry have said about it:

“A rare breed of manga: a smartly-written, original story that’s told with simple yet mesmerizing imagery.” (Aoki)

“Its hypnotic rhythm, humanism, and naturalist’s eye for beauty give it a charm that far outstrips mere entertainment value.” (Kimlinger)

“Very original vision, with a sort of ‘flowing life’ of its own, a biologist’s precision mixed with creepy fairytales and a surreal, dreamy feel.” (Jason Thompson)

“Quiet and subtle stories that evoke strong emotions with great story crafting and a fine tune to the essence of what moves people” (Holly Ellingwood)

 

Here’s a clip from it that might help you understand the tone and nature of the show:

I haven’t finished watching it yet. Although each episode is short, it is intense and meaningful, meant to be chewed upon and thought upon, not gulped one after another. It also needs the right mood, the right weather, the right time of day – or perhaps that’s just my own idealization of the experience.

-Merav