Alternative Titles
Synonyms: Mushi-shi
Japanese: 蟲師
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 26
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Oct 23, 2005 to Jun 19, 2006
Producers: Artland, Marvelous Entertainment, FUNimation Entertainment
Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy, Supernatural
Duration: 25 min. per episode
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Review
Animation - at first, the animation seems odd, as though it's lacking detail. But as you watch you realize that it's part of the character design, especially on the main character Ginko. The design lends itself well to the story and style. Most frames look like paintings instead of standard anime. In fact, a lot of the foregrounds and backgrounds remind me of classical Japanese and Chinese water color. And the effects when something "magical" happens are well integrated and very nice to look at. The animationn has a unique style. It's more like how Miyazaki-san makes his anime look like art more than cartoons. A lot of time and thought was put into everything, right down to the angles.
Sound - The sound on this show is great! I can't wait to own a dvd with a 5.1 sound mix. But the fansubs have good audio encoding and the sound design of the show is great. (I watch C1 which has better audio, but ANBU is also good and has slightly better video). The nature sounds and village sounds are so realistic that they must have had a dedicated foley staff who recorded in the field for their effects. I especially like the voice actors on this show. The actors seem to put a lot more emotion and acting into this than a lot of other series. Yuto Nakano is phenomenal as Ginko, the main character who is on the Mushishi poster here on anidb. He really makes Ginko seem alive. Joe Odagiri is playing Ginko in the live action and I hope he is up to the same level.
Story - The story is very culturally Japanese. But not in a way that would distance someone who doesn't know much about Japan. It's a drama, a travel show, a mystery, and a bit of fantasy. But the fantasy is grounded in Japanese folklore. Other reviews are correct, in that each episode is more or less stand alone, with the exception of a couple of 2-parters. Although Ginko's journey is straightforward in time and everyone he meets affects him as the show progresses. This reminds me of certain old American shows, like some Westerns or the Fugitive, in that the main character is travelling and in each episode he encounters new people whom he helps with his knowledge and ability, and he learns from them in the process. Similar to Monster in structure, only it's not a horror/thriller. The ending is somewhat open, but there is more manga so they may be thinking of a second season at some point.
Character - Here's the shows greatest strength, I feel. Even though most characters don't stick around for longer than one episode, I feel that the writers really take the time to develop every character. The main character Ginko is constantly revealing more about himself to the people he encounters. In that way, the audience grows to know him like a friend. He is quite a mysterious man, and part of the mystery comes from his somewhat clouded past. All of the people he meets on his journey are deep and well-written. These aren't the standard "and then he meets a kid who has a gun arm." These are real people. When you first watch this show, it will seem to be about magic fungus or bugs (Mushi), but after a while you will realize that it is actually about people. The Mushi are just the threads that weave all their lives together.
Value - I think there is great value to this show. Every episode reveals a lot about human character. The cultural undertones of the show are both entertaining and educating. And it's just great storytelling. By the time you get to episodes 8-9 and onward, each episode starts to really pack an emotional whallop. After finishing the series I went back and watched the first 10 episodes again and it was even better. I picked up on a lot of subtleties. Plus the animation is still beautiful. And there is enough leftover manga material that they could make a second season.
Enjoyment - It's a calm and relaxing show, not a big action guns and glory show. So if you like girl with guns or mechs destroying each other, just go watch Black Lagoon or Eureka Seven. But if you like emotional, thought provoking, entertaining stories (which is not to say that mechs or girls with guns can't provide that too...Black Lagoon does), then you'll like this show. Sometimes when the "magical" parts of the Mushi that only Ginko can see get "aggitated" then there is excitement and suspense, so don't think it's all drama. But listen to the opening song and you'll understand the overall mood of Mushi-shi. It reminds me of a lot of independent films versus studio blockbusters. Indies take the time to focus on the character and the emotions in a way that blockbusters genrally aren't able to do.
Sound - The sound on this show is great! I can't wait to own a dvd with a 5.1 sound mix. But the fansubs have good audio encoding and the sound design of the show is great. (I watch C1 which has better audio, but ANBU is also good and has slightly better video). The nature sounds and village sounds are so realistic that they must have had a dedicated foley staff who recorded in the field for their effects. I especially like the voice actors on this show. The actors seem to put a lot more emotion and acting into this than a lot of other series. Yuto Nakano is phenomenal as Ginko, the main character who is on the Mushishi poster here on anidb. He really makes Ginko seem alive. Joe Odagiri is playing Ginko in the live action and I hope he is up to the same level.
Story - The story is very culturally Japanese. But not in a way that would distance someone who doesn't know much about Japan. It's a drama, a travel show, a mystery, and a bit of fantasy. But the fantasy is grounded in Japanese folklore. Other reviews are correct, in that each episode is more or less stand alone, with the exception of a couple of 2-parters. Although Ginko's journey is straightforward in time and everyone he meets affects him as the show progresses. This reminds me of certain old American shows, like some Westerns or the Fugitive, in that the main character is travelling and in each episode he encounters new people whom he helps with his knowledge and ability, and he learns from them in the process. Similar to Monster in structure, only it's not a horror/thriller. The ending is somewhat open, but there is more manga so they may be thinking of a second season at some point.
Character - Here's the shows greatest strength, I feel. Even though most characters don't stick around for longer than one episode, I feel that the writers really take the time to develop every character. The main character Ginko is constantly revealing more about himself to the people he encounters. In that way, the audience grows to know him like a friend. He is quite a mysterious man, and part of the mystery comes from his somewhat clouded past. All of the people he meets on his journey are deep and well-written. These aren't the standard "and then he meets a kid who has a gun arm." These are real people. When you first watch this show, it will seem to be about magic fungus or bugs (Mushi), but after a while you will realize that it is actually about people. The Mushi are just the threads that weave all their lives together.
Value - I think there is great value to this show. Every episode reveals a lot about human character. The cultural undertones of the show are both entertaining and educating. And it's just great storytelling. By the time you get to episodes 8-9 and onward, each episode starts to really pack an emotional whallop. After finishing the series I went back and watched the first 10 episodes again and it was even better. I picked up on a lot of subtleties. Plus the animation is still beautiful. And there is enough leftover manga material that they could make a second season.
Enjoyment - It's a calm and relaxing show, not a big action guns and glory show. So if you like girl with guns or mechs destroying each other, just go watch Black Lagoon or Eureka Seven. But if you like emotional, thought provoking, entertaining stories (which is not to say that mechs or girls with guns can't provide that too...Black Lagoon does), then you'll like this show. Sometimes when the "magical" parts of the Mushi that only Ginko can see get "aggitated" then there is excitement and suspense, so don't think it's all drama. But listen to the opening song and you'll understand the overall mood of Mushi-shi. It reminds me of a lot of independent films versus studio blockbusters. Indies take the time to focus on the character and the emotions in a way that blockbusters genrally aren't able to do.
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