Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical, Mystery, Seinen, Slice of life, Supernatural
Author: Yuki Urushibara
Publisher: Kodansha (Manga), Studio Artland (Anime)
Length: 26 episodes, 24 minutes each
Note: This recommendation will also contain slight spoilers of the first episodes!
They are neither plants nor animals. They differ from other forms of life such as the micro-organisms and the fungi. Instead they resemble the primeval body of life and are generally known as “Mushi”. Their existence and appearance are unknown to many and only a limited number of humans are aware of them. Ginko, the main character, is a “Mushi-shi” who travels around to investigate and find out more about the “Mushi”. In the process, he also lends a helping hand to people who face problems with supernatural occurances which may be related to the “Mushi”.
| Story |
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The world of Mushi-shi may seen complicated to understand at first, but the plot is easy to understand. In Mushi-shi, we'll get to know creatures called Mushi*. Spoiler: Mushi Actually, not a whole lot is known about the Mushi, which is part of the reason why Ginko travel, he wants to learn.  Ginko encounter a lot of mushi, and while each episode make it clear how the mushi influence the surroundings and, potentially, the people living there, we do not necessarily learn everything that is to know about them. The temporary stops on Ginko's travels won't always answer everything, and more often than not, the knowledge Ginko has already attained will be the deciding factor. Mushishi is an episodic anime. Each episode stands alone from the rest and often the only common denominators in the stories are the presence of Ginko, the main character, and occasional appearances of his friend, Adashino-sensei. Throughout the series we're shown many magnificent creatures as well as a few intriguing glimpses into Ginko's past. |
| Animation/Music |
 The atmosphere and mood that Mushishi creates has a powerful effect on its storytelling. When the ambiance is so engrossing that during the winter episodes you find yourself shivering alongside the characters, it adds a level of personal involvement to the stories.  All of this would not be possible without Masuda Toshio‘s genius musical score, which blends so seamlessly that you rarely realize it is there, yet manages to have such a profound effect on the listener. Unfortunately, for all this, the character designs are quite ordinary. Everybody looks the same except for Ginko, and it is never explained why his clothes look so much more modern than everyone else’s, among other things. |
| Characters |
 If there is one downside to Mushishi, then it is, sometimes, the human cast. Seeing as Ginko travels from place to place, we don't really get a whole lot of recurring character appearances, and the ones that do are often somewhat underdeveloped, which will make occasional episodes feel emotionally distant. It doesn't exactly hurt the show, but it is something you can notice.  Ginko himself is a very likeable and well written character, giving an interesting spin on the “lone wanderer” archetype. He's a refreshing break from the stereotypical anime characters, his interactions with the other characters enable the readers/viewers to understand and appreciate each story, |
| Personal Note |
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There are reasons on why I decided to go with Mushi-shi with my first recommendation. The series moves in a slow gentle pace, where the music never gets too eager and nothing ever gets too exciting in manners of rush or panic. It might somehow even be sleep inducing, but in a good way, like the swaying of the trees or a cold snowy night where everything is silent. It is fascinating to watch, without having to put in overblown fight scenes, panty-shots or giant robots. Every “Mushishi” episode understands to weave a parable, even if the intended messages flies over your head. Mushi-shi really makes you wonder if there's something more to life. I highly recommend you to watch it. And, if you do watch it, I hope you have as much fun as I had with this unique anime. |