damn, I really had the idea of writting a review when I created the category. You beat me to it. No need for a second
one since our opinions seem to resemble. But since Mushishi is by far in my very top favorites I would give it higher
grades:
9/7.5/7/9
Mushishi tv Review
Imagine that there are creatures that are neither vegetables nor animals, but they are the very essence of the life living around us. Imagine that not everyone can see them, but they can influence your life in the strangest manner. They are called "mushi".
Ginko is a "mushishi"; a mushi hunter. Follow him as he wanders across the land, studying, healing, and teaching, trying to help normal people to live in harmony with mushi.
Written by modens2099
Story & Characters
In the world of Mushishi, there exists a form of life known as "mushi" - strange creatures that are more
primitive than animal, plant or bacteria, yet are closer to the source of life than any of the former. Although only a
few people can actually see the mushi, they interact with the world in bizarre ways. It is not (generally) in their
natures to cause harm, but their entirely alien natures means that when human and mushi interact, neither comes off
better. This has led to the rise of Mushishi - people who mediate human-mushi affairs. Ginko is one such mushishi, a man
who is constantly traveling from village to village to study these mysterious beings and the effects they have on
people, trying to help out where he can. Each episode of Mushishi follows Ginko's journeys through a world that
resembles rural, medieval Japan. Although the series is episodic in nature, there are a few recurring characters besides
Ginko because Ginko will occasionally return to a village to check up on the friends he has made there.
The series is essentially a "mushi of the day" type of show as there seem to be an infinite variety of the
creatures; no two remotely alike. However, unlike hero series where the "monster of the day" always ends up in
a battle (with recycled footage), Ginko is not always trying to fight the mushi unless he is given a good reason to
(i.e. it is deteriorating the life of the villagers.) Ginko is more of a researcher than a mushi exterminator (although
the show implies most mushishi are of the latter mindset) so the mushi battle episodes are greatly interspersed with
mushi investigation episodes and help keeps the series from being too repetitious or predictable. This also helps
maintain the portrayal of mushi as being utterly foreign to our understandings, not as malevolant beings (with a few
exceptions.) Because of this, the story remains relatively peaceful and subdued, and one that makes you think instead of
one where you can tune out and watch people fighting crazy things.
Summary: The story is simple and episodic, with each following a general formula (Ginko arrives at village, finds mushi,
deals with mushi) but the variety of mushi and people that Ginko interacts with helps maintain a freshness for each
episode. As the series progresses, you can see how Ginko truely cares for the people and mushi that coinhabit the world
and often gets emotionally involved in events, allowing the viewer to also develop an attachment to people and events.
If you're looking for something other than high-school romantic drama or fighting mechas, this is a good series to
try out. Besides, with its episodic nature, you can check out a few now, see if you like it, and come back a good time
later to see more if you decide to continue with the series.
Rating:
Art
The art of Mushishi is subdued and simple in nature, which is fitting to how the series is presented. The colors are
often in a dull grey/brown/green palette which helps set a somewhat somber (but not dark) nature to the show.
There's not a whole lot of variety in character design (except for Ginko, with his surprising white hair and green
eyes) or scenery (there are only so many ways to portray a forest or a rural village.) If it weren't for the
different mushi themselves, the artwork for the scenery and people in each episode would be interchangable. However, the
true variety lies in the design of the mushi. They can be glowing, floating jellyfish, or feathery birds, or a rainbow
with the colors inverted, or a white bamboo in a grove of green. Each mushi's form is generally relevant to their
nature, and there is plenty of variance in that.
Summary: Simple artwork with a subdued palette, there's not a lot of variety in a rural medieval Japan setting, but
the amount of different mushi help address the lack. Effective, but nothing to knock your socks off.
Rating:
Sound
Voice acting: Sort of like the interchangability of the character art (except for recurring characters), their voices
are fairly interchangable as well. Although competently done, unless you tie character art + voice + story + mushi
together, it can be difficult to tell people from different episodes apart. Thankfully the few recurring characters do
have distinct voices (Adashino-sensei is voiced by the well-known Yuji Ueda, who also voiced Honey and Clover's
Morita, Love Hina's Keitarou and Kenshin's Sanosuke, among others.) Ginko also maintains a distinct voice, but
my favorite performance was Mika Doi's Nui, who portrayed Nui as a reclusive hermit who is old before her time, yet
manages to develop a deep attachment to Ginko in the short time they are together. She also does well as the narrator,
using the same elderly voice that conveys authority to the narration.
Music: The music of Mushishi is fairly quiet and simple but still very beautiful and haunting. No heavy orchestral
workings in these songs - they rely more on simple piano/synth and a lot of traditional Japanese bells and chimes, which
helps it maintain the medieval Japanese setting. Most of the music is slow and somber, but then most of the episodes are
slow and somber. There are a few fast-paced pieces that are used when Ginko is fighting a music, but for the most part
the music is soft and idyllic like the episodes. The opening song is a little ditty that sort of reminds me of a Bob
Dylan piece (except the words are more easily understood) with its simple harmony and stylings. The lyrics fit the
series well (it talks of traveling) but took me a little while to get used to.
Summary: Relatively bland voice acting (with a few exceptions) but a soundtrack that really sets the stage for the story
and scenery.
Rating:
Presentation
Mushishi is a relatively simple series artistically, musically, and in the set-up of the plot, but the content of each
episode, and the relationship between humans, mushi, and how Ginko deals with them can be very complex. Due to the
episodic nature, it's hard to get attached to anyone except Ginko himself, but the degree to which Ginko gets
attached to people and places makes you at least want to try. The episodic nature also means that you can go back and
watch any episode you feel like if you found any particular village or person or mushi rather interesting. This series
is suited for people who want a more thoughtful series at the expense of gorgeous art, action-packed battles, extensive
character development and teenaged angst, and is aimed at a slightly more mature audience.
There are a lot of comparisons between Mushishi and Kino no Tabi considering both are episodic series that follow a
person traveling from land to land and learning about the people/nature of each place. There are some major differences
between the two, which actually makes me enjoy both series better:
Kino is the detached traveler who takes Star Trek's Prime Directive directly to heart; she almost never gets
involved in a country's business, and sometimes goes out of her way to maintain her distance. Kino no Tabi is a
showcase of different lands, each one with a dark and horrible twist at the end that makes you go WTF and think the
author is smoking something serious. Kino's detachment allows you to view each country from an outsider's
perspective and see what the locals cannot, what makes their land utterly absurd and ironic.
Ginko is rather the opposite - he goes out of his way to help people in very place he visits, often coming back several
months later to see if he had truely been able to help. He can and often does get deeply, emotionally involved in the
situations he comes by, even if he knows things will not turn out the way he wants. This makes him an accessible
character and one you can emphathize with, and his fascination with the mushi and their endless variety are transferred
to you. With each episode, you wonder, as Ginko does, what sort of people and mushi he will encounter, and what he might
be able to do to help both.
It's refreshing to get different perspectives on world views, and I like both series because of it.
Summary: Simple, thoughtful series. No action or angsting here. Probably why I like it so much. Am definately interested
in checking out the manga.
Rating:
Final Verdict
8.0000 (good)
Reviewed by Tama-Neko, Oct 02, 2006
Comments
-
candy-chan Retired Moderator Oct 02, 2006
-
animefairy Oct 02, 2006
Wow, I really liked it! You gave off very detailed explanations and it sounds like a very cool anime! ^^
10/10
-
fireflywishes Retired Moderator Oct 03, 2006
I watched the first episode awhile back, but shelved it because it didn't seem that interesting at the time. I just recently re-discovered it because all of the shows I was following were ending and I'm so glad that I did! While I do agree that the character deisgn for the secondary characters is somewhat limited, the way the story unfolds is just something that you don't get in most other animes nowadays! Definitely an anime worth checking out!
-
ganstamonica Oct 09, 2006
This review ish really gewd, Tama-chan!
-
eonir Jan 19, 2007
The review is very good :>
But I would give Mushishi eleven out of ten :DThe music, the art, the plot, the characters - everything remarkable
It's a series remarkable in every inch :D -
sekhmet11 Feb 02, 2007
This is an excellent review. Mushishi is, hands down, my favourite anime and I describe it to people as a "quiet little anime" because there was just no other way to describe it. You have done a fabulous job of breaking it down and giving an objective view of the show. I would also recommend people check out the manga when it becomes available.
-
SchRita Jan 15, 2010
Thanks for the review!
-
xzsqc5 Nov 20, 2012
If you are a mystic, an esthete, an unfortunate idealist, then I think the world in addition to the "Mushishi" I am afraid there is no more suitable for your movie. This is a story about the mysterious "worm" class world, but unimaginable without departing from reality logic, the Ink feng shui draw breath Gengjian Hisaishi harmonic minor choreographed all the time is not impressed with your nerves, most important all fragments filled with humanity and goodwill, greed flogging punishment killings throughout the past, hope for the future repentance everywhere redemptive spirit and rational restraint, all of which make it magic so I repeatedly read all 26 episodes, I believe they will have eternal value and once complete stored in my hard drive inside instead of like "Inuyasha" and "Detective Conan" and "Naruto" Japanese anime like shift + del to dispose of, although I admit that the latter three are worthy of appreciation.
If you happen to be a maverick, then you might like the same does not fall sophisticates Mushishi protagonist ancient silver Mr.. If you happened to be a gregarious not alone optimist, I believe that at least you do not hate him. Because silver ancient only when you need him and this is because the kind caused by very magical "worm" class is said to appear, at other times, he was always in the travel away from your place.
Imagine such a traveler, his white, white hair, white hair cover half of the face. He perennial trek in the mountain rivers and lakes wilderness between, but never clean clothes. He was carrying only back a simple wooden box, but not the big worry to eat. He is not Superman and muscular, but at least the body is healthy. He did not have bad habits, in addition to sometimes smoke a cigarette have to drive "bug" (magical?) He did not talk much, but that is writing the script arrangements. Cock, he will never have the emotional ups and downs, no matter the terrible plague bizarre death, or a cozy gathering, touching story, silver the ancient always be calm and rational. In the vast majority of the time, he very wisely to serve as a cynics neither talkative nor many hands, he will intervene only when the problem involves his area of expertise - the "worm". Earthly joys and sorrows too human entanglements blossom scattered people together, when the parties and do not want to extricate themselves enmeshed in the bitter sea quagmire unable to extricate themselves, others naturally more qualifications nor the ability to intervene. Not only is silver ancient President, we have it not so? Who is not the hustle and bustle of life passer? Who exhaustive knowledge about all means to complete plans last successfully boarded life peak? No savior nor god emperor, the ability of each person are limited, how ridiculous ah contention fought hard or as Don Quixote general alone pump windmill. The story is told of the emotional place, silver ancient President will be in the corner away from the crowd, leaning against the trunk, pumping a magical insect smoke (made me want to smoke, I do not taste like tar), with a lonely but the gesture looked bleak this world. Soon after, he embarked on a new journey.
Travelers as a loner, loneliness is not bleak, not self-pity narcissistic, even holding some of the compassion of the heart of the world, this is the silver ancient Unlike general travelers at. Silver ancient friend about two, most of the side of the edge just a few friends, doctors, Mushishi, sculptor, hunters and craftsmen and so on. It is worth mentioning, and the hero is not common surface, and silver ancient unusual friendship, a mature and indifferent to the friendship that I can not describe. I yearn for that scene: hail after a female carver sitting in the middle of the room on the floor burning stove, ancient silver tea slouched sitting on the railing in front, leaning against the goal post in his dressing gown doctors baggy look at the scenery three of a tie not a tie to chat, everything is quiet and serene completely fail to see that they had just saved the lives of all children in a village. The sky outside the house is slowly cleared, the sun-like mica layered clouds in the mountains between floating, unhurried, and the whole story calmly. This scene can be seen everywhere, and people feel comfortable.
, Mushishi is such a mysterious and moving and comfortable movie ancient silver is the protagonist of this mysterious and moving film looks very obstinate. He had only one eye, it was reported, another of his eyes unto the darkness - a dark worm called "silver ancient - ancient-year-old when the encounter is silver. Since then, he studied with a Mushishi, himself became a Mushishi Chief travelers traveled around to solve the conflict between humans and the world of the "worm".
When the great travelers tired, often static (that is, a sensitive word, harm me not be) sitting quietly flowing river of light - a symbol of the rivers of the Source of Life - Mom simply philosophical proposition a - - shore daze. This is most impressed me at the moment, a person, no desire and troubles, do not like to not have to worry about, do not hate on earth do not feel alone on that simply sitting in a daze. As many many sorts of movie roles which, in addition to the silver ancient Mushishi, I do not remember any other person so truly existed.
merged: 11-20-2012 ~ 12:00pm
If you are a mystic, an esthete, an unfortunate idealist, then I think the world in addition to the "Mushishi" I am afraid there is no more suitable for your movie. This is a story about the mysterious "worm" class world, but unimaginable without departing from reality logic, the Ink feng shui draw breath Gengjian Hisaishi harmonic minor choreographed all the time is not impressed with your nerves, most important all fragments filled with humanity and goodwill, greed flogging punishment killings throughout the past, hope for the future repentance everywhere redemptive spirit and rational restraint, all of which make it magic so I repeatedly read all 26 episodes, I believe they will have eternal value and once complete stored in my hard drive inside instead of like "Inuyasha" and "Detective Conan" and "Naruto" Japanese anime like shift + del to dispose of, although I admit that the latter three are worthy of appreciation.If you happen to be a maverick, then you might like the same does not fall sophisticates Mushishi protagonist ancient silver Mr.. If you happened to be a gregarious not alone optimist, I believe that at least you do not hate him. Because silver ancient only when you need him and this is because the kind caused by very magical "worm" class is said to appear, at other times, he was always in the travel away from your place.
Imagine such a traveler, his white, white hair, white hair cover half of the face. He perennial trek in the mountain rivers and lakes wilderness between, but never clean clothes. He was carrying only back a simple wooden box, but not the big worry to eat. He is not Superman and muscular, but at least the body is healthy. He did not have bad habits, in addition to sometimes smoke a cigarette have to drive "bug" (magical?) He did not talk much, but that is writing the script arrangements. Cock, he will never have the emotional ups and downs, no matter the terrible plague bizarre death, or a cozy gathering, touching story, silver the ancient always be calm and rational. In the vast majority of the time, he very wisely to serve as a cynics neither talkative nor many hands, he will intervene only when the problem involves his area of expertise - the "worm". Earthly joys and sorrows too human entanglements blossom scattered people together, when the parties and do not want to extricate themselves enmeshed in the bitter sea quagmire unable to extricate themselves, others naturally more qualifications nor the ability to intervene. Not only is silver ancient President, we have it not so? Who is not the hustle and bustle of life passer? Who exhaustive knowledge about all means to complete plans last successfully boarded life peak? No savior nor god emperor, the ability of each person are limited, how ridiculous ah contention fought hard or as Don Quixote general alone pump windmill. The story is told of the emotional place, silver ancient President will be in the corner away from the crowd, leaning against the trunk, pumping a magical insect smoke (made me want to smoke, I do not taste like tar), with a lonely but the gesture looked bleak this world. Soon after, he embarked on a new journey.
Travelers as a loner, loneliness is not bleak, not self-pity narcissistic, even holding some of the compassion of the heart of the world, this is the silver ancient Unlike general travelers at. Silver ancient friend about two, most of the side of the edge just a few friends, doctors, Mushishi, sculptor, hunters and craftsmen and so on. It is worth mentioning, and the hero is not common surface, and silver ancient unusual friendship, a mature and indifferent to the friendship that I can not describe. I yearn for that scene: hail after a female carver sitting in the middle of the room on the floor burning stove, ancient silver tea slouched sitting on the railing in front, leaning against the goal post in his dressing gown doctors baggy look at the scenery three of a tie not a tie to chat, everything is quiet and serene completely fail to see that they had just saved the lives of all children in a village. The sky outside the house is slowly cleared, the sun-like mica layered clouds in the mountains between floating, unhurried, and the whole story calmly. This scene can be seen everywhere, and people feel comfortable.
, Mushishi is such a mysterious and moving and comfortable movie ancient silver is the protagonist of this mysterious and moving film looks very obstinate. He had only one eye, it was reported, another of his eyes unto the darkness - a dark worm called "silver ancient - ancient-year-old when the encounter is silver. Since then, he studied with a Mushishi, himself became a Mushishi Chief travelers traveled around to solve the conflict between humans and the world of the "worm".
When the great travelers tired, often static (that is, a sensitive word, harm me not be) sitting quietly flowing river of light - a symbol of the rivers of the Source of Life - Mom simply philosophical proposition a - - shore daze. This is most impressed me at the moment, a person, no desire and troubles, do not like to not have to worry about, do not hate on earth do not feel alone on that simply sitting in a daze. As many many sorts of movie roles which, in addition to the silver ancient Mushishi, I do not remember any other person so truly existed.
page 1 of 1 8 total items
Only members can post replies, please register.