Love for Mushi-shi

To the anime world, I'm literally a noob with a few anime series in my backpack, but still, I don't regret that much because, from my little collection, I can bring something so engrossing that can be replaced by those typical flashy, over-dramatic, quick-pace anime. And saying that, today, I'm going to talk about Mushi-shi which can be placed in those section of philosophical drama, mystery, horror, fiction, thriller genres and this type of all in one combo is rare to find! This show makes a special place in my heart and that will last for the rest of my life! So let's begin.

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This series has a supernatural setting with "mushi", some sort of magical creatures that mostly depend upon humans to survive. They live parallelly with us but are invisible to all except mushi-shi (also known as mushi-master who has the ability to see them). Here, the main protagonist, named Ginko, is a mushi-shi who travels along with his multiple-chambered wooden bag which works as a dispenser for mushi-affected people. So basically, Ginko is a traveler, lives on searching and helping these people, on whom the mushi live like a parasite. But he is not the kind of superhero character who has all the solutions for mushi. This one-eyed expressionless man has some unsolved case file too where he tends to get suggestions from other mushi-shies who lived in different corners of the country.

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Ginko hardly smiles or expresses any emotions, and doesn't contain any kind of charming features like other anime protagonists, but still, you'll eventually create a soft corner for him because of his intelligent, quick-witted quality and unstoppable tenderness for his patients. His wandering lifestyle and habit of leaving one place in a very short time can make him seem cold-hearted but deep inside, he genuinely cares about people and emotions and can take risks for them in any condition.

Mushi-shi is an episodic series, so each of its episodes contains a single plot story and you'll get the freedom to start from anywhere. Most of its stories are built with simple narry but deeply profound and these spiritual or philosophical plots will sometimes provide you with some food for thought. The abrupt opening, calm atmosphere, shooting music with minimal dialogue is like a therapeutic journey for me.

They put special attention to developing its melodic soundtrack. For every moment, like in climax, expressing nature, describing moments about any specific mushi, showing affection or relief all these have different soundtracks and that helps to bring out the exact moment to feel. The Japanese local musical vibe is covered with their simple koto, taiko drum, flute and other musical instruments. Also, at the end of each episode, a soothing music goes by and you will get so indulged with the hypnotic tones which won't let you go to the next episode until it's done. You will definitely get lost in their nature and every peaceful ending has the power to take all of your negative energy out. Sometimes, the episodes start with a deep-voiced narrator who explains events or gives a description of the mushi and that mesmerizing voice also can hold you tight till the end.

Through its long journey (with two seasons), almost all the Japanese seasonal elements are brought over. With the very detailed artistic style, you'll get the sensation of how it feels to seat under a full-bloomed cherry blossom tree, the struggle of walking through a huge piled snow covered road, get lost in the woods of a hundred years old mountain, walk bare footed through the beach under the evening's crimson sky, dip under the pile of dry bamboo leaves in the fall, raw wooden boats through the connected canals and lots more! They bring all the possible actual nature's imagery from Japan and the visualizations are so intense that you'll get peace only just by staring at the screen. And being a nature lover, I can't ask for more!

Besides nature, the show also lets you get connected with the Japanese people, their culture and nature. For each of the episodes, the interior structure of their home is almost the same, wooden floor, a central square heating spot by a stove, and flooring mattress. Still leading this type of minimalist lifestyle in remote areas, everybody tries to find peace within their family and surrounding nature.
With mushishi, one can unlatch in so many philosophical insights that will help to think and analyze oneself. And this understanding is an acute need to purify our soul.

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So basically these are the reasons why I'm in love with this beautifully-crafted series, hope you'll give it a try too!
Happy watching! 💙