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Mushishi

Mushishi
Animation - 9.3
Sound - 9.2
Story - 9.3
Character - 9.2
Value - 9.4
Enjoyment - 9.5
Average - 9.3

Reviewed 37 times Statistic Help |  Review it


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Noretus    2009-07-25 14:35:47
Average 9.0
Animation 8
Sound 9
Story 9
Character 8
Value 10
Enjoyment 10
This is what I would call fairytale ( or fairytales ) for adults. For me the anime was a long-needed proof that you don't need to have insanely elaborate storyline with shallow relationships and obscure characters to make an awesome anime.
I would certainly recommend this for anyone who likes a little bit artistic and peacful story. I wouldn't recommend this to someone who thinks that it takes huge explosions and people screaming their special ninja-karate-magic attacks at people.

Most important thing to say, which occurs to me after looking at the specific review fields below:
this anime doesn't have anything that could be any different from what it is. I felt that all the contributing factors make up into a very good package of entertainment.
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Unknownoo    2009-05-28 22:58:14
Average 9.8
Animation 10
Sound 10
Story 10
Character 10
Value 10
Enjoyment 9
This is a new type of anime for me, I must say that it is was a very enjoyable experience. Unfortunatly for me I need a larger story arch but other than that very good.
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exo    2008-03-26 20:08:03
Average 9.8
Animation 10
Sound 9
Story 10
Character 10
Value 10
Enjoyment 10
Like most other reviewers, this anime is very hard to categorize, so i'll just simply say its a slice of life anime which is episodic in nature, and based on the travels of a mushishi called Ginko who is kind of like a traditional shaman/herbalist. The atmosphere is very surreal/melancholic and realistic at the same time, and the stories told capture that childlike imagination we all have/had at one stage of our lives. Highly recommended if you're looking for something unique and spellbinding, although the animes deeper levels would probably be wasted on the kiddies.


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rosepetals19 (2008-01-29 12:03:24)   2008-01-29 12:01:59
Average 8.3
Animation 8
Sound 9
Story 8
Character 8
Value 8
Enjoyment 9
There are relatively few anime series that decide to take a dive into the imagination as intuitively and at such a progressive pace as Mushishi. It's truly an anime that's one of a kind and certainly one of the best anime series I've had the pleasure of seeing to date.

The story revolves around a Mushi-shi named Ginko, who travels from city to city helping people who seem to have odd troubles befalling them, mostly on the part of a complication that involves the misuse of the Mushi, a species with many different forms and manifestations. Ginko's job as a Mushishi is to moderate the relationships between humans and the mushi in each case he comes across, whether it means eradicating the darkness one sees in their exposure to a Mushishi (in the case of a boy who finds his vision obscured in exposure to a Mushi) or revealing the tales behind Mushi for each case to reveal how Mushi can help or harm. There's not one set story to Mushishi, but it's rather a series of separate stories, told brilliantly with whimsical execution.

The problem I had with Mushishi, however, might just be the aspect that helps it the most. The episodic progression is calm and progressively paced, and certainly takes its time to focus on the characters within and situations in which Ginko not only lends his aid, but also those which impressively involve the mysterious realms of the Mushi-I loved the episode in which the man and his father were chasing the rainbow Mushi, particularly into how it ties in with some Irish myths, and if you look into some of the stories, they are loosely based on folk, legends, myth, and various other tales.

However, I have to say that the one thing that took away from me saying that Mushishi was one of the best series I've seen was that the overall atmosphere does tend to "feel" the same and may strike some viewers as a bit repetitive. It distinguishes each case appropriately, but not necessarily in distinctly transitioning from one interesting aspect to another-for some, including myself, there's uniqueness, but not as much spread out. I could feel the same type of predominating atmosphere, even down to where I noted the similarities in some of the secondary characters, not just visually, but also in mannerisms despite how it shifts from one variation of Mushishi to the next, and how Ginko handles each situation with the upmost of care. Mushishi really isn't a series that you can progressively become hooked on or watch in a marathon fashion, but rather one that takes its time and sweetly comes along at its own pace. If you take it in strides, you're more likely to appreciate what it has to offer.

Mushishi did a great job in getting into the heart of each situation, character, and problem presented, and I ended up liking Ginko more as I went through the series, up until the ending which has a nice twist to things.

Animation standards for this series are quite good, especially from a cel background standpoint. I was impressed with how vivid the animation was in the forests and the naturesque settings that predominated as Ginko traveled to each city. The Mushi were always interesting to watch in animation, even from early on in the series when you watch them animated, particularly if they were in clusters and seen almost if they were dancing in the air. The character designs may or may not throw some off-I know that the first time I saw Ginko, I thought his character design was a little rough in spots, but I realized that it was actually a good overall interpretation of him from the manga counterpart. Some of the side characters may feel like they're animated similarly, but nonetheless are done quite well.

Music is probably the best part of Mushishi for me, from the OP theme "The Sore Feet Song" by Ally Kerr, which really has a soothing feel to it alongside feeling like it could fit right in with the calm, nature settings of the OP sequence, to the BGM which invites you into each setting and situation accordingly, very calm and soothing.

Overall, Mushishi is a beautiful series and certainly one I'd recommend to those who want something that excels beyond the standards of anime to date, but it may not be a series for everyone considering its mature, progressive pacing and thematics. I would recommend it to those who like surreal, slice-of-life series with a bit of a supernatural twist.


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kindof conscious    2007-12-06 20:21:02
Average 9.2
Animation 10
Sound 9
Story 9
Character 9
Value 8
Enjoyment 10
Its just so soothing an anime that i get mellow just thinking about it. They show is just a compiles series of one episode stories about the mushishi and his encounters with the mushi and the people they affect. I wish the show was longer. This show is immune to the "long show" syndrome many shows get when their plots drag out because this show has no true plot, only exposition and one episode masterpieces. If only it went more than one season, i can only wish.
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astral (2008-02-29 23:54:53)   2007-10-23 14:14:56
Average 10.0
Animation 10
Sound 10
Story 10
Character 10
Value 10
Enjoyment 10
Mushi-Shi is absolutely amazing. I don't normally fawn and rave about series--but I saw Mushi-Shi without really expecting anything, and was blown away by both the subtle, relaxing pace of the story and the sense of urgency and importance of Ginko's work.
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Summoner (2007-10-02 11:18:24)   2007-10-02 11:11:22
Average 8.2
Animation 9
Sound 7
Story 9
Character 8
Value 8
Enjoyment 8
"They are distant creatures. Primitive and peculiar, they are things unlike any animal or plan we've grown to know. In time and with fear, Man has come to call them "Mushi"."

Mushishi is one of the most solid shows in the recent years from whatever point you'll try to look. It never loses its original feel and that's no little feat. I can guarantee, you have never seen anything like Mushishi before. The only real drawback could be that this show is episodic, even the last episode is no different from others.

If you are up for something new and unexplored, give Mushishi a shot. It reminds me of those old folk tales, full of layers and ancient wisdom. I bet Mushishi was inspired by those. Oh yeah, and if you've liked Kino no Tabi, be sure to watch Mushishi, and vice versa.
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LunarRabbit    2007-08-20 01:25:28
Average 8.7
Animation 9
Sound 9
Story 9
Character 8
Value 8
Enjoyment 9
This is a great anime. From its original and beautiful artwork to, its very interesting stand-alone storylines, I think this anime should deserve lot more attention then it is getting among the general anime watchers. It, however, will not certainly appeal to those who are more action and faster pace oriented.

This anime is made of made individual stories that portray certain messages through supernatural events involving mysterious creatures called Mushi. These mushi's can do many various things, such as make people blind, regenerate people, curse people, and a whole bunch more. But Mushis are not somuch the focus of this anime, but it is the messages behind the individual of events. Its portrays human lonliness, depresion, guilt, and many more themes that it works with to show its cause, and consequences of human actions. Every episode is thoughtful and it is created with perfectly moody and beautiful animation to make it all the more effective and and enchanting. Add to that some beautiful background music you have a really appeal anime series.

One of its down-side however is its style and pacing. Viewers who are oriented to storyline driven animes, fast paced, plot, and exciting action, will find this anime hard to thorughly enjoy. It is slow paced and it is most of the times very calming experience. There isn't going to be that much drama either to really make you squeeze your tears. This anime is for the people who do not mind the slow paced, thoughful individual stories. It is to an extent like Kino's jouney.

But if you take your time and really watch this anime I think it will strike a chord in its viewers. It will make them think. I think this is a great anime. Everyone should try this one out.


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Eve    2007-04-02 19:02:16
Average 8.8
Animation 9
Sound 8
Story 10
Character 8
Value 9
Enjoyment 9
Comprising of individual, stand-alone stories set into a fantastical setting of yore, Mushishi is able to gently weave the viewer into a world where humans coexist with beings that are invisible to most people’s eyes. The aura of Mushishi is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, it’s serene yet dark, mellow yet moving. It’s indescribable.
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tabris    2007-02-04 02:36:14
Average 9.7
Animation 10
Sound 9
Story 10
Character 9
Value 10
Enjoyment 10
A really beautiful and horrifying anime that plays on human loneliness and desires combined with explanations of the normal using the paranormal.
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Encu (2007-08-29 21:57:58)   2007-01-10 17:51:00
Average 9.0
Animation 10
Sound 7
Story 10
Character 9
Value 9
Enjoyment 9
An episodically driven anime, Mushishi has an exceptional storyline, and is overall an incredible anime. Deep and extremely involving, the pace is akin to Mahou Tsukai... and others, lethargic, better yet, unrushed.

However, it ends.

I really wish they'd develop another season, and from what I understand all of the plots from the manga have been translated to anime, so it's unlikely.

Well worth watching, just expect to be sad that you've seen the last episode.
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Gaijin Sama    2006-12-28 13:17:16
Average 9.8
Animation 10
Sound 10
Story 10
Character 9
Value 10
Enjoyment 10
A refreshingly styled anime, well presented and well told. Part detective story, part supernatural mystery and permeated with a tranquil come-what-may attitude, Mushishi is pleasing to watch at any speed and with any mind set.

We follow as our lead character, Ginko, travels through a rural, agrarian style world where superstition is rampant, fed by the actings of the creatures called mushi. Being an expert on their kind, Ginko searches them out meanwhile trying his best to aid those beset by them.
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Hallava (2006-11-24 16:51:50)   2006-11-24 04:28:39
Average 10.0
Animation 10
Sound 10
Story 0
Character 10
Value 10
Enjoyment 10
This is one of the hard animes to categorize in any genre. Mostly slow and soft, often melancholic but optimistic rather than sad. I admit that after the first few episodes I was expecting "the story" to start soon - but when I got over that phase I started to value each and every episode as they were.

This is an anime you cannot spoil, because there is no grand "plot", only the events in each separate episode. As description states, the anime simply tells the story of a travelling Mushishi, Ginko, and of the Mushi and people he meets. The art of the countryside is beautiful and detailed, people have convincing voice actors and live their strange lives in a realistic fashion. If every single detail wasn't so well-done, the experience might be faulty. The anime is perfectly neutral, you can watch it in any mood and I found myself treasuring the episodes for watching after lower-quality series or a bad day, so I'd always have something good to look forward to. Every episode is beautiful and captivating. The stories have a wide variety, and there's no magic trick to them - Ginko does his best and sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't.

This isn't a series I'd contrast to another one, but on my scale when I cannot think of a single thing that could've been done better in the production (save that the series ended, here's hoping for a 2nd season), the result deserves a full 10.


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isokana (2006-11-18 17:10:39)   2006-11-18 13:08:16
Average 9.3
Animation 9
Sound 10
Story 9
Character 9
Value 9
Enjoyment 10
Mushishi... it's really something you can drown in.

What I'm talking about is the way episodes of Mushishi overwhelmed me leaving me sitting on my chair staring at the black screen breathlessly. Of anime, only certain Ghibli movies have given me that feeling.

So what happens in the series? We follow Ginko, a mushishi, around as he travles the country and meets people with various problems. These problems are caused by creatures called mushi, shiny living things close to the roots of life. They are invisible to most but as a mushishi Ginko can see them and his profession is to research them and hopefully help people while at it. The structure of Mushishi is almost completely episodic. After the first episode you can basically watch any episode and feel satisfied. There are only a couple of recurring characters who are involved in the world of the mushi. The rest are ordinary people whose life we follow for an episode and then leave with Ginko to another place.

That was the face of the things. What Mushishi is really about is loss and how people cope with it. In every episode somebody has either lost something or is in the process of losing something. What makes this interesting for the whole 26 episodes is that you never know the story will end. Mushishi's endings can be happy, can be sad but mostly they leave you scratching your head being both at the same time. Just like in Honey & Clover, it's life, it's bittersweet. You gain something, you lose something. Now we get to the breathless part I mentioned in the beginning. As the credits rolled, I could literally feel how my brain tackled the paradox of happiness and sadness leaving me in my paralyzed state.

There's more that make Mushishi so special. Mostly anime is all about story or characters. You go from episode to another because you want to see what happens next and how the characters develop. That has nothing to do with Mushishi. Only person in Mushishi who could have episode to episode development is Ginko and he really stays the same for the whole series. We get a better view of him in exactly one episode but because he doesn't remember anything of it, nothing changes. Nor is there a continuing story. There is nothing to force you to watch next episode except the knowledge it will introduce you a new mushi, a new tragedy, a new solution. This is exactly the right way to execute this series, because frankly I found each episode so fulfilling that it took me sometimes a couple weeks to start the next. Had there been a some continuing element that had 'forced' me to watch the episodes more quickly, I might have easily become saturated and not able to appreciate Mushishi's magic. This can also been seen with the previews for the next episode: all we get is the name that tells us a vague concept of whats to come. But the mushi are so original and fascinating that the truth was seldom what I thought. Or what do you think of episodes like 'The Robe that Embraces a Mountain" or "The Sound of Rust"?

Not only are the themes in Mushishi fascinating, so is the world. The setting seems something like the Japan of the late 19th century, the only exception being Ginko, who looks completely modern. A great way to enhance his seperate positions from regular people (as if his white hair and green eye wouldn't do that already). The setting gives the series a nice folk tale like feeling. The different mushi are cleverly planned by both their function and appearance.

Appearance of the show is great too. Especially the backgrounds are sometimes breathtakingly gorgeous (I think I run out oxygen soon...). While the animation isn't the most impressive thing I've seen, the nature of the series requires very little in this department. The character designs are very appealing without resorting to extra cuteness, fancy hair colors or clothes. The people look like people and their emotions are always visible on their faces.

It's also very gratifying that people sound like people too. The voice acting in Mushishi in spectacular as it really brings out the sadness and joy they feel. The voices are soft, gentle, yet strong when needed, far from ear catching voice acting usually present in anime. Mushishi must have one of the most low voiced women in anime. Combining this with the character design it's really easy to feel for these characters even if we meet them in the beginning of the episode and say goodbye at the end of it.

And yes, the music. I usually remember nothing of the background music but in Mushishi it's both so subtle and yet integral part of the mood that it's hard to miss. The tunes are soft, falling in the background immediately when there's dialogue but as soon as characters fell silent, it will fuse with the gorgeous surroundings taking your eyes and ears with it.

It's so hard to describe the utterly beautiful atmosphere that is ever present in Mushihi. You have to watch the show to understand it. It's build from the sounds, the visuals and the message of each episode as they fall seamlessly together forming a whole that will capture your heart and mind.


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rezerekted (2009-08-27 15:36:12)   2006-11-08 16:19:44
Average 9.0
Animation 9
Sound 9
Story 8
Character 8
Value 10
Enjoyment 10
There are few things in this world that can be compared to this show in terms of overall atmosphere and feeling. Mushishi is a very engaging form of art. The beauty is matched only by its substance. If you are looking for something to make you say wow, without even really doing anything, then I think this is probably what you came for.

They are niether plant nor animal. They are mushi, and not everyone can see them. Ginko can, and this is a look at his travels as he helps people with the mushi, which can cause some pretty serious trouble. Each episode is its own story and there are no arcs or connected episodes. Very similar format to Kino's Journey.
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nauXolo    2006-11-06 03:41:39
Average 8.5
Animation 8
Sound 8
Story 7
Character 9
Value 10
Enjoyment 9
Mushishi throws you into a fictional world - a world where there are these almost transient yet eternal half-alive existences that coexist with humans - and allows the viewer to enjoy a magnificent feeling of being part of this creation. Much like in Kino no Tabi, everything from the land to the people to the Mushi, the world in Mushishi does not exist. Yet, something feels oddly familiar and real. Each episode takes the viewer on a journey with Ginko - a man that attracts Mushis - to see this beautiful world where nature, Mushis and humans are able to live in harmony.

One of the most surprising aspects of Mushishi is that while it feels as though there is some sort of deep underlying message hidden underneath all the situations and problems, it never feels too saturated or heavy to get through. One does not have to think or to put our thoughts into words to understand because the world presented through Mushishi is simple enough to feel subconsciously. It caters towards our basic instincts to live as humans and as a result can be appreciated as such.

Normally, an anime which has the formula of 1) a very basic plot connecting each episode 2) very similar plot line progressions among each episode 3) similar character design for each episode 4) similar character personalities for each episode and 5) not much revealing of the main character's identity or personality tends to fail in both viewer interest and overall coherency. However, Mushishi succeeds despite these attributes because it creates such a magnificent atmosphere in each episode. From the beautiful scenery to the gentle soft expressions of the characters to the transience of the Mushis, the viewer is captivated. One does not use the conscious mind to think about this - one does not have to store any information about what happened. No, it is because everything is already out there. All one has to do is feel and soak it in.

Granted, there were times when Mushishi felt repetitive. But only when I watched many of the episodes in straight succession. Because each episode is so similar and because there isn't a strong connection or linear progression in episodes, it was easy to get tired of it. However, I gave it a few hours rest and when I wanted to relax my strained mind I would watch an episode of Mushishi to just feel. Again, everything is very calm and peaceful and there really isn't much in this series that would make your heart race or your palms sweat. So, if you're looking for something to make you excited and energetic, put this aside for some other occasion.


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Desai-Kun    2006-10-28 19:00:58
Average 8.0
Animation 9
Sound 6
Story 8
Character 10
Value 7
Enjoyment 8
Mushishi is an interesting anime- the X-Files kind of anime, it's non-funny and non-fighting.

Mushishi explores the world that has another existing species that are neither plant or animal. The Mushi dont exist for any purpose, they are just there, like everything else is. As a travelling Mushishi, a person who's very experienced with Mushi, Ginko-san goes from place to place helping people with the most odd encounters involving the Mushi.

For each story, all the characters are very involved, and very in-depth. Even though Ginko is one of the main focuses of the story, I guess the other characters from each story are very important too; for every encounter with a Mushi, we learn how it affects their lives, not very differeent from experiences with diseases. I guess Mushishi teaches quite a lot throughout the whole anime. It is something really worth watching.

The music was almost nothing. All i can remember was the sounds coming from the forest. The animation was fine, along with the value.



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Tatsurou (2006-10-19 09:36:08)   2006-10-19 09:24:02
Average 7.3
Animation 8
Sound 9
Story 8
Character 6
Value 7
Enjoyment 6
Mushishi is an anime which is probably not going to be alot of people's favourites. A solely episodic anime with a couple of episodes dedicated to the main character's story, it tells tales of the supernatural with quite a flair.
Some of the episodes' plots can be rather intriguing at times, while others just seemed quite mediocre. Mushishi uses a hauntingly gloom atmosphere with most of its stories, but does not try to scare you, in fact it shows an aesthetic sense. Sometimes, by just forgetting the non reality of it and just imagining yourself in such a place can be quite an interesting experience. This anime is about mood of the whole settings of the stories, how one can be touched by surreal things, not its plot or how its told. I would say the music played a big part in bringing out that the kind of thoughts and emotions one can have while watching it.
I would say Mushishi is a fairly well done anime, unique in its own sense. There is a kind of balance between trying to scare you with supernatural stuff and the sadness of tragedies. In a way, it can be beautiful at times.
However, it is not really my cup of tea. Maybe it could be yours.
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shawfarte (2006-10-03 18:11:41)   2006-09-29 16:26:27
Average 9.7
Animation 9
Sound 10
Story 9
Character 10
Value 10
Enjoyment 10
Mushishi sets a magical world that i would never fantasize about. It's quality is quite unique and it brings a high tension mentality to that certain serie film "the X-files". I would say for a person to create this anime, his horizons must be higher than just a simple manga creator because the idea into it are more than anything else.. That also justify that the plot establish voluntarily to a more complex aspect.
overall this masterpiece is just another definition to that question why we most watch anime.
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Kugli    2006-09-27 08:34:03
Average 9.7
Animation 10
Sound 10
Story 10
Character 10
Value 9
Enjoyment 9
Mushishi really is a brilliant anime in a day and age where everything is fast-paced and over-the-top. It is much more artform than anime. Instead of shoot-em-up action with some comedy and filler tossed in-between, Mushishi is entertaining with every watch, both because of its simplicity and because of the amazing quality of storytelling it does. Each episode can be taken individually, but it is when watched together than Mushishi becomes much more like a novel than a television series.

Believe me when I say Mushishi is NOT for everyone. I am sure many people have come to expect a lot of action in their animes, but that is not what you get here. Mushishi is definitely not one of those animes you should watch all in one sitting, because each episodes is conjoint, but yet very independent--you will enjoy it a lot more spread out over a few weeks.

So, if you decide you want to watch it, don't go in with eyes expecting Samurai 7, Eyeshiled 21, Gundam SEED, or whatever action series you call your favorite anime. Think of Mushishi as "A Tale of Two Cities" or "The Sun Also Rises."


EDIT: NOTE~
And please, if you DO decide to watch and review this, DON'T be like those people that rate Suzumiya Haruhi or Nozomu Eien who rate badly just because it is unlike their Bleach/Gundam/Whatever-style action they love so much. JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE MUSHISHI DOESN"T MEAN TO RATE EVERYTHING AT TWO!!! Rate according to everything individually, because that just pisses me off when peoplejust put everything at 1 because they didn't like the story or thought it was too slow.

I am not saying you have to rate this highly (I could care less, because I am sure there will be plenty of people who will), just rate correctly and carefully because I've noticed the quality of AnimeNFO reviews dropping as more people have come on!
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