Halfway Through – Mushi-shi
Brett | August 7, 2009 | 10:20 pm
My thoughts on Mushi-shi after 13 episodes.
Mushi-shi is a 26 episode anime series that came out a few years back and had a generally well reception, liked by many anime fans. The anime is adapted from the manga, and a few years back a live-action film was created (which is coming out in the U.S.A. on August 25 from Funimation). I picked up the 4 disc box set from Funimation this past week and dove right into the series.
Recently finishing episode 13 of the series in about four days, nights after work and a little weekend marathon of the first 7 episodes, I have really enjoyed Mushi-shi so far. The animation is beautiful, with wonderful settings and picturesque backgrounds.
The beautiful setting pt. I |
The beautiful setting pt. II |
Essentially the story follows the mushi-shi or mushi master Ginko throughout his various interactions with the mysterious creatures called mushi.
I think somebody likes you |
Care for a drink? |
The thing Mushi-shi does differently is how the story is told. Each episode has been a different story introducing fresh characters besides the lead Ginko, which personally keeps me very interested. There are very few repeating characters. In each episode a mushi effects a person differently, and Ginko shows up to try and help the effected person or people. It is hard to understand what the mushi are. Ginko explains that they are neither plant nor animal, but are still living beings. The mushi are life at its simplistic form. So far there have been dozens of different types of mushi, each causing a different issue. Some of the mushi are parasites, leeching off the host, causing a variety of issues to arise.
It isn’t what you think, I promise |
Drawing of a mushi |
The story so far has explained Ginko’s past, and how he has gotten to the point he is at in most of the series.
I have been watching the series with the original Japanese audio and English subtitles, so I can’t vouch for the English dub, but the Japanese dub is excellent. The voice of Ginko fits his personality perfectly. As for the other supporting characters, who don’t reappear often, if ever, the voices sound fine.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the series plays out, I hope there is a conclusive and satisfying ending. I am a bit worried this may not happen because each episode has been a different story. The premise of the show is very interesting. I can say so far that I have been enjoying it immensely.
Expect a final review when I finish the series, and also my thoughts on the live-action when it arrives later this month.
~Brett
[...] can check out my half-way through Mushi-shi post to get an idea of what I thought of Mushi-shi after 13 episodes. Well 13 episodes later, not much [...]