Mushishi: The Art of Storytelling

[@jalsage]

I think the slow movement and the slow music feels like hypnosis. The visuals have your eyes locked to the screen. The music has a very slow heart beat kind of quality that tells your subconscious to watch and wait.... a story is afoot. Rich and deep like the music but filled with a hint of warning of something beautiful yet potentially dark. Also I think it ties well with the recurring theme in mushishi: It's just life, it's just how things are. I think it is a universal concept that speaks to everyone.

[@crimsonshadow42]

I'd say people enjoy Mushishi, because it's a holistic experience. It's not just about the friendship and rainbows and happy fun times. It's real, there's happiness, there's sadness, depression, anxiety, joy, anger, life and death. it's not afraid to delve deep into the darker side of human emotion. It's like that Louis C.K video about cellphones, people are so afraid of that first bit of sadness, that they never get to experience real genuine happiness. Too many anime nowadays just want to focus on the positive emotions, they don't want to acknowledge the pain and suffering that people go through. It's all about escapism and making you feel better about life. Mushishi doesn't hold your hand and tell you everything is going to be alright. Sometimes things don't turn out great, sometimes life is tremendously sad and that's okay. It explores the full spectrum of human emotion. It is about balance and harmony and thus we see find many parallels with Buddhist ideology. There is no happiness without suffering, no pain without joy, no light without darkness. This is Mushishi's strength.

[@寂び侘び-b6s]

Couldn't have said it better, myself.

[@TheMechanicalGirl999]

Did the same for me!

[@johnwillbonagua845]

YESSS

[@Capo98y]

Mushishi has one of the best atmospheres in any anime, i love it for that. Keep it up men.

[@Capo98y]

By the way, i love the background music, i need the name.

[@AnimeEverydayYT]

+Capo98y I agree! :) The background music: soundcloud.com/the-moderator-1

[@Capo98y]

+AnimeEveryday Name please?

[@AnimeEverydayYT]

The track was 'Another Letter'

[@EnwardHiggins]

+Capo98y Episode 3 amazed me with how atmospheric it was.

[@nomongosinthaworld]

it made me really appreciate life. Not just my own but all the life that exists in this world. It's almost everywhere around us and we should strive to live in harmony with it, in all of its forms. It's also the only show that is able to truly leave me in awe just because of how immersive it is.

[@appalachiannick9419]

Yes bro

[@yetzielrobinsno6611]

You said it perfectly 🤌🏾

[@KetenReviews]

Mushishi is the anime that I watch when I want to relax. Very calming, soft and subtle. What you said about the animation, the way things move as if the show is being painted as you're watching. I definitely agree. It's something you could never accomplish without animation and is truly mesmerizing and otherworldly which fits the Mushi perfectly. I'm taking my time with the series, only watching an episode every so often. I'd like the series to last as long as possible and I can't say that any other anime has made me do this.

[@haidarrabie9059]

that's exactly what i want people to do with the series, it is an experience that you want it to last longer.

[@finlaymiles9798]

I agree. The first time I watched it, I attempted to binge watch it, but I realised that this way of viewing it seems to detract from the overall experience. On subsequent viewings, I try to watch it slowly, and I always love it more when I do.

[@ultieliot7450]

You phrased it quite Well , I never found myself able to finish it , and this has nothing to do with its quality of anything of that sort mind you , the whole experience was magical , almost spiritual and religous to a certain degree , I simply just knew deep down , once i would finish it , I might never find anything as masterfully created as mushishi , perhaps , Its about time i face my demons and finish it...

[@寂び侘び-b6s]

Mushishi's atmosphere is like no other. It's a haunting calm, and a beauty that can not be expressed with words. It makes you think about life, not just your own, but life itself and what it means to be alive. Mushishi is very Mature in it's storytelling. And the show has a very real feel to it, as it explores all human emotions not just happiness like most shows, 'cause that's not what life is about. One searches for happiness but there can not be true happiness without feeling sadness along the way. This show made me appreciate the true beauty of nature and life. In my opinion, this show is a Masterpiece. Each episode is a new, calm, adventure. It's really refreshing to see a show that doesn't need action, loud scenes, and overcomplicated plots to keep the story interesting. Even if you don't like anime, or cartoons, or you're only into action, you should still give this a try in my opinion, since this show really deserves more recognition. And it can make you like, and realise things you maybe haven't even thought of before.

[@user-qj9en1kp1m]

Mushi-shi is all about atmosphere, the music, also the silent moments. Also, it is interesting that while the human characters have a very simple design, animals and plants are very detailed, almost realistic (the kingfisher in one the episodes, birds, deer, bears, fish and plants in the episode about the young man who has the "ability" to attract animals). Or the water in the "Mirror Lake" episode. Some of the animation is stunning (the entire show is beautifully animated). Also, one of the interesting, even refreshing things about this anime is that we have a main character with no love-interest. And it's not needed. Ginko has a deep compassion not only for the humans, but in most cases, the mushi as well. Destroying mushi is his first choice only when there is no other way to drive them away, or to make people and mushi co-exist in a peaceful way.

[@tyed94]

Mushishi is simply beautiful! It's one of those shows that make you go deeper into yourself and really makes you think. i feel like the whole series is just one big lesson in life. we are all traveling and experiencing this life, some have more difficulties some more heartache. but we are the ones always watching the story unfold, theirs times when we get immersed into the story and play a role and other times we are simply there watching because theirs not much we can do. for me Mushishi is the reminder that the experience is more valuable then the actual outcome and to understand that life goes on through the happy times and sad times its all life. I have never gotten bored or uninterested with this anime i cant even count how many times i have watched it Mushishi is simply that beautiful.

[@jakeelm410]

I found Kino's journey to be reminiscent of mushishi. Both are calm, story-like, and thought provoking.

[@euthydemos]

It is hard to overstate the absolutely beautiful perfection of this series, and I agree with your interpretation and highlights, yet one thing you did not mention that struck me was the unparalleled quality of the voice acting. The natural speaking tones and the slow cadences, the sparcity of thier conversations and the long pauses are perfectly matched to the slow pace of the episodes and the serene environments. No squeeling, screeching or absurd cartoony voices. Everyone sounds exactly natural. I could (and have) just listened to them speaking in Japanese for hours.

[@PyryOikarinen]

I've only watched two episodes so far but they were more captivating than any other anime I've seen.

[@vineetpagare5553]

Mushishi will forever remain my favourite anime of all time.

[@IamaNewCreature]

Hello, just checking if it’s still your favourite still today?

[@vineetpagare5553]

@@IamaNewCreature Yes, it is.

[@IamaNewCreature]

@@vineetpagare5553 I shall give this animation a go, then. Thank you, I hope you’re doing well, wherever you are and may God bless you 🙏

[@vineetpagare5553]

@@IamaNewCreature Go ahead mate. If you like anime that create great atmosphere then I'm 100% sure that you will end up enjoying it. I hope you are doing well as well wherever you are.

[@dawnseeker176]

it made me feel like a child again looking at the world like it is sparkly and new. it took me back to a time i look back at with longing. a life i wish could have continued forever.

[@slchi6144]

Favorite anime of all time. Nothing like I've ever experienced.

[@beatriced5460]

Mushishi's my favourite anime ever. So amazing,with a magic atmosphere and a gorgeous music!

[@Belldandy722]

This anime is my favorite. It brings me so much tranquility despite that it has made me cry quite a bit, haha. I have bad anxiety and depression. This anime has allowed me to not focus on anything else in my life, but what's in front of me when I'm watching it. I can ACTUALLY relax when I'm watching it. I sleep soundly. My mind isn't bombarded by a shitstorm of thoughts and self hate. The music, the use of sound, the artwork.. I love this anime, haha. Thank you for the video!!❤🤙🏽 To add: I'm very much a person who believes in trying to live life as calmly and coexisting as much as possible. Ginko's character is so easy to relate to for that reason. Ex: He believes there always has to be another way to deal with Mushi instead of just killing them. Helping others. Etc.

[@MyJourneyConcludes]

Dont take this the wrong way but Mushishi kind of ruined anime for me. Nothing even comes close to this anymore. No other anime has me so emotionally connected to what I'm watching and its not like I'm looking for something with the exact same tone. Its just that no other anime has touched me the way mushishi has. I used to watch anime for entertainment but Mushisi was more like a religious experience, and I'm not even religious either. Every other anime from that point on felt like a petty excuse to distract myself with entertainment. I can still enjoy some anime but now everything is just shallow in comparison

[@432neptune]

Damn. Well now I can't watch it.

[@jayfolk]

How you feel about season 2? Like a New Testament?

[@BAEGETA]

MJ C Well said man. Mushi-shi actually helped me cope with insomnia and depression. I wouldn't be able to articulate exactly how but I think it's the soft pastel colors, the soft-spoken, live-and-let-be attitude that the protagonist carries, and especially the morality laden plot that eases up from the grips of depression

[@Th0usandMaster]

Season 2? A masterpiece.

[@patriciapetora6616]

I think you could watch studio ghibli's movies, imo mushishi and ghibli movies have something common within their storytelling and how they make viewer feel. I recommend you to watch spirited away :)

[@edi9892]

If I watch old movies, I often get bored being used by the fast paced modern movies, but Mushishi captivated me. It was slow pacing done right, relaxing, almost meditative but without feeling forced. Its beautiful, but strange world mesmerised you (the only thing, that gave me the same vibe was princess Mononoke) and the pacing helped here to be immersed. It was also melancholic without ever feeling depressing. It's stories felt like old folk tales and not something just made up for the show.

[@JimFaindel]

To this day, I have never experienced a more personal conection with a character and a world than when I first started watching mushishi on a cold, lonsesome, yet quite and beautiful night. The music from the show still bring back all the deep and raw emotions I felt back then.

[@zeadsi]

Mushishi to me was the perfect culmination of visual storytelling and writing. It's ethereal in the way it presents it's world but never sympathetic to a side, rather it lays everything out and ask you to simply accept it for what it is. And Ginko to me was a already developed character, we simply was introduced to him at the end of that development. His development ended where our story with Mushishi began. It's like a sage who've already accumulated knowledge and no longer fights the flow of things. A grown up who've "been there done that" if you will. What makes Mushishi works is that it understands that art and animation can be more than just a enhancer for the story and characters, it can be it's own entity as well. Like you've already stated it's like a canvas, with the animation and art painting a new layer to what was there. The creators understand the importance of color placement and color theory by the way these scenes were all brought to life. Minimalistic, yes, but never lacking in detail or effort. This is also true with the music which worked in unison with the given scenes but also independent of it as well. Music can also play it's part in crafting the narrative, The Ghost in the Shell movie can attest to that (wedding song, two becoming one). Music should never overstep it's bonds and that's made clear when they chose not to have anything playing during certain scenes. Sometimes holding out a track is the best way to get the most out of it. The music never broke a scene but rather meshed into key moments when it wanted to heighten the importance of it. Mushishi is simply a show that never rushed itself but asked the viewer to have patience. It's a show that isn't demanding but simply require patience to appreciate. It's art, plain and simple.

[@scrunkore]

I love this anime. I haven't finished it due to the fact that one has to be in a certain mood to fully enjoy it, but it's a brilliantly done anime. It helps me relax, especially when watching the dub (as I don't have to read subs). I don't know of anything else that gives me the same feeling as Mushishi does.

[@muzammil6651]

5 yrs late but i did so too it took me 6 months to complete it, i watched it slowly

[@danamorante1565]

Mushi-shi is that one anime that I want to recommend to my friends but would have trouble explaining the summary of. I'm always like, "it's about some sort of supernatural microbiology, and it's so beautiful, deep, enchanting" but ofc they wouldn't get it so I just "let's watch episode 1" lol

[@graylynch1271]

I loved in this series how in some parts there was no soundtrack at all, just natural life like sounds or even silence. too many shows feel they have to add music at all parts even when its more immersive to just hear the sounds the characters or scenery are directly making.

[@pizzaguy2007]

Watching Mushishi felt like watching a mirror of my life. The show felt relatable to me personally (none of my friends feel the same way). Of coarse, not every episode was relatable to me but each episode remarkably explore many beautiful, depressing, joyful or distant themes in very subtle ways and after i finished the show, i felt like i finished reading portions of my own diary. The show can feel boring to most and that is understandable based off the pacing the show decided to approach, but i would say Mushishi is one of the most immersive anime i have ever watched.

[@DBA007]

Mushishi is a phenomenal work of art about life. I've only recently started watching, but I can already tell that this show is going to leave a potentially lifelong impact on how I view storytelling (and perhaps life itself!). Crazy that after having watched so many shows I can still be left in awe by something like Mushishi ♥️

[@dearroseprincess289]

MushiShi will forever have a hold of my heart, and of all the anime I've watched, it's the one readily appears in my memory. There's no anime like it, and I doubt there ever will be. That it's so underrated is one of the truest travesties.

[@bremdia]

one of the best analysis of mushishi that i have seen in a long time thanks man it's one of my best show ^^

[@AnimeEverydayYT]

Thanks man! :)

[@dimeolas777]

I agree with all youve said, love this anime. When I watch it I get lost in the beauty of it. The color, the skies, the forests. The story is both simple and deep, its like a tonic for the soul.

[@prismaticbeetle3194]

I love it..... its like telling old fairy tales and folk tales around the fire place while sipping tea and surrounded by loved ones thats how I can describe it

[@Kolop315]

It really was like a painting. Like a single artistically rendered view of this world that it was about. Of course it was animated and not still, so it seemed to be a painting with much more depth than one. This doesn't make any sort of sense to me, but that's just how it felt. Perhaps it was because mostly exclusively from Ginko's view, or the lack of conclusion in some episodes that made it feel this way. It really left room, and time for the viewer to interpret it as if it were a painting in an art gallery.

[@Razor29]

I want a wooden backpack like in this.

[@hurraysourav9928]

Me too

[@AnimetalViking]

I recently finished this show and I gotta say that it's one of my favourite atmospheric shows that I have ever watched in anime. I often find myself thinking of the show whenever I listen to the atmospheric black metal band Lustre since their sound is very similar to the score of this show (when it comes to the synth sounds at least). Also Genko was a great character despite the overall lack of exploration and depth into his personality and backstory. Keep making awesome videos!

[@droyal18able]

after watching this show my expectations of what an anime can deliver change after the first episode. I have not been able to look at any other show the same way since. I think that is the highest praise I can give anything.

[@kyousukegendo5405]

It's one of those works where both the manga and the anime is great. Yuki Urushibara has some simple style of story telling but it's amazing how you remember the characters after some time for no reason and it just eats you to have a reality in a world just like that. It's buries that deep into you, the emotions that brushes against you as you watch, never realizing something was planted in you. You only realize as you withdraw your eyes that your consciousness looks back for the presence, where you realize you were somewhere.

[@rainierday8155]

There is this one scene that randomly pops in and out at odd times, even after it's been years since I watched mushishi. It's at the end of pretence of spring when Ginko is on his way back to his travels, and the boy asks him if he'll be back soon, and he replies with something that made me feel so many things. It was along the lines of maybe, but if so not in winter, because people are weak during winters too. I think it was one of the few moments where we get an indication of what ginko feels and thinks, as cryptic as it sounds. It was such a simple, but impactful piece of dialogue that gives you a glimpse of the inner motivations of this character who is almost never the focus in the show. Ginko, like we saw in the episode of him as a child, is a traveller by necessity as well as choice. His life and the well-being of people around him depend on him not setting down roots, and I could suddenly imagine why a long winter spent at a hospitable home could make him feel weak enough to succumb to a life where he didn't have to leave eventually.

[@fjoergyn]

about storytelling there is only one other anime good enough to be a fine example: Steins;Gate for my opinion has a certain level like kind of mushishi. Mushishi is awesome, very difficult to put this on words. be serious, this anime change my way of thinking about life. it took me more in direction of shintobhuddism and animism and im very, very happy for this change. this anime should be used as education. i never see a other show so deeply like mushishi. either the music. im glad i can this listen till my end comes.

[@eclipsesonic]

This Anime is masterful and your review did it justice!

[@McDudes]

Watch Kino no Tabi its the most similar anime to mushishi.

[@TheLPSNova]

Thank you! Anymore like Mushishi?

[@gabrielgabriel3169]

+LPS Nova Mononoke

[@TheLPSNova]

Great Teacher I've watched that one, but thank you!

[@DesseDesseDesseDesse]

@@TheLPSNova I Would say that Gegege No Kitaro Is almost the same, Unless It's Yokai

[@reevesl96]

it's a pure masterpiece

[@hurraysourav9928]

We need Season 4 😣❤️

[@gilgamesh310]

Great analysis.

[@AnimeEverydayYT]

Thanks :)

[@gilgamesh310]

AnimeEveryday You could cull the use of the word art, though. ;)

[@Evan-up5py]

Best storytelling in anime, world-building is fantastic as well. Also one of the few shows that I sit through the OP every time

[@zeeel1]

wonderful analysis/review. you've put into words what i've experienced. Mushishi is an unconventional pleasure, a joy, really. thanks for summing up why so very well.

[@beatriced5460]

I've dived into the episodes' stories. Some episodes' stories even made me cry,but others made me think so much,expecially about the unknown answer of the life's mistery,about all them beautiful mysterious creatures (known as "Mushi",which literally means "Insects") and about all them human emotions,like sadness,happiness and uncertainty. The OST really got me,expecially the recurrents bell's sounds in lots of pieces : infact,the bell is a typical instrument of japanese traditional music. The soundtrack is one of the most important elements in this anime,because it perfectly expresses the characters' emotions and makes the atmosphere really unique.

[@pumpkinprince4851]

I experienced Mushishi with my little brother, I watched the first episode on the family computor and my little brother seeing the visual style of it was immediatly drawn in and stuck around for the rest of the episodes. Its so stunningly simple and made me cry on multiple occasions for characters I had only met on that one episode. There are so many scenes from it I remember clearly my favourite being the Koi fish scene with the younger ginko. The lighting and just how everything in that scene was paced was so captivating. Watching Mushishi to me is like sitting down on your front porch and just watching the snow fall. Its quiet, simple, yet captivating.

[@skyblueo]

Thanks for giving Mushishi some love. It's one of my favorite anime series ever.

[@Shiva-sb2my]

I just found this channel and Im in love with the content..keep up the good work man! Great analysis.

[@coreartalex6708]

I binged mushishi in one weekend during hard times ... It was incredible, I'm glad someone else find it amazing and the best anime ever.

[@whitecat1226]

Really Mushishi is unique of its kind, I haven't watched anime with the same atmosphere as Mushishi

[@RealBlackMystery]

Thank you, I freaking love Mushishi for his uniqueness and everything you said.

[@shanskaarenborg9222]

I love how this video has 0 dislikes

[@cloudwolf3972]

RIP 0 dislikes

[@JohnNobody_]

Now, Some people might have just disliked to prove you wrong 😅

[@GluzinGames]

Mushishi is one of my favorite anime of all time, I've never been so immersed in a world before, and that music, it's just amazing. This show was one of the first that showed me what anime was capable of being.

[@TheRealBarbDwyer]

As someone who grew up with traditional storytelling, I am also in the group that holds Mushishi as the pinnacle no other anime as yet to date has matched. It doesn't mean I'm not always looking for another experience like Mushishi, it means nothing has come close to touching the Ancient Nature of storytelling experienced through Ginko. There is a certain flavor of tradition present that the imagery becomes the mental images one gets sitting around a campfire listening to Elders tell us stories of the Old Ones. I can't take it apart like analysts do because I chose art and not words as my medium, but as an artist I can say there's a blend of sound, image and story that unfolds in every episode that exceeds 'mastery'; it's downright alchemical. I was more than charmed by the work in this series; I was enthralled. Mushishi took me back to my own childhood listening to 'grownups' tell stories. I'd love more anime along the lines Mushishi has laid down as this league of its' own. We can only hope.

[@jayfolk]

Favorite episode was the river bridge builder and the rainbow mushishi

[@pragyan394]

My favourite episode were all the episodes.

[@mahalodst6373]

glad you said that, I went to an online poll where people voted their fav episode and no one voted for that one.... it was a great episode. my fav was one night bridge though and that had no votes as well :(

[@bephycovfefe]

great review. the mushi were metaphors for - perceptual realities...beliefs...things of this nature. i really liked that it gently explored very intense emotional places, and it was really "human", even though it was supernatural. very clever storytelling. and unique pacing

[@nonnoreg1184]

Sad now that it's over with Bell Droplets. The best anime ever, beautifully crafted & totally watchable again & again.

[@anyaleigh1013]

I think what makes mushi-shi so amazing for me was the deep and resonating reverence of nature in the story. Humans are the fleeting and inconsequential shadows flitting across the screen in each episode whereas nature is the ever present background. The story is about NATURE, to its most profound depths, and humans were the shadows passing across the grass. I think that the most captivating aspect of the show was that it was a story about nature rather than a story about people. The theme is the natural world and the main characters are the mushi inhabiting it. Humans are almost the antagonists here, invading the territory of the mushi and experiencing the fallout from doing so. I think that’s why I love it so much. It makes me feel so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. It allows me to realize my place in the flow of time and the context of the natural world. It reminds us to respect our places and remember that we are just transient against the background of a much larger and more beautiful story. And that feeling of smallness and transience infuses us with this unbelievable peace and stillness that just can’t be put into words. Needless to say, this was an unbelievably transcendent experience for me, and I love it so much from the first time I watched it years ago until now.

[@wolfrox777]

The smooth, slow movement of the animation is my favorite thing about Mushishi. I love the series.

[@bluePORTALgun]

watching this while on trip, is the best!

[@xxcupcakexattackxx]

I love the presence of traditional art and those themes in the show. I love how ginko wears western clothes. I love the odd mashup of traditional medicine and “cunning craft” healing. I love how it touches on something so common yet esoteric with such stark but subdued symbols

[@ordinarytree4678]

I love Mushishi, because it shows me a world where good guys with grand plans dont always win. Where caring people die, simply due to circumstance. Where scoundrels live, and sometimes do more good than heroes. So many media glorify the hardworking, the goal-obsessed, the driven. Mushishi is a counter to that ambitious rhetoric. I dont have a grand plan. I dont really have a five-year plan, and I certainly dont know what I want to accomplish by the time Im 80. So many people I see online and irl speak about "following your passions" and "to accomplish great things", but none of that matters to me. Mushishi helps me to show WHY that ambition doesnt matter to me. Why having a plan is unnecesary. Ginko is who I wish to be, a skilled, knowledgeable person with no particular scheme or goal. He just uses his knowledge to help when he can, but he doesnt always succeed, and sometimes he realizes that the events he happens across dont require his help. I dont need to climb a mountain, or win an award or a gold medal. Those things may or may not come to me, just as sudden illness or injury may come to me. Whats important in life is not how big your trophy shelf is, but simply that you are able to continue existing in harmony with the world around you, and to be open to learning about new life such that you can be flexible. Life isnt about winning. Life is about existing. So exist I shall, and I will try to enjoy myself and enjoy the world around me in the time I have, with foresight and wisdom, and a bit of luck, guiding me.

[@smokind.johnsonn1851]

wow, your words touched something inside my very soul :o i feel what you mean by that, i really understand your words an their meanings. With such a view of life you are more Ginko as you might realised yet.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Never seen Mushishi, but I'm definitely going to watch it after now.

[@MrDzoni955]

Gotta watch this someday.

[@MrDzoni955]

***** I watched first episode long ago but never bothered to see the rest. I do have it on my watch list.

[@scrunkore]

Don't try to marathon it: Mushishi should be watched when you're in the right mood for it.

[@breakinglight9422]

+Terriccota Pie Tip: Watch Mushishi either during the afternoon or at night. Do it somewhere where you'll get peace and quiet. Try to watch it in an environment where you'll be relaxed. As Senpai said, pace yourself, don't try and binge it. Preferably, don't try and watch more than one episode a day, but don't have gigantic periods of time between watching episodes.

[@godofsquirrels494]

Have you watched it yet?

[@cloudwolf3972]

Have you watched it yet?

[@Hakajin]

Kind of disagree with you about Gingko. Maybe it's because I read the manga, and have only seen a few episodes of the anime, but... I feel like there's a lot of depth to his character. I didn't pick it up very well at first, but... Actually, I think that's because he's been through so much that he's developed... Not a tough exterior, but just, not much surprises him. As the series went on, though, watching him relate to other characters, especially those with experiences like his own... I started getting the impression that Gingko's actually kind of lonely. He's mostly accepted the way his life is, but... He seems like he doesn't want to get too attached to people, because he knows he can't stick around too long. Sometimes he ends up caring more than he'd like, but... Yeah, mostly what I get from him is a sense of acceptance of the way things are. I wouldn't call him world-weary, though, because he's not hardened or bored with life. Quite the opposite - he has a strong sense of curiosity and wonder. And a sense of humor. I ended up getting kind of a crush on him.

[@kenapiece6212]

I agree! And let me tell you it's not just because you only read the manga, Ginko also shows lots of the characteristics you mentioned in the anime.

[@kangarookohai]

It was one of the slowest anime I've ever watched, so I was surprised that they were able to conclude whole stories within one episode. That being said, it was my most enjoyed anime since I started years back.

[@TheMorrochben]

Mushi-Shi was pretty much the first anime I watched and knew was an animation from Japan (I had watched such things as Sherlock Hound and whatnot before but didn't know their nation of origin.) Basically, my introduction was as such, I was hanging out in a new acquaintance dorm room freshman year of uni, I asked him what the big deal was with anime since I knew he was into it and my roommate only ever watched Bleach (a show that I generally find insufferable). His response was to show me the first few episodes of Mushi-Shi and FMA. FMA opened my eyes to animation as a means of complex story telling and Mushi-Shi showed me how animation is an art form. For the next four years I would spend almost every Saturday night with him and his roommate watching through a number of series. and when Zoku-Shou came on, we never missed an episode unless it was exams week. So for me, Mushi-Shi was the show that convinced me that cartoons could be more than just cheep things to put children in front of, and awoke in me a fascination of not only animation, but also filmography as a means of communicating ideas and themes. And it helped give rise to one of my strongest friendships so there is that too

[@TheMetalhead678]

Mushishi the most beautiful and unique anime I have watched.

[@arceus54321]

great video lewis

[@chriskasatka2095]

A work of art.

[@EurekaAnime]

Picked this up, and I'm gonna watch it soon :D Great video as usual!

[@AnimeEverydayYT]

+Anime Heaven Thanks bud, hope you enjoy it :)

[@cloudGremlin]

I first watched Mushi-shi: Next Passage when it came onto Netflix. I've now also watched the first six episodes of the original (?) show, and am hoping to watch more. As my other anime experiences at the time of my first viewing this show had been the action packed Naruto and the like, I was not expecting such a strange and beautiful show. It reminds me of books like The Little Prince and The Last Unicorn, books that aren't really there to tell a story or show a character, but to wander into your brain, have a cup of tea and a nice chat, and then wave goodbye as they wander out into someone else's mind. It's a kind of conversation that I strive for- if never quite get- in my own story telling.

[@EdricHsu]

It's my favourite anime series! I was hoping you'd talk more on some of the spiritual, supernatural, and otherworldly (symbolic or natural) aspects of the show though, as it's such a huge factor.

[@LiveNaturallyLove]

dope Analysis!!!

[@TheAzrayell]

amazing analysis, keep it up player

[@BEELZE14]

This is the only anime I really loved but I dont want to finish it for just 1 day.. I only watched this before sleep and it is always calm my mind and get a better sleep because of the soundtracks..

[@tylionn]

I love your videos This video was great keep up the great work and your voice fits with every video you do

[@fuadsalad7873]

im gonna eventually watch this I keep pushing it off because it looks a little plain and episodic but you keep reccomending it so I guess ill givebkt a shot

[@CreativeBoy100]

+fuad Salad it's not for everyone, I can appreciate it but I can't enjoy it.

[@rapidfart9579]

Oyasumi Pun Pun is a great manga

[@TheMohan1986]

Haibane Renmei is the most subtle and slow burning anime I've ever, but Mushishi is by far the most meaningful and nuanced imo, especially the 1st season.

[@chiyooi7053]

This anime has cold winter nights in a blanket written all over it. This is my favorite anime.

[@Adrian-bj2hz]

Another great video ! :)

[@AnimeEverydayYT]

+Adrian Ftw Thanks! :)

[@Dwilproductionsplus]

Mushishi, in my opinion, is second in atmospheric expression to Ergo Proxy as far as anime series go. Love both of them!

[@crzyboy190]

CrabbWalker I'll say Yokohama Kaidashi kikou in the closer to mushishi in atmosphere.

[@hossainshamil2132]

Your vids are awesome...why did u stop?

[@just_a_yokai1103]

your explanation of Ginko was perfect. i read some reviews and many people really dislike Ginko and brand him as "bland" and "emotionless". the problem is that people go in with high expectations and compare it to other anime while Mushishi is nothing like any other show out there if ginko had to share the emotions of all the people he met he'd be depressed af

[@smithwillnot]

I would say there are two things about Mushishi which separate it from every other show and make me consider it one of my favorites. These things are serenity and imagination behind stories: Show is incredibly serene. There aren't all that many shows that can match it in that regard. Aria the animation gets close sometimes but it's still not as good. Mushishi has some of the my favorite stories I have ever seen or heard. In my eyes almost every episode is nearly perfect when it comes to both story and storytelling.

[@McDudes]

Ginko doesn't need much characterization and development because the stories isn't about him but the people he helps. They are the actual protagonist and Ginko works as a hero character.

[@carlosmenchon7242]

Mushishi talks about how complex and fascinating nature is and use all that Mushishi has to express that idea. That's why the mushis are magic but is not caotic but they have rules. And the rhyhtm is very slow so the force of nature is. Besaid, mushis aren't evil or good, there are a lot os episodes wich express that idea. To me, Mushishi is nostalgia. Echoes from a time when people and nature were conected.

[@fuadsalad7873]

I strated it yesterday and its amazing I just finished the Rainbow chasing episode and its so far my favorite along with the second episode (eyes episode)

[@holonholon1141]

I actually think Ginko has a lot of personality. His dialogues and body language reveal a lot of emotional engagement with the world, with Field of Fire (24) standing out especially. While he is stoic and a vessel for the viewer and the narrative, it's the slow unfolding of his past and personality that adds an extra level of engagement beyond just the stunning visuals, poignant scoring, and "heart" of the storytelling.

[@vardhansathe]

i totally agree with you.

[@omarfaruktusher1942]

Man what a anime it was ......can't believe it ends so quickly 😭

[@Tontontony]

My friends uses Mushishi Ost for Yoga :)

[@benrex7775]

I would say the anime coming closest to Mushishi is Moribito. It isn't the same. For example there are various very strong characters in Moribito and there are a few action scenes in it. But it also is a very atmospheric anime.

[@PedroFelix456]

I see Ginko as a very reletable character as well, but more by his actions and not his lack of it. Ginko will often guide the characters trowards a solution. However he won't go out of his way to do something impossible, he'll try to help you but if he can't, he can't. And that's what makes me conect so much with him

[@smartjackasswisdom1467]

If you could make a review or analysis of serial experiments lain that would be awesome. Great channel btw.

[@sacred_m3lon]

this is the show that made me into the weeb i am today

[@skytyou]

Mushishi is one of the only shows that follows a Taoist philosophy, it teaches resolutions that are far above violence and rejection, it teaches coexistence and acceptance. VERY few shows of any sort does this. Most shows only perpetuate that all of your problems are external, and therefore all of your solutions are external. There's always a good and an evil in those shows; your problem is evil, and your solution is to exert violence towards evil, or to exile it as you see fit. That's the exact sort of teaching that perpetuates all of the problems in human society and day to day life of common people. Those shows teach people who or what kinds of behaviors to blame for all of your problems and how to "kill it". Mushishi on the contrary uses symbolism (most often the Mushis) as a device to show the viewers that the problem and solution is always from within, and also the consequences of the actions of those who act out of fear, anger, or blame because those motivations are counter-forces to the natural order or "the way" in Taoist terms. It is purposely devoid of concepts of good vs. evil. It shows the natural human flaws common to all human, it attempts to find no scapegoats, only acceptance of what is. It's one of the only shows that are devoid of the mainstream fear, action, solution story-tellings. It's truly a masterpiece of art in multiple angles. And almost forgot to mention, even its way of story-telling, the background music, and as you mentioned, the character design are simplistic and yet they convey so much more than most shows ever made, is also keeping with the Taoist philosophy "Know the complex, but keep to the simple." ~ From the "Tao Te Ching" (Dao De Jing), as well as the show being episodic and he never stays to follow through to the conclusion of the story, as following, "When the work is done, walk away." as the way of the "masters" in Taoist teachings, as people do not need to be loitered over.

[@nasiransari9761]

Mushishi, the closest we will get to a the Witcher anime. Love mushishi and the witcher books and games

[@mvnkycheez]

damn, been wanting to watch this show pretty badly ever since a friend showed me the first episode, ad now i want to watch it SO much more, but i have the same problem with a whole host of other anime like haibane renmei etc. lol

[@amonnunesfarofapoop7047]

Mushishi wasn't always minimalistic, though. There were episodes that necessitated the use of dialogue, as well one could see that the atmosphere is increasingly consistent throughout the episode. That one episode I would call "minimalistic" though was the episode where Ginko could accidentally fall into the river and witness some weird signs or something.

[@LOPGOH]

Mushi Shi in one country. Supernatural (Show) in the other. (Echoes). Genko goes from place to place, solving problems. Diagnosing problems every place he goes, then remedying. Mushi was so nature immersed and Altruisticly packed every episode. 🚬 🐺 (This isn't tobacco). Genko likes it too. Blow smoke... sometimes you see things. Some like it, some flee. Some see them, some don't.

[@johnmack6218]

Mushi shi feels like if I was living a dream