Mushishi

[Elycien]

I dunno if there's already a thread on this.... well... if there is, it must be pretty far back and I don't want to gravedig. ^^;

So has anyone else seen this series? <3 I've been raving about it all summer to anyone who will listen. It's the most beautiful anime I've seen since first being introduced to Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki - and hands down the best-animated series I've ever seen. I like the episodic format, too... it might not have an overarching plotline, but each episode has its own, self-contained plot and there's only one recurring character. Add that to the high-quality animation and it's more like a series of short films than anything else.

It's really unlike any series I've seen before. No epic plotlines, no flashy character designs, no side-splitting humor or tearjerking angst. It's just... simple and lovely. I suppose it's most like "Aria" in that regard, but with less flashiness, less cuteness, and more reflection. It also really does make me think of what might happen if Miyazaki directed a full anime series, with the simple, elegant character designs, attention to detail, focus on nature/the supernatural...

The best part is that I found the DVDs on sale locally for only $11 each, brand new! So this means that I'm adding to my anime DVD collection for the first time since I bought Fruits Basket. ^_^ (They're the same length, but Furuba cost me almost $100, and this is only around $66. Not bad. Also pretty much the first time that I haven't found a better price on something online. XD)

[Esoteric]

My avatar speaks for me. Yes, I enjoyed this series very much. Quiet fascination would be describe the feeling it gave me. It was always so relaxing to sit down and watch new episodes. I usually just rent anime, but this is one series I would seriously consider buying when the price comes down. I very much hope for a second season, although I know it would be a long time in coming, if ever.

[Midori]

I've seen ~7 episodes so far, and I'm extra-impressed too. Did you notice that each episode has different ending music? Mushishi has really high production values.

[chibiphonebooth]

ohhh i've seen up to episode 16 i think, it's really awesome!! i love it! DDDDD

i'm glad to see others liking it too!

[KhakiBlueSocks]

[font="Trebuchet MS"][SIZE="4"][color="RoyalBlue"]Funny, I was just watching it when I was browsing the forums!

The thing I love about Mushishi is the episodic feel to the whole series. There's no major complex plots to remember or hundreds of characters to keep track of. It's the story about a man (who is oh, so cool) on a journey.

I also love the small bits of humor popped in each episode. It's not gut busting funny, but it's good for a chuckle--especially the scenes with Ginko and Dr. Adashino. [/color][/SIZE][/font]

[theanimeguy]

Superb show, atmospheric, rich story telling, great animation, this is one of my top 5 shows.

[Bekalou]

I have a lot of this show on DVD, since I found it at a great price on Ebay, and WOW it is excellent. The music is gorgeous, the animation is never overdone, and the imagery is something I've never seen in any other anime. Definitely a must-watch!!

(I have the soundtrack, too, and Midori's right - each episode has it's own music.)

[meboeck]

I saw the first four episodes of this at Otakon and I desperately need to see more. I love the unconventional route the show takes, and I love the interesting philosophical parts as well.

[Bekalou]

I saw the first four episodes of this at Otakon and I desperately need to see more. I love the unconventional route the show takes, and I love the interesting philosophical parts as well.

It is really unconventional indeed. I actually heard about it from Mr. Travis Willingham himself (the dub voice actor for Ginko, as well as Roy Mustang in FMA) during his panel at a convention, so I decided to check the series out. The rest of the series is just as lovely as the first 4 episodes, and the dub is very well cast.

[RobinSena]

Here's a question. How is the content of the series? Meaning Violence(Including Blood/Gore), Sex, Nudity, Religious Themes, the whole shebang.

[Doubleshadow]

I saw some of the series before it was licensed, and was near euphoric at the announcement the license had been acquired. I bought the box with glee and dived on the store the moment day each new DVD was to be on the shelves.

So yes, I also endorse the series.

[Bekalou]

Here's a question. How is the content of the series? Meaning Violence(Including Blood/Gore), Sex, Nudity, Religious Themes, the whole shebang.

No sex, no nudity, no violence, no fanservice, no really foul language. The "religious" themes are based in Japanese mythology and fantasy, and I didn't find them offensive to Christians at all. The one thing you might find bothersome is that the series as a whole has a strain of "freaky" to it; Mushi are a sort of basic lifeforms that sometimes cause the people around them to develop strange problems, physically or mentally, so it might seem kinda creepy at times. It's hard to explain, but if you watch the first 2 or 3 episodes you'll get a feel for what you're watching.

[king atlantis]

yeah, mushishi is one of my favs, if, for nothing else, its so incredibly DIFFERENT than most over-done stuff thats out their right now.
plus, its wonderfully animated, has great music, and is, well, as others have said, relaxingly-enjoyable.
the manga is good as well, but- VERY SUPRISINGLY-i like the anime more.

[EricTheFred]

One of my latest series purchases (along with Full Metal Panic TSR) and I love it. I've been reading the manga, and already saw about half the series in fansub. It's a true work of art, at a level few anime achieve.

Check out the manga as well.

[GeneD]

I haven't seen this series and I don't really have anything significant to contribute, except that today I heard of someone with the surname Mushishi. Which was semi-cool. XD