MUSHI SHI
Mushi Shi is an original and creative combination of the imagination and film. This series delves into the spiritual world, curses, and those things which are unseen. Creative minds give shape and form to such things as spirits trapped between this world and the next, life forces and much much more. Battling internal and spiritual conflicts take shape in the form of curses and illness and the only one who can help is the Mush Shi known as Ginko.
The term “Mushi” literally translates, to disregard, as well as, insect. You can see some of the creatures dancing in the middle bottom panel. This translation relates to the fact that those infected by the mushi are shunned and rejected by society. The second term refers to the creative element of representation for these little spirits, which often resemble organisms and insects. The film describes them as “primitive and peculiar, unlike any animal or plant we’ve grown to know.” The term “Shi” has many translations but in this case it plays on two particular meanings. The first translation is; official, meaning a doctor or someone of status and the second meaning implies death. Mushi Shi, Ginko-san, finds those who are afflicted with this interaction of the cursed spirits, often drawing out or attracting mushi to himself like a moth to a flame. Sometimes he brings death to that spirit, freeing the person or host of the mushi. Sometimes he helps the mushi, but he is always respectful to those afflicted.
Something that is NEW TO ANIME is that Ginko is the only main character through out this series. Each episode brings us a new character and a new interaction with the spiritual realms, allowing for outstanding artwork and that addiction to need to see the next one. These episodes tell much like a collection of short stories. Though the plot remains constant, each mushi presents a different problem and these mushi affect all kinds of people ranging from small children to old men. What it lacks in plot it makes up with visuals.
PRESENTATION
This DVD is full of fun little surprises. With each DVD comes a post card with art work from the series, numbered for collecting purposes, as well as a booklet full of color illustrations and story board sketches. The picture is crystal clear and special effects such as transparent characters and sophisticated landscapes make each feature aesthetically pleasing. The characters have a more stylized and have a quick feel to them but the overall composition works well together. Full of movement and color any frame could be stilled to make a nice painting for your wall as is expected of the anime genera.
EXTRAS
The DVD has the wonderful option of listening to the movie in the original Japanese with English subtitles, as well as an English dub option. The extras include an interview with the director and voice actor of Ginko, interview with the director, a production studio tour, songs and trailers. The studio tour is interesting showing the many different layering techniques and people it takes to produce the actual animation.
OVER ALL REVIEW
This is another masterpiece with brilliant artwork. This series is somewhat lacking in character development in that we only get to know each afflicted victim and the characters that surround them for one episode. However the mushi are each original and intriguing, ranging in representation and sometimes even personality. These mushi carry such traits as whimsical, captivating, grotesque, and relatable. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a short story folklore adventure with interesting characters.
Overall: 8.5