Mushishi is one of the most simplistic yet beautiful series that I have had the pleasure to experience. It is an unusual, enriching experience offering something philosophical and artful opposing commercial tropes and designs. Mushishi is one of those rare shows that is purely episodic anime but isn’t a comedy. It serves drama and thought-provoking content in balanced amounts without drowning the viewers in too much intellectual jargon or sophistry.
Mushishi anime can be described as a cross between a nature documentary and a paranormal investigation. But due to its episodic nature, Mushishi feels a tad bit repetitive but not unduly repetitive. However, it does a fantastic job of exploring themes of loss, despair, self-sacrifice, suffering, and tragedy, giving the anime lot of emotional depth. All in all, Mushishi truly is one of the finest anime specimens out there.
If you are thinking of giving Mushishi anime series a try, here’s a guide to help you watch it in the correct order.
Mushishi Watch Order:
1. Mushishi
Alternate Title: Mushi-Shi
Episodes: 26
2. Mushishi: Hihamukage
Alternate Title: Mushi-shi: The Shadow that Devours the Sun
Episodes: 1
3. Mushishi Zoku Shou
Alternate Title: Mushi-shi: Next Passage Part 1
Episodes: 10
4. Mushishi Zoku Shou: Odoro no Michi
Alternate Title: Mushishi Path of Thorns
Episodes: 1
5. Mushishi Zoku Shou 2nd Season
Alternate Title: Mushi-shi: Next Passage Part 2
Episodes: 10
6. Mushishi Zoku Shou: Suzu no Shizuku
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 1
Mushishi is a slice of life supernatural anime series adapted from the manga series of the same name, written and illustrated by Yuki Urushibara.
Synopsis: Mushi are spiritual beings that are neither plants nor animals nor microorganisms. Mushi are a basic form of life that exists without any motive or purpose and are not bound to human morals of good and evil. But they exist and occasionally mimic their surroundings and often take forms that sometimes cause supernatural phenomena.
Ginko is a Mushishi or Mushi Master whose job is to figure out what are Mushi and why they exist. Because figuring out Mushi and their existence can lead to answers about the meaning of life itself. Ginko travels all over to seek rare Mushi occurrences and uses his knowledge to help the people affected by the presence of Mushi.
