Series Review >> Mushishi
Mushishi
Animation:
The animation of Mushishi is truly a sight to see. While it does not boast the heavy CG and over the top visual effects common in anime today, it does transport the viewer back to the days of traditional style artwork and animation in their most pure forms. The visual appeal of Mushishi relies heavily on the gorgeous scenic backgrounds in which most of the story takes place. Many of these scenic shots - that of a majestic snow-capped mountain, or of a luscious green forest, among others, almost resemble exquisite paintings of nature that you might see at an art gallery.
Story:
The story of Mushishi occurs in episodic format. Each episode has its own identity and personality. Some episodes end in tragic fashions, others conclude with a celebratory mood. The storylines themselves are very much intertwined with Japanese folklores, with elements of supernatural and mystery usually present in each episode. The episodes are driven by the exceptional writing that exists in this series. Each storyline is meticulously crafted and every character action and plot event has a purpose and reasoning behind it. This is a far cry from the typical mainstream series today that rely mostly on mindless action and cliché plot devices. While it would be an exaggeration to say that every episode was exceptional, most of them actually are. The storylines for the most part are very interesting and unpredictable. As mentioned about, sometimes they end sad, other times they end happy. It does a great job in immersing the audience into the world of Mushishi because it just doesn't follow the conventional formulaic nature of anime.
Sound:
The soundtrack compliments nicely with the type of series that Mushishi is. It doesn't have any popular Jpop or Jrock songs, nor is it fancy in any way. The soundtrack consists mainly of simplistic piano melodies that reinforce the tranquil nature of this series. It's not a soundtrack that you would want to blast on your sound system and dance to. It's more of a relaxing, soothing soundtrack.
Overall:
Mushishi is an exceptional series that boasts great writing and an interesting exploration into Japanese folklores. However, being that this is not the typical mainstream anime that most fans are accustomed to, I would recommend this only to the older viewers who are looking for a more mature, non-mainstream series.
Rating:
9.5/10
Review By : T. Sasaki (valkyriex22 @ hotmail.com)
