Mushishi

Mushishi is a historical manga, and I believe it fulfilled every requirement the genre demands. It conceived the idea of Mushi, a living form that was very close to what was the essence of life. They were hardly perceptible, yet it didn't mean they weren’t around. Following their traces was a man expertising in those species, a Mushishi. He collected the remainings of a world that would soon be forgotten, while occasionally encountered the incidents between human and those unbeknownst kinds. He would stop by, talk, lend a helping hand and once again set off, and those actions were rinsed and repeated over the course of the journey.

From normal point of view, isn’t that unexciting and unremarkable? I agree. The characters seemed lacking of outstanding traits, the incidents hardly attracted attentions and there were even fewer emotional explosions. The supernatural occurrences happened and were resolved, just to be left within the memories of those involved until the end of their time. However, it feels alright, as it is history, anyway. There is no reason to be bothered with them, unless you are interested, and it speaks the very truth of historical spirit. On the other hand, I think the way the series lacking of arc, over-arc and the character’s inner development did live up with the objective point of view of history. Every incident was a fresh experience, and all necessity were to observe and record.

Then comes the end. Having encountered an incident involved with Mushi, the protagonist once again continued his journey, leaving no trace in the vast and pristine scenery of nature. The manga just ended there, without any final ceremony. Nevertheless, it did make a conclusion for the work the author had created. Mushi was a resemblance of what was called the foundation of life, and those being able to see them were also the rare witnesses of that world. With the storyteller blending into the surrounding, that world would certainly continue to exist, but without one being aware of it, it would then fall into oblivion, covered with dust due to the flow of time, but surely stay there, waiting until one day, someone with the ability comes to uncover it. That is the charm of history, and Mushishi gave me the urge to set off alone, seeking for the world Ginko left behind. Behold, there would be a sequel in the near future, but like you’ve already noticed, it is definitely a joke.

About the incidents, there were something interesting, some tragic, some sorrowful, as the types of Mushi were either harmful, or able to make one’s life colourful. Nothing was absolute, and at the turning point between coexisting and discarding them, people made decisions accordingly to their own will, just like how one would study and valuate the meaning of a historical event. In the rare occasion talking about it, in your face Attack on Titans. This is what I call peak fiction. You guys could just go back crying for your ‘124 chapters of peak fiction and inspiration…’ Hoohoohoo, heeheehee, haahaahaa.

The art is perfect. I firmly believe the ink colour brought more than any other could, as well as the design of characters didn’t leave anything too attractive. All those elements constructed a mysterious fictional world, yet it was so close with how people had actually lived and died. At this point, even though the adaptations managed to do spectacular things, I guess sticking with the manga is still better.

In conclusion, Mushishi is not only a manga, it is also a historical report of how people had lived with Mushi. In the spirit of Slice of Life, the series would quickly excite or lull one, but anyway you would have experience, even though it could be unenjoyable.