25 Days of Anime - #15: Mushi-Shi

A new age take on old world folklore, Mushi-Shi follows Mushi Master Ginko as he travels across the countryside seeking out Mushi. Mushi are invisible to the untrained eye, and only and Mushi Master has the proper knowledge of how to study and influence them. To everyone else, Mushi are unseen forces that can do anything from blending in harmlessly with plant life to living off humans as a parasite. Some Mushi are especially dangerous, as they can steal people away from loved ones or rob them of their sensory functions.

There is no explicit time frame given in Mushi-Shi. As viewers, we have no way of knowing if Ginko's collective journeys last merely days or span the course of years. We are never even given clear indication as to what time period his work takes place in, as the towns he visits are all out of the way of major cities. Some of the individuals he meets live far off the beaten trail, in mountain huts and small fishing villages. The technology used is Mushi-Shi is largely simple and practical, with Ginko recording his findings in ink and paper, but that could be due in part to the semi-mythological nature of his research.

All that we know for certain is that some people are aware of the presence of Mushi, even if they cannot see them, whereas others are entirely oblivious to them. Ginko is the main Mushi Master of interest to this story, but it is clear that there are others like him in the world. Some of his actions are influenced by past encounters with Mushi and he instantly has a game plan of how to counteract any harm they may have caused to an individual. Other times, Ginko learns as he goes, adding further notes to a largely unknown type of Mushi.

The stories told are largely unrelated, and in that sense Mushi-Shi takes on a model of a collection of folklore and mythology - everything is told from the same perspective and feels like another chapter in a larger story, even if there is only one character who acts as a constant between them. There is a curious relationship shared between Ginko, the Mushi, and the natural world, as some of the Mushi take on forms similar to animals while others appear plant-like. As much as I love fantasy epics in the vein of Fullmetal Alchemist or even Harry Potter, works like Mushi-Shi are welcome breaks from time to time, as they can offer a different take on the larger genre by restricting magic and mythology to hidden parts of the world.

Top 5 Anime of 2011

#5 - Eden of the East: Many contemporary espionage/action films or television series draw the bulk of their inspiration and formula from the familiar, like James Bond or the Bourne Identity. There are certainly some similarities between the latter and Eden of the East, but this anime takes a rather different approach. In trying to recover his memories, Takizawa relies heavily on Juiz and an everday girl, instead of playing the role of a lethally-trained badass. Because everything plays out like a game, action is often swapped out in favor of mystery, lending this genre a fresh new spin on things. It's not quite perfect, but I found it a welcome break from so many copycats.

#4 - Devil May Cry: Far too often, licensed material becomes so bogged down in trying to recreate whatever it is based off in anime form that it loses any creativity or logic. Devil May Cry maintains the signature style of the games through Dante's characteristic cool nature, but takes a step back from slaying one giant demon after another. The anime chooses to instead focus on lesser demons, allowing Dante's relationship with young Patty - often humorous as the two are - to take center stage. The soundtrack and fantastic animation courtesy of Madhouse make this a standout series for its kind, and others would be wise to take notes from it.

#3 - Darker Than Black: I generally steer clear of anime that tries to sell itself as 'dark' or 'mature-themed', as a lot of these end up being violent and bloody without much in the way of plot. Darker Than Black certainly has its violent moments, with Hei driving his knife into another Contractor's hand and Wei throwing his own blood to puncture gaping holes through bodies of those opposed to him. But it isn't so reliant on these elements. Instead, the story makes its primary focus on what it means to be a contractor, and how being a human correlates to that. With a thought-provoking story and incredibly catchy soundtrack, Darker Than Black is as cleverly-scripted as it is entertaining to watch.

#2 - Mushi-Shi: This series stood out to me for two major reasons. First, the episodic nature of the relatively unrelated episodes made it really easy to pick up and watch a lot of episodes in one sitting, or set down for a while, knowing exactly where I left off when I returned. Second, the combination of traditional fantasy elements and old Japanese folklore gave the series a very unique identity and really boosted the quality of the storytelling. It doesn't try to force the mystical aspect on you, but somehow it's still difficult not to be mesmerized by this show, one bizarre Mushi after another.

#1 - Full Metal Alchemist: It may break away from the manga source material a number of times, but there is no denying that this is not only among the best anime in recent years, but among the greatest anime of all time. The story of the brothers Elric is a very human one, as the two stick together for better or for worse, even as the darkening forces of the Homunculus and the Amestrian military close in on them. It's a fantasy story that, frankly, can hold its own against a giant like the Harry Potter series - and in some cases, FMA manages to trump HP.

2011 Year in Review: Anime

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: A step up from its predecessor, SEED Destiny spotlights a new lead character, Shinn Asuka, who alongside Athrun Zala, delivers a far more interesting narrative than Kira Yamato ever did in Gundam SEED. SEED Destiny evokes a more genuine sense of the difficulties in alliance and war, by painting the picture with the ambitions of all the major players, and spinning a much more intricate web of politics and deceit. The later episodes get bogged down by the same clichés that burdened Gundam SEED, but as a whole this sequel is a significant improvement. My rating: 8.25

Full Metal Alchemist (season two): Building upon the revelations from season one, this second half takes a darker path, exploring the origins of each Homunculus and the trials the Elric brothers face from the many factions they cross paths with. Although the series deviates from the manga at points - some ways more distinctly so than others - the story remains focused on the aspects of growing up and familial responsibility conveyed through Edward and Alphonse. The added backstories of Lust and Greed provide extra fuel to the emotional drive. Despite a few episodes that feel out of place, season two of FMA provides a fitting second half to the contemporary classic that is the story of the brothers Elric. My rating: 9.5

Rating for series as a whole: 10

Azumanga Daioh: Part slice-of-life, part comedy, Azumanga Daioh follows a group of awkward and zany girls through their high school years. Whether it's over-analyzing social customs, obsessions with cats, or avoiding one particularly weird teacher, the girls always have an opinion to share. The art style and soundtrack take a minimalist approach, which is appropriate given the nature of this hybrid series. My rating: 8.75

Mushi-Shi: A string of largely unrelated tales fuels work for Ginko, a Mushi Master - one of a rare few who can see and interact with semi-sentient entities that influence the unseen world around humans. The series blends fantasy and ancient Japanese folklore to deliver both a fantastic narrative and genuine sense of wonder. Though many characters only appear for single episodes, they are so memorable and well-developed that it is of no consequence if Ginko decides to take on a secondary role for an episode or two. My rating: 9.5

Eden of the East: A man without any idea of who he is or was, Akira Takizawa returns to Japan to find he is a contender in a national game of sorts, with a vast amount of money and seemingly limitless resources at his disposal. Along with his newfound friend Saki Morimi and faceless voice receiving his calls known as Juiz, Takizawa must figure out who the other contenders are and use the means he has been allotted to 'save Japan', whatever that might mean. The story is told in chunks that reveal enough information to keep the story interesting, but also perpetuate the suspenseful and action-driven parts. My rating: 8.5

Summer Wars: A bit of an awkward high schooler, Kenji jumps at the opportunity of spending time with Natsuki at her grandmother's 90th birthday celebration. Once he gets there, though, Natsuki reveals that she wants Kenji to play the part of her boyfriend to impress the family. Though he is uneasy about it, Kenji decides to stay. One night, he receives a text on his phone containing a complex math equation, which he solves, not knowing it is part of the security code to the digital realm of Oz. A virus known as Love Machine then makes its way into Oz, and Kenji recruits the help of Natsuki's cousin Kazuma in hopes of stopping Love Machine from unleashing all forms of chaos on the real world. The focus on family helps push the film along at a steady pace, though the shift in who assumes the role of the main character late in the film leads to a somewhat awkward conclusion. My rating: 8.5

Full Metal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa: A follow-up to the wildly popular series, Conqueror of Shamballa displays the most creative liberties taken with the series (which is to say, the film is not grounded in the manga in any way, save for characters and locations). While Al regained his body, Ed was sent to the other side of the gate, to our world, just prior to the Nazi regime's rise. The few Homunculi are dealt with in a fitting manner, while Eckhart fills the role of a relatively appropriate yet typical villain. The story is in keeping with the darker tone of the second season, though bits of humor retain the FMA charm. My rating: 9.25

Devil May Cry: Unlike the games, this series focuses on Dante's smaller missions as he faces demons that are generally on a smaller-scale. His life among everyday humans is explored, and his relationship with young Patty provides both comedic moments and a more genuine human element. The art design and soundtrack are both killer, all of which makes the licensed anime series a standout for its kind. My rating: 8.75

Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt: A very raunchy comedy from Gainax, the series takes a while to define itself. It delivers crude sex and bathroom humor in a style not unlike the earliest episodes of South Park, but sneaks in a number of pop-culture references and parodies of shows like Transformers, which may fly over the heads of viewers not so familiar with these other works. Save for the last episode's uncalled-for curveball, the series does a good job of sticking to what it does best - delivering laughs. My rating: 7.25

Halo Legends: A series of shorts set in the Halo universe, Legends covers not only the famed SPARTANs, but the Covenant, Forerunners, and ODSTs as well. A few of the tales come across as a bit too forced, most notably a feudal Japanese duel between two Elites. While anyone familiar with the main Halo trilogy will understand each story well enough, those familiar with the novels and side games will get the most out of this anime collection. My rating: 8

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children: Two years after the conclusion of the classic PS1 game, Cloud Strife finds himself lost in this new peaceful world - that is, until a trio of Sephiroth-lookalikes show up, informing him of their intent to find "mother". Sensing trouble, Cloud and company join forces once more to stop the trio from bringing about a return of Sephiroth and subsequent destruction of their world. This is one beautifully animated film (no surprise, since it is a work by Square Enix). But only a handful of characters deliver any genuine emotions or feel necessary to the plot. My rating: 7.75

Darker Than Black: A reality where superhumans known as contractors live among regular people, hidden in the shadows, Darker Than Black places emphasis on the different organizations invested in the powers the Contractors wield as well as Heaven's Gate, the origin of all Contractors. The bulk of the story is told through Hei, a Contractor known by many as the infamous Black Reaper. On the other side of things is Misaki Kirihara, a security officer who knows each contractor not by name, but rather by their messier codes that are associated with each star in a new night sky. Stellar soundtrack and curious art style aside, Darker Than Black brings into question the concept of what it means to be human, and if Contractors are capable of such emotions. My rating: 9.5

Gundam 00: Awakening of the Trailblazer: Following the success of the series, this film explores a world headed toward absolute peace, and the uncertainties that come along with the revelations of the recently-discovered Innovators and Innovades. However, everything is turned on its head when the ELS, metallic shapeshifting extraterrestrials, make their way to Earth, drawn by the quantum brainwaves of the Innovators. While the same characters return and the story's pacing is managed well, the story is a bit off-key when compared to the constant human-centric story maintained through the two seasons of the 00 series. My rating: 8.25

Anime review: Mushi-Shi

Every so often I come across a story - whether it be in the form of an anime, a novel, a video game - that captures my imagination seemingly without putting forth much effort to sell itself. Mushi-Shi is one such series, combining more modern day fantasy with old folklore. Each episode is presented as a distinctly separate narrative, with new characters coming into play with each, yet all of the stories have a commonality - they all involve Ginko, a Mushi Master who is travelling the land to further his research on rare Mushi.

Mushi are a mysterious lot. They are the most basic of life forms, visible only to certain people. Mushi influence the world around them - some in minute and barely noticeable ways, others having a direct and noticeable impact on individuals. While Mushi have no sense of good or evil, there are some that act as parasites, living off of host organisms at the cost of the vision or free will of the host. Similarly, the conclusions of the episodes will vary from bright and positive to dark and gloomy, with a handful ending on somewhat of a neutral note that may leave viewers divided as to whether the characters actually earned or lost in the grand scheme of things.

Ginko is the only major character and one of only two recurring characters in the entire series. He constantly carries with him a small chest of drawers containing both information on the Mushi and some samples of them for research material. Ginko is incredibly knowledgeable about the Mushi and their influence on the world around him. Unlike most other Mushi Masters, however, Ginko has the strange ability to attract Mushi no matter where he goes, so he must be constantly on the move for the safety of others. His nomadic nature does alienate Ginko from society, though he seems to be able to relate much more easily to children and teens than with other adults.

During his journey, Ginko meets a myriad of people who are either directly or indirectly affected by the Mush that live throughout the land. Some are fearful of the Mushi and their powers while others aren't entirely convinced that Mushi exist. Regardless of who is in need of help, Ginko always seems to aid people during his research. The secondary "guest" characters that come into play with each episode are, for the most part, fleshed out quite well. In some of the earlier episodes, less time is spent exploring the stories of those affected by the Mushi with more time devoted to exploring what the Mushi are and how Ginko's knowledge of them. As the series progresses, the opposite becomes true, as viewers are relatively familiar with the different types of Mushi. In some cases, an expanded backstory will help Ginko pinpoint some key trait of a character in order to aid them, but the biggest reason behind this shift in storytelling is seemingly to keep episodes from becoming predictable or monotonous.

The time period in which the series takes place is never definitely defined, nor is the land through which Ginko travels (The latter, however, is largely implied to be Japan). Even the time spent between the first and last of the series' twenty-six episodes is not clearly defined. The architecture and clothing seen throughout might lead viewers to assume the series to take place in the Feudal era. However, the fact that each town Ginko visits has a relatively small population combined with the fact that none of them seem to be within close proximity to more largely-populated areas does not solidify this assumption, and for all the viewer knows, the series could take place in a modern day setting with Ginko travelling to a number of small isolated villages. This sense of ambiguity that the series carries from beginning to end fuels an atmosphere of mystery and fantasy.

The series relies quite heavily on its art style as both a selling point and a means of conveying the various stories. It's very simplistic, yet conveys the mood through beautiful watercolor backgrounds and excellent lighting/shading effects. The soundtrack conveys more mellow moments through soothing - if not occasionally haunting - melodies, while more tense moments are accompanied by more primitive sounding drums. It's a minimalist approach to an extent, which is exactly what the series as a whole aims for - getting back to more traditional tales of fantasy and folklore.

Mushi-Shi breaks the conventional methods of anime in favor of a more simplistic delivery. Each story combines just the right amount of fantasy and folklore while still grounding it in a very real and believable world. The delivery of the series is done so masterfully, utilizing an art style and soundtrack that stand out and beautiful and captivating without trying to be particularly edgy or in-your-face. Admittedly, the format of a few episodes late in the series feel as though they've been recycled from earlier on, but all in all there's something new to explore with each episode. A very unique anime, Mushi-Shi is one series that can deliver a phenomenal story without requiring the aid of constant edge-of-your-seat action, or even a recurring cast.

My rating: 9.5 (out of 10)

Anime update #4: "Is there a moon?"

I'm slowly but surely making my way through Mushi-Shi. I've been rather busy lately and overall the amount of anime I've been watching has dropped since school started back up for the Fall. However, I have started up on After War Gundam X, which - at least from my impressions thus far (being up to episode 13) - I find it to be one of the better alternate universe series. It has some major improvements over Gundam Wing, both in story and animation, but still holds some roots in the Universal Century mythos (which isn't a bad thing by any means).

As for Death Note, I'll get back to it when I feel like it. This final story arc is leaving a bad taste in my mouth and I feel the series should have ended shortly after the major plot twist at the end the second story arc. I understand that the creators wanted to milk the story for all it was worth (both in the anime and the manga), but this last bit being as subpar as it is really drags down the value of the series as a whole, in my opinion.

After the series mentioned above, I'm thinking of moving back to Full Metal Alchemist and Sgt. Frog (both of which I have yet to the second seasons). And from there... well, we'll see I suppose. I'm interested in viewing Eden of the East and there's a number of Gundam series, OVAs, and two films that I have not yet seen. As much as my viewing has slowed for the time being, I'm hoping it will pick back up the pace soon.