Review of Mushi-shi: The Shadow that Devours the Sun
Watching Mushishi is not just a mystifying experience but one that you will remember by for its atmosphere of exquisite presentation. Through understanding, Mushishi presents problems but also solutions in which main protagonist Ginko solves throughout his journey. As a journeyman, Ginko takes on the road once again in this special OVA that chronicles his expedition. Mushishi Special: Hihamukage is a special OVA that adapts a two-chapter manga released in the Afternoon magazine. The OVA itself runs for about 45 minutes and once again takes on that mystifying theme with an elegant atmosphere. If memory serves correctly, the last time Mushishi aired on TV was over7 years ago. There was no mention of a possible sequel or continuation of the series in any way or form. However, now fans have hope for what’s to come. Mushishi OVA returns to remind fans of the manga and anime just why the show holds itself together and earned praise among its community.
The storytelling format of Mushishi is similar to its original. Most episodes stands out as standalone but often incorporates a variety of themes to tie itself together. These blends in both humanity and supernatural to fuse them together as a presentation of rarity. By rarity, I mean it as a tales involving ‘mushi’, supernatural beings as physical manifestations that causes issues in its perspective world. While most folktales involving such a style of storytelling focuses on defeating them through violence or warfare, Mushishi executes it in a way that is unique with its style.
Ginko returns as a main male protagonist and a driving force of each story from the original series. He may look normal but he possesses the abnormal ability to see mushi. Their presence remains invisible to humans but Ginko is able to not only see them but understand them on a deeper level. And rather than trying to directly engage them in a form of combat or meaningless violence, Ginko often solves them with his own intellect. By understanding the problem Ginko is able to form solutions to achieve the best results. The problem in this OVA involves an eclipse taking place in a village that threatens to cover its land in darkness. It’s a problem that Ginko and its inhabitants must solve. And unsurprisingly enough, mushi is involved as the core of its conflict. As conflicts in Mushishi often includes supernatural themes, it’s interesting to see how humans deal with the otherworldly. Characters collaborate with unity and deals with this in a style that is naturalistic and refreshing.
As natural as the show itself can be, it can be dragged in some ways with its dialogues. The tone itself still retains its natural elegance however. On another note, it’s also refreshing to see a reoccurrence of other characters from the original season. It brings back that feeling of nostalgia from over half a decade ago when the show was on air. It’s not just that however but also the fact that Ginko’s character blends a line between fiction and reality that forms a connection with its viewers. The problem itself seems otherworldly but can also feel so real with the humans being part of the story. Narratives aren’t easy to tell with elegance but Mushishi has proved that otherwise with its feelings expressed in human ways. These include but are not limited to frustration, angry, envy, sorrow, and relief. It ties the foundation of its franchise together and formulates an experience like no other.
The artwork is majestic with a natural feeling to its presentation. The landscape is lavish with rich details to express nature in both a real and fictional way with the coloring. There’s a sense of style that also brings Mushishi to life with the way character moves and feels. Ginko himself is designed to look like how he was before from the original series with his trademark silver hair and indifferent outlook. The eclipse itself symbolizes a feeling of despair but also also hope as prospered by its rays of light.
Music and soundtrack wise, Mushishi retains its melodramatic tone. The OST is smooth and maintains its posture in a structure of beauty. Personification is well symbolized thanks to its presentation with the soundtrack as well because of its nature. The feelings of various characters and their dialogues spoken also gives off a variety of feelings. Ginko’s voice retains his calm nature and indifferent manner.
What Mushishi brings is not just a narrative of dealing with problems but reflecting its imagery with its unique style. It lusters with feelings but also connects human and supernatural problems together in a sense of appreciation. I appreciated this OVA as a way of reminding fans that Mushishi is still holding itself strong. With the upcoming new sequel announced to air in the Spring of 2014, Mushishi will show the world once again why it deserves its recognition.