Review of Mushi-shi: The Shadow that Devours the Sun

Do not take anything for granted, not even life itself. This simple yet profound message is splendidly conveyed by another episode of the calming drug called "Mushishi". What an adventure this series has been; watching Ginko investigating various mushi species in a clever but always comprehensible way, not only curing every human in need of help whatever their origin, but also depicting the essence of life. An anime not for everyone, to say the least, but certainly for anyone who wants to shed light on human mysteries. Ginko as our protagonist, being the most sincere and suave guy you could probably imagine, doesn't miss a chanceto research the nature of the mushi. In this special "Hihamukage", he comes into a village which suffers from an unnatural darkness caused by an eternal eclipse. How is this possible and are there any mushi involved in this perilous situation caused by the missing sunlight? Ginko knows that you can't take anything for granted, therefore he has to do two things: convince the people of his earnest actions and restore the state being thought of as granted, where there's enough sunlight for life to flourish. The story is as innovative as it has been the whole series along, and the mystery stays on a level for itself.
It's also a delight to see that the side characters aren't only there for being treated, but in the case of two quite different sisters also illustrate the correlation between humans and mushi and therefore nature itself.

Mushishi takes place inside lush landscapes full of life and bizarre sounds. Upon entering a calm state, the viewer will find themselves immersing right into this vast universe where humans live an uncomplicated yet fierce life. The smooth soundtrack expresses everything it is supposed to and invigorates the general mood in a positive way.

If you are a fan of the series, there's no reason to miss this beautiful special. Ginko hasn't lost anything of his awesomeness and the world is shown as mysterious as ever. Definitely a pleasure for the senses and a formidable way to promote the upcoming sequel.