Review: Mushishi by Yuki Urushibara

Product Summary

They have existed since the dawn of time.

Some live in the deep darkness behind your eyelids. Some eat silence. Some thoughtlessly kill. Some simply drive men mad. Shortly after life emerged from the primordial ooze, these deadly creatures, mushi, came into terrifying being. And they still exist and wreak havoc in the world today. Ginko, a young man with a sardonic smile, has the knowledge and skill to save those plagued by mushi...perhaps.

First Impressions

For as long as mankind has existed, so too have the mushi. Derived from the Japanese word for "bug" or "insect", mushi are infinitesimal ethereal creatures, incomparable to any other form of life. Having no moral predilection for good or evil the mushi are generally disinterested in human activity. Occasionally, however, the mushi manage to create problems for the oblivious humans that coexist with them.

Ginko is a mushishi--a mushi master--one of the elect few born with an inate ability to detect mushi. This latent talent has been further enhanced by years of training and experience under previous generations of Japan's nomadic mushishi. Ginko too is largely nomadic, constantly on the move in an effort to help those whose lives have become unmanageable due to mushi interference. At his disposal is his knowledge of various mushi types and a great deal of medicines and remedies to counteract the effects of the mushi.

A noteworthy distinction of Mushishi is that the series is written in an episodic manner and devoid of any overarching storyline. This is simultaneously a refreshing asset and a major blow. While the series benefits from Ginko's nomadic lifestyle in that it allows for a rich opportunity to blend various forms of storytelling, the character development is unfortunately affected, as Ginko remains pretty much the sole character given enough room to develop before the reader.

As for the artwork, I find myself impressed, albeit in a limited manner. While never an eyesore or a noticeable distraction, the artwork is likewise rarely exceptional. To its credit however, it is consistently adequate.

Final Thoughts

While some may disregard the series for stiffling its own character development, and the occasionally uninspiring artwork, the redeeming features are original, captivating storytelling that genuinely reflects many aspects of Japanese culture and a story that excels in believable drama construction seasoned with a dash of horror.

I will likely review Vol. 2 in the future in order to further develop my thoughts.

Some readers will instantly fall in love with this series. Others--myself included--may take a little while longer to warm to its unique charm.