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Mushi-Shi: The Movie
Japanese Cinema DVD Review
Mushishi is one of the most beautiful and certainly one of the most esoteric anime series ever, but this live-action take on the character Ginko and the supernatural beings that inhabit his universe is downright creepy.
The Japanese have made some of the best horror films of the last decade (and Hollywood has shamelessly made poor-quality remakes), and clearly, some of that has rubbed off into this film, as the CGI Mushi are the stuff nightmares are made of. This film corresponds with chapters 2, 7, 9 and 15 of the manga, but, oh, is it ever effective at creeping you out. Do not watch alone and in the dark!
 Joe Odagiri does an admirable job as Ginko, with the film ping-ponging between his current life as a Mushi-shi and a retelling of how he came to have the white hair and green eye, his childhood incidents and then how these events impact him in the finale of the film. As a side-note, this live-action feature is directed by Katsuhiro Otomo of Akira fame (yes, the same guy!), so it needs to be said that Otomo is a man of many talents as this film is both beautifully photographed and remarkably effective at scaring the bejesus out of you.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, February 2010
Mushishi
Anime DVD Review
Although it sounds like the popular early-80's toy Monchichis, Mushishi is actually a deep, insightful and thought provoking series that will take you places few anime have dared. For starters, it's not your typical anime by any means. There are no robots, scantily clad babes, explosions or gunplay. There are no alien princesses, catgirls with swords, ninjas, gallant thieves, or cool-as-ice bounty hunters.
 What there is, however, is gobs and gobs of incredible artwork. Eye-popping, mind boggling, like, you actually want to watch anime for the first time in HD, kind of artwork.
Based on the manga of the same name (published by Del-Rey), Mushishi is a different experience, in a "Are You Experienced?" kind of way (Yes, we're making a 60's reference. Google it, dude). The critically acclaimed series, which has won numerous awards, is akin to Pokemon, (in a REALLY odd sort of
way) in that Ginko, the protagonist, aspires to be a "Mushi Master" by traveling from place to place to research Mushi, which are supernatural creatures of the wild. (but he doesn't capture them in pokeballs)
 Most humans cannot perceive Mushi and are oblivious to their existence, but some can see and interact with them, this sometimes causes them problems, and the episodes often revolve around Ginko aiding these people during his travels.
If you're ready to take a step up to the next level of anime appreciation, we highly suggest Mushishi. It'll be trippy, it'll be cosmic, and it'll be the best anime series you get to see this year. It'll also be the best looking anime series you're likely to come across for quite some time.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, May 2008
Below: Scenes from Mushishi.
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