Mushishi Zoku Shou – 10 [END]
*whispers* switch to Geico
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This isn’t quite the end. Episodes 11 and 12 will be coming out later as an OVA of sorts. Even when that’s done, we’ll be getting a continuation of the series in the Fall. So Mushishi is far from being over! |
Remember how last week I said that I would love to see what kinds of ordeals Ginko went through as he traveled from place to place? Well, that’s exactly what we get this week. This is exactly what I wanted! I wanted to see what happened to Ginko before he reached any of his destinations. Basically, I wanted a glimpse into the process of how someone can maneuver such a dangerous world all alone. Ginko is especially interesting because he all too often gives up the spotlight to whatever afflicted person-of-the-week he meets in villages. He’s the main character, and yet we still know only bits and pieces about him.
But now it’s Ginko Time! There are no other speakers this week except for Ginko. Although we don’t really learn anything we know, what we already know about Ginko is fortified. I also felt a bit of a deeper appreciation for Ginko’s skills and how he manages to survive given the lifestyle he’s chosen. For example, we already know that Ginko has the uncanny ability to think rationally even during a crisis. He is always the voice of reason. But we’ve never seen him navigate a sticky situation where he is the only one involved. Ginko carefully tries out all his options with the sharpness of a detective. He avoids hasty solutions like popping open a bottle of kouki, instead trying to gather information before doing anything. He’s in a situation where he could be permanently trapped in a freezing mountain all alone and he still chooses to go the slow and thorough route. Ginko is clearly alarmed, but he’s able to suppress his panic to find the best answer.
His steel nerves give you the impression that he’s experienced in these things. He’s likely been through close brushes with death all his life as he tries to avoid mushi. Which is hard given the fact that they’re everywhere. Ginko has a strong ability to survive because he’s been tested so many times. We usually see him warmed by the fire in villager’s houses, but every other time he’s probably walking insane distances everyday and sleeping in a shabby stack of sticks at night. It’s a hard life! He goes through all this and for what? I don’t think we’ve seen him get paid once this season for his efforts. The only reward is fulfilling his own sense of justice. It’s something I could never fathom doing, but Ginko does it without a shred of doubt or regret.
Being trapped in a mountain is only one instance of the hell Ginko goes through. In fact, Ginko made it appear to be only a minor hassle because of how calm he acted. The only downside to this is that we, the viewers, don’t really feel that there’s a lot at stake when Ginko is this calm. There’s tension, but it’s a calm tension. This episode is more interesting than it is exciting, really. Afterall, it was solved so easily! Ginko fell into some mud and spilled his magical beer and then everything was suddenly ok. It was very anti-climatic. It was good fuel for the imagination though, as I began to wonder what other things Ginko deals with.
I kind of wish Ginko made a bigger deal out of being trapped, but I also realize that wouldn’t be in character for him. Ginko loves nature and mushi. Although he’s seen them ruin lives time and time again, he forgives them and treats them with a distant respect. When he clues in that the Mountain God basically tricked him out of a free meal to heal the landslide-weakened mountain, he just lets it be. “Ah, whatever” he says casually about the situation that almost locked him in an ice prison for all eternity “I guess they were hungry.”When sinking into a pit of mud, surrounded by animals he thinks “Whew, sure is good the mountain isn’t dead. That is definitely the most pressing issue for me right now as I drown in mud.” His sense of self-sacrifice for nature and mushi is outstanding.4
Ginko’s cute lil Babushka-like scarf is my favourite
It’s like an exorcist who is fond of ghosts. It’s weird. But Ginko has the perfect balance of respect and fear for mushi. He knows they are necessary for us to live (And sometimes quite beautiful) but he doesn’t dare to disturb them or exploit their powers. This is clearly the best way to look at things since anyone Ginko runs into that tries to exploit the mushi for their powers end up being punished. Ginko knows what they are capable of – both good and bad. That’s why he’s still alive to this day.
This definitely isn’t a very “finale-like” episode. It’s more like a character study than anything. It felt a bit like a Hayao Miyazaki movie, but if he suddenly became extremely depressed and dark. There’s a message about environmentalism, but it’s got an edge of danger to it. And darkness. It’s not a good finale, but it is a nice “prequel” of sorts to the OVA. Now that we appreciate who Ginko is and what he’s about, we can use this to better appreciate his actions in the finale. This is not goodbye, this is just “see you later for more rambling about how PONDS ARE REALLY DANGEROUS.”
THE HILLLSSSS ARE ALIIIVVEEEEE WITH THE SOUND OF MUSSSHIIIII
About Overcooled
A neuroscience graduate, black belt, and all-around nerd. You'll either find me in my lab or curled up in my rilakkuma kigurumi watching anime.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 77 comments
That last little song quote had me snickering.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I couldn’t resist
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I guess your wish was granted. And it’s odd having Ginko be a one-man show when you’ve gotten accustomed to the whole Mushi victim of the week routine. Not that it’s a bad thing, mind you. Simply, it’s kind of a sudden whiplash. Like you’ve driving forward the whole time to make a U-turn at the last moment.
We sure saw Ginko’s other side. Gone was the cool and collected advisor who crosses paths with unfortunate folks during his journeys. Maybe this is story’s way of saying he’s like everyone else and to shatter the assumption that the situation never goes sour for him. Special people are not allowed!! No exceptions!! Despite being startled, the way he handled himself is proof he’s braved treacherous environments before.
I don’t follow any threads about this series so it took some time acknowledging this was the last entry and it’s actually a split cour show, even after seeing the announcement at the end of the run about the other half. If anything, it felt like an intermission. That aside, it did clear up the reasoning behind the delays between the episodes. The series would’ve ended much earlier than the others without them.
There’s relief knowing it’s not the end since Mushishi Zoku Shou has grown on me with its eerie atmosphere, thanks to the beautiful animation. The studio has had a good budget. I like the world it’s created, just wouldn’t want to be part of it for certain reasons (puddles that changes body chemistry, frostbitten to the point of numbness, seashells that render their victims unable to speak, etc…) so I’m highly anticipating more of the show. Until October, OC!
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
It was! I got what I wanted. I love learning more about Ginko because he fades to the background so often.
I didn’t get the feeling that Ginko was panicking very much, actually. He still seemed incredibly calm given his situation. I was very impressed!
The news for this show keeps changing and changing but at least we know a second season is happening for sure. I hope we don’t run into any more delays…
Watch season 1 while you wait for October!!!
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
The final 2-parter episodes planned were cancelled for TV due to production and financial problems the animation studio’s going through.
Apparently this studio’s always suffered from them.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I heard the last two episodes are bordering on horror and thus were not being aired on TV. I could guess from the delays of episode air but then again Artland is a very small studio. I hope they earn enough money from BD/DVD sales!
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Nooooooooooooooo I want a super dark 2-episode special!!! D:
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Ginko’s next lesson learned: Stay away from keikaku turtles/mountain gods.
And I completely agree with this:
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Meddle in the affairs of the gods and you will get burned!! Or in Ginko’s case, frozen or drowned.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
The turtle was pretty boss!
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 20 comments
Initially I thought, “what? That’s it?” but this episode really is one of those where you need to take in what you can then sleep on it before drawing conclusions about it. From what I remember, this is the only time apart from *that* episode ‘One Eyed Fish’ where we learn anything about Ginko at all.
And yet he’s the main recurring character! Sure, we see Adashino and Tanyu more than once, but this was the first time the emphasis is on what Ginko gets up to when he’s on his own, and opens a window on his everyday life. Quite a nice primer for the remaining episodes.
“There’s tension, but it’s a calm tension” <- this sounds self-contradictory, but in truth it isn't. This approach is what makes Mushishi work so well I think.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
The more I think about this episode, the more I like it! Very unlike how I felt last week. But yes, this is really one of the few times we get to learn about Ginko. Not as much as learning about his past though. I absolutely loved that One Eyed Fish episode in season 1.
Ughh I wish we could get the continuation RIGHT NOW because I know I’m going to forget everything between now and October. I’m gonna miss this show :/