Mushishi

Description

From Kodansha:
Some live in the deep darkness behind your eyelids. Some eat silence. Some thoughtlessly kill. Some simply drive men mad. They are known as mushi creatures that came into being shortly after life emerged from the primordial ooze. They still exist parallel to our own lives and can only be seen by a select few. As a mushishi, Ginko is one of the few who are aware of their existense and this young man with a sardonic smile roams from place to place with the knowledge and skill to aid those unwittingly affected by mushi.

Note: Won the Excellence Prize for Manga at the 7th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2003 and the Kodansha Manga Award for General Manga in 2006.

Type

Manga

Mushishi Gaitanshuu (Side Story)

Associated Names

Bug Master

Mushi-shi

Trùng Sư

Знаток Муси

กีฏจารย์กับอาถรรพ์แมลงพิสดาร

蟲師

충사

Groups Scanlating

Latest Release(s)

v.3 c.11 by shakyamuni scans 5 years ago

c.35 by J.A.C. Group 15 years ago

c.34 by J.A.C. Group 15 years ago

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Status in Country of Origin

10 Volumes (Complete)

Completely Scanlated?

Anime Start/End Chapter

Starts at Vol 1, Chap 1 (S1) / Vol 7, Chap 27 (S2+Movie+Special)

Ends at Vol 6, Chap 26 (S1) / Vol 10, Chap 50 (S2+Movie+Special)

User Reviews

N/A

Forum

5 topics, 15 posts

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User Rating

Average: 8.8 / 10.0 (906 votes)

Bayesian Average: 8.72 / 10.0

48%

23%

13%

Last Updated

April 12th, 2025 8:14am PDT - 2 weeks ago

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Genre

Adventure Drama Fantasy Historical Mystery Seinen Slice of Life Supernatural
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Categories

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Category Recommendations

Kino no Tabi - The Beautiful World (Novel)

Zettaizetsumei Denjarasu Jiisan

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou

Recommendations

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou

Historie

Hagane no Renkinjutsushi

Author(s)

URUSHIBARA Yuki

Artist(s)

URUSHIBARA Yuki

Year

1999

Original Publisher

Kodansha

Serialized In (magazine)

Afternoon (Kodansha)

Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher

Del Rey (Defunct / 8 Vols - Complete)

Kodansha USA (8 Digital Volumes; Complete | Pyhsical Omnibus Reprint; Fall 2025)

NewPOP (5 Vols - publishing)

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

Weekly Pos #592

(-84)

Monthly Pos #444

(-355)

3 Month Pos #1587

(-960)

6 Month Pos #2250

(-531)

Year Pos #2524

(+176)

List Stats

On 1445 reading lists

On 2047 wish lists

On 1286 completed lists

On 94 unfinished lists

On 667 custom lists

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Forum Posts Click to view the forum

Whoever came up with the "Bug Master" title translation needs to be smacked upside the head

9 years ago

Mushishi Anime Gets 2nd Season in April

11 years ago

anime or manga?

12 years ago

Ending Discussion....

13 years ago

Manga to Anime Rundown

19 years ago

User Comments [ Order by usefulness ]

One of my favorite series

by fwoom
10 years ago

Rating: N/A

I can just go back and read this series over and over again... completely agree with the other reviewer that said he was sad to see it end. 🙁 I wish the author would just keep on going too.

Full review and further recommendations here: http://www.foxymanga.com/manga-review-mushishi/

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Boring you say?

by residentgrigo
10 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

I find Mushishi NOT to be boring but i view it as the MOST boring anime (but not sure if manga) ever and the sheer commitment to no service of any kind to the reader/viewer has to be admired as there is only deep storytelling, the beauty of nature and nothing more. The mangaka clearly had a vision to tell and didn't care about the reader one bit so ether you get on the slowest train if all or you go home. I recently "forced" a friend of mine to watch the whole anime series and he described it as gently walking through a forest. I couldn't describe it better and this is the best Mono no aware of all. The new Mushishi Tokubetsu Hen - Hihamu Kage from 2014 is identical to the two sisters episode 11/12 (or special if you like) from season 2 btw. I am interested in more such shorts and Yokohama Shopping Trip (8,5/10) is another must in the sub-genre.

... Last updated 10 years ago

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Another manga done correctly

by zimzimbadabim
13 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

It gives me a good feeling when I see mangas like these. It's the reason I have completed over 100 mangas and am currently reading over 200 other mangas: for the chance that I might find a gem such as this one. In all my experience I've only read about 15 other mangas of this quality.

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Beautiful

by doushimomo
13 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

The world feels so completely realized, so utterly rich, that I find myself reading this over and over again. Something about Mushishi is so wonderful and calming, it's just a joy to read. The artwork is beautiful, and I also enjoy reading the mangaka's notes about where she's traveled, and how she gets her ideas.

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What makes a legend

by Ibleda
13 years ago

Rating: N/A

Amazing manga. However... unexpected for it to end. I thought of it as a manga with potential to go on just about forever, as they were short stories instead of a single plotline. Honestly... the ending was not satisfying at all. There were no storyline that points to end of series at all, it just went boom and over.
However, that does not change that Mushishi is an absolutely awesome manga. Although the ending was not satisfying, it was not unacceptable either. Quality over quantity, nothing better can be said. The last thing wanted would be for a quality drop if the manga was dragged on, though if a sequel is ever released, I would definitely look forward to reading it.

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Greatly satisfying.

by SomePerson
14 years ago

Rating: N/A

Don't look for huge story arcs or a single connected plotline. This manga is a collection of short (but very good) stories. Ginko is a great character, and the world that Urushibara has made is wonderful. This manga isn't just about him, but rather the world around him (in a sense, how we flow with nature). I enjoyed the stories about him very much, but there are just so many others that are just as good.

One of the few episodic manga that I really enjoyed. Definitely recommend it for a read...

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Amazing work.

by LUEser
14 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

First of all, I want to point out that I love the artwork. The people, in general, is not over-dramatically drawn; they're everyday people with everyday lives. The mushi are very unique and what is even more amazing is their ability to cause different effects on people, mentally and physically. It is an absolute joy to read this series.

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Sad to see the end

by naomi
15 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

I've thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this series, rereading each of the volumes too many times to count. The way each (or majority of) chapter holds a different story, the episodic nature has become a real highlight for me. It almost feels like how an adult would tell a fairy tale to a child. Don't quite know how to explain it, but just being able to pick up a random volume and read any chapter when you have some free time is very enjoyable.

Storywise, I won't go into details, I think it's obvious how good they are. They have varied endings, mostly happy, some very bittersweet. My favourite has to be the one where the man has deja vu (somewhere in v8-10), realising his life is going around a loop. The ending just made me go oh no. Bittersweet indeed. I've read a few complaints about the ending to the whole series, how there's no dramatic story or a real closure, but I think the ending suits the episodic nature told. Sort of like you can still see Ginko wandering around in his world helping others. The art you can see grows over the volumes. Suits it very well like others have said.

Ginko's character really tops the chart. Somehow he exudes this composed, knowledgable, reliable persona I have yet to find anywhere else to match. It's also interesting to note that though Ginko appears in every chapter, in a majority of them he's depicted in a way that makes him a side character. Chapters focusing on Ginko when he was younger are few, but very interesting to read. I really do wish there was more, but the amount Urushibara has given is just enough to satisfy but still keep some mystery around him. The one thing that will always make me grin is how Ginko basically only wears two outfits. His black turtleneck and white shirt haha!

Del Rey has done a good job, a little on the expensive side though. They've kept the original sfx instead of editing them out, but noted the translated next to it, which is smart. They've also gone for the phonetic sfx approach, for example, instead of "rustle" it would probably be "ksh" or something along the lines... which is unique, much like how the jp sfx are. My earlier volumes from a few years ago aren't so great (fading ink, smudges where the ink hasn't properly dried and printed to the opposite page) but they really upped their game later. Volume 7 has really nice thick paper, so nice that even a page which is pure black won't show through the other side. The downside of this is it makes it a little hard to read (if you're protective of creasing the spine). And the ink, honestly, is lovely block black, no fading to be seen anywhere, double thumbs up for that. I'm a little unhappy they decided to make the last three volumes into an omnibus edition (v8,9,10). It just looks odd on the shelf, and the fact the spine is white instead of the off white/yellow colour they used for the other 7 vols... but that's me being picky. Paper is thinner, so you can read unhindered, but it means you can see through the otherside. They used vol10's cover but I was disappointed they hadn't included v8 and 9's somewhere inside. It should be noted that it literally is 3 books slammed together, contents and tl notes inbetween, not all at the end. I heard Mushishi wasn't doing well in sales, which is a shame to hear, so an omnibus beats no omnibus any day.

Happy and sad to see this end, but a definite recommended read.

... Last updated 14 years ago

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I've never seen a manga which could be described as a work of art...

by calstine
16 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

...before I read Mushishi, that is.

This manga is suitable for any and every age group. I'm serious. Anyone, from a two-year-old to a centenarian, can read this with no fear of coming across even the slightest hint of age-inappropriate content. However, it takes a certain type of intellectual, irrespective of age, to be able to enjoy the true beauty of this tranquil piece of poetry.

The realism of the characters; their behaviour and their lifestyles; the depiction of nature and the sense of personality given to each mushi is simply stunning. It's difficult, if not impossible, to find a manga that's quite so breathtakingly brilliant in its simplicity and matter-of-factness.

The protagonist, Ginko, is the most down-to-earth and engaging persona I've had the pleasure of coming across in any work of fiction so far. He has a calm, decisive, clearly defined personality which makes it simply impossible to dislike him under any circumstance.

But of course it's not just Ginko: every person we meet as we follow him on his journey is an interesting and believable individual in his or her own right; and it's quite easy to feel for, and sympathise with, their plights.

The supernatural premise of the tale, while allowing for the author to be quite creative and original in her approach, also does a fantastic job of helping the reader feel closer to nature, and aiding him to understand the subtle message behind each stand-alone story.

Many people complain about the art being too 'vague' and 'unattractive'. It's a matter of taste, obviously, but in my opinion the simple but appropriately detailed illustrations only serve to enhance the gentle, poetic quality of the story

The conclusion's no "dramatic, thrilling climax," but is still perfect in every way. Unlike most mangaka, who fail to recognize where their talents lie and attempt to convert a perfectly well-written episodic story into a cheap soap opera with a "shocking," "unexpected" ending, Urushibara Yuki has the presence of mind to be content with her tale and manages to execute a finale that fits seamlessly with the rest of the series in terms of mood, quality and effectiveness, while still providing a sense of closure to this fantastical tale of one very special man and his very unique adventures.

Everyone - child, teenager, or adult - should read Mushishi at least once. If you pass up on it, you're really missing out on a most wonderful experience.

... Last updated 9 years ago

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Subtly Appealing

by OppKnox
16 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

Once I was lulled into Mushishi’s dreamlike pacing, I realized the series does have a vague, lingering allure. The title may suggest otherwise, but the true protagonist is nature, or rather everything that comprises Ginko’s world, particularly mushi. The manga’s artistry lies in its lush, ethereal landscapes, while the people tend to look alike, as if the universal human condition is the one constant amidst the unpredictable flow of life. Mushishi is a bit like music without a melody or that favorite album you disliked at first. It grows on you.

Edit: I just realized my comment reiterated what the previous reviewer said. Sorry, though I suppose a little consensus doesn't hurt.

... Last updated 16 years ago

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