Normally I’m not too thrilled with live-action versions of anime (while Death Note wasn’t too bad, Tokyo Babylon 1999 was pretty wretched…still haven’t watched my live-action Dororo but I’ll get around to it soon). But I’m a huge fan of Mushishi, and I’m curious to see the live-action version (also, it’s directed by Katsuhiro Otomo!) and how it compares to the manga and anime. Luckily, our friends at Funimation have made it that much easier for me to see it!

Here!

Funimation did a fantastic job with releasing the anime, so I expect the live-action film will get a lot of attention from them as well. 2009 is going to be an interesting year!

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Mushishi has the rather dubious distinction of being one of the most critically acclaimed and popularly ignored anime of the past few years. It’s easy to see why: the show has no nearly-naked girls, no giant robots, no vampires, and no ninjas. What it does have are compelling characters, gorgeous art, understated storytelling and an engaging concept. It’s a gentle yet powerful series, and anime for grown-ups who liked to be moved and made to think at the same time. And that’s exactly why it will never be popular.

The series is based on the manga by Yuki Urushibara. First, the concept: mushi are simple creatures, with no more intelligence or motivation than a bacteria. Their existence is so ancient and primal, in fact, that most higher-functioning creatures aren’t aware of them; on the whole, mushi are invisible t the human eye. Despite this simplicity, they come in an astonishing array of shapes, sizes and colors. Many resemble deep sea animals like squid or jellyfish; others look like primitive worms, birds, or snakes, and still others appear as corkscrews or formless masses. Some mushi eat silence; others eat mall animals or plants or eyeballs. Some live in rafters, some in caves, some in human bodies. The one thing all mushi have in common is that at some point, each variety causes will cause trouble for humans. This is where mushishi come in, a rare breed of human who can see and interact with mushi. Their abilities often attract mushi, so to avoid causing trouble for their neighbors they live on the road, acting as wandering problem-solvers, stopping in towns and villages troubles by mushi. Since little is known about mushi, mushishi rely on mushi lore passed down from their teachers, knowledge swapped with other mushishi and their own innovations.

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