Mushishi ep.11

January 10, 2006 | 12 Comments

This turns out to be a very good episode that is not only beautiful to look at but also interesting story-wise. I finally understand why the animators decided to place this particular story as the 11th episode instead of earlier in the beginning. This is because the story contains a little bit of revelation about Ginko, which actually will be fully explored in next week's episode. I supposed the animators simply trying to make it easier for the viewers to keep up with the information by putting the two episodes within closer time frame. I have to say that I'm rather surprised to see this episode being so entertaining because I remember the original manga chapter feels a bit dull when I first read it. I think a lot of it can be attributed to the beautiful animation, which is definitely a lot better in comparison to the last 3-4 episodes. The episode is also a return of the many faces of Ginko, which I find to be rather amusing.

The episode begins with a noodle-slurping Ginko noticing that there is a big round hole in the middle of a mountain. A couple of seconds later, however, he realises that the hole that he previously saw has disappeared. Ginko eventually stumbles upon a house where a group of villagers are having discussion about the mountain. Ginko introduces himself as a Mushishi and offers his help if there is something weird with the mountain. Strangely, the villagers seem rather surprised upon hearing Ginko's profession. It doesn't take long, however, before the head of the villagers asks Ginko to help them looking for another Mushishi called Mujika, who supposedly lives deep in the mountains. The villagers claim that 'Nushi-sama' (a God-like creature) has also been living in the mountain area for generations and that they always defer to Mujika whenever they want to cut trees or hunt animals. However, Mujika has been missing from his house.

The villagers have sent people to look after him but these people have always come back with fever, which eventually caused their death. Upon reaching the forest, Ginko realises that he can sense a strong presence of spirits. Because of this, he believes that the forest is actually 'A light pulse', the place where the river of life flows. He also believes that if this place is a form of 'light pulse', then a God that controls it must also exists. While opening his backpack, Ginko hears a sound of someone collapsing nearby so he goes to the source of the noise and finds an unconscious young boy. When the boy is awake, he tells Ginko that he is actually Mujika's apprentice and has been looking for his teacher. After giving an awful medicine to the boy, whose name is Kodama, Ginko tells him to stay where he is now because he's going to look for his teacher. Upon saying this, Ginko places a few Kouki-filled Sakazuki around him.

He tells the boy that he's going to perform a 'Mugura-nori', a ritual that uses a Mushi called 'Mugura', some kind of mountain's nerve that passes on their consciousness into the plants. For some reason I have a bad Evil Dead flashback when I heard this. Anyway, upon saying this, Ginko places his hand on the ground and when he does this, several plant-like creatures begin to swarm his arms and eventually envelop his body with their vines. Hmm, what did I say about Evil Dead? By doing this, Ginko can fuse his own consciousness and search for the whereabouts of Mujika utilising the Mushi's own viral system. Before he can complete his search, however, the Mugura suddenly stops. Ginko quickly realises that the Mushi has been cut off by something. Nevertheless, Ginko has collected enough clues so and Kodama are off to find Mujika's location. On their way to the place, however, they hear the sound of a bell.

Ginko decides to ignore the sound and tells Kodama that Mujika should be around their current location and true enough, the boy spots an old man under a shallow cliff. Mujika explains to the other two that he basically lost his balance one day and ended up hurting his foot. The only reason he remained alive despite being unable to move is because he had access to fruits and water around him. When Mujika tells Ginko that maybe it's time to retire, Ginko sarcastically asks him if this is a retirement from being the mountain's 'God'. Ginko believes that Mujika has been using the Mugura's power to keep the intruders out. Moreover, the strange going ons in the mountain happened because Mujika fell and couldn't use his power. Mujika admits that he's been playing God but this is for a good reason. As Ginko has noticed, this area is essentially a 'light pulse' and at one point, there was a real 'God’, which kept things under control. However, the villagers made a mistake and killed it.

Ever since then, a sake-like smell started to appear from the river. This caused the plants to become too ripe and eventually die. Mujika and his wife came to the mountain with the intention of becoming 'God' so they can help the villagers. But unfortunately his wife didn't live long due to the mountain's spirit. He then confirms Ginko's guess that Kodama is going to be the next 'God'. The boy was actually born and raised in the mountain area. Apparently the water that runs through the village often causes the female in the village to give birth to a lot of kids. As a result, they are often abandoned in the mountain. Kodama was lucky that animal in the mountain didn’t eat him. In the middle of the conversation, however, the bell-like sound can be heard once more. Ginko finds this incident to be strange but before he can think any further, Mujika continues their conversation and asks Ginko about his own life.

Mujika asks Ginko if he is a traveller Mushishi without home. Ginko confirms the other guy's guess and tells Mujika that the reason is because Mushi tend to follow him. If he remains in the same place for a long time, Mushi will most likely swarm that place. He thinks that this is an inevitable result of learning about ways to get rid of the creatures. Having said that, Ginko tells Mujika that he is fine with this lifestyle. Upon hearing this Mujika tells Ginko that he's a bit jealous with Ginko because he can't ever leave this mountain. He thinks that his bones will eventually lie here too. The next day, Ginko and Kodama return to the village to tell the villagers that Mujika is okay. However, in the middle of the night, Ginko hears the sound of the bell again and decides to investigate it. Before he can go too far, however, he realises that Kodama has been following him. It seems that he can hear the noise as well.

Upon finding out about this, Ginko asks the boy if Mujika has taught him way to become a 'God'. Apparently by taking the 'Mugura' into one's body, one can learn about the perception of all the plants and trees in the mountain. If a person is able to withstand this, the person will become a 'God'. Kodama, however, doesn't seem to know anything about this so Ginko tells him that the bell is not Mushi related. Ginko eventually realises that back then Mujika didn't hurt his leg at all. Mujika went to that rock area so people couldn't find him and so he can call upon 'The Kuchinawa'. Apparently the bell sound that Ginko has been hearing is the creature's sound. This Mushi basically eats the current mountain/river's 'God' then takes their place as the reigning 'God'. Mujika believes that by allowing 'The Kuchinawa' to eat him, he will restore the balance of nature, which has gone out of shape after the boar-shaped 'God' was killed.

Mujika also adds that he has committed a sin that he can't reveal. He feels that being a 'God' is a hard job and that it's a job more appropriate for something like 'The Kuchinawa'. Upon hearing this Ginko tells Mujika that back then, when Mujika said that he's jealous of Ginko, the truth is Ginko is also jealous of Mujika. Because of this, he can't let Mujika die. Ginko then places his hand on the ground and tries to call upon the Mugura again. But everything is too late because before he manages to do anything further, a gigantic snake-form suddenly appears in the forest and devours Mujika. All of a sudden Ginko sees a flashback of the time when Mujika was still young. Apparently back then Mujika was asked by the villagers to stay in the village. However, back then Mujika was similar to Ginko, in that he can't stay in one place because the Mushi will then follow him. This seems to disappoint Saku, a woman who was in love with him.

He, however, told the villagers that he can do this is if he kills the mountain's 'God' and becomes one himself. That way he can make the Mushi to go to the mountain instead. However, such act is considered sin and Mujika felt that he can't do it. Saku, however was willing to do this if it means that she gets to be with Mujika. Because of this, she killed the boar-shaped 'God' so Mujika can stay in the village. Back in the present, Ginko regains his consciousness and is told by Kodama that he found Ginko in the mountaintop but can't find any trace of Mujika. Moreover, the villagers seem to have forgotten about Mujika. Ginko explains that Mujika was eaten by 'The Kuchinawa' and therefore the only people who can remember him are those who were with him in the mountain. Once Ginko is well, he travels back to the mountain area and finds that at the top of the mountain now sits 'The Kuchinawa': a giant white snake.

Impression:

What an awesome episode. I think the episode did a good job in selling the idea that 'Gods' like the Boar and The Kuchinawa do exist in this universe. In a way the story reminds of Mononoke Hime a little bit, especially the part where a human killed a 'God' in order to get its power. In the end, however, that power proves to be too much to handle for a human like Mujika and he decided to hand it back to a creature that deserves such power. I also like the way the story connects elements from previous episodes such as the ability of the Kouki to replenish vegetation. But in here, the abundance of such essence can also destroy the same vegetation. In a way, this is similar to water and its replenishing/destroying power. However, the most important part of the story is definitely the little background information we finally get about Ginko and his reason for travelling.

It appears that he's been doing this because he's a Mushi-magnet. :D He can't afford to stay in one place for too long because doing so will attract all kinds of Mushi to the area. Despite this, he seems quite okay with this rather troublesome lifestyle. Come to think of it, Ginko's perseverance and easygoing personality has been something that makes me like his character a lot. These days, anime tends to feature protagonist that has too many internal conflict. So it's nice change to see a character who enjoys his life. It also helps that he has some nifty ability such as summoning those 'Mugura' Mushi in order to find the whereabouts of a person. I really can't wait to see the next episode, which I hope will be paired with another awesome animation. As a final note, here's a Mononoke Hime related trivia: the young boy in this episode is called Kodama, the very same name given to the little white creature from Mononoke Hime. :)

© memento 2003