[Categories: Anime Reviews]
[Notice] End of Mushishi reviews…for now
With the final episode being out on fansub any day now I was a little surprised to see that at least one subbing group has ceased work on it. Unfortunately this means I won’t be reviewing that last episode so my following of this series on fansub ends here.
HOWEVER
The reason given is that Funimation sent out advance notice outlining their request for the fansubs to stop. The likely explanation is that Funi have acquired the licence - no official statement has yet been made and this is only one of several series that have been given the ‘cease and desist’ treatment (I’ll post details as soon as I hear of it) but the way it looks now is that we may be be seeing Mushishi on DVD in the near future. That more than makes up for the bad news concerning the fansubs, eh? 
So, what else do we have to look forward to?
The manga
Del Ray are intending to release the original manga series. What particularly interests me is that in Japan it’s still ongoing: could this mean there will be a second season of the anime…? More speculation!
The live action film
The feature film, Bug Master, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo (yep, the Katsuhiro Otomo) premiered in Japan this year and has been met with generally positive reviews. At least, the screenshots look bloody fantastic.
In summary one of my favourite fansub shows is now off the fansub circuit, probably for good. The good news is, it will soon be one of my favourite licenced shows instead, along with a genuine DVD release. Now would be a good time to thank the fansub groups who have brought this excellent series. Their hard work has not gone unnoticed!
Posted on October 7th, 2006 @ 7:42 pm
In many ways it’s frustrating that FUNi have issued these warnings while we’re all hanging on the last episode of Mushishi, but then again it’s not as though the last episode will be climax of a giant plot anyway. No doubt its just another terrific but episodic tale.
Posted on October 8th, 2006 @ 2:51 am
Are you kidding? BUG MASTER?!
That sounds like some Pokemon catching Bug Pokemon crap.
At least they’re releasing teh manga. I hope they don’t screw up with that. D:
Posted on October 8th, 2006 @ 1:59 pm
@ Bateszi: You’re right. As disappointing as it is to have to wait for the final episode, we’re not holding on to see a resolution of any sort. Ginko’s journey is pretty much endless which makes me all the more hopeful for a second season of the TV series, or at east another OAV or two. Viewers polls in Japan suggest that it’s a popular show.
@ Lenners: sadly, I’m not kidding. The IMDB entry lists Otomo’s film under its original title but it’s called ‘Bug Master’ internationally. They could call it Monty Python’s Lifeof Ginko for all I care but I’d rather see Western fans remember it with its original, more dignified title.
As for the manga, Tanoshimi have released some of Del Ray’s titles in the UK so I’m guessing that they’re a Del Ray subsiduary. Judging by the nice job they’re making of Tsubasa, I think this manga series will be in safe hands!