Mushishi (live-action feature film)
After being captivated by the animated version of Yuki Urushibara’s award-winning graphic novel series I was really looking forward to seeing the Mushishi universe in live-action form; not least because it’s directed by Katsuhiro Otomo in his debut outside the realms of animation. As it turns out the results are somewhat disappointing: while it’s visually stunning only part of the Mushishi magic shone through and I can’t say with certainty that it’s something those unfamiliar with the franchise will appreciate.
The story is set in historical rural Japan, following the life of Ginko, a mushishi. Mushishi are experts in the field of mushi, primitive and supernatural life forms that cannot be categorised as animals or plants. As a mushishi Ginko is part naturalist and part witch doctor: he travels the countryside, studying how mushi live and using his knowledge to help people whose lives are affected by them.
