Mushishi Collector’s Edition 1

Gr 10 Up–There are things in this world which are beyond human ken. Pictures that come alive, horns that swallow sound, and other strange phenomena that cause wonder or harm. For when man and the ephemeral life-forms known as mushi meet, their paths diverge from the known. This is where the titular mushishi (“mushi master”) comes in. Mushishi follows the wanderings of the one-eyed Ginko as he heals mysterious illnesses and restores the natural order in rural Japan. While these folktale-ish vignettes succinctly introduce each problem and the pseudoscience that solves them, their core revolves around an empathetic human element. Similar to Yuki Midorikawa’s series “Natsume’s Book of Friends,” this manga upholds a respect for life and the fleeting connections we share with others and with nature. Its meditative voice entrances introspective readers into caring for its creations, before delivering a cathartic message or warning that resounds beyond its pages.