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Mushishi Collectors Edition #1-2
Mushishi Collector's Edition 1
The beloved fantasy manga returns in a hardcover omnibus edition featuring a completely original translation and new cover designs.
Before life as we know it, there existed entities that don't obey the laws of our reality—primordial beings known as mushi. In Japan, a man named Ginko wanders the land, investigating incursions by mushi into the human world—and by us into theirs. He is a mushi master…a mushi-shi.
Includes Japanese volumes 1-2.
Though invisible to most, tiny creatures known as mushi lurk beneath the surface of everyday reality. They exert a strange and occasionally terrifying influence on people's lives, and only experts known as mushishi carry the knowledge of how to deal with them. A mushishi named Ginko wanders the Japanese countryside, following rumors of various unusual occurences: a young man who dreams the future; a child with horns growing from his forehead; a boy with the power to write creatures into being; and more...
Upon its release in the 2000s, Mushishi earned global acclaim for its poetic episodic storytelling and delicate, beautiful artwork, winning the Japan Media Arts Prize, selection as a Best Manga by the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs, and recommendation as a top read for teens by the American Library Association. The series inspired two TV anime adaptations in 2005 and 2014 and a live-action film directed by the legendary Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of AKIRA. Unfortunately, after being out of print for 15 years, English copies of Mushishi became as elusive as the strange creatures that populate its pages—until now.
Kodansha's new edition of Mushishi features an all-new translation and lettering, and beautiful color pages and cover illustrations never seen in the U.S. before.
Before life as we know it, there existed entities that don't obey the laws of our reality—primordial beings known as mushi. In Japan, a man named Ginko wanders the land, investigating incursions by mushi into the human world—and by us into theirs. He is a mushi master…a mushi-shi.
Includes Japanese volumes 1-2.
Though invisible to most, tiny creatures known as mushi lurk beneath the surface of everyday reality. They exert a strange and occasionally terrifying influence on people's lives, and only experts known as mushishi carry the knowledge of how to deal with them. A mushishi named Ginko wanders the Japanese countryside, following rumors of various unusual occurences: a young man who dreams the future; a child with horns growing from his forehead; a boy with the power to write creatures into being; and more...
Upon its release in the 2000s, Mushishi earned global acclaim for its poetic episodic storytelling and delicate, beautiful artwork, winning the Japan Media Arts Prize, selection as a Best Manga by the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs, and recommendation as a top read for teens by the American Library Association. The series inspired two TV anime adaptations in 2005 and 2014 and a live-action film directed by the legendary Katsuhiro Otomo, creator of AKIRA. Unfortunately, after being out of print for 15 years, English copies of Mushishi became as elusive as the strange creatures that populate its pages—until now.
Kodansha's new edition of Mushishi features an all-new translation and lettering, and beautiful color pages and cover illustrations never seen in the U.S. before.
464 pages, Hardcover
Published November 4, 2025
About the author
Yuki Urushibara
39 books226 followersYuki Urushibara (漆原友紀) is a Japanese manga artist from Yamaguchi Prefecture.
She is best known for the series Mushishi, for which she received an Excellence Prize for manga at the 2003 Japan Media Arts Festival and the 2006 Kodansha Manga Award for general manga.
She is also known by the pen name Soyogo Shima (志摩 冬青 Shima Soyogo).
She is best known for the series Mushishi, for which she received an Excellence Prize for manga at the 2003 Japan Media Arts Festival and the 2006 Kodansha Manga Award for general manga.
She is also known by the pen name Soyogo Shima (志摩 冬青 Shima Soyogo).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
December 7, 2025
I want to start this review by saying that this is a great collector's edition. I read the e-arc, but the physical edition is a high-quality hardcover that's over 450 pages long, coming with many color pages and an all-new translation. If you already love this series and want something nice for your shelves then this is a good way to go. I didn't know anything about this series, but I've seen it around and I always wanted to check it out. As it turns out it's not really my thing. The whole premise is interesting, though. It's all about this life form called Mushi that is found in nature and sometimes in people, giving them strange abilities. It's hard to explain what they actually are and I think that I never really understood it. But the series follows a man called Ginko who is traveling around and investigates different Mushi and the people who are afflicted by them. It was a surprisingly episodic story – historically not my favorite narrative choice in manga – and it was really hard for me to care without an overarching plot. Some episodes were intriguing, like the boy who grew horns that interfere with his hearing or the traveling swamp, but it also was all very random to me. There's also very little information given about Ginko, so I was indifferent about his character too. The story is originally from the early 2000s and that's clearly noticeable in the art style, especially when it comes to the characters. The color pages looked nice though and I liked the nature spreads and the use of patterns. Overall I'm glad that I was able to take a look at this series, even if this (probably very beautiful) story was a bit lost on me. Maybe I will try the anime.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2025
Having watched some of the anime and loved it, I was curious if the source material had the same eerie/mystical feeling to it. I can safely say that not only does it live up to the anime, but it is far better than it at times!
Where the anime could drag a bit, the manga felt a lot more deliberate and concise. Part of this is due to the fact that the stories go by a lot quicker. However, there is something to be said about the atmosphere created by the show itself. Since there were some stories that I had not watched yet, I was able to see what it was like to experience one of the stories for the first time in manga vs. anime format and it still holds up quite a great deal.
For those who haven't watched the anime, the stories in Mushishi are some of the most unique and poignant stories that I have ever read. I will say, at first I was disappointed when I realized that the story doesn't necessarily focus on Ginko, just his interaction with the world around him. However, after having watched/read several stories I realized that was beside the point, and that even without a character driven story, the author still told tales that have an impact.
Additionally, I loved the anecdotes from the author sprinkled throughout and the appendix at the back of the book to describe some terminology. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has read the anime and loved it or is interested in episodic manga that asks the reader to ponder philosophical questions.
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley but all reviews are my own
Where the anime could drag a bit, the manga felt a lot more deliberate and concise. Part of this is due to the fact that the stories go by a lot quicker. However, there is something to be said about the atmosphere created by the show itself. Since there were some stories that I had not watched yet, I was able to see what it was like to experience one of the stories for the first time in manga vs. anime format and it still holds up quite a great deal.
For those who haven't watched the anime, the stories in Mushishi are some of the most unique and poignant stories that I have ever read. I will say, at first I was disappointed when I realized that the story doesn't necessarily focus on Ginko, just his interaction with the world around him. However, after having watched/read several stories I realized that was beside the point, and that even without a character driven story, the author still told tales that have an impact.
Additionally, I loved the anecdotes from the author sprinkled throughout and the appendix at the back of the book to describe some terminology. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has read the anime and loved it or is interested in episodic manga that asks the reader to ponder philosophical questions.
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley but all reviews are my own
October 11, 2025
I received a copy from Kodansha Comics through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ginko is a traveling Mushishi who can never stay in one place too long because he’ll attract the very mushi he helps people deal with. The mushi exists somewhere between the living and the dead, and not everyone can see them, but he knows what to do once he’s looked into the situation. Along the way, he meets a variety of people he finds who are being affected by the mushi, including other Mushishis.
I’ve read Yuki Urushibara’s work before and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to get a chance to start this series. The story is absolutely wonderful. We follow Ginko on his adventures and see him helping several people, including those who don’t necessarily want his help. Along the way, we slowly begin to learn about Ginko and his life along with the characters he’s helping.
If you’re looking for a super mellow series, this might be up your alley. It’s a pretty slow burn, but we get a peek into the lives of those Ginko helps and get a little attached to some of them before it’s time for him to move on. The artwork is beautiful as well, so I really enjoyed going through the ups and downs with the characters. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Ginko along with what characters and different types of mushi we’ll see along the way.
Ginko is a traveling Mushishi who can never stay in one place too long because he’ll attract the very mushi he helps people deal with. The mushi exists somewhere between the living and the dead, and not everyone can see them, but he knows what to do once he’s looked into the situation. Along the way, he meets a variety of people he finds who are being affected by the mushi, including other Mushishis.
I’ve read Yuki Urushibara’s work before and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to get a chance to start this series. The story is absolutely wonderful. We follow Ginko on his adventures and see him helping several people, including those who don’t necessarily want his help. Along the way, we slowly begin to learn about Ginko and his life along with the characters he’s helping.
If you’re looking for a super mellow series, this might be up your alley. It’s a pretty slow burn, but we get a peek into the lives of those Ginko helps and get a little attached to some of them before it’s time for him to move on. The artwork is beautiful as well, so I really enjoyed going through the ups and downs with the characters. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Ginko along with what characters and different types of mushi we’ll see along the way.
October 3, 2026
I loved this series when I was young, and this re-read proved that it's still just as good after all this time. Japan's answer to the Twilight Zone with stand-alone horror stories that go harder on vibes than they do violence. I like that the protagonist always has a joint clenched between his teeth, he reminds me of Julian in Trailer Park Boys and how he's never seen without a rum & coke.
December 19, 2025
Very gently told story of a wandering man, helping humans who have come in contact with magical elements of nature, usually to the detriment of the humans. The magical elements weren't evil or malicious, just completely...OTHER from the humans. No malice, no understanding and no real caring. Just like nature I suppose.
It was a bit creepy, as only this type of story can be in the hands of a good storyteller. Not quite my thing, but an enjoyable way to spend some time and I can see this being very popular with those who are into body horror, though it wasn't so bad that I was left feeling ill. I'm not into body horror, but this wasn't OTT for me.
3, not quite my wheelhouse but not bad and definitely recommended, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.
It was a bit creepy, as only this type of story can be in the hands of a good storyteller. Not quite my thing, but an enjoyable way to spend some time and I can see this being very popular with those who are into body horror, though it wasn't so bad that I was left feeling ill. I'm not into body horror, but this wasn't OTT for me.
3, not quite my wheelhouse but not bad and definitely recommended, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
I remember this series from nearly 20 years ago when I was first getting into anime, and a friend recommended it as one of his favorites. While I did watch the adaptation, this is my first time reading the story. Mushishi is a timeless classic that tugs at your heartstrings as it explores mystical happenings surrounding the “mushi” present in the lives of the people the main character visits in his travels.
The art does an amazing job of eliciting the melancholic, peaceful vibe that makes the story come to life. The translation to English here is also well done, as the prose is comes across as rich and never clunky, as sometimes manga translations can be, allowing the reader to sink into the story and really be immersed in the world.
With regard to this edition, I’m not sure if it was just the review copy that I have, but the kerning between letters is frequently off, breaking a word in half. A bit annoying, as when you read the affected words, your brain pauses and throws off the flow.
If you’re looking for a mellow, slow-burn manga series and you want to really feel something, you can’t go wrong here. 4.5/5 stars, check it out.
*An uncorrected proof of this book was provided by the publisher at the reviewer’s request in exchange for a fair and uncompromising review.
The art does an amazing job of eliciting the melancholic, peaceful vibe that makes the story come to life. The translation to English here is also well done, as the prose is comes across as rich and never clunky, as sometimes manga translations can be, allowing the reader to sink into the story and really be immersed in the world.
With regard to this edition, I’m not sure if it was just the review copy that I have, but the kerning between letters is frequently off, breaking a word in half. A bit annoying, as when you read the affected words, your brain pauses and throws off the flow.
If you’re looking for a mellow, slow-burn manga series and you want to really feel something, you can’t go wrong here. 4.5/5 stars, check it out.
*An uncorrected proof of this book was provided by the publisher at the reviewer’s request in exchange for a fair and uncompromising review.
November 6, 2025
Mushishi was one of the first anime I watched when I was younger that made me really GET IT, like "Oh yeah, this medium is an art form and this is a masterpiece." However, I had never gone back to read the manga until this Collector's Edition.
It's definitely safe to say that the manga lived up to the very high expectations I had from my childhood memories of the anime. It's beautiful, it's heartwarming, it's chilling at times, its world is rich and vibrant and mysterious. There's so much empathy and humanity packed into these stories that some of them just stick to you and refuse to let go. Just truly an amazing piece of fiction.
Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the review copy!
It's definitely safe to say that the manga lived up to the very high expectations I had from my childhood memories of the anime. It's beautiful, it's heartwarming, it's chilling at times, its world is rich and vibrant and mysterious. There's so much empathy and humanity packed into these stories that some of them just stick to you and refuse to let go. Just truly an amazing piece of fiction.
Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the review copy!
October 14, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Kodansha for early access to this book
I had heard about the anime a lot and was recommended to watch it so I was very happy when I got the opportunity to read the manga.
I really enjoyed the world building and the concept of mushi. I think it's very interesting the way the mushi are not necessarily the villains of the story. Just another aspect of life that can sometimes be a problem.
I like the main character and the way he analyzes to figure out what mushi he's dealing with.
Now I want to read more and watch the anime!
I had heard about the anime a lot and was recommended to watch it so I was very happy when I got the opportunity to read the manga.
I really enjoyed the world building and the concept of mushi. I think it's very interesting the way the mushi are not necessarily the villains of the story. Just another aspect of life that can sometimes be a problem.
I like the main character and the way he analyzes to figure out what mushi he's dealing with.
Now I want to read more and watch the anime!
March 11, 2026
4⭐️
Really interesting stories about the mushi and the man who tries to help people be cured of their infections, Gingko the Mushishi. Beautiful line drawings and love the coloration of the interleaves. So glad I picked this one up!
I borrowed this manga from my local library. Libraries and library workers have shown up for our communities time and time again, and now it’s time for us to show up for them. Today, they’re facing unprecedented challenges from every direction: the loss of federal funding; record levels of attempted book bans; threats of violence and harassment simply for doing their jobs. Take action today—for our communities, for our future, for our libraries. Support your local library 📚!
Really interesting stories about the mushi and the man who tries to help people be cured of their infections, Gingko the Mushishi. Beautiful line drawings and love the coloration of the interleaves. So glad I picked this one up!
I borrowed this manga from my local library. Libraries and library workers have shown up for our communities time and time again, and now it’s time for us to show up for them. Today, they’re facing unprecedented challenges from every direction: the loss of federal funding; record levels of attempted book bans; threats of violence and harassment simply for doing their jobs. Take action today—for our communities, for our future, for our libraries. Support your local library 📚!
March 6, 2026
I really enjoyed this! I loved all the different stories but I think that the one about the mountain protector was my favorite one. Although it's really hard to pick, there were some fantastic stories throughout.
May 9, 2026
3.5 stars - love Ginko.
January 23, 2026
While I do own the original, English version of the manga, I felt like I couldn't pass upon getting this collector's edition, too.
I am something of a Mushishi collector after all. *glances at the DVD box, art books, and Ginko nendoroid on my Mushishi shelf* 😏
Yeah, I have read this manga before, and I have watched the anime plenty of times, but having this edition, with the colour pages added, feels special.
It remains my favourite manga - and anime. 💚✨
I am something of a Mushishi collector after all. *glances at the DVD box, art books, and Ginko nendoroid on my Mushishi shelf* 😏
Yeah, I have read this manga before, and I have watched the anime plenty of times, but having this edition, with the colour pages added, feels special.
It remains my favourite manga - and anime. 💚✨
January 14, 2026
The reprinting of this series is a thing I hadn’t even dared hope for since I first discovered the story after it’d already been out of print long enough for English copies to become outrageously priced collectibles. So I was beside myself excited to get the news that it was getting another run in these Collector’s Edition omnibuses. It’s gorgeous! The art is lovely and yes there are a couple typos here and there (largely small words missing), but the overall story is at once charming and eerie in that way that draws you back for more. It feels like such a unique take on the paranormal genre, and I’ve just really enjoyed these episodic adventures of strange creatures and the different ways they intersect with humans.
November 1, 2025
i dont have any words to describe how much i love this series. im so happy to revisit it.
May 5, 2026
"I'm on a journey to find a rainbow."
I stumbled upon the Mushishi anime a long time ago and fell in love with its lyrical pacing and mystical atmosphere. The show is lush and contemplative and gorgeously animated and contains one of my favorite scores of all time. I always wanted to read the manga but the original copies are incredibly rare and insanely expensive, so I'm very thankfull these newly released and lovingly assembled collectors editions exist.
It's amazing to see how this beautiful show that means so much to me originated and how faithful the adaptation is to the source material. These stories range from wistful and melancholic to poignant and emotional to genuine cosmic horror and each one carries something special to ruminate over.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience and will continue to purchase the future volumes as they are released, nothing can compare to the emotional impact the anime has. However, "Raindrops and Rainbows" will always destroy me and I was most excited to read the manga version "Come the Rain, a Rainbow", and though it didn't quite reach the heights of the anime's version, the addition of color printing for this story in particular was such a treat.
I stumbled upon the Mushishi anime a long time ago and fell in love with its lyrical pacing and mystical atmosphere. The show is lush and contemplative and gorgeously animated and contains one of my favorite scores of all time. I always wanted to read the manga but the original copies are incredibly rare and insanely expensive, so I'm very thankfull these newly released and lovingly assembled collectors editions exist.
It's amazing to see how this beautiful show that means so much to me originated and how faithful the adaptation is to the source material. These stories range from wistful and melancholic to poignant and emotional to genuine cosmic horror and each one carries something special to ruminate over.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience and will continue to purchase the future volumes as they are released, nothing can compare to the emotional impact the anime has. However, "Raindrops and Rainbows" will always destroy me and I was most excited to read the manga version "Come the Rain, a Rainbow", and though it didn't quite reach the heights of the anime's version, the addition of color printing for this story in particular was such a treat.
January 20, 2026
A big thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for providing me with a free electronic copy. I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity to discover this manga, and the following thoughts are entirely my own.
As a fan of The Apothecary Diaries, I kept seeing Mushishi recommended, and now I understand why. While the two series are quite different in structure and tone, they share a similar spirit. Ginko and Maomao both possess a quiet intelligence and a deep understanding of healing that goes beyond medicine alone.
Each chapter introduces a different mushi and a self-contained story, all of them carefully crafted and emotionally resonant. Many of these stories are tinged with sadness, but it’s the kind that lingers gently rather than overwhelming you. At first, I wasn’t sure I fully grasped the world of Mushishi, yet as I kept reading, its rhythm drew me in—and by the end, I was truly glad I gave it a chance.
Mushishi is not a loud or flashy manga. It’s a calm, thoughtful experience that rewards patience. If you enjoy quiet storytelling, subtle emotions, and immersive world-building, this manga is absolutely worth your time.
As a fan of The Apothecary Diaries, I kept seeing Mushishi recommended, and now I understand why. While the two series are quite different in structure and tone, they share a similar spirit. Ginko and Maomao both possess a quiet intelligence and a deep understanding of healing that goes beyond medicine alone.
Each chapter introduces a different mushi and a self-contained story, all of them carefully crafted and emotionally resonant. Many of these stories are tinged with sadness, but it’s the kind that lingers gently rather than overwhelming you. At first, I wasn’t sure I fully grasped the world of Mushishi, yet as I kept reading, its rhythm drew me in—and by the end, I was truly glad I gave it a chance.
Mushishi is not a loud or flashy manga. It’s a calm, thoughtful experience that rewards patience. If you enjoy quiet storytelling, subtle emotions, and immersive world-building, this manga is absolutely worth your time.
October 6, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in return for a fair review.
One of my friend has been a big Mushishi fan since the original anime. I figured this collector's edition was the perfect opportunity for me to discover what they like so much about the series - and it'll also be the perfect opportunity for you!
Mushishi is a very interesting series and that our hero doesn't come in guns a-blazing to destroy the mushi that are disrupting people's lives. The solutions to the problems created are often bittersweet, and people don't get healed. They get transformed and have to live with the changes they went through. I especially found the last story very poignant, where a woman's children turn out to not be children at all...
I read the digital edition, and the black and white (and sometimes colour) are was crisp and evocative. I was annoyed at a couple of typesetting and spelling errors, and on first read I was disappointed I didn't get to know the meaning of the different mushi types. But I was very happy when I came to the end of the volume and found the translator's notes! The translation in general is fluid and unobtrusive, hence the not translating of the mushi stood out to me.
One of my friend has been a big Mushishi fan since the original anime. I figured this collector's edition was the perfect opportunity for me to discover what they like so much about the series - and it'll also be the perfect opportunity for you!
Mushishi is a very interesting series and that our hero doesn't come in guns a-blazing to destroy the mushi that are disrupting people's lives. The solutions to the problems created are often bittersweet, and people don't get healed. They get transformed and have to live with the changes they went through. I especially found the last story very poignant, where a woman's children turn out to not be children at all...
I read the digital edition, and the black and white (and sometimes colour) are was crisp and evocative. I was annoyed at a couple of typesetting and spelling errors, and on first read I was disappointed I didn't get to know the meaning of the different mushi types. But I was very happy when I came to the end of the volume and found the translator's notes! The translation in general is fluid and unobtrusive, hence the not translating of the mushi stood out to me.
July 23, 2026
The artwork in this book is incredible, I could stare at it for days. I am endlessly fascinated with works steeped in lore. Knowing nothing going into this series I was pleased each chapter is a new story about a new Mushi. The story telling is rich and it feels easy to place myself into this world and experience the characters lives.
I’m curious to see if more of a storyline develops, and if we get to learn more about Ginko. Though I love a mysterious character and only getting to know a little bit about them each book!
I’m curious to see if more of a storyline develops, and if we get to learn more about Ginko. Though I love a mysterious character and only getting to know a little bit about them each book!
March 1, 2026
Mushishi is so awesome. The series created such a tangible atmosphere full of nature and spiritual elements. The concept is amazing and I love following Ginko, who is basically never the main focus of the stories, but comes in to help solve the mysterious problems that other people are having related to the mystical “mushi”. It’s so beautiful and interesting. The stories can waver from incredibly zen and peaceful to eerie and frightening depending on the nature of the situation. I don’t know if I could pick a favorite from this volume. They are each so different and so good. I love it!🎋
February 20, 2026
Loved watching the anime years ago and wanted to read this in its original language when I would be proficient enough. I caved earlier, but this translation was made with love and this edition in general is beautiful. Even though most of the stories I am already familiar with, they still deliver their silent impact. Great artwork too.
March 28, 2026
Review to come.
April 1, 2026
It is a long read and span in one month. However i enjoyed the calm, slow environment. Looking forward for the next volumes
January 31, 2026
***zaterdag 31 januari 2026***
Translator: Andres Oliver
✨5 - excellent
I loved this. I do think not everyone will do though. These are short stories about a wandering detective/doctor/spiritualist. And they really work for me because of the fairytale nature with some folklore. Strangely enough I do separate those two in my mind.
Some of the stories are very creepy and I have put them under 'horror' in my mind. But I am also a scaredy-cat so that is not saying anything.
The book itself is gorgeous and well put together. I really enjoyed reading through it and take joy of having it on my shelf.
I do not remember who sucked me in but I am glad I took a chance because it has been a while since I got so sucked into a book that I could actually ignore everything happening around me.
Such a fascinating read and a somewhat insight of Japanese culture. I was really grateful for the translation notes at the end and the afterwords of the mangaka throughout.
Translator: Andres Oliver
✨5 - excellent
I loved this. I do think not everyone will do though. These are short stories about a wandering detective/doctor/spiritualist. And they really work for me because of the fairytale nature with some folklore. Strangely enough I do separate those two in my mind.
Some of the stories are very creepy and I have put them under 'horror' in my mind. But I am also a scaredy-cat so that is not saying anything.
The book itself is gorgeous and well put together. I really enjoyed reading through it and take joy of having it on my shelf.
I do not remember who sucked me in but I am glad I took a chance because it has been a while since I got so sucked into a book that I could actually ignore everything happening around me.
Such a fascinating read and a somewhat insight of Japanese culture. I was really grateful for the translation notes at the end and the afterwords of the mangaka throughout.
December 2, 2025
Yuki Urushibara’s ten-volume manga series Mushishi is a gentle but eerie collection of short stories about the uneasy relationship between humans and the natural world.
Mushishi is set in Japan during an unspecified era around the late nineteenth century. Some people wear Western clothing and smoke cigarettes, but traditional ways of life still persist in isolated rural areas, which seem untouched by time.
Ginko is a mushishi (“mushi scholar”) who travels to remote villages to study and document “mushi,” a collective term for a variety of lifeforms that exist partially in our world and partially in the realm of the supernatural. Mushi are tiny, but problems arise when they form large colonies, especially within human bodies. Even as he studies and admires mushi, Ginko is often compelled to eliminate them in order to restore health to their human hosts.
The tone of Mushishi occupies a liminal space between nostalgia and horror. Many of the stories have happy endings, but they’re nevertheless pervaded with the uneasiness of living at the edge of an unseen world that has little regard for human life.
Yuki Urushibara’s artwork delights in wild spaces, from mountain roads to deep forests to ocean vistas to overgrown villages, and her depictions of premodern architecture and clothing are equally impressive. The inkwork in the manga is gorgeous, as are the watercolor inserts, and Kodansha’s new release of the title in a series of hardcover Collector’s Editions allows the eerie beauty of Urushibara’s art to shine.
Mushishi is set in Japan during an unspecified era around the late nineteenth century. Some people wear Western clothing and smoke cigarettes, but traditional ways of life still persist in isolated rural areas, which seem untouched by time.
Ginko is a mushishi (“mushi scholar”) who travels to remote villages to study and document “mushi,” a collective term for a variety of lifeforms that exist partially in our world and partially in the realm of the supernatural. Mushi are tiny, but problems arise when they form large colonies, especially within human bodies. Even as he studies and admires mushi, Ginko is often compelled to eliminate them in order to restore health to their human hosts.
The tone of Mushishi occupies a liminal space between nostalgia and horror. Many of the stories have happy endings, but they’re nevertheless pervaded with the uneasiness of living at the edge of an unseen world that has little regard for human life.
Yuki Urushibara’s artwork delights in wild spaces, from mountain roads to deep forests to ocean vistas to overgrown villages, and her depictions of premodern architecture and clothing are equally impressive. The inkwork in the manga is gorgeous, as are the watercolor inserts, and Kodansha’s new release of the title in a series of hardcover Collector’s Editions allows the eerie beauty of Urushibara’s art to shine.
October 6, 2025
Ginko is a wandering Mushishi, his job taking him all over Japan to help people deal with Mushi who have made their lives difficult. Mushi are organisms that are not quite living not quite dead but exist somewhere in between. These are the stories of Ginko and the people and Mushi he meets in his travels.
Mushishi is a classic, underrated for sure but a classic nevertheless. Urushibara has crafted a quietly eerie (thanks very much to Sean from Swords Sorcery for that wonderful description) tale that even for all of the tragedy that seems to strike is still very cozy.
On the surface this looks like your average yokai story, however, while you could compare Mushi to yokai they are much more that that. Ginko even describes them as life itself at one point and I find that to be an apt description. While they can and do cause very real harm to the humans that come in contact with them in many cases they also bring life. Because of this they are almost universally killed by Mushishi and yet Ginko opts to take a less violent path, trying to find ways in which the Mushi and humanity can co-exist and thats beautiful.
I genuinely can't recommend this one enough and to be fair whether or not you choose to read this or watch the anime you are in for a treat!
As always thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the eArc!
Mushishi is a classic, underrated for sure but a classic nevertheless. Urushibara has crafted a quietly eerie (thanks very much to Sean from Swords Sorcery for that wonderful description) tale that even for all of the tragedy that seems to strike is still very cozy.
On the surface this looks like your average yokai story, however, while you could compare Mushi to yokai they are much more that that. Ginko even describes them as life itself at one point and I find that to be an apt description. While they can and do cause very real harm to the humans that come in contact with them in many cases they also bring life. Because of this they are almost universally killed by Mushishi and yet Ginko opts to take a less violent path, trying to find ways in which the Mushi and humanity can co-exist and thats beautiful.
I genuinely can't recommend this one enough and to be fair whether or not you choose to read this or watch the anime you are in for a treat!
As always thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the eArc!
October 7, 2025
There is something grounding in reading Mushishi.
This is the best way I can describe it.
If I try to explain the feeling further, I might add that it offers you an illustration of living with nature, embracing its wildness, not as something good or bad, but as something that governs absolutely everything, bigger, more powerful, more terrifying, more mystical, more amazing than anything else.
It is a contemplative, cosy read, that will ask uncomfortable questions and turn and twist things around and make you think about what makes humanity human. But mainly, Mushishi makes you feel.
Emotions run very bittersweet in this manga. It's not about preventing the bad, but living through it, coming out the other end and having learnt.
I can't recommend it enough. I have rarely read, seen or played, in any kind of medium, a story that gave me quite that feeling. This is in my top 5 favourite graphic novels (all styles and origins put together), and this new edition is lovely. A must-have for anyone who likes depth in what they read and is interested in the people side of fantasy stories.
This is the best way I can describe it.
If I try to explain the feeling further, I might add that it offers you an illustration of living with nature, embracing its wildness, not as something good or bad, but as something that governs absolutely everything, bigger, more powerful, more terrifying, more mystical, more amazing than anything else.
It is a contemplative, cosy read, that will ask uncomfortable questions and turn and twist things around and make you think about what makes humanity human. But mainly, Mushishi makes you feel.
Emotions run very bittersweet in this manga. It's not about preventing the bad, but living through it, coming out the other end and having learnt.
I can't recommend it enough. I have rarely read, seen or played, in any kind of medium, a story that gave me quite that feeling. This is in my top 5 favourite graphic novels (all styles and origins put together), and this new edition is lovely. A must-have for anyone who likes depth in what they read and is interested in the people side of fantasy stories.
October 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
I've loved "Mushishi" since it was published in 2007. I even own the original volumes that are now long out of print, though I am sadly missing a few volumes. I am so excited to see this series being reprinted in a collector's edition!
"Mushishi" is a collection of short stories following a man named Ginko who travels the Japanese countryside helping out folks who encounter creatures called mushi. These mushi tend to create unnatural phenomena around those who encounter it and it is up to mushishi like Ginko to help them.
The stories are mostly solemn, yet heartwarming at times. I enjoy how mysterious Ginko is and how each story gives you a little more backstory on him. I am a huge fan of folklore and folklore-like stories so this is right up my alley.
I've loved "Mushishi" since it was published in 2007. I even own the original volumes that are now long out of print, though I am sadly missing a few volumes. I am so excited to see this series being reprinted in a collector's edition!
"Mushishi" is a collection of short stories following a man named Ginko who travels the Japanese countryside helping out folks who encounter creatures called mushi. These mushi tend to create unnatural phenomena around those who encounter it and it is up to mushishi like Ginko to help them.
The stories are mostly solemn, yet heartwarming at times. I enjoy how mysterious Ginko is and how each story gives you a little more backstory on him. I am a huge fan of folklore and folklore-like stories so this is right up my alley.
October 22, 2025
I read the first volume of Mushishi several years ago but was then plagued by the common difficulty of finding the remaining volumes. I was thrilled when I heard they were being reprinted and with a new translation to boot. This Collector's Edition still managed to exceed by expectations.
Every chapter in this series is a mostly one-shot, but slightly connected, story that is equally spooky and emotional. Ginko grounds the story as he wanders from place to place, dealing with mushi (sort of like supernatural parasites.) Each story stands suspended in all of time and takes you away to a very real feeling, yet fantastical, place. A must-read for any fan of the supernatural. It's a true manga classic.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital review copy.
Every chapter in this series is a mostly one-shot, but slightly connected, story that is equally spooky and emotional. Ginko grounds the story as he wanders from place to place, dealing with mushi (sort of like supernatural parasites.) Each story stands suspended in all of time and takes you away to a very real feeling, yet fantastical, place. A must-read for any fan of the supernatural. It's a true manga classic.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital review copy.
November 4, 2025
I received an ARC of this volume from Kodansha via NetGalley. I did not read or watch Mushishi when I first came out, but I had heard of it. I'm glad I got the chance to read it now. The chapters start off fairly episodic, although you eventually get a better sense for the world in which the story is set. The art embodies the tone of the story, with lots of moody line and screen tones. This is definitely a title for those who want to read manga featuring an adult lead character, but in a non-isekai fantasy setting or readers who enjoyed Natsume's Book of Friends and wanted to see the darker side of having supernatural creatures just be endemic to your daily ecosystem. It's the perfect read for cloudy days and dark nights. I do hope they fix the kerning issues in the text of the finalized copies.
September 26, 2025
As a big fan of the anime I really enjoyed reading this. Most of the stories are quietly haunting in some way and they stay with you. The art style is beautiful and really adds to the unsettling nature of the tales.
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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