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Mushishi (Manga)

Mushishi

  • 蟲師
Manga8.722091 votes10 volumes · 50 chaptersFinished
Award WinningFantasyMysterySupernaturalAdult CastHistoricalIyashikeiSeinen

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About this title

Synopsis

Mushi: the most basic forms of life in the world. They exist without any goals or purposes aside from simply "being." They are beyond the shackles of the words good and evil. Mushi can exist in countless forms and are capable of mimicking things from the natural world such as plants, diseases, and even phenomena like rainbows. This is, however, just a vague definition of these entities that inhabit the vibrant world, as to even call them a form of life would be an oversimplification. Detailed information on mushi is scarce because the majority of humans are unaware of their existence. So what are mushi and why do they exist? This is the question that a Mushishi, Ginko, ponders constantly. Mushishi are those who research mushi in hopes of understanding their place in the world's hierarchy of life. Ginko relentlessly chases rumors of occurrences that could be tied to mushi, all for the sake of finding an answer. It could, after all, lead to the meaning of life itself. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

Publication notes

Mushishi was awarded the Excellence Prize for manga at the 7th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2003. In 2006, the manga won the Kodansha Manga Award in the General category. The series was published in English by Del Rey Manga from January 30, 2007, to July 27, 2010, with the final 3 volumes being released as a 3-in-1 omnibus. Kodansha USA later re-released the series digitally, and in print as 2-in-1 omnibus volumes since November 4, 2025. It was also published in Spanish by Norma Editorial in 2007; and in Polish by Hanami from April 1, 2015, to November 28, 2017.

Published

Oct 8, 1999 to Aug 25, 2008

MAL rank
#66
Members (MAL)
96,329
Favorites (MAL)
3,089

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Main characters

  • Ginko
    Ginko16560 fan favorites
    External profile

    Ginko employs himself as a Mushi master (mushishi), traveling from place to place to research Mushi and aid people suffering from problems caused by them. Ginko is a rare person who attracts mushi. This inspires his peripatetic lifestyle; staying in one place too long will gather a potentially dangerous amount of mushi. He also smokes constantly in order to keep mushi away. In terms of personality, Ginko is rather laid back, but can be very serious when it comes to protecting people from mushi. He also often stresses that the mushi are not evil, but they merely exist as a part of the nature and try to survive like every other living being.

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