"Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Suzu" review: A moving episode with beautiful visuals and a profound story

"Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Bells": The melody of life resonates in silence

Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Suzu is a special edition released on May 16, 2015, based on the manga of the same name by Yuki Urushibara. It was screened in theaters and distributed by Aniplex. It is a 46-minute episode, animated by Artland and directed by Hiroshi Nagahama. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal of this special edition and its background.

Overview

"Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Bells" is an animated version of one of the episodes from the original manga "Mushishi". The main character, Ginko, continues his journey as a "Mushishi" who uncovers the relationship between invisible creatures "Mushi" and humans and solves problems. This special edition depicts the mysterious phenomenon that occurs in the village Ginko visits and the stories of the people involved.

story

Ginko arrives at a village where a phenomenon called "Drops of the Bell" occurs every spring. The villagers believe this phenomenon to be sacred and hold a festival. However, Ginko senses the presence of "insects" behind the phenomenon. As he interacts with the villagers, Ginko uncovers the truth behind "Drops of the Bell."

The story depicts the process of Ginko gradually unraveling the mystery of the "Bell Drops" as he interacts with the villagers. The lives and emotions of the villagers, as well as their relationship with the "Mushi", are carefully depicted, drawing viewers into the world of the film.

character

Ginko: The main character, Mushishi. He has a calm and intelligent personality, senses the presence of Mushi, and continues his journey to solve the problem. The story progresses from his perspective, so viewers experience the journey with Ginko to solve the mystery of "Bell Drops".

Villagers: The villagers that Ginko visits each have their own unique characters. They believe that the "Bell Drops" phenomenon is sacred and look forward to the festival. However, behind this, each of them has their own worries and conflicts, which become clear through their interactions with Ginko.

Visuals and Music

The visual beauty of "Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Bell" faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work. The natural scenery and the lives of the villagers are beautifully depicted, drawing the viewer into the world. In addition, the direction of Director Hiroshi Nagahama allows you to feel the breath of life in the silence.

The music also adds to the appeal of this work. The beautiful melodies by composer Yoshida Kiyoshi further deepen the atmosphere of the story and stir the emotions of the viewer. In particular, the "Bell Drops" scene combines music and images to leave a strong impression on the viewer.

Comparison with the original

The original manga Mushishi was written by Yuki Urushibara and was serialized in Afternoon (Kodansha) from 1997 to 2008. The original depicts the relationship between "insects" and humans through the journey of Ginko, and expresses the mystery of life and the beauty of nature.

"Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Bell" is an animated version of one of the original episodes, but while faithfully recreating the worldview of the original, it brings out new charms through visuals and music. For fans of the original, it is a joy to be able to experience the world of the original again and enjoy the story from a new perspective.

Background

Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Suzu was produced as a sequel to the TV anime Mushishi, which aired from 2005 to 2006. Produced as a special edition following the success of the TV series, this work was highly praised by fans of the original work and anime fans alike.

Director Hiroshi Nagahama also directed the TV series and has a deep understanding of the world of the original work. His direction has brought out the charm of the original work to the fullest in the special edition. The animation production by Artland was also highly praised, and the beautiful visuals captivated viewers.

Recognition and Awards

"Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Bell" was highly praised by fans of the original work and anime fans. In particular, the fusion of visual beauty and music, and the portrayal of Ginko's character were highly praised. The work also won the "Excellent Work Award" at the 2015 Tokyo Anime Award Festival.

Viewers commented, "It faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work while bringing out new charms," ​​"I was moved by the beauty of the images and music," and "Ginko's character has become even deeper." Viewers who have not read the original work also commented, "I was drawn in by the beautiful images and music," and "I felt the mystery of life through Ginko's journey."

Recommendations and related works

"Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Bells" is a work that is recommended not only for fans of the original manga "Mushishi", but also for anyone who loves anime and nature. It is a work that should especially be watched by those who want to feel the mystery of life and the beauty of nature.

Related works include the TV series "Mushishi" and its sequel "Mushishi Zoku-shou". These works also depict the relationship between "Mushi" and humans through Ginko's journey, and express the mystery of life and the beauty of nature. Please read the original manga as well.

Conclusion

"Mushishi Special Edition: Drops of Bells" faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work while bringing out new charms through visuals and music. The process of unraveling the mystery of "Drops of Bells" through Ginko's journey makes the viewer feel the mystery of life and the beauty of nature. This is a work recommended not only for fans of the original work, but also for everyone who loves anime and nature. Please watch it and experience this beautiful world.