▪	RELEASED BY:		DEL REY
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		YUKI URSHIBARA
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / BW
		▪	PAGES:		256
		▪	RATING:		OT
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		02/19/2008
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		04/04/2008
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		SCOTT CAMPBELL

Just to fill anybody in who either hasn’t read the first volume of this wonderful series, or who needs a refresher, here’s a snippet from the back of volume two of Mushishi: “Mushi, a terrifying primitive life form, takes countless shapes – most of them deadly to the human race. Enter Ginko, a Mushi expert, known as a Mushishi. Though his laconic smile and soft-spoken manner don’t seem imposing, he represents the human world’s greatest defense.” Ah yes, the Mushi - they live on the shadowy border between the possible and the impossible–ancient life-forms known for their danger. Rare is the individual who can see them, but those with that special ability, the Mushishi, can counter the creatures’ deadly effects on humans.

In volume three, deadly secrets catch up with those who least expect it. After a young boy is orphaned in the forest, he is saved by a reclusive female Mushishi. But the lake near the Mushishi’s home holds a deadly secret, and the boy must find out what it is before his only friend is lost forever.

Again, Mushishi shows its worth, and shows it well.  It was the winner of the Kodansha Manga of the Year Award, and really it’s no wonder. It’s a beautiful series that continues to impress – surely it will be good all the way until the end. It’s hard to say much more about this series because there just isn’t much negative or judging to say about it. Either it’s right up your alley, or it just simply isn’t. It’s highly artistic, both in art and presentation of the story. The writing is great and the characters feel very real and human in their emotions. Mushishi does everything it should to be a hot with those who should find joy and entertainment in the kind of story it wants to tell us.

The physical product itself is still very nice – the size of the book and what it is printed on is very nice. It’s a sturdy book – the cover is especially nice because instead of being glossy, it’s a nice soft, “more natural” material. The materials used in making this book, and even the look of it all lends well to the messages inside of it. It’s a well thought out product with time and energy put into it for certain. The book even contains some cool extras, including the usual preview of the next volume, translation notes, and a selection of thoughts and drawing from the artist/writer from their own life. 

IN SUMMARY: Mushishi is unlikely to ever disappoint the mature mind looking for a reading experience above that of most other manga. It is a very elegant series that stays in-tune with nature throughout.