Mushishi by Yuki Urushibara

Enter the world of ancient Japan, where mysterious creatures called Mushi roam about freely as they please. Some Mushi serve good purposes, such as keeping the land green and growing. Others, usually parasitic Mushi, can cause illness and other issues of health among the people in the villages. Enter Ginko, a strange, white-haired, one-eyed wanderer that disposes of the dangerous types of Mushi. Ginko, and many others that are gifted enough to actually see the invisible Mushi, are called Mushishi. The reader follows Ginko on his journeys across Japan, discovering different types of Mushi and why they do what they do, for better of for worse. Along the way, Ginko's mysterious past and his experience with Mushi slowly begins to unravel. It seems the only question that isn't answered so far in the series is why Ginko wears modern day clothing, when the rest of the dwellers of Japan wear the traditional garb of their time.

It is easy to say that Yuki Urushibara is a genius at character design and storytelling, as well as art. While the style is sketchy and uncertain at the beginning of the story, the lines become firm and the plot becomes evident. With stunning drawings and creative tales about all the different types of Mushi, Yuki Urushibara's 'Mushishi' can attract even the most disinterested of readers.

Q 5

P 4

**This title is available through InterLibrary Loan**