Literally Graphic reviewed Mushishi, Volume 2 by Yuki Urushibara (Mushishi (English) (2))
Review of 'Mushishi, Volume 2' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Looking back at this volume from the vantage point of just having just completed the fourth, I will put it out there that it does zoom into something more resembling a character arc. Relatively anyway, and certainly still very slow, fractured and completely still Mushishi, but you do eventually learn a bit more about Ginko's own story. At this point in volume two however, we are still diving into what exactly the Mushi can do.
Urushibara continues to really impress me with her ability to create so many stories that are so incredibly similar but also distinctly different. Nothing is repeated. And while I didn't initially think of it myself, but as some other reviewers point out, each story is a testament to the importance of life and finding coexistence between humans and nature. Likely another reason I feel so incredibly drawn to this series. That, and as someone else …
Looking back at this volume from the vantage point of just having just completed the fourth, I will put it out there that it does zoom into something more resembling a character arc. Relatively anyway, and certainly still very slow, fractured and completely still Mushishi, but you do eventually learn a bit more about Ginko's own story. At this point in volume two however, we are still diving into what exactly the Mushi can do.
Urushibara continues to really impress me with her ability to create so many stories that are so incredibly similar but also distinctly different. Nothing is repeated. And while I didn't initially think of it myself, but as some other reviewers point out, each story is a testament to the importance of life and finding coexistence between humans and nature. Likely another reason I feel so incredibly drawn to this series. That, and as someone else pointed out, Ginko is a bit of a dead ringer for Hellblazer.
There are certainly more than one damsels in distress, but it certainly was not chapter after chapter after chapter of victimized women like in corpse delivery service. It helps that the series isn't highly sexualized. None of the characters are super masculine or super feminine, because no one in these books are super anything, but that probably helps smooth over what is often problematic. And of course, there are a few young boys and even grown men (at times) who fall victim to Mushi.
The art and layout continue to be pretty whimsical. Not super detailed, ornamental or trippy, just quietly dreamy. So not super easy to read for beginners, but not super out there.