(L) Mushishi

[Sorrow-K]

That's good news.

Just watched 14. Another great episode that really hit a dramatic peak towards the end. It was fairly well done, but not nearly as emotionally overwhelming as the events of episode 12. Engrossing story nonetheless.

If I had a minor complaint about Mushishi though, it's that the character design of the once-and-done side characters isn't very imaginative. I suppose it's done with a purpose to make them blend in and look normal, but they're not very interesting people on first glance. Fortunately their stories are quite the opposite.

[Lost]

Well, Just watched 14 too. Couldn't wait so I got ANBU's sub for 14 instead * guilty* Sorry EmptySoul!! I'll get C1's sub as soon as its released!!

Spoiler for Episode 14:

Honestly, episode 14 was creepy. Especially when I saw that she gave birth to a bamboo husk, I was like... WTH .. it was really scary and sick. No wonder all the villagers ran away ahaha. But it was nice, the way the three of them were living in seclusion, happy in their own world/forest (Altho, I wondered how the their child would grow up without friends). Still you could see that Kisuke (the husband) still yearned for contact with the outside. That was why I felt really sad for him when Setsu decided to cut the tree down.

Despite the creepiness, thinking back, this episode actually showed something. Setsu must have known what would happen to her if she cut the tree down. Ginko made that clear, when at first she couldn't even touch it with the axe at will. Yet, once she thought of Kisuke, she was able to cut it down... Shows the extent of her love for him, which made the episode even more tragic.

I'm stumped by the ending. Is there a logical explanation why at the end they were husk-babies at their graves?

Originally Posted by Sorrow-K

I suppose it's done with a purpose to make them blend in and look normal, but they're not very interesting people on first glance.

Yep, they're just normal people in extra-ordinary circumstances I guess.

Edit// Yes! Ep 15 is out! I subbers.

[Sorrow-K]

"Reserved" is a good word to describe the character design of the side characters.

Episode 15. Wow, that was a somewhat sweeter episode by the end. Very much a case of making you want the happy ending, and then delivering it.

Spoiler:

I loved the way they added a character like Suzu to the series. Obviously Ginko's a charasmatic person, and it's not surprising that he has an impact on the people he meets. I think it's a good realistic touch that he finally met someone who grew a romantic attachment to him.

I think this was the first Mushishi episode that I can describe with the word "fun"... obviously a very reserved type of fun, but fun nonetheless.

[Lost]

Ah... Episode 15. I wonder what Ginko meant when he said: "Even people are weaker in the winter" Is our Ginko in love?

[wao]

Originally Posted by Lost

Ah... Episode 15. I wonder what Ginko meant when he said: "Even people are weaker in the winter" Is our Ginko in love?

I swear this is the only episode so far where I really think he wouldn't mind coming back to see those people again... yeah, even more than Fude no Umi, I don't know why people like that one so much. Oh well.

The lastest episode 19 (raw) is storyboarded by the Akitarou Daichi, I can't wait to watch it.

[Lost]

Originally Posted by wao

I swear this is the only episode so far where I really think he wouldn't mind coming back to see those people again... yeah, even more than Fude no Umi, I don't know why people like that one so much. Oh well.

The lastest episode 19 (raw) is storyboarded by the Akitarou Daichi, I can't wait to watch it.

Actually I'm hoping he will go back. Sad that he can't settle down. A girl that likes him, with a brother that can see, and admires, Mushis... Ginko's perfect family. Oh Well.

The Akitarou Daichi? Erm sorry, but who is that?

[physics223]

wao knows a lot about anime stuff. Period.

As for me, I watched only the first episode but have up to the third. Why don't I watch it? I'd rather complete the series and watch it all in one to three seatings. I don't want to wait for the next episode to come. The waiting is tortuous.

Having C1 anime confirm that they will sub everything definitely is a breath of fresh air. Now to wait for the 20th episode ...

[Lost]

Yes she does.

Not really for me... Since each episode is essentially self contained, there are no cliff-hangers and the story wraps up by the end of the episode; for me the waiting isnt that bad la, (tho sometimes the anticipation during d/l kills me) I just watch it and enjoy it as it gets released. I read somewhere on this thread that the DVDs will only be released in September? So physics223, it'll be a long wait anyway.. Sigh.

[physics223]

I know the DVD releases will be later this year (too later, if you know what I mean). What I'm waiting for is for all the 20 TV episodes to finish subbing before I'd go on a marathon. I'm really thinking that ... okay, I'll download the episodes later ...

[Cal-Reflector]

Surprisingly light and happy episode, #15. There was even fluff as well, which I enjoyed immensely; Ginko you lady killer!

In addition, the scenery of Spring in the middle of a moutain forest amidst Winter was also fantastic.

Speaking of Ginko's ideal partner/family: I just realized something: Ginko's ideal lady would just have to be someone who could travel with him; a partner on the eternal journey. IE Tanyuu from episode 20, Fude no Yume...

Edit: Ginko could very well serve as the spokesman for Hugo Boss or Valentino's Men's Winter line in this episode; understated dark tones, good taste.

[gargleblaster]

I'm digging these rapid-fire releases, EmptySoul...!

[Cal-Reflector]

Originally Posted by gargleblaster

I'm digging these rapid-fire releases, EmptySoul...!

Brownie points to both C1 and Anbu for their great and more importantly timely work. Thanks!

[Siye]

WOOT! Mushishi 16 is OUT! C1 for teh WIN! ^_^

[physics223]

Guys, I'd like to ask for your opinion. Which group is better in subbing Mushishi? I myself preferred C1 over the rest - was that a good choice? (I mean, I have been watching C1 all the way.)

And to go back to Mushishi itself - damn ... the story is simply flawless that I'm having goosebumps thinking of how these guys write. The plot, characters, and story is simply amazing... and I'm just on episode two.

How can producers make something so heart-wrechingly poignant yet beautiful? They have obtained the aesthetic of Japanese: beauty is ephemeral ... seize the moment when it comes.

It's comparable to Under the Volcano: it has grief-filled humor. And it's not that type of humor - there are other denotations and connotations of humor. That's amazing because Malcolm Lowry was compared to James Joyce ... that's just how masterful this series is, for me, anyway.

[Lost]

Well I dun think we can say which is better or not, all Fansubs do us a great (and free!!) Service.

But...if you want a comparision, so far I've only tried two, C1 and ANBU (ep14). Quality-wise, I didnt notice any huge difference, both were about the same, although ANBU's file was 30mb smaller. Subtitles by ANBU are bigger and a little sharper than C1's but whether thats a good or bad thing is essentially up to the veiwer. (For me big and sharp subtitles detract abit from the show's feel, but are good when I watch from my sofa, some distance away from the screen) Translation wise (only for ep 14), ANBU's translation seemed abit more to the point and simpler (some meaning could be lost). Oh and ANBU doesnt sub the OP whereas C1 does.

I'll stick with C1 mainly since like you its been the one I've been watching all this time. Plus we have C1's word that they'll sub the last 6 episodes.

Well, happy goosebumping

[reinux]

Originally Posted by Lost

Translation wise (only for ep 14), ANBU's translation seemed abit more to the point and simpler (some meaning could be lost).
Plus we have C1's word that they'll sub the last 6 episodes.

Well, happy goosebumping

Most of our time and effort goes into editing and making sure none of the edits alter or detract from the meaning or feeling (or added for that matter), both stated and implied. So, as the translator, I assure you, little to no meanings are lost

And yes, we'll be doing the rest of the eps even if I have to buy the DVDs myself. Just because I love the series so much.

[Lost]

Originally Posted by reinux

Most of our time and effort goes into editing and making sure none of the edits alter or detract from the meaning or feeling, both stated and implied. So, as the translator, I assure you, little to no meanings are lost

And yes, we'll be doing the rest of the eps even if I have to buy the DVDs myself. Just because I love the series so much.

Ooo.. Thank you so much for the effort!

[DeathWolf]

for those who want to do a small comparison of the visual part(mostly encode and typeset) i have been done a small comparion of eps13:
http://kosmos.kawaii-shoujo.net/mushishi13/compare.html
Versions used in that comparison:
ANBU's version = [ANBU]_Mushi-shi_13_[BBC6772C].avi 720x400 118MB (left part)
C1's version = [C1]Mushishi_-_13[XviD][96495704].avi 704x396 176MB (right part)

As a side note i'm part of ANBU so you might consider this biased. I hope you wont since these are plain pictures comparisons, and i'm not judging anything.


EDIT: i also did some other comparisons on eps5 and 15 so here they are:
http://kosmos.kawaii-shoujo.net/anbu-c1/compare.html (for eps5)
http://kosmos.kawaii-shoujo.net/mushishi15/compare.html (for eps15)
(the orders for pics are the same)

EDIT2: all links changed to point to an html file

[h2o2shadow]

DW's encoding is hot <3

[arias]

Just as a comment, the title

"The Fabricated Spring" > "Pretend It's Spring"