YMMV / Mushishi

• Alternate Character Interpretation: In the wistful hopes of thinking that he isn't a scumbag, some fans wonder if Sayo's husband built an entirely different family in the village to the West not because he was cheating on her, but because he also got affected by a Kagedama mushi on one of his long travels. It helps that this was how Sayo lost her memories too.
• Awesome Music: The soundtrack is beautiful. Even the short, simple main theme is profoundly emotional to listen to.
  • The full version of the main theme can be hilarious once you hear it. The TV size version lyrics go really well with the mood of the show and personality of the main character. The second verse though...not so much:
  "I stole ten-thousand pounds, ten thousand pounds to see you.
  I robbed convenience stores because I thought they'd make it easier.
  I lived off rats and toads and I starved for you.
  I fought off giant bears and I killed them too"
• Ensemble Dark Horse: Adashino, the monocle-toting doctor that Ginko occasionally visits.
• Fan Nickname: Ginko is sometimes referred to by the fans as "Pimp-ko" for his almost superhuman ability to attract women.
• Fridge Brilliance: Ginko's remarks in episode 20 about being unsure how much longer he'll survive seem reasonable enough given his line of work, but take on a whole new level of meaning when you remember that he is most likely fated to turn into a Tokoyami one day like Nui.
• Friendly Fandoms: With Mononoke and Kino's Journey.
• Genius Bonus: If the mangaka didn't study biology, she's certainly a keen amateur, since many mushi closely reflect concepts from real-world ecology and biology, such as mimicry, parasitic lifecycles, left-coiling shells (rarer than right-coiling shells), and resource limitation.
• Hilarious in Hindsight: The original two Mushishi short stories took place in a contemporary setting, and while there is a little traveling, the main characters largely stay in the same place solving the mystery of the week. Neko ga Nishi Mukiya, released much later into Urushibaya's career, is pretty much the prototype Mushishi right down to the "laidback adult and serious child" dynamic (although in Neko's case, the "child" is a grown woman who age regressed due to a Flow).
• Ho Yay: Taku and Isaza, the two boys from chapter/episode 26. Taku tsuns Izasa during his first two meetings but gradually warms up to him to the point of wanting to run away from home with him. As an adult, Taku still longs to see his friend again after Isaza leaves for good without telling him, but says that it's all right when Ginko tells him Isaza is still alive and doing okay.
• Paranoia Fuel: So much. Two examples being Chapter 3/Episode 4 (Had a nightmare recently? It may become reality) and episode 17 (Don't. Ever. Close. Any. Door. Or be in any completely closed place. Not even for a second.)
  • This is mostly because the Mushi and their effects seem to be based on everyday weirdness, generally stuff that in reality has perfectly reasonable explanations, but here are caused by mushi. The mushi themselves are reminiscent of the weird dust specks (often called 'floaters') that get stuck on your pupils and float about.
• Realism-Induced Horror: The families of those who become afflicted with a mushi condition are often helpless to do anything for their loved ones, because they've never heard of the cause of the condition or have any idea of a treatment. This kind of situation has happened many times throughout human history.
• Squick: Via Body Horror in season 2, episode 9. A mushi causes a breastfeeding woman to bleed and cry milk.
  • More Body Horror, with "Mud Grass" from Zoku Shou. Plants and buds growing out of peoples' skin.
• Stoic Woobie: Ginko, aware that his days are numbered and forced to walk the earth because his presence will inevitably bring trouble to any place he stays too long. He mostly seems to have made some degree of peace with his situation and never really complains, but his reactions to other characters who have strong ties to a single place where they've settled makes it clear that he envies them, and in "Those Who Chase The Rainbow" he joins Kourou in his search as a "vacation" from his constant otherwise-aimless wandering.
• Superlative Dubbing: The English dub has been very highly regarded by both American audiences and Japanese audiences, even to the point of some of the original Japanese staff members complimenting it.
• The Woobie: Most of the side characters qualify.

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