Mushi-shi -Next Passage- Season 1 Episode 3 Beneath the Snow

In episode 3 of Mushi-shi -Next Passage- season 1, titled Beneath the Snow, we are introduced to a small village that faces a unique problem. The winter season brings with it a mushi, or a natural spirit-like creature, known as Kumadozashi. The mushi is responsible for causing holes in the snow, which leads to the death of anyone unlucky enough to fall inside. With several fatalities already, the villagers are at their wits' end and are desperately seeking a solution to this problem.

Enter Ginko, a wandering Mushi-shi, who arrives in the village to investigate the issue. He learns about the Kumadozashi and the damage it causes to the village, and sets out to find a solution. However, he finds that the villagers are not very cooperative, as they have already tried everything in their power to rid themselves of the mushi. They are reluctant to believe that a stranger can solve their problem and become defensive when Ginko tries to offer help.

Undeterred, Ginko sets off to find the source of the Kumadozashi and eventually discovers that it is caused by a group of mushi living inside a hot spring deep beneath the snow. These mushi are responsible for pushing excess water out of the hot spring and creating holes in the snow. Ginko then devises a plan to lure the Kumadozashi away from the village by offering them an alternative source of water. His plan involves placing a bucket of water in a spot where the Kumadozashi are most active, which distracts them from creating holes in the snow.

With his plan a success, Ginko decides to find a more permanent solution to the Kumadozashi problem by talking to the mushi responsible for it. He discovers that these mushi had been living in the hot spring for centuries and have no intention of leaving. As a compromise, Ginko sets up a plan for the villagers to use the hot spring water, thereby allowing the Kumadozashi to continue living in their home and maintaining the balance of nature.

Overall, this episode of Mushi-shi -Next Passage- season 1 is an exploration of the balance between man and nature. It highlights how one person's actions can have an adverse effect on the environment and how the same environment can have a profound impact on the lives of the people living in it. Ginko's approach to problem-solving, which involves understanding the source of the problem rather than merely treating the symptoms, is a refreshing change from the usual action-oriented approach seen in most anime. This episode is an excellent example of how Mushi-shi -Next Passage- season 1 manages to balance the supernatural with the human, resulting in a captivating and engrossing viewing experience.