Mushi-Shi (Original Japanese Version) Season 1 Episode 21 Cotton Changeling

In Mushi-Shi season 1 episode 21, titled "Cotton Changeling", Ginko arrives in a village where the residents have a unique custom of weaving clothes made of pure cotton, which are believed to have a spiritual power that can protect the wearer from evil spirits and misfortunes. However, strange incidents have been occurring lately, causing many of the villagers to feel ill and weakened, while their cotton clothes begin to wither and decay.

Ginko starts investigating the cause of the strange occurrences and realizes that a rare type of mushi, called the Tokoyami, is responsible for infecting the cotton crops and devouring the life force of the villagers. The Tokoyami is a shape-shifting mushi that takes on the appearance of cotton fibers and spreads its infestation through the air, infecting anything made of cotton that it touches.

Ginko meets with the village leader, a woman named Hikage, who reveals to him the mystery behind the custom of weaving cotton clothes. She tells him that the village was once plagued by a demon that would possess the bodies of the villagers and cause them harm. However, a wise woman discovered that the demon hated cotton and that weaving clothes made of pure cotton would keep the demon at bay. Since then, the custom has been passed down through generations as a means of protection against spiritual evils.

Ginko realizes that the villagers' strong faith in the power of cotton has inadvertently attracted the Tokoyami, as it feeds on the spiritual energy that emanates from the cotton clothes. He devises a plan to eradicate the mushi infestation by burning all the cotton fibers in the village, which would deprive the Tokoyami of its food source and force it to leave.

However, Ginko's plan is met with resistance from the villagers, who fear that burning their cotton clothes would anger the spirits and cause more harm than good. Despite Hikage's insistence that they trust Ginko, many of the villagers refuse to comply and instead turn to a group of wandering mushishi who claim to have a different solution.

The mushishi, led by a man named Genkei, propose to use a rare type of mushi bait that would attract the Tokoyami and allow them to capture and contain it. While Ginko is skeptical of their methods, he agrees to cooperate with them and watches as they proceed with their plan.

As the mushishi set up their bait, Ginko senses the presence of another mushi nearby and realizes that it is a powerful mushi called the Haru-no-Ki, which has been drawn to the Tokoyami infestation. He warns Genkei that their plan may not work, as the Haru-no-Ki would interfere and cause more harm than good.

Despite his warning, the mushishi proceed with their plan, and chaos ensues as the Haru-no-Ki and the Tokoyami clash in a fierce battle. Ginko intervenes and manages to calm the Haru-no-Ki using his mushi powers, diverting its attention away from the villagers.

With the Haru-no-Ki no longer a threat, Ginko burns all the cotton fibers in the village, causing the Tokoyami to retreat and ending the infestation. The villagers are relieved to have been saved from the mushi, and Ginko bids them farewell, warning them to be more cautious in the future.

Overall, "Cotton Changeling" is a thrilling episode that explores the dangers of blind faith and the consequences of trying to manipulate the spiritual world for personal gain. Ginko's wisdom and expertise are once again put to the test, as he navigates through the intricacies of mushroom investigation and helps the villagers overcome their misconceptions and fears.