Mushi-Shi (Original Japanese Version) Season 1 Episode 6 Those Who Inhale the Dew
- TV14
- November 27, 2005
- 23 min
Mushi-Shi (Original Japanese Version) season 1 episode 6, titled "Those Who Inhale the Dew," follows Ginko, a Mushi-shi or a mushi master, as he comes across a village where people have been disappearing mysteriously. Upon his arrival, he learns that the villagers believe that a spirit has been causing the disappearances.
As Ginko explores the village, he notices that the plants in the area are glowing at night, which he takes as a sign that the spirit is connected to the local flora. He then discovers that the root of a particular plant, which grows only in the village, contains a substance that causes those who inhale it to slip into another world and never return.
Ginko finds out that a villager named Tanyu has been harvesting the roots to produce ink for her books, which she claims are special because they contain stories of the missing people. However, Ginko realizes that the ink contains the same substance found in the roots, which means that those who read the books are inhaling the substance and vanishing into the other world.
After confronting Tanyu, Ginko decides to destroy all the ink and the remaining plant roots to prevent further disappearances. The villagers are initially outraged, as the books were their only way of remembering their loved ones who have disappeared, but Ginko convinces them that it's better to let go of the past rather than live in fear and regret.
As Ginko leaves the village, he encounters a young girl who has lost her parents to the mysterious disappearances. He gives her a small plant and tells her to look after it because it will help her remember her parents and to cherish the memories of them instead of dwelling on their absence.
"Those Who Inhale the Dew" is a poignant episode that examines the complex relationship between memory and loss. Through Ginko's investigation, we come to understand that the villagers' obsession with their missing loved ones has prevented them from moving on and living a full life. However, the episode also acknowledges the importance of remembering those who have passed, as exemplified by Ginko's gift to the young girl.
Overall, this episode is a thoughtful exploration of how we deal with loss and the importance of cherishing memories while also acknowledging the need to let go and move forward. The stunning animation and serene soundtrack further add to the emotional resonance of the story, making it a standout episode in an already excellent series.