Ep 13. One-Night Bridge

In Mushishi Season 1 Episode 13, entitled "One-Night Bridge," the story follows Ginko, a traveling "Mushishi" who investigates supernatural beings known as Mushi. In this episode, he comes across a village where people are mysteriously disappearing one by one.

Ginko meets a young woman named Tanyu who is the only one left in the village as everyone else has either disappeared or left in fear. She tells Ginko of a bridge that appears for only one night a year and those who cross it never return. The villagers had all ignored the warnings and crossed the bridge in hopes of a better life, but instead vanished.

Ginko soon discovers that the bridge is actually a portal created by a powerful Mushi known as "the Nue." This Mushi has the ability to feed on the memories of humans while they cross the bridge. The Nue then uses these memories to create illusions that trap the humans in an alternate reality, causing them to forget their past lives and be consumed by the Nue.

As Ginko investigates the bridge, he encounters a man named Akoya who has been attempting to cross the bridge for 20 years in search of his lost wife. Akoya and Tanyu join forces with Ginko to unravel the mystery of the Nue and the bridge.

Throughout the episode, Ginko uncovers the truth behind the Nue's actions and devises a plan to stop it from consuming any more humans. The resolution is both thought-provoking and bittersweet, leaving viewers with a sense of awe and respect for the world of the Mushishi.

Overall, "One-Night Bridge" is a gripping and emotional episode that showcases the depth and complexity of the Mushi world. The characters are well-written and the plot unfolds in a satisfying manner. It is a standout episode in a series filled with unique and intriguing stories.