The standalone OVA Mushi-shi: The Shadow That Devours The Sun is now streaming on Crunchyroll, featuring both English dub and subtitle options. This single-episode installment delves into the world of the Mushi, ethereal entities that exist outside the natural order and frequently bring misfortune to humanity.
Produced by Artland, the studio behind the original Mushi-shi series, this OVA is set against the backdrop of a rare solar eclipse. This celestial event is said to grant ordinary people the ability to perceive the Mushi, but for those familiar with them, it portends a period of disruption. The narrative follows Ginko, the itinerant Mushi expert, as he investigates a rural village afflicted by a mysterious black cloud in the wake of the eclipse.
Boasting an impressive 8.53 rating on MyAnimeList from over 73,000 voters, Mushi-shi is renowned for its contemplative mood, philosophical depth, and distinctive approach to supernatural storytelling. The series, and this OVA by extension, centers on the delicate equilibrium between humanity and the natural (and supernatural) world, often examining themes of environmentalism and the acceptance of the unknown.
This special serves as a compact, self-contained narrative that encapsulates the essence of the Mushi-shi franchise's contemplative and often melancholic exploration of life and the Mushi. Its inclusion on Crunchyroll makes this highly regarded piece of supernatural slice-of-life accessible for viewing.
