Mushishi is not about entomology.

Mushishi aren’t, as the name could suggest, entomologists. They are more akin to paranormal investigators. Mushi, which can be translated to mean insect, are ephemeral creatures that come in all shapes and sizes. They fit into a variety of niches, but can not normally be seen by the human eye. Very few people can detect the presence of mushi even though we are constantly surrounded by them. Some who can see and understand  these creatures become mushishi, and investigate the unusual circumstances in which mushi and humans interact. The main, and only important character, is a mushishi named Ginko. Ginko has  one green eye and shock white hair resulting from being attacked by a monstrous mushi when he was young. Ginko doesn’t just see mushi rather he is a mushi magnet so he cant linger in one area for too long or he may bring calamity to those around him. Therefore Ginko travels about Japan treating people who are suffering from contact with mushi. Often mushi are parasitic by nature making Ginko more of a doctor than a researcher. He collects various mushi related items and sells them to collectors to fund his travels. This anime seems to take place before Japan was open to European influence, but nobody ever mentions that Ginko is dressed rather conspicuously compared to his surroundings.

Mushishi is not a very exciting anime. There is no villain, no over arching plot line, and little comedy in this anime. The music is soothing rather than dramatic, and the backgrounds of rural Japan paint a world of fantastic green. The settings differ only little from remote island fishing villages to backwoods mountain hamlets. The two things that link each episode is the enigmatic wanderer Ginko, and the supernatural creatures he is plagued by. If all you look for in anime is action packed fight sequences or few laughs then you probably will get very bored by watching this one.