Mushishi: The Next Chapter Episode 13
The deep red makes way for the darkest black that washes away everything.
What They Say:
“Lingering Crimson”
They are creatures only known as ‘Mushi,’ whose abilities range well into the supernatural. While their existence and appearances are unknown to the humans around them, there are a few like Ginko who is a ‘Mushi-shi’ that travels around to investigate and find out more about the ‘Mushi.’ During the course of his discovery and understanding, he helps those who are troubled by the Mushi themselves…
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
The grief of those who are left behind is always great, even if those who left are so kind hearted that they would blame no one for the loss. The Mushi give no care to either side and are oft ruthless in their acts.
And event brings the shadow of one into the being of another. Mikage, a girl with no memories of who she once was, steps on the shadow of Akane, an innocent young girl. Mikage takes Akane’s place and she’s none the wiser.
Youkichi, friends with Akane as a child, marries Mikage and lives a happy life. He only finds the dark truth behind their lives when Ginko tells his stories.
Neither can live with it once they realize everything.
Mikage has never been completely ok with it. Interspersed through the episode are brief flashbacks to when the now old couple have to be about 10 years old. Youkichi tells Mikage to stop pretending to be Akane. It’s a hurtful line that only a child who doesn’t know what else to say when confronted with this much grief would say. Mikage throws the bow to the ground and says she never wanted to be Akane. She has to wear the bow because it was a gift from her father—Akane’s father, Mikage’s adoptive father. She mounts Youkichi and starts smacking him, crying, unable to grasp what she’s so sad about. It’s survivor’s guilt. In whatever form she was in, she wanted out and would do anything to for it, even if that meant taking the place of a little girl. She doesn’t remember any of this.
When Youkichi says that it isn’t Mikage’s fault, that he loves her, that they should live happily together, she gives in. Of course she’s happy, of course she wants this, but how can she accept it if it means the sacrifice of a little girl? Youkichi, as much as he wants to believe—or maybe doesn’t—Ginko’s tale, wants the girl he loved more. He wants Mikage.
When confronted with the shadow of a little girl, bow atop her head just like Akane, he realizes the gravity of what happened. Akane, still in her right mind as a shadow, has been unable to step on another’s because it would mean sacrificing their life for hers. Pure emotions dictate that she cannot. She’s too kind hearted to do so. Youkichi married the girl who took Akane’s life. He lived with her and was happy with her and, as a result, sacrifices himself to give Akane her life back. Perhaps now this Mushi will never bother anyone again.
In Summary:
Have I said how much I love Mushishi’s titles? They’re so resonant to the episode without being immediately evident of what they’re going to give away. They’re perfect metaphors for the entire episode. “Lingering Crimson” is the sunset in which Akane disappeared, but also the shadow that illuminates the only form she can take now. It’s the memories that are just fading when we meet Youkichi.
This episode was a great exploration of human character, and how they deal with grief. In a somewhat sad message, Mushishi says we escape into happiness at the loss of a loved one and, years gone by, barely think about them. But at the same time, it’s saying that the ones who remain with us will always be there and always love us. It’s a tender message.
Grade: A
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
Equipment: PS3, LG 47LB5800 47” 1080p LED TV, LG NB3530A Sound Bar
