creators, what remains true is that in some way or another, they can all be considered "art." Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder after all, and as long as an individual finds something to be aesthetically appealing, whether that be a visual experience with plot or a visual experience with "plot," that's all that really matters at the end of the day.But sometimes, among the clutter, you'll stumble across titles that take it a step further, it doesn't simply use audiovisuals as a tool to compensate for whatever is written, but rather, it embodies both breathtaking audiovisuals and proper storytelling to become something far loftier. It reaches an equilibrium that's usually unobtainable by many that strive for it. Finding a delicate balance that's almost ethereal in quality, something that can't truly be expressed and appreciated until it is experienced first-hand. And for many that actively follow the anime industry for an extended period of time, one title that reaches that benchmark in terms of quality is, with little dispute, Mushishi.While all anime could be considered "art" in its own way, Mushishi itself is like a master canvas being brought to life; it's art personified. The elegance and command in which it carries itself is both awe-inspiring and inviting. It doesn't take long before you're sucked into its universe, with vignettes of lush, layered color and soothing imagery that quickly breathes life into its folklore and characters living in it. Everything feels organic, undisturbed by human tampering. It's a feeling that many titles have attempted to emulate but very rarely coming close to sharing the same living quarters with Mushishi's level.Following our protagonist, Ginko, we find ourselves back on a journey that feels unwavering to the current anime climate that surrounds it. Almost a full decade after its first 2005 run, Mushishi shows no sign of compromise, containing the same dense melancholic atmosphere and simplistic, yet universal messages that made it a household name among anime fans, to begin with. Just this fact alone is impressive enough, given the market's current need to produce more self-indulgent works. Any fan of the first season will be more than satisfied with this follow-up. You could even inter-splice the episodes from both seasons and not notice any change in terms of quality, outside of a more gussied up art and animation output of course.But despite that fact, or maybe because of it, this follow-up season may technically reach the same heights as the first but can't help shake the feeling that there's just a sense of something being absent. This isn't to say this season wasn't a great sequel; on the contrary, it's one of the best entries of the 2010s, but rather, there was an element that the first had that didn't seem to transfer quite as well. It's a missing ingredient, an "aha" moment that seemed to have been lost in translation. This could be a result of the novelty of the mushi and their mysterious functions growing less intriguing after seeing it play out numerous times before or a case of the second season being stuck with less impactful storylines. Either way, there was a slight disconnect to be found. The essence was still there, just more watered down this time around. But don't let that deter you, as this bit of grievance only comes as a result of comparing what I consider being "the lesser of both greats." By comparison to almost everything else being produced around it, Mushishi still stands tall, reaching the apex of visual storytelling that lands it so highly on most critics' "best of" lists, to begin with.One of Mushishi's strongest suits is its ability to never take sides in any conflict. It presents the story as is, and like the mushi that populates the universe of the show, everything here is treated as occurrences outside of malice or forced circumstances. Nothing is ever painted in stark black or white, it's a show that constantly dabbles in the gray. Like Ginko, we are mere spectators to the occurrences that happen in any given situation. Life is never picking favorites and the show knows that. Instead of catering to what would be favorable, all incidents that pan out to any given end result are usually determined by basic cause and effect. It doesn't wrap things up in a tidy little bow, like everything else in this world, the show simply moves on, uninterrupted by the personal struggles of man and creatures alike. This unspoken understanding is what makes the case by case basis of each episode to feel so engrossing. You never know the outcome, there's no predictable line of thought; like nature itself, every occurrence simply... exists.But outside of the show's strong writing, the prominent feature of Mushishi that initially draws audiences in is without question the breathtaking scenery and haunting musical selection. Whether you like Mushishi or not, it cannot be denied that this title's prowess for crafting dense atmosphere is almost unrivaled. The blend of rich visuals and coaxing auditory cues brings forth a strong sense of pathos and satisfaction to whoever is consumed into the lore of its universe. Mushishi isn't simply something you watch, it's something you actively experience with each passing minute.The opening song "Shiver" by Lucy Rose is perhaps one of anime's most tranquil and transcending musical intros. It embodies everything Mushishi stands for in the brief 1:30 seconds it takes to lead us into any given episode. Capped off by the musical outros that transition itself with a seamless quality and you have yourself a complete package. This doesn't even touch upon the gorgeous soundtrack, which was comprised of a mixture traditional Japanese instruments with other ear-grabbing pieces; from the slow introduction of the Kugo harp that's later accompanied by the softly plucked strings of a Shamisen, to the less common Handpan bell that interweaves itself into the mix to create walls of textured sound. All instruments playing off the strengths of each other, a balancing act of synchronicity and purposeful calculation. The music here is simply therapeutic.There are many instances throughout the show where no word of dialogue is even uttered, but instead, leaves only long sweeping vistas of nature to keep the audience entranced in its world. Something that's properly exemplified with the introduction of each new episode, as the title banner slowly fades in, the landscape shifting behind it with steady ease. Not many shows can boast that ability of instant immersion. It's even elevated further when the music slowly chimes in without even bringing attention to itself. Working as the backbone to the scenes being presented but never overstepping its boundary; an act of complete unison, giving a voice to the textures and shapes that make up the feature presentation. It's these moments where Mushishi shines the brightest; these moments of uninterrupted serenity. Moments that hold onto you long after the credits roll, leaving an almost sticky and instantaneous feeling of nostalgia.Enjoyment: 10/10There are very few shows that I think unquestionably deserve their place at the top of anime's podium and Mushishi is one of them. It's a title that never ceases to amaze me with its simplicity and beauty. Nothing is wasted here. Every aspect coalesces into an artistic goldmine, where great writing, visual presentation, and enjoyment completely harmonizes to give birth to an experience that forever stays with you. To me, it's a project that has transcended the medium altogether, becoming something far more significant as a result. It's an all time favorite, a show I can revisit at any time with the reassurance of its quality forever holding firm.Overall: 8.5/10Mushishi isn't great for any complex philosophical pondering or sociological observations; what makes Mushishi so great is that it doesn't try to impress the viewer by subjecting some kind of birthright of importance. It doesn't draw attention to itself, it isn't an ostentatious try-hard screaming at the top of its lungs for a chance at the limelight. It simply shows what it has to offer and leaves it upon the viewer to take the initiative in exploring its layers. There's a zen-like quality that sweeps into every crevice of this anime, and those willing to get invested into it will surely find something worthwhile tucked between the folds of its narrative.