Narrator: They dwell, unseen in the shadows. A host of creatures completely different from the flora and fauna familiar to us. An invisible world of life within our own. Since the dawn of humanity, these phantoms have inspired fear in those who could not understand and have, over the ages, come to be known as "mushi."


- Opening -


Girl's Voice: Someone's coming... Someone strange... Someone's coming...!

Ginko: What was that? A monkey, maybe? Or maybe the forest is playing tricks on me. It's like a sea of green in all directions -- I could lose myself in it.



MUSHI-SHI 01.
The Green Seat 緑の座(みどりのざ)



Ginko: It's not widely known, but once in a great while, an individual is born into the world who possesses a rare and wonderful gift: the power to create life.


Shinra: Ah! Good. If I just write with my left hand, it should be safe. Let's see... "Spring has settled in and the trees have begun to come alive. The birds have also started..." I naturally write with my left hand anyway. This makes things so much easier. Darn it... I almost forgot. These characters are based on pictures. Pictographs. Well, I'll just cross these out!

Shinra: Hey! Come back here, bird!

Ginko: What in the...?

Shinra: C'mon! You can't just go flying off!

Ginko: Ink?

Shinra: Oh! (pants) You saw?

Ginko: I did, whatever it was. I'm looking for Shinra loroi. Is that you?

Shinra: Oh, uh... yes...

Ginko: You got my letter, I take it?

Shinra: Oh, so... that was you... You're Ginko, the mushi master, right?


Shinra: I was actually just writing you a reply. You're not the first person who's come here hoping to study me. But like I told them, I'm afraid I have to turn you away. It was my grandmother's final wish. She wanted to keep others from learning about my gift. She told me I should try to avoid using it as much as possible. I guess you've already seen for yourself. If I draw a picture of something, it comes alive. Even if it's not a picture of a living thing. See, my grandmother felt it was somehow wrong that a person should be able to create new forms of life out of thin air. That was work best left to the god, she always said. And she absolutely forbade me from drawing anything with my left hand. Oh, if I draw with my right hand, nothing happens, just my left. But unfortunately, I hurt my finger the other day, so...

Ginko: You were writing left-handed when the creature I saw got away from you?

Shinra: Yeah, it was an accident. I was completely surprised when it started moving. I don't know why really, I've had stranger things come to life on me.

Ginko: Really? Such as?

Shinra: Mmm... An umbrella. A backscratcher... !! But I shouldn't be telling you this!

Ginko: Tsk!

Shinra: Don't worry; that doesn't mean you have to leave this instant or anything. You must be tired, walking all this way through the mountains. You're welcome to stay the night if you like. To tell you the truth, it's been such a long time since I've had company. I'd love to hear about what's happening out there in the world.


Shinra: Try this -- it's a little fruit wine that I made. I like it, but this is the first chance I've had to share it.

Ginko: Hmm... You really are alone out here, aren't you? Because there's no one around for miles.

Shinra: No, it's just me. It's been like this for four years now. Before she passed on, Grandma made me promise I'd stay here.

Ginko: I can see why. If he were living in a town or village and accidentally brought some strange creature to life where others could see it... well he probably wouldn't be able to live a quiet, peaceful life like he does now. An ability like his is beyond the scope of most people's understanding.

Ginko: Sounds to me like your grandmother was an incredibly wise woman.

Shinra: Yeah, I guess she was. She was always looking out for me. ... It's just... Well, I want to show you something.

Ginko: Hmm? What's all this? Did you draw these?

Shinra: Mm-hmm. Sometimes when I'm by myself, these creatures suddenly appear out of nowhere. I have no idea what they are or where they come from, but they're fun to watch. So one day I drew these pictures and showed them to Grandma so she could see them too. Only... it just seemed to upset her for some reason... She said,

Shinra's Grandma: "These visions, these phantom creatures you claim to see... I don't know why they afflict you so... but I'm sure it has something to do with that awful power you possess. Just put them out of your mind, dear. Forget about them; they're not real. You poor, poor child..."

Shinra: That's all she would ever say about it, and until the day she died, she never really believed I saw the things I saw. It got to the point that I even started doubting myself, thinking maybe she was right. Maybe it was all in my mind somehow. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't seem to make her understand.

Ginko: That's because... these creatures are all "mushi."

Shinra: Mushi?

Ginko: That's right. I suppose there's really no simple way to explain what they are. But let me give you an analogy. Say these four fingers represent animal life and your thumb represents plant life. Human beings would be here -- at the tip of your middle finger, the farthest point from your heart. Moving toward the palm of your hand, you find the lower forms of animal life. When you get to your wrist, though, that's where your blood vessels combine into one, right?

Shinra: Right.

Ginko: This is where you would find fungi and microorganisms. From here, it becomes more and more difficult to distinguish between plant and animal life. Even so, there is still life beyond this point. And if you keep going, all the way up your arm... past your shoulder... when you get to this point -- at the place that's closest to your heart, right here -- these creatures are the "mushi." They are life in its purest form. Because of their nature, their shapes and physical appearances are ambiguous. Some you can see, some you can't.

Shinra: Yeah. Some were transparent... sort of like a ghost.

Ginko: Many of the things that people call ghosts are actually mushi of some sort. Some can even take on human form. I'm guessing your grandmother was simply unable to see the mushi. It's not surprising she didn't believe you; it's not easy to communicate a sensory experience. Just as it would be difficult to completely describe the feel and texture of an object to someone who's never held it in his own hands. Try though you might, unless your grandmother could see it with her own eyes, it would be almost impossible to make her understand the mushi world.

Shinra: I'm sorry, Grandma... I didn't know... but you have no idea how happy it makes me to learn that these strange creatures really do exist.


Ginko: Now... where was that bathroom again? This place is a maze, it's so big... I don't see how Shinra lives here all alone... Then again, maybe he doesn't. An old house like this--it's no surprise to find mushi here. Where did it go?

Girl Mushi: Oh... a mushi pin... Hoping to find a new specimen to add to your collection, is that it? You don't scare me, mushi master.

Ginko: (snorts) Well... You're a cheeky one, aren't you...

Girl Mushi: Wh-what's happening?! What is this?!

Ginko: It's mushi. Same as you. With one difference: This one likes to stick to other mushi. They'll fade in a second.

Girl Mushi: (panting) (gasping)

Ginko: Say! What do we have here? A broken wine cup. It's a shame. I really like the color.

Girl Mushi: Shut up! Give it back! How dare you barge into my house like this? Go away! Get out!

Ginko: That's big talk coming from a mushi. What're you saying, this is your house?

Girl Mushi: Yes, that's right.

Ginko: Ah! I see. I think I'm beginning to understand. You were a human once, but somehow you came to acquire mushi characteristics. You're rather weak, though. Which suggests you're not a full mushi, and along with the broken green wine cup, gives me some idea how you ended up like this. It also tells me who you are. Your name... is Renzu. You didn't think I'd come all this way without doing my homework, did you? I think I know a way that we can make this wine cup whole again. Care to hear me out? For your grandson's sake.


Shinra: What are you saying? Grandma's still here in this house?

Ginko: Yes, that's right. Though not in human form. Right now she's stuck in limbo between the human and mushi worlds.

Shinra: I... I don't understand...

Ginko: (breathes out deeply) There's a phenomenon called the Mushi Banquet. The mushi appear in human form and invite a chosen guest to sit among them. The guest is then presented with a wine cup. For those who accept the cup, as they drink from it, the physical boundaries of their human body begin to fade. In other words, they begin to cross over into the mushi world.

Shinra: So that's what happened... to Grandma?

Ginko: That's right. Except for some reason her banquet was interrupted. Thus, your grandmother was unable to complete her mushi transformation. That's not to say she wasn't changed; she was still a different person when she returned to this house. Half of her self had been left behind. But know this: Even though the grandmother you knew and loved was only half of her former self, the other half was here too, in this house, watching over you every day... from the day you were born.

Shinra: I... I'm sorry, I had no idea.

Ginko: I know. You weren't able to see her because she's not a full mushi. But you can still help her. I believe you can use your powers to complete her mushi transformation. If you do this, though, she will never be able to return to the human world. It's your choice.

Renzu: Is that true? So if we do as you say then I... I'll really be able to see Shinra again?

Ginko: Your grandmother didn't need long to decide. Shinra -- you will help her... won't you?


Shinra: Don't watch me while I'm drawing.

Ginko: I know, I know. Now, whenever you're ready. With your left hand, try drawing the wine cup that your grandmother received at the Mushi Banquet, the one that I told you about.

Shinra: Okay, but you never told me what it looks like, the color or the shape.

Ginko: It's okay, don't worry about that. Just use your imagination.

Shinra: My imagination?

Ginko: Trust me; the half of the wine cup your grandmother kept should've been passed down figuratively through the generations. First to her child, and then to her grandchild.

Ginko: Since he told me not to, I just have to look.

Shinra: I get... I get the feeling that it's green... like the forest. A deep green, lush and vibrant... And it's... it's flat... and round in shape...

Ginko: That's it! Oh, wow...

Shinra: It's cracking!

Ginko: Renzu!

Shinra: Is that you, Grandma? Are you there?

Ginko: Now then...

Shinra: Oh... what is that?

Ginko: Your turn, Renzu. Drink this.

Shinra: Uh, Grandma?

Ginko: Come on, no need to be shy.

Shinra: Oh, sorry! I just wasn't expecting her to be so young, is all!

Ginko: And here, you should have a sip, too--you know, to celebrate.

Shinra: Sure. (gasps) Are these... Grandma's memories...?


Renzu: I need to hurry. The sun is starting to set. Mushi...? ... I can't get out of line.

Mushi: Please, drink, Renzu loroi. This is a banquet held in your honor.

Renzu: It's so fragrant... I've never tasted anything like it... I could lose myself in this forever...

Mushi: Are you enjoying your drink? What you are tasting is a living entity known as "Light Wine." It springs from a place that normally you could not reach, a river of light that flows in the depths of the deepest darkness. We have created especially for you this wine cup, which can extract the light. The river flows all around you as it has since life first began. When it nears the soil, grasses grow green and forests blossom. If it recedes, the landscape withers in drought. In other words, it is the water of life. You'll not taste anything more delicious in this world. The reason we have set this banquet for you and shared with you this drink is that we have a favor to ask of you. Thirty-one years from now, your grandson will be born with a very special gift: a power with a potential to change the world as you know it. We would like you to watch over him for the entirety of his life.

Renzu: My... my grandson...?

Mushi: His powers will be a source of great happiness for both him and the world. If you agree to the task we have set before you, we will grant you powers of your own. Drink the wine to the last drop, and it will be so.

(a crow squawks)

Renzu: It's empty. I should be getting home.


Renzu: Shinra?

Shinra: I'm sorry... I'm crying but I have no idea why...

Ginko: Shinra's tears would not stop. He could feel all of Renzu's emotions as her memories flowed through him. He experienced that day in the forest, just as she had. And finally, he understood. The overwhelming sadness, the profound sense of loss over the broken cup. And as Shinra's tears flowed, so did the Light Wine. It flowed from the cup, endlessly, like the river from which it came.


Renzu: Leaving already?

Ginko: That's new--this place is covered in moss.

Renzu: Yes. This is where the Light Wine was spilled onto the ground last night. So, have you given up on studying Shinra, then?

Ginko: For now, I guess. I hear his grandmother doesn't like strangers nosing around.

Renzu: (laughs softly) Well, if you're ever traveling this way, I do hope you'll stop by. I know it can't be helped, but Shinra does get lonely here by himself.

Ginko: No. I don't think he'll have that problem anymore. At least, not as long as he has you here by his side.


Shinra: (moans) Where's Ginko?

Renzu: He's already gone.

Shinra: What? But he didn't even tell me goodbye...

Renzu: It's too bad. We didn't get the chance to thank him properly.

Shinra: Maybe not, but... the green wine cup is missing...


Ginko: From that day on, the rumors of the boy with the god-like left hand were heard less and less, until finally, they simply faded away.