MovieChat Forums > Mushishi (2005) Discussion > Any other anime recommendations like thi...

Any other anime recommendations like this?

posted 15 years ago by crawen77
22 replies | jump to latest

I am tired of all the cliche ridden run-of-the-mill anime.
Looking for something that is similar to this in music, animation style (or like the animation style in "Kureimoa"), that focuses on beautiful scenery and colors,and atmosphere.
Or anything similar to Hayao Miyazaki's work.

I am also looking for something that can compete with "Berserk"
And don't even bother with mentioning "Full Metal Alchemist" "Gungrave" or "Hellsing" as I think they all suck,and are nowhere near "Berserk"'s brilliance.

Any recommendations?
It doesn't matter if it's a series or film.

A placebo religion, because you don't wanna admit that you don't know

[–] baygerbieger 15 years ago

Kino's Journey for Mushi-shi
Shigurui for Berserk

Stand By For Action!

[–] crawen77 15 years ago

Thank you! Kino's Journey looks very interesting,gonna check it out.

Shigurui is awesome, it's one of those I keep rewatching because I can't find anything new that is this good.
I tried out "Samurai Champloo" the other day after several recommendations from friends,and I can't see what is so damn good about it.
Maybe I'm just too picky.

Anyway,thanks again!

A placebo religion, because you don't wanna admit that you don't know

[–] jpb58 14 years ago

Kino's Journey is a lot more violent than Mushi Shi, but I still enjoyed it.

For movies that are like this (gorgeous animation and lovely music) I would recommend the Korean anime movie My Beautiful Girl Mari, available on DVD and thru Netflix.

[–] crawen77 14 years ago

Thanks a lot for that recommendation jpb58! I have seen some screenshots of "My Beautiful Girl Mari" on the net and the animation looks astonishingly beautiful.
Currently in my "To watch" queue

If you have more recommendations or find anything new like this it would be greatly appreciated if you could take the time to post them here.

Have a good day

[–] grenadeist 14 years ago

You're going to be hard pressed finding something to compete with Berserk,
all i can suggest is reading the manga (if you haven't already) because from what i've heard it differs in areas from the anime.

An anime film you should try though is 'Sword of the stranger'.

The answer to your first question is SHADDUP!

[–] hoping-failing 14 years ago

I actually found out about Mushi-shi because someone recommended it to me after i said one of my favourite animes was "Haibane Renmei". You should check that show out, it's slow-paced and beautiful just like Mushi-shi, and keeps you flying through the episodes to see how the story unravels.

[–] overseer-3 14 years ago

I watched a couple of episodes of Haibane Renmei on YouTube but I couldn't get into it at all. To me it's something for little girls, like fairy stories. Mushi Shi on the other hand has a dreamlike quality but also makes you think. There are so many layers going on in each episode, moral tales to each one that you can apply to your own life, if you care to do so. I love the character of Ginko. He's unique in the anime world, and he's got a great sense of humor and that appeals to me.

[–] shieldsplashk1 14 years ago

I am no Anime expert but let me offer what I can.

The thoughtful, dreamlike quality that Mushishi holds is something utterly unique and very few shows can hold a candle to the type of atmosphere Mushishi is able to create.

I will disagree with the poster above and give Haibane Renmei my highest recommendation for any fan of Mushishi. It is a series that takes time to unravel its layers but the overall effect is strikingly poignant. Unfortunately not all viewers have a high level of patience so for those who have trouble with the first few episodes, make sure you stick with it. Something big happens about halfway through the series and after that point the story absolutely grabs you and never lets go. Believe me, it will all begin to make sense after that point and the philosophical underpinnings of the show will begin to emerge. The final episode nearly had me in tears and I haven't cried in years.

Haibane Renmei is a show that is big on atmosphere and pacing so like Mushishi you should find a quiet place to enjoy it fully and devote your full attention to it. I suspect youtube viewing isn't the best way to experience the series.

Apart from that I haven't found any series that replicate the atmosphere of Mushishi or Haibane Renmei. However, there are a couple thinker shows out there I have experienced. Two that immediately come to mind are "Kino's Journey" and "Now and Then, Here and There."

[–] overseer-3 14 years ago

Kino's Journey was ok, but Now and Then, Here and There was terrible. The animation style is juvenile, looks cheaply produced, and the main male character is so annoying you want to pull your hair out. It's nothing at all like Mushi Shi.

[–] Unicorn_Blade 12 years ago

Animation style is not all overseer-3. It was done on purpose to contrast with the violent content, and the main character does grow up and mature as well; him being irritating and positive IS the point of the series; if that made it impossible for you to see through and understand what the series was trying to do, too bad, but do not dismiss a series as terrible just because it was not to your liking.

[–] overseer-3 12 years ago

The OP was asking what shows or films were like Mushi Shi. That one is NOTHING like Mushi Shi, stylistically or theme related. It's a free country. You are welcome to like it and I am welcome to dismiss it. :)

[–] Unicorn_Blade 12 years ago

Well, if we get into philosophy, there is nothing like anything. However, if there is anything close to Mushishi, series like NTHT or Kinou's Journey would be close enough.
Of course you can dismiss it, I just said you might have missed the point of the animation style- it was not sloppy; it was meant to look the way it looked.

[–] hmmfriedchicken 14 years ago

Junni Kokki. Its like watching chinese period piece. Less violent, more about getting to know the world its set in.

Nothing replaces Berserk.

Samurai X aka Kenshin : Trust & Betrayal OVA

Those are my top 3 anime series/ova.

[–] crawen77 14 years ago

Sweet,I am definitely going to check that one out. Looks like something I could watch. Thank you for recommending.
I also agree with you in "Trust and Betrayal" being awesome. It's in my top 5 as well. I want more dark and serious anime like that; Not squeaky and annoying kids with spirals in their eyes and stuff like that,like i usually get when i try something new. Thanks again!

A placebo religion, because you don't wanna admit that you don't know

[–] girl_on_wire 13 years ago

This isn't an anime--I'm no expert--but this series strongly reminded me of the original "Zatoichi--The Blind Swordsman" movies (mostly from the sixties). Like Mushi-shi it doesn't "fit" into one genre-- even though it has a lot of swordfighting, it is more about human behavior and relationships. It also features a wandering main character who cannot remain in a single place for too long.

Manuscripts don't burn.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jpb58 13 years ago

I enjoyed that one but it was more violent than Mushi Shi.

[–] Timothy_Ryan 12 years ago

Great to see some of the recommendations in this thread. I, too, was going to recommend Kino's Journey and Haibane Renmei.

Funnily enough, I've just finished watching Mushishi (which I think is about as close to perfection as an anime series can get) and have Now and Then, Here and There to watch next.

I have some more recommendations for you.

First, Texhnolyze. Serious as a heart attack. Relentless. Philosophical. Wonderfully animated. My favourite ever series. I think that if you're looking for something to match Berserk in tone this is the best you'll find. Warning: don't get hung up on the first, I think, four episodes. You won't have a chance at understanding them until the end.

Second, Ergo Proxy. Another adult-oriented anime series. A couple of episodes in I was worried about it becoming a straight action thriller, but it didn't. Again very philosophical, well animated, acted and with a unique neo-gothic art style. It's probably not as tight as Mushishi or Texhnolyze but it's still very much worth seeing. There's a part in the middle that you'll never forget.

Third, and I don't know if you're looking for stand-alone films, but Grave of the Fireflies is an absolute masterpiece. Everybody should see it.

Well, they're the three that spring to mind. They always do. Enjoy! I'd be curious to know what you think of them.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (4524359) 12 years ago

I've seen all you suggestions already, I've seen too much. Makes me sad that I can't find a good anime anymore. I liked all your suggestions though, they are all really good. Texhnolyze might just be the biggest mindf_uck anime you'll ever see, it puts animes like serial experiments lain to shame.

[–] Unicorn_Blade 12 years ago

You know, there is a lot of good stuff out there- maybe not exactly like Mushi-shi, but if you are looking mainly for adult-orientated stuff, there is Night Raid 1931, I strongly recommend Steins;Gate (the plot overview sounds a bit weird, but it is a lot more than what it seems to be), Baccano!, Time of Eve (I have a feeling you might really really enjoy it, it is a 6 episode OAV), Monster is absolutely fantastic, Planetes is a good series, Wolf's Rain is brilliant...

They all belong to different genres, some of them are quite recent from past few seasons, some a bit older. But they are strong in plot and character development, maybe it is worth giving something different a go?

[–] overseer-3 12 years ago

I tried, but I couldn't get into Wolf's Rain at all. Kept falling asleep on it. The characters just didn't appeal to me.

Again, Oseam and My Beautiful Girl, Mari remind me of the gentleness of Mushi Shi. You'd have to search out the first one to buy, but the second one is available on Netflix and worthwhile. The music and animation style are gorgeous, such as you see in this YT clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTQkdqJPC8

Thought of another one: Piano Forest.

[–] toddtw 11 years ago

I recommend "Seirei no moribito"