FUNimation Productions ended its 'kickoff' week of new anime announcements with a bang by revealing the acquisition of the 26-episode Mushi-Shi series, which aired on Japanese TV in 2006 and won the grand prizes in Television Series and Art Direction categories at the 2006 Tokyo Anime Fair.  Based on the Mushishi manga by Yuki Yoshiyama (published in the U.S. by Del Rey, see 'Del Rey Acquires 5 More Fantasy Series'), this singular historical fantasy has also been made into a live action movie directed by Akira creator Katushiro Otomo (known as Bugmaster here in the States, see 'Sundance to Screen Bugmaster').

Hiroshi Nagahama directed the Mushi-Shi anime series, which is notable for its elliptical narrative and its lack of an ending theme.  Mushi (which means 'insect' in Japanese) are elemental creatures that can't be seen by most people, but Ginko, the protagonist of Mushi-Shi is a Mushi Master who protects people from Mushi.  Since he attracts Mushi, Ginko is constantly on the move and therefore the series is episodic with few continuing characters other than Ginko and the Mushi.