Mushishi season 1 is now officially available for FREE on YouTube ......

Mushishi season 1 (26 episodes) is now legally available to stream for **FREE** on publisher Kodansha's YouTube channel - this is great news for those who have had problems finding legal streams since it was removed from Crunchyroll and Hulu in the Summer of 2024. Crunchyroll still have season 2 (20 episodes, sub only, because season 2 was never dubbed in English).

Here's Kodansha's tweet with links to both the subbed and dubbed videos on YouTube:

https://x.com/KodanshaManga/status/2015937979429138668

(Dub and Sub are available as two separate 'movie' streams with the episodes marked as chapters for easy selection).

Availability is limited to English speaking countries in the west, therefore the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. Also Jamaica, The Bahamas, and others where English is the main language.

This is no doubt being done because of the new Collector's Edition hardback releases of the original manga which started on November 4th, 2025.

https://kodansha.us/product/mushishi-collectors-edition-1/

(There will be five volumes in total, Volume 2 is due out on April 14, 2026).

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Commentaires

EitherExamination3432026-01-28 17:33

Does it have the English opening? If so I’m in.

Twigling2026-01-28 17:40

Yes, each episode has the original English music as sung by Ally Kerr for season 1. :-)

EitherExamination3432026-01-28 17:47

Thanks! Youtube’s blocked at work so couldn’t look myself :(

Twigling2026-01-28 17:48

No worries. It's something to look forward to when you get home - just pop on an episode and chill. :-)

apostleofhustle2026-01-28 20:43

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=wqLVrqHvSJg

Twigling2026-01-28 20:49

Ah yes, the season 2 opening. :)

marvinnation2026-01-28 17:48

Great find!!! This is on my top 3 anime.

sleek_assassin2026-01-28 17:51

Peak show. Easily in my top 3 anime. Everything in it is damn perfect.

EconomyProcedure92026-01-28 17:57

Still hope there is a home media release for season 2 and they convince Travis Willingham to reprise his English dub role of Ginko.

Of course to be fair I'm still waiting on a US home media release of Tenchi Muyo OVA 4-5 (again preferably with an English dub).

Twigling2026-01-28 18:51

> Still hope there is a home media release for season 2 and they convince Travis Willingham to reprise his English dub role of Ginko.

Both of those would be most welcome - season 2 can in fact be bought on Blu-ray and DVD **BUT** only in Japan, there's also no English subtitles (only Japanese audio) and they are very, **very** expensive as they are out of print.

It used to be available on DVD in the west (released by Madman Entertainment in Australia in 2016) but it's long out of print and very hard to find.

noelle-silva2026-01-28 19:14

Crunchyroll has gotten terrible about releasing series physically in recent years. I wouldn't count on them ever releasing S2 physically, unfortunately. Especially after the first season ended up being a SAVE release, meaning it sold poorly for Funimation.

Twigling2026-01-28 19:56

Tell me about it, Crunchyroll (like Netflix, Apple, etc) badly want people to use their streaming services which means that releases on physical media are sadly increasingly hard to find. I very much hate this corporate mentality, it's greedy and controlling.

JRPictures2026-01-29 01:10

To be clear, the situation with Mushishi S2 was a problem long before the Crunchyroll merger & actually has nothing to do with it. The U.S. licence for the season is actually with [Aniplex USA](https://aniplexusa.com/mushishi/) who (alongside some other titles they have like Samurai Flamenco, Oresuki, Nanana's Buried Treasure etc) they just decided to keep it as streaming only with no dub or home video release at all.

Quiddity1312026-01-28 18:35

As one who has this on my PTW list for this year (and recently read a top 50 anime of 2000 - 2009 list where it was ranked #1 overall) this makes me quite happy.

Twigling2026-01-28 19:05

Also worth adding:

Season 1 is still officially available on the S.A.V.E DVD set (which only contains that season, while season 2 isn't available on physical media any more in the west):

https://www.amazon.com/Mushishi-Box-S-V/dp/B005HVWWB2

(this can be found in various countries, also on Ebay, etc). It's damn cheap too for ten hours of entertainment.

elfacosmosa2026-01-28 18:48

Ooooo...this is good news. It is my favorite anime, and the reason why I fell in love with the genre.

firelordleejr2026-01-28 18:55

Where was this when I had to go above and beyond to watch all the season and OvA's ..

Anyways ...peak show...will make my friends watch it.

Twigling2026-01-28 19:11

> Where was this when I had to go above and beyond to watch all the season and OvA's ..

Yeah, unfortunately it's been tough to legally find season 1 streaming since Summer 2024, although of course there's always the official DVD set of season 1. Amazon US have had season 1 available as a digital purchase for some time, but it's very expensive compared to the far cheaper (and better) DVD set, and Amazon's digital purchase only has the dubbed version (while the DVD set has English dubbed and original Japanese audio with English subs):

https://www.amazon.com/Mushishi-Box-S-V/dp/B005HVWWB2

Also, just to confuse matters, some streamers list season 2 as season 1 (for example, if you sub to Crunchyroll via YouTube or Amazon it lists 'season 1' but that is in fact the first 9 episodes of season 2).

No_Durian_69872026-01-28 19:06

My buddy and I were literally talking about starting season 2 last night since the first was unavailable, so this is uncannily perfect timing.

Thanks to whoever made this possible, and thank OP for posting about it.

Twigling2026-01-28 19:21

> Thanks to whoever made this possible

Thank Kodansha, looks like it's all part of their 20th anniversary Mushishi celebration - so you have season 1 streaming for free, the manga hardback reprint with new translations and lettering and a few new bits of color artwork (although the stories are still of course black and white), also the reprinted art book (Japan only, but can of course be imported or bought from resellers. Any text is also in Japanese, but the book is mainly art so shouldn't be a huge problem).

AND an original art exhibition coming up in Japan in February:

https://mushishi.fundom-event.com/

> and thank OP for posting about it.

No problem, I saw it mentioned today on the /r/mushishi subreddit.

Insertarandomnamez2026-01-28 19:28

And of course it's region locked 😢

Twigling2026-01-28 19:55

True, but it's on some streaming services in Japan - for example the last time I checked a few months ago it's on U-NEXT, Hulu Japan, and Amazon Prime Japan. I guess that anyone else in Asia, Europe, etc might be able to access the new YouTube streams with a VPN ....... ? :)

If you're in the west and live in a primarily English speaking country then you're all set.

Insertarandomnamez2026-01-28 20:11

Well I guess anything works as long as it's not considered lost media like for example (Baccano!). Mushishi is one of my favorite series

Twigling2026-01-28 20:42

Mushishi is my number one favorite anime. :)

Durinthal2026-01-29 05:06

> as long as it's not considered lost media like for example (Baccano!).

Eh, if it's easily pirated it's not really lost in my opinion. Legally it's a headache but even for that used Blu-rays are out there, unlike some of my favorites that never got a subbed physical release.

[](#cup3)

Benphyre2026-01-28 19:29

Great watch Mushihi. Definitely check it out if you haven't

seninn2026-01-28 19:33

There is nothing quite like it, but please, prove me wrong.

Nex_Ultor2026-01-28 20:19

If you liked the episodic storytelling where our MC travels from place to place, discovering something new about the world, with immaculate vibes that are overall cozy-yet-creepy, I would recommend Kino's Journey/Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World (2003). It might be tough to find outside the high seas, but it's worth it. Crunchyroll has the 2017 re-adaptation, but it swings and misses on the vibes imo; the 03 version's where it's at.

Because of when it was made, I'm pretty sure it's only available in 480p. Imo, you get used to it quickly, and it adds to the overall mood/vibes of the show

Twigling2026-01-28 21:00

I wish there WAS something like it - there are other shows that have some aspects of it, but Mushishi as a whole is unique, and it's a fantastic series.

onzichtbaard2026-01-28 21:37

Haibane renmei gave me similar vibes but its not too similar

lverson2026-01-29 01:49

Natsume Yuuujinchou is similar in languid demeanor, serial problem solving and an emphasis on living in harmony with spirits/surroundings but yes, not quite like mushi shi.

CertifiedBedophile2026-01-28 19:58

good for falling asleep to!

Twigling2026-01-28 20:47

It's incredibly relaxing, but of course it's far more enjoyable if you stay awake. :-)

Possible-Advance38712026-01-28 20:26

I remember watching Mushishi season 1 on youtube 12 years ago, back when Funimation used to upload anime for free in like 480p. Great memories. Happy that more people can enjoy it at a higher quality now!

Twigling2026-01-28 20:59

Ah yes, I too remember that Funimation made the episodes available on YouTube. :)

raiders0012026-01-28 20:28

Whattttttttttt. Thank you so much for sharing! Was just looking for this series last week and was frustrated to only see season 2 available

AlternativeTask36432026-01-28 20:30

It's a shame some shows are just lost to oblivion. Finding Monster with english dub on streaming is impossible.

Twigling2026-01-28 20:57

> It's a shame some shows are just lost to oblivion

I couldn't agree more, the increasing lack of new physical media isn't helping either. At least Mushishi season 1 is officially available on DVD in the west (but sadly not season 2, for that or Blu-ray there's only the Japanese versions and they don't have English subs, and are also out of print so are very expensive).

AlternativeTask36432026-01-28 21:01

Yep, sad part is back then the tagline was 'support the offical release' which is typically through dics. Now something with a cd player is obscure. And "buying" on streaming is essentially renting it.

Twigling2026-01-28 21:07

> And "buying" on streaming is essentially renting it.

Tell me about it, it drives me nuts, which is why I'll ALWAYS buy physical media of shows (and movies) that I really love (if available). I do NOT like the way that physical media is being abandoned in favor of streaming - yes, streaming is 'convenient', but you also lose a lot of video and audio quality along with the rights of 'ownership'. Streams can be taken away at the drop of a hat, or edited/censored.

y-c-c2026-01-29 04:11

With anime shows going to platforms like Netflix I think this may get worse. Streaming platforms like this holds IPs very close to their chest, and yet don't always do a good job with stewardship.

Twigling2026-01-29 09:23

Yes, unfortunately we are in an age where personal ownership goes out the window, and this is all in service to big corporations who put greed and profit above everything else. It's getting worse and we are letting it happen thanks to corrupt, greedy governments who are in the back pockets of corporations.

deaconblues11382026-01-28 20:59

It's a well-done show, but it's so slow and meditative that you really have to schedule a certain time to watch it consistently, because there's zero plot or character development past an episode-by-episode basis. It's taken me over a year to watch ten episodes.

Twigling2026-01-28 21:50

I can appreciate that it won't fully appeal to everyone (which is normal for **all** forms of entertainment). I love Mushishi's 'slowness' and very gentle, meditative pacing. I also love the episodic nature of the storytelling, how intelligent and compassionate it is, the wonderful score, etc. It's also not at all 'preachy'.

The lack of a grand plot is an argument that could also be used against any slice of life anime, but there IS a plot to each episode. Also, the MC (Ginko) is in every episode, plus there are a few other recurring characters. You also get to see Ginko's development through a handful of flashback episodes, the first two of which are in season 1 (but if you've only watched 10 episodes you're not quite there yet).

There's also a fair amount of world building.

I find it's best to watch an episode when I need to relax, perhaps just before bed. I honestly can't fault the series, it's my number one anime with good reason, but if it's not quite your thing then fair enough. :-)

onzichtbaard2026-01-28 21:37

Thats really cool, im a big fan

2kenzhe2026-01-29 00:27

Cool. This has been on my pltw list for a while. If I have time might finally check it out.

alejandroc902026-01-29 01:06

Seeing people here praising the anime I think I'll give a try

Twigling2026-01-29 09:20

Excellent - it's perfect for when you just want to chill.

Small tip: don't binge watch it, that kind of ruins the vibe of each story - just watch an episode, maybe 2, when you want to relax.

Enjoy! :-)

Fullbryte2026-01-29 01:49

Very cool!

heimdal772026-01-29 02:48

Got it on dvd or blu ray forget which.

I'll never understand what is with cr only holding onto lster seasons of a show or a spin of but not the main show or first season. Even more frunstratign is The Sain't Magic Power is Onipotent they only sell season 2 physical.

It really shows how little of a shit they give about anime and the fans now.

Twigling2026-01-29 09:10

Agreed on all points!

Crunchyroll seems to have 'lost' the licensing to season 1 during the 'merge' with Funimation (although, fun fact: what is now Crunchyroll **IS** Funimation, but renamed). It's complicated ........ Wikipedia has the full details on the merge, name change, etc.

But yeah, Mushishi has been treated very badly by the main streaming services over the years, and to make things worse some even list season 2 digital purchase as season 1 ......... I'm just delighted that the actual season 1 has been made freely available by publisher Kodansha. :-)

Now we need both seasons on a nice new Blu-ray set with Japanese audio, all of the dubs and assorted subtitles, including English. :-) (I can dream!).

Sea_Equivalent_42072026-01-29 04:09

New to this series and really liking the vibe.

Twigling2026-01-29 09:06

Great to hear that you're enjoying it - it's like this all the way through its two seasons. :-)

ChampionshipIll61712026-01-29 08:33

Such great news. Happy that Mushishi is free to watch now

Twigling2026-01-29 09:05

> Happy that Mushishi is free to watch now

Well, season 1 at least. :-)

Granide2026-01-29 16:35

This show is a gem. Everyone should watch it at least once in their life