Mushi-shi

I am not completely finished with this series, but it is a good place to start.
I'll figure out a priority level for this series when I'm done with it.

Here is a for describing

This series is already very different from most things I've seen so far. Very bright, very naturalistic. The plot revolves around the only main character Ginko who is a mushi master. Traveling around for study and curiosity, he looks into odd events that other doctors cannot explain. This is because the conditions or situations are caused by mushi. Mushi are, almost pure life forms. They exist to be solely themselves and carry out their own little role. Unseen by the common eye Ginko travels around and studies them. Very meditative and free spirited in nature, this is a great breathe of relaxation between action based plots or even just day to day work. Calming, relaxful logic is strewn in at parts to weave reality in. There is this smooth, care free adventure and discovery that works through each episode that I can't help but reminisce about. Each episode is it's own little story that make up Ginko's travels. I am glad that the concept of time slides into these sections as he may sometimes spend months or years just looking for one specimen, or because he is curious. There is even a little something spiritual to the way in which Ginko takes his laid back approach to live. This reminds us to take notice to the small things around us, almost in the same feel that Princess Mononoke does. Very much so an earth binding view of the mystical.
The art is very well done, and plant live is done so realistically. The style is familiar a little to Samurai Champloo, but the attention to detail in his natural environment is remarkable. All the characters act and sound like real people. I am very glad that there is a lack of forced humor or stereotypical characters. From looking around however, it seems that in the animated adaptation there are small conversations lost or paraphrased. In a particular instance a mushi that eats sound has infected a boys mother. What is lost in the transition is Ginko's commentary on the meaning of absolute silence before passing on.
The key to this story, and even what makes it wonderful is how simple it is. There is no complex plot weaving, character relationships, or political problems. Just a guy, great art, great ambient sound, and a strong sense of adventure and following what you enjoy doing. Along with a few logicing about the smaller ideas and awe about the natural world.

Because FUNimation has disabled embedding for this, I'll just link to the first episode.
Mushi-shi Episode 1 English Dub
This is also up on hulu