Parasyte -The Maxim- (Anime Series)
Directed by Kenichi Shimizu
Animated by Madhouse Studio
Suitable for 15+
It has been a long time since I last visited Anime World, and I found myself a bit anxious to re-enter the melodramatic genre of Japanese cartoons. Thank the Kamis, because Parasyte -The Maxim- was a fantastic place to rekindle my anime flame.
Parasyte is gorgeous, with tight animation, fast-paced action, and some incredible backdrops of Tokyo that were very true to life. Most importantly, this anime is also fun to watch. A reimagination of the original 1980’s manga, Parasyte -The Maxim- tells the story of Shinichi Izumi, a high school senior (I know it’s always a high schooler, but stick with me) whose left hand becomes infected by a mysterious parasite. The parasite, from origins unknown, quickly learns Japanese and browbeats young Izumi into a tenuous mutually symbiotic relationship.
The parasite, known as Migi (meaning right, because he inhabits the right hand), gives Izumi information about the other parasites in his surroundings and uses his tremendous parasite power to protect his host. The other parasites in the show are a more sinister breed of monster than the admittedly cute at times Migi. They have corrupted the brain of their host body, operating as cannibalistic face-shifting body snatchers.
Migi’s powers incidentally make the horror aspect of the series lose a bit of weight when you quickly realize that Izumi is rarely in danger. There are a few jump scares, especially early on, when the viewer is shown how the parasites hunt. The iconic “splitting head face monster” scene is absolutely unforgettable. It didn’t take long for me to realize anyone who wasn’t Izumi was fair game, often meeting their ends at a moment’s notice.
Thematically, the show feels like a combination of Death Note and Arjuna, but seeing as how it is their predecessor, you can’t blame Parasyte for being such a typical environmentalist anime. Almost all animated works from the late 1980’s era had strong ties with environmentalism and existential purpose. Parasyte -The Maxim- is no different. The cold unrelenting violence of the parasites is juxtaposed against some intense questions about the human condition. It confronts the nature of altruism and exploitation and makes one wonder what really makes one “human” and “worthy” of survival.
At first, I hated the main character, Izumi. He was a bumbling scaredy nerd with nothing really important to say. Luckily his relationship with Migi is a catalyst for intense and satisfying character development. It was a genre-typical development, where as a high schooler he wasn’t really a person and through actually experiencing hardship and making decisions he quickly becomes a man with conviction and purpose. I enjoyed watching him grow, and by the end I appreciated him much more than I initially hated him at the show’s start.
Another notable character was the most clever parasite, Tamiya Ryouko. This parasite represented the opposite growth of Izumi. As Izumi became more and more like a parasite, she became more human. Having a human child, the decision that began as an experiment, leads to the softening of her cold and analytical persona. It was an interesting commentary on how the human condition is contagious. It mirrors how we as humans don’t just survive; we live, corrupt, and revel in life’s bounty. Of course, Parasyte -The Maxim- isn’t complete without its final villain, Gotou. A terrifying monster, he personifies both the might and fragility of nature, bringing a dual nature to the environmentalist theme of the series.
In summation, Parasyte -The Maxim- is a show worth watching. I personally did not find it very scary, but it’s possible that I have been desensitized beyond all reconciliation. The show had something to say; it wasn’t merely a spectacle. The morals were not intrusive or preachy. The action was compelling and interesting. I learned to like the protagonist and antagonist. The parasites had enough variety and conviction to truly merit 24 episodes of intrigue. I would recommend this show to anyone who appreciates the feel of classic anime like Akira but wants to see that era retold in a modern and polished style.
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