Introduction
Hello everyone! Coming onto the blog today with something a little different: a Halloween anime review for Parasyte the Maxim! I’ve been in a spooky mood lately, as I’m sure most people are during this time of year and I wanted to find something to watch to get me in the holiday spirit.
I picked up the trusty Crunchyroll app (unfortunately you will need Crunchyroll Premium to watch) and came across an interesting title: Parasyte-the maxim-. Some of you may be familiar with this title but I hadn’t heard of it before so I perused the description.
Parasyte the Maxim Description
“They arrived in silence and darkness, descending from the skies with a hunger for human flesh. Parasites – alien creatures who must invade and take control of a human host to survive – have come to Earth.”
If that doesn’t catch your attention I don’t know what will! I figured this would fit the bill so I started watching it having no clue what I was in for. Now, I want to say, the rating for this anime is 16+ and maybe I’m just soft in my old age but this is easily an 18+ show. You honestly might even need some frontal lobe development for it.
Content Warning for Parasyte the Maxim
The depictions of body horror and gore that are shown, although in drawn form, are absolutely brutal PARTICULARLY the opening scene. So definitely content/trigger warning for those of you who are not into that at all, this may not be for you. However, I’m grown, I can handle a little bit of brutality so I soldier on. And I’m so glad I did!
This has easily risen near the top of my list for best horror anime series ever. The pacing was great, the characters were deeply well written and the plot was brilliant. This show portrayed a type of apocalyptic world that I had never seen before. Like the beginnings of a zombie movie, in a way, but much more interesting. Disturbing while bordering on the philosophical.
Synopsis and Thoughts
The show starts with the main character, Shinichi, getting infiltrated-for lack of a better word-by a parasite who tries to take over his brain. You know, normal stuff.
He is able to prevent this from happening by tying his arm off with his headphones’ cord like a makeshift tourniquet, blocking the alien’s way to his brain. Failing to reach his destination, he gets stuck in Shinichi’s arm and begins to grow rapidly as is his species’ design.
Migi and Parasyte Characteristics
As Shinichi comes to learn more about this parasite “Migi” as he’s called, he discovers that there are hundreds to thousands of aliens like him that have descended from the heavens and are infecting humans and animals, taking over their brains.
They are impossibly smart, able to learn languages in days and absorb information in a completely inhuman way. Most kill indiscriminately, but there are some who want to use their newfound identities to blend in with humankind and just live amongst humans. Honestly, the show is insane.
Thought Provoking Concepts from Parasyte the Maxim
There are quite a few interesting concepts that are brought up throughout the anime. There’s infighting between the aliens who want to coexist with the humans versus those who want to take over humankind, there’s a thoughtful discussion about human nature and what it means to be human, what it’s like when humans are no longer the apex predator, truly inspiring stuff.
I watched all 24 episodes in probably 3 days. I was staying up late to watch and waking up early to watch, I was completely hooked. And the best part, to me, is that this amazing story wrapped up so nicely. It was like a soft landing after a freefall from 10,000 feet while getting beaten to a pulp the entire way down.
Parasyte the Maxim Overview
If you couldn’t tell, I really enjoyed it. I was sad to see it end but I was still completely satisfied. Without giving any more spoilers, I want to give my 100% genuine recommendation to watch Parasyte. If, of course, you’re not squeamish or sensitive to this type of material. There’s a LOT of loss in this show, but it was really enlightening as well. I feel like there are so many meaningful discussions that can come from this anime.
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to be human?
- What makes a human life more valuable than the lives of others?
- Given the sheer amount of destruction human beings have wrought on this world throughout its existence as a race, what right do they have to claim control of it?
- Why shouldn’t that chance be given to another?
That question itself is spooky, yet insightful. Best horror anime. 10/10 would recommend.
Has anyone ever watched this anime or is it something you think you would enjoy?
Do you know any other anime recs for the same genre?
How do you feel about the topics I mentioned?
Let’s discuss!
Until next time, Happy Halloween!
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