Parasyte -the maxim- is a 24 episode anime that’s based on the manga from 1988. It follows Izumi Shinichi who encounters some weird snake / slug looking jelly thing at night in his bedroom. It burrows into his right hand and after his panicked frenzy, he realises the hole has sealed up. The next day, weird things happen and his right hand seems to act on its own. It turns out that an alien thing has eaten his right hand and taken its place.
The first episode already sucks you in with its premise as the alien thing is as clueless about its own existence as Shinichi is. However, there are several obvious characteristics. It’s extremely strong, able to easily break metal. It can also morph into many shapes, and this is quite creepy to watch at times. This parasite, who is extremely intelligent, made a mistake, it was supposed to aim for Shinichi’s brain but is now forced to reside as his hand. It makes a proposition to mutually benefit off each other.
It’s surprising that the anime manages to hold on to its tense pacing. Given that the parasite doesn’t know much about its own kind either, they learn at the same pace as the viewers. As a result, what comes as a surprise to us will also be a surprise for the pair of them. The anime doesn’t shy away from the fact that these parasitic beings are monsters, killing other humans for food. They can also morph their bodies into a number of shapes or weapons and are horrifyingly powerful.
The parasite, having learnt all its knowledge from books and the internet, is rational and logical to the point of being cold. It calmly analyses each situation that it and Shinichi finds themselves in, and proposes plans that sicken Shinichi with its perceived ruthlessness. In this aspect, it is like a computer AI, as it deals with cold hard facts like the probability of success rather than the more emotional aspects like if it is morally acceptable.
The anime goes on a more intellectual approach at times, opting to muse on the nature of humans, and what makes them different than animals. Shinichi tries to prove to the parasite, affectionately named Migi, that humans are so much more, being capable of compassion instead of just relying on survival instincts. While some are selfish and confirms the parasite’s views, Shinichi is trying to change that. This can be a bit annoying at times when Shinichi deliberately does something (or conversely, his inaction) just to prove his point.
Nevertheless, the anime doesn’t pull any punches and pretty much throws a curveball in every episode. It’s quite impressive that it manages to build an emotional attachment with a particular character, who doesn’t have all that much screen time, only to have something happen to them. This has a profound emotional impact to both the Shinichi and the viewer, and makes you feel that no one is safe. The more we learn about the parasites, the scarier it can be since they are able to mimic anyone, able to strike at any time, and are physically so much superior to humans.
The plot moves at a very brisk pace. It introduces what you would expect to be a big development but quickly goes through it and resolves it in a satisfactory manner before moving onto the next. It never seems to waste any time, each episode has something important happening. It ups the ante each time, and there are some gory shots, or at least uncomfortable scenes. When it kills characters, it doesn’t do it in a pure indiscriminate way to induce shock, but rather it feels more personal, and that affects you way more in comparison.
You are wary whenever focus is placed upon a character. You have a suspicion that they will die, and just like Shinichi, you don’t want that pain. Due to the parasite, Shinichi undergoes a massive change both physically and mentally. His personality drastically changes but it doesn’t feel contrived or unnatural. The plot basically charts Shinichi’s journey and the hurtful path that he must walk on with no choice. However, it is a shame that several tragic events could have been avoidable if only one of the characters weren’t so idiotic and did a stupid thing without thinking it through properly.
Over the course of the anime, there is a constant battle between Shinichi and Migi in terms of ideals. It does play a bigger and bigger role, so can get tiring when it is repeating similar beats. Migi has no qualms killing innocents just to preserve his life, while Shinichi has morals and does not want to take another’s life. Seeing Shinichi hopelessly at times trying to convince Migi, when Migi has no sense of selflessness or compassion, is another way that makes the viewers question the morality of everything that’s going on.
The second half of the season takes the story into a different direction. It’s not so much the personal struggle of Shinichi with Migi, but takes place on a grander scale. The danger that the parasites pose to the society as a whole is explored, even if it is on a local level, restricted to the city that Shinichi is living in. It also continues the uncomfortable scenes and the horrifying fact of certain situations where innocent people die.
While the story takes off in a direction that’s on a larger scale, at the same time, it’s hard to tell where it is exactly going and how it will end. There was so much happening, with so many implications, that you’re not sure how it can end satisfactory. Since the last section introduced core concepts and ideals of the interpretation of parasites and their roles, it feels weird to end the story with just looking at Shinichi’s situation instead. As a result, the ending can feel weak and anti-climatic, brushing off the bigger moments in favour of just ending it on a personal note for Shinichi.
Overall, Parasyte -the maxim- is a strong anime. It has a very good first half, as we are introduced to the parasites, their horrifying abilities and learn more about their nature. Journeying through with Shinichi and the things that he has to suffer, it feels really personal. Although once it shifts the focus away from Shinichi to a grander scope, the pacing and plot developments feel more sluggish and less interesting. It’s still solid, but can leave you feel a tiny bit unsatisfied with a somewhat idealistic ending.
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