Take A Pick Tuesday: Parasyte The Maxim
I’ve been waiting for this one to wrap up to write a hefty
article about it. Surprise and no surprise. A fantastic show that really puts the
observation of humanity under the microscope, especially when that humanity in
question is due to an alien parasite in you, one that is morphing you,
transforming you from one tragedy to another. Yet there is the desire to remain
human and cling to all the things that humanity stands for. Well the best
things about them anyways. As well as clinging to those you care about, that
you can only keep with you humanity intact. The greatest question is though
what does it mean to be human?
A whole
species of parasites descends unto the human race in secret, going inside the
body of unsuspected humans in order to mask what they really are, feeding on
other humans to survive. Shinichi Izumi also has a parasite enter his body but
like some it’s goal of reaching the head never happens and stops in his arm. Something he helps to do in a way. Naturally
Shinichi freaks out when he realizes what resides in his hand, the parasite who names itself Migi explains
for what purpose the parasites had come to Earth, not aligned with any of the
others, the creature is interested in its own survival which means Shinichi
survival too. However that would also include for the both of them surviving to
understand the way they think, morals or logic against what seems like morals,
as well as the lives that could be threatened because of their known existence
among other parasites, the threats would include Shinichi’s loved ones as well
as himself.
This show is a
about a lot of things, of course the infiltration of us as a species by another
species, what it might be like especially if the other was a parasite that used
us in order to survive and achieve their goals. How easy it could become for
them to do so, the dangers of it for us but also for them, having to be
outnumbered and deal with the consequences of being in a human body, their
needs for survival and dealing with things they might be unprepared for, such
as pregnancy for example. Yup that’s right pregnancy. It’s also about the human heart, direct tie to
humanity, what drives us to overcome things. How love and caring for someone
can recognize the change in those that they care about. What it means to hides
one’s personal sufferings, the cost of it even when it’s a sacrifice for those you
love. Because truly it’s never simple.
With the parasites we get an outlook at our society as a
whole and if it feels familiar and yet you still find it strange and tragic at
times, that’s ok you’re merely looking at in at another perspective. Perhaps
even looking at it through Migi’s lens, the parasite that comes into the main
character Shinichi you seem to relate more to what he describes as unnecessary
things that often are associated with the human emotions, you may find yourself
agreeing for many reasons but why might be a thing that becomes clearer late.
However it won’t stop you from seeing thing in Shinichi’s perspective, one that
questions but also tries to protect the things in the world he sees, his humanity
drives him in conflict with the parasite in him. Sure the parasite seem cruel,
devouring especially in the beginning but it’s like a buffet, yet human
violence tends to match it tic for tat. The violence first brought on towards Shinichi
and everything that follows. I’m not just talking about delinquents from the
street either.
It’s why I say
surprise and no surprise, surprise at how the show lures you in so fast, how
surprising the story unfolds, unrelenting at times even downright gruesome and
yet not for the sake of it. I mean the transformations really more human flesh to the most monstrous images possible. Still it never loses it heart, ironically it never loses
the human factor, what we are plays a constant factor in even the most intense
scenes. When the scenes focus on the drama it actually does a terrific job, you
can see a character for a mere two episodes but grow attached to them very quickly.
Coming from Madhouse, the animation shows its mettle from the transformations
of normalcy to that of the parasites that are underneath, to the incredible cuteness
that Migi just has, especially when Migi is doing what might seem like mundane
things, surfing the web, reading a book. As well as growing to care how Shinichi
feels about things even if he has to state the realistic situation sometimes
that they’re in.
It also isn’t
surprising because of the popular the manga is, how long adaptions have waited
to be done. There was quite an anticipation for this show, at least from people
that read the manga when it came out, it delivers in my opinion in full. When
it previewed the last episode I found myself saying but why but it was in a
good way. Of course with depth comes heart breaking moments even when whatever
it is happens to be over and the situation has moved on when Shinichi revisits
the thought you can’t help but feel sad. If we call this horror than this is
one of the aspects I love about the genre, though we may call it action instead
or drama that’s ok. The horrific aspects set a tone for things I loved but I
often find whatever else it has to be the things I come to love. Some anime do that so well, I count Parasite
among them.
Some interesting things you'll notice right away about the show is the characters, how those closest to him can notice the steady change once Migi is a part of him. There is even one character that is fixated on him and has a sort of six sense when it comes to his presence. This is out of the love she feels for him of course even though she can sense other parasites. She isn't the only human either, later you see a murderer in prison that authorities use when they're trying to sense which humans the parasites are living in. I'd say that is a bit of a spoiler but not really, which such a large infiltration and all the human murders, it isn't surprising that the government would become aware of there presence even if many of them are already a part of that government. It would seem clear with there emotionless faces and piercing eyes that seem lifeless but things would change in some that would make that harder, for all of them though even though they hide their presence they don't try very hard. Shinichi's own friend and love interest Satomi Murano has a lot of problems with what she senses in him and the feeling that he is keeping something from her, even the horrors he'll go through are left to linger on his soul, mostly because he can share the truth with her, at times pushing her away. The titles of the episodes, often referring to classic books has a way of helping with the tone as does the music, which adds the intensity, heartbreak and rare peaceful moments in the series
To show
something as evil and hateful is one thing, to come to understand that it’s
much more complex is another. There is a scene later in the series where they
show what it would be like for Migi and Shinichi to be separated, how lonely it
can be. It follows with Shinichi being taken into an elderly woman’s house, how
she grows attached to him, how loneliness would come to her if he left. There
it show that it might not be as different between the two species as we think.
Even more though is his decision to do something, which makes her fear for him
knowing that it’s dangerous and he could be throwing his life away to do it.
This woman has one of the best quotes in the series, when the smoke clears it
becomes clear that there will be an answer given to the questions that arise
from the show. What the answers may be though might come to shock you, Instead
of condemning what we’ve seen, we are forced to look at, and how they could be
a part of nature as much as everything else is. Is that wrong?
So if our nature is just as brutal, than what
is it that makes us human, maybe not better after all but simply what we are An
intense episode would put all the questions and supposed answers to the test.
It would show the extreme in the connection with Shinichi and Satomi, we protect those that we care about,
we survive like the rest, while that might sound barbaric, Parasyte manages to
make it show us as equals even show what we have in common. You’ve
got to give Parasyte kudos for managing to remain true in what the show had
been about in the start, it moves fast but you feel very close with the
characters. Ultimately it manages to reach into you and touch your heart in
ways other horror related titles wish they could, not only that but it stands
as a terrific anime, that will keep you both on the edge of your seat and have
your mind wandering about it long enough to convince you to give it another watch
one of many more I’m sure.
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