The question is, are we merely highly intelligent animals, or something special and unique? This question arises out of the manga and into visual animation and to you, future viewer of Parasyte. Why do we protect the environment? Why do we love whom we love? Why do we belittle insects and "inferior" species? Who are we, truly?
Parasyte -the maxim-. An anime that I would give a solid 10 out of 10 for plot and character. Unlike other anime, I noticed that this one focused heavily on the development of the main character, Shinichi, and his newfound bodily companion Migi. Damn, he goes through a lot, and you know those moments when something tragic is about to happen and you're thinking "no that can't happen it would be too excessive?" Well unfortunately for that, it does happen. Shinichi grows -- or perhaps degenerates? -- from a glasses-wearing, timid high schooler to something quite different, something colder, stronger, maximized? He struggles to keep his secret hidden from his father, his crush Murano, his friends at school, the police. He is betwixt two powerfully different beings, that of the parasite and that of the human. Like Kaneki in Tokyo Ghoul, he is forced to see both sides of the coin, and wonder and grapple with the ostensibly horrific idea of parasites being not so evil, and as to what it really means to be "human." He is forced to take a position in this increasingly lurid world, as the parasites continue to kill.
The sound is something different, as well. A unique synthesis of strings and electronic, the soundtrack can be both high-octane or gentle at once. "Next to You," for example, is quite the beautiful track. The OP, sung by the same one that did one of the Hunter x Hunter (2011) endings, screams at you, forces images of the green spheres from which sprout the parasites to a city upon which descend those spheres, to a falling Shinichi who changes, changes into something different. The ED is sorrowful, displaying soft images of quiet suburban life with gentle vocals. It's somewhat rare to have both the OP and ED awesome.
This is an anime that forces you to reconsider yourself. It's quite psychological, and it would be perfect if not for the art, which is kinda plain. But that is paltry in comparison to the story. A masterpiece, truly.
