Parasyte 寄生獣

Parasyte Review (Rating: 5/5)

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Overview

Parasyte is a manga series written and illustrated by Hitoshi Iwaaki, originally serialized from 1988 to 1995. The story depicts the sudden appearance of parasitic life forms that infiltrate human society, while continuously questioning what it means to be human and what life itself represents.
Known internationally under the title Parasyte, the series has reached a wide global audience through anime and live-action adaptations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasyte

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Plot Summary

One day, mysterious parasitic creatures arrive on Earth and begin invading human bodies by taking control of their brains. Shinichi Izumi, an ordinary high school student, becomes partially infected when one of these creatures fails to reach his brain and instead takes over his right hand.
Forced to coexist with the parasite—later named Migi—Shinichi finds himself caught between human society and other parasites that prey on humans. As the conflict escalates, he must confront not only external enemies but also profound changes within himself.

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Main Characters

Shinichi Izumi
The protagonist of the story. Initially a typical high school student, Shinichi undergoes both physical and psychological transformations after becoming involved with the parasites.

Migi
The parasite that inhabits Shinichi’s right hand. Highly logical and emotionless, Migi gradually develops a unique relationship with Shinichi through shared survival.

Ryoko Tamiya
One of the most significant figures among the parasites. She blends into human society and pursues her own inquiries into the nature of humans and parasites alike.

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Story Development

While Parasyte begins with a clear premise—humans versus alien parasites—it quickly moves beyond a simple battle narrative. As Shinichi continues to fight, his emotional responses, values, and sense of morality begin to shift.
At the same time, the parasites are not portrayed merely as monsters. Each has its own logic and purpose, forcing readers to reconsider the distinction between humans and other forms of life.
As the story unfolds, the manga repeatedly raises an uncomfortable question: what is the fundamental difference between humans consuming other living beings and parasites consuming humans?

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What Makes This Manga Unique

One of Parasyte’s greatest strengths is its unwavering thematic focus. From beginning to end, the work consistently challenges human-centered thinking and presents life from a broader, more impartial perspective—an approach that was especially bold at the time of its publication.
The story structure is also remarkably tight. Rather than relying on spectacle, each event naturally leads to the next, drawing readers forward with an almost inevitable momentum.
The title itself deserves special attention. In Japanese, the word kiseichū (“parasite”) carries a strongly unpleasant and biological connotation. By choosing the term kiseijū—using the character for “beast” instead—the author subtly reframes the parasites as living creatures rather than mere vermin. This linguistic choice reflects the core philosophy of the entire work and cannot be fully captured through direct translation.

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My Thoughts

Although Parasyte is an older manga, its themes feel as relevant today as ever. The term “Parasyte” seems obvious in hindsight, yet it is precisely this word that so perfectly encapsulates the story’s central ideas.
From a modern perspective, the plot structure may resemble other works that followed. However, that is largely because Parasyte itself set a powerful precedent. At the time of its release, its premise was highly original and executed with exceptional precision.
Among many works dealing with similar ideas, Parasyte stands out due to its outstanding narrative construction, expressive clarity, and unwavering commitment to its theme.
I have read this manga multiple times, and each time I find myself drawn through it in one sitting, discovering something new with every reread. It is a rare work that remains compelling no matter how often it is revisited.
In particular, the deliberate choice of terminology—avoiding the purely repulsive sound of kiseichū and instead creating kiseijū—demonstrates how deeply language, theme, and philosophy are intertwined in this manga.

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Conclusion

Parasyte is neither a simple science fiction story nor a conventional battle manga. It is a work that persistently questions the nature of humanity and life itself.
While deeply rooted in Japanese language and cultural sensibilities, its themes transcend national and cultural boundaries. For readers encountering it for the first time—especially those outside Japan—it offers a powerful and thought-provoking experience.
This is unquestionably a timeless masterpiece, and one I strongly recommend.