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[Soma]

Streaming on Crunchyroll Wednesdays 10:29am PDT
Genre: Horror, Psychological, Action
Episodes: 24

Preview Trailer

Staff Information
Studio: MADHOUSE
Director: Kenichi Shimizu
Series Composition: Shoji Yonemura
Character Designs: Tadashi Hiramatsu
Chief Animation Director: Toshiyuki Komaru
Art Director: Fuminao Akai
Color Design: Ken Hashimoto
Director of Photography: Akane Fukuhara
CG Director: Naoya Fukushi
Editing: Kashiko Kimura
Sound Director: Tomoaki Yamada
Original Creator: Iwaaki Hitoshi

Story

Based on Iwaaki Hitoshi's science-fiction horror manga by the same name.

The 17-year-old Izumi Shinichi lives with his mother and father in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo. One night, worm-like aliens called Parasytes invade Earth, taking over the brains of human hosts by entering through their ears or noses. One Parasyte attempts to crawl into Shinichi's ear while he sleeps, but fails since he is wearing headphones, and enters his body by burrowing into his arm instead, taking over his right hand and is named Migi.

Because Shinichi was able to prevent Migi from traveling further up into his brain, both beings retain their separate intellect and personality. As the duo encounter other Parasytes, they capitalize on their strange situation and gradually form a strong bond, working together to survive. This gives them an edge in battling other Parasytes, who frequently attack the pair upon realization that Shinichi's human brain is still intact. Shinichi feels compelled to fight other Parasytes, who devour humans as food, while enlisting Migi's help.

Characters

Screen Shots

Why Should I Watch This?
Are you looking for a well written horror anime with good characters and a good dose of comedy? Then this may be just the thing for you. The manga is very well received for good reason and is definitely a must read for any manga enthusiast. This is looking to be a very competent adaption so far.

 

[Yukiari]

I'll give it a go, I loved the manga and I didn't even know they were making an anime. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Mupod]

one of the first manga I ever read, so I was pretty surprised to see it was getting an adaptation this year. I don't see myself watching it through to the end but I'll check it out for sure.

 

[Akahige]

Read the manga way back in the day, may need to see this.

They got a live action movie of this coming too, hopefully that ain't shit.

 

[Zweizer]

Woah the characters look nothing like in the manga.

 

[Trojita]

Oh wow they are really being faithful to the transformations from the manga. But what happened to the MC? I don't remember him wearing glasses or looking like that.

Will they show it? You know, the hand of rod

 

[midramble]

Looks quite different. Still very excited to watch this.

 

[dani_dc]

Read the manga a few months ago, have hopes of a good adaptation, should be a good refresher of memory.

Woah the characters look nothing like in the manga.

I was very confused when checking the trailer.
Don't mind most of them, but don't care for Tamiya design at all.

 

[cajunator]

This show is pretty crazy and I really like it. migi is cute. The show reminds me of ShadowStar Narutaru.

 

[Zweizer]

But what happened to the MC? I don't remember him wearing glasses or looking like that.

Of the five shown, only Migi and Satomi look like their manga counterpart. The MC looked like your run of the mill 80's shonen protagonist in the manga, and yes, he didn't wore glasses.

 

[Mupod]

Will they show it? You know, the hand of rod

 

[dani_dc]

The glasses addition is a curious one, I'm guessing its to give more emphasis on the (flawed) human side of the MC in opposition with Migi.

 

[Link Man]

First episode was good, but too much dubstep.

 

[Zweizer]

The glasses addition is a curious one, I'm guessing its to give more emphasis on the (flawed) human side of the MC in opposition with Migi.

I wish I could be as optimistic as you. My guess about the possible cause of the change is much more negative for some reason.

 

[Turin Turambar]

Parasyte 1

Well, very solid first episode. Intriguing premise, a good ambivalence with the alien hand (he saved the kid and he seeks cooperation, but he really wanted to absorb his brain and didn't have empathy for a fellow alien), some funny scenes, some body horror, some development in the character, and good animation that sells you on the co-protagonist, the hand.
The music in the opening horrible. Thanks god it was only the opening which can be skipped... that was I thought at first, then the modern music attacked again in the end part, agh!
I didn't care for the boob grab, context is everything, and unlike 99% of other anime where it would be a stupid moment, here there is a reason supported by the plot.
There were nice new moments well integrated in the story, like the hand using the smartphone alone and the dad reading the news on a tablet. Let's remember the original manga was done in 1990.

Ah, and not fucking censuring yeah! Eat that Tokyo Ghoul, JoJo, Terraformars and others.

As I predicted, it seems it can be one of the best of the year.

 

[Envelope]

I wish I could be as optimistic as you. My guess about the possible cause of the change is much more negative for some reason.

uh so what's this guess then?

 

[phaze]

Parasyte 01

Good premiere, boobgrab and baka part excluded. Though I must say it felt more like comedy than horror so far. Those alien designs are hilarious.[/QUOTE]

 

[Zweizer]

uh so what's this guess then?

Pandering to target demographics.

 

[Envelope]

Pandering to target demographics.

...

nah they're definitely playing up

Spoiler

how Shinichi is weak now but becomes superhuman when he combines more with Migi

< late manga spoilers

 

[Zweizer]

...

nah they're definitely playing up

Spoiler

how Shinichi is weak now but becomes superhuman when he combines more with Migi

Yeah I'm probably wrong. Just that this was my first guess for some reason.

 

[dani_dc]

...

nah they're definitely playing up

Spoiler

how Shinichi is weak now but becomes superhuman when he combines more with Migi

Didn't want to be so clear, but basically this, manga spoilers warning

Spoiler

I expect him to lose his glasses later on after he combines with Migi.

Anyway, might not be the most appropriate place to keep up this discussion, so I'll leave it at that.

 

[Kickz]

Parasyte 01

Good premiere, boobgrab and baka part excluded. Though I must say it felt more like comedy than horror so far. Those alien designs are hilarious.

[/QUOTE]

Dam guess they won't show him laying down the pipe..

Also looks like they beta-tized the MC

 

[Envelope]

Dam guess they won't show him laying down the pipe..

Also looks like they beta-tized the MC

the fuck

please keep this dudebro "alpha" kind of shit far far away

 

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Good first episode, with some really nice animation in places. This is threatening my already rough sleep schedule. It seems like there will be a lot of crazy body horror in this. There were some really disgusting moments just in the first episode.

 

[Blusby]

The source material is among my most beloved manga series, being able to watch both this and Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works every week does mighty good for my soul.

Anyways I absolutely loved the first episode, the fluid animation and nice usage of gore already put this above the rest airing this season.

Spoiler

Tamiya is best girl.

 

[wonzo]

ryouko

 

[dani_dc]

Makes me sad that I won't be able to check this out until tomorrow afternoon at earliest.

 

[Kagari]

The design changes from the manga are fine I suppose. Migi's voice is not what I expected tho.

 

[Branduil]

Parasyte 1

That was a really strong opening episode. Great character and effects animation that heightens the horror of what's happening, and really strong designs too(Tadashi Hiramatsu should do more character designs). Adding smartphones and google searches to story from the early '90s are obvious changes, but they entirely make sense in context. And yes, the sense of body horror was palpable.

I do wish I had a right hand that could turn CG cars into 2D cars, though.

 

[Sibersk Esto]

Parasyte 1

Been hyped for this for a long time. I LOVE the original manga. I felt this was a really solid first episode. I don't mind the design changes (

Spoiler

because they won't stick

) but the dubstep was weird. Beautiful animation. The intro was pretty good too. After all the censorship this season it was great to see this show give it the middle finger (heh) and say fuck it. If Madhouse does this right, I envy anyone seeing this for the first time.

Spoiler

I swear to GOD madhouse you better not cut out dickarm

One thing I hope the show runners realize is just how introspective the source material is. I hope they incorporate that and don't just turn it into an action fest.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Parasyte 1

Oh glorious days I finally have my The Thing anime!

And it was a very solid first episode. Honestly I see some complaining about the music, but for me I actually enjoyed it in that it's so cheesy non-idol music that I loved it. Like with Brynhyldr and the hilarious second crab core OP.

The lead and the alien really work for me. I assume we'll get more battles later on due to the OP and the change in look Shinichi will experience. The art style isn't moe which I also appreciate. The animation is where this is definitely kicking ass and taking names. MADHouse is doing this right? Love those guys. Looking forward to more The Thing hijinks and body transformation, especially since I also got to watch this (I hope it was a reference)

If you haven't seen The Thing, you should fix this.

edit: on a different note am I crazy or were some of the people walking in the street in the "Walking to school" scene CG?

 

[Mupod]

The design changes from the manga are fine I suppose. Migi's voice is not what I expected tho.

Dunno what I expected but after watching I really like Migi's voice.

It feels like the designs are a lot closer to the manga in the show itself than the pictures in the first post so I'm cool with em. There's a brief shot of Shinichi in the opening that looks real close to his manga version too.

 

[Dresden]

The Hiramatsu designs are really good, though the chins are exceptionally pointy, especially in the OP. It retains quite a bit of Iwaaki's style, too, especially when people laugh or are surprised - you know, the stuck out lips, the silliness of it.

I'm happy that they've included Tachikawa from the start, and that it looks like other big players in the story will appear earlier than in the manga. The series had a problem with having plot-important characters pop in and out for expediency's sake, and setting them up early will make some of the events later on feel more natural. Solid stuff.

 

[hoggert]

Aya Hirano was cast as Migi? Whaaaat? Sorta somewhat completely bizarre. That sort of choice is so interesting, I have to watch this now, plus also because I barely remember reading the comic.

 

[andymcc]

damn that was pretty great. i'm sorta surprised by how intact it was. maybe the upcoming movie is allowing them to be loose with censorship.

 

[xir]

This might be the best news. ever.

 

[Pandacon]

Just watched the first episode. Never read the manga but heard of it here and there.

Show is interesting, will keep watching, thanks for the heads up.

 

[Kieli]

Extremely worried Madhouse is going to shit all over the amazing source material.

A bunch of unnecessary changes. Main dude wears glasses, is timid... Boob grab. Etc...

Boob grab wasn't even in the original manga, but they had to add it because reasons. Seriously, keep that shit out of my good anime.

Wtf.

 

[akachan ningen]

I remember reading this manga at the library like 12 years ago. I really liked it but they didn't have it all. I'm glad there's an anime now!

 

[AquaWateria]

Parasyte Episode 1

I was expecting a really great episode and alas Madhouse delivered. The transformation and movement animation was really splendid. Seeing movements of Migi was so satisfying and unreal. Facial expressions were done nicely as well. The atmosphere was also translated well in the anime creating a bizarre feel. Voice actors so far are great especially Migi's. The way Hirano voices Migi fits just right, like I love it. I actually enjoy the Opening and feel it fits. Though I really do love the Ending, it's fuckin awesome. I didn't hate the dubstep and thought it wasn't bad, though the music in the beginning was better.

 

[Envelope]

Parasyte Episode 1

I was expecting a really great episode and alas Madhouse delivered. The transformation and movement animation was really splendid. Seeing movements of Migi was so satisfying and unreal. Facial expressions were done nicely as well. The atmosphere was also translated well in the anime creating a bizarre feel. Voice actors so far are great especially Migi's. The way Hirano voices Migi fits just right, like I love it. I actually enjoy the Opening and feel it fits. Though I really do love the Ending, it's fuckin awesome. I didn't hate the dubstep and thought it wasn't bad, though the music in the beginning was better.

wat

that word

it does not mean what you think it means

 

[Keyouta]

Liked the first episode, but the OP wasn't that great to me. Though that doesn't matter as much as the episode itself! Looking forward to the rest of the season.

 

[Kieli]

They need to animate Historie next!!!

 

[Antiwhippy]

Extremely worried Madhouse is going to shit all over the amazing source material.

A bunch of unnecessary changes. Main dude wears glasses, is timid... Boob grab. Etc...

Boob grab wasn't even in the original manga, but they had to add it because reasons. Seriously, keep that shit out of my good anime.

Wtf.

Main dude was always timid at the start.

 

[Cloud Strife]

Parasyte 1

Very interesting, poor Izumi has a lot of shit coming his way. So I suppose the series will be about him kicking ass and taking names as his Parasyte bonds with him and they slowly discover the truth? I'm down. Great animation and OST too.

Also:

Best girl confirmed kkthxbye

 

[Admiral Woofington]

you know not many have mentioned it, but the parents of Parasyte were a highlight. They had actual personalities of real life parents. The dad is especially great, since dads in anime are usually a side character that they see once in a while. This one had personality and a sense of humor. Also iPads.

 

[Antiwhippy]

Parasyte 1

Also:

Best girl confirmed kkthxbye

Nope nope nope.

 

[GuitarAtomik]

Kind of surprised there wasn't already an anime version of this.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Extremely worried Madhouse is going to shit all over the amazing source material.

A bunch of unnecessary changes. Main dude wears glasses, is timid... Boob grab. Etc...

Boob grab wasn't even in the original manga, but they had to add it because reasons. Seriously, keep that shit out of my good anime.

There is a scene in the manga where Shinichi gropes a random girl in school, though it's not explicitly shown.

 

[Branduil]

you know not many have mentioned it, but the parents of Parasyte were a highlight. They had actual personalities of real life parents. The dad is especially great, since dads in anime are usually a side character that they see once in a while. This one had personality and a sense of humor. Also iPads.

It's always nice when a series acknowledge that protagonists aren't birthed from the aether and if they're in high school they likely live with their parents.