Parasyte: The Grey, the live-action version of the iconic anime Parasyte: The Maxim, has renewed interest in the source material by introducing a wave of fresh audiences to the unique concept of the manga. Charting on Netflix’s Global Top 10 list, the K-drama has many fans go back to the original anime series.
For the uninitiated, Parasyte: The Maxim tells the story of a high school student Shinichi Izumi, who ends up a target of a parasitic organism’s unsuccessful attempt to seize control of his brain. However, the parasite infects and takes control of his arm instead. And then begins the actual tale!
While Netflix’s Parasyte: The Grey is an original story with new characters taking place in South Korea, it includes some core elements from the original manga. The supernatural essence of an alien parasitic species taking over Earth that makes the series so gripping is a world that the manga and the anime built first. However, the approach and pacing of the two are where the adaptations differ, with the anime taking a more detailed route.
parasyte: the maxim X parasyte: the grey pic.twitter.com/MJUqwHSy2o
— aryel ʚɞ (@ofhkyo) April 6, 2024
So, if you are one of those bitten by the ‘Parasyte’ fever and have already binge-watched both the thrilling live-action spin-off and the anime series, we would like to introduce you to some of the best anime like Parasyte: The Maxim, filled with supernatural elements.
Here are the 8 best anime like ‘Parasyte: The Maxim’ to put on your watchlist
Mushishi (2005)
Mushishi is an excellent anime series with parallels similar to Parasyte: The Maxim, featuring ‘Mushi’. So what is Mushi? Simply put, it represents the most fundamental life forms on our planet. They exist without any specific objectives or purposes, just for the sake of existence.
So, what exactly is their purpose? This question constantly occupies Ginko’s mind, a Mushi Master. He dedicates himself to researching this species by travelling to different locations in pursuit of rumours that may be linked to Mushis and unravelling their position within the hierarchy of life in our world.
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
To Your Eternity (2021)
To Your Eternity is heavily inspired by Parasyte: The Maxim and takes it to the next level. However, here’s the twist: instead of focusing on the boy who hosts the parasite, the anime series about the parasite.
An eternal creature, Fushi can transform into various forms and wield their innate powers. This includes taking the guise of a forsaken young boy with white hair and his white wolf. He then goes on a self-discovery journey, continuously evolving and gaining insight into the essence of humanity over countless decades and centuries.
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
Elfen Lied (2004)
Elfen Lied and Parasyte: The Maxim, both anime series fall into the psychological thriller category with well-thought-out plots and characters.
Kouta and Yuka’s lives are forever altered when they discover the wounded girl on the shoreline. Unable to communicate or behave like a typical human, they name her Nyu and bring her into their house to help her. However, everything is not what it seems; this innocent-looking girl is a lethal weapon and the result of a failed experiment. It is only a matter of time before her dormant killer instincts resurface again, bringing about dire consequences.
IMDb rating: 7.9/10
9 Best Anime Series Like ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ To Put On Your Watchlist
8 Gripping Anime Series Like ‘Classroom Of The Elite’ That Are Set In High School
Tokyo Ghoul (2014)
Tokyo Ghoul and Parasyte: The Maxim have a lot in common, starting from how both anime series feature a main character who is half-human with the other half of a supernatural creature causing trouble.
In present-day Tokyo, the inhabitants live in constant fear due to the presence of Ghouls. These beings possess an uncanny resemblance to humans, yet have an insatiable craving for human flesh. For Ken Kaneki these concerns were inconsequential until a brutal encounter transformed him into the first-ever Ghoul-human hybrid.
Now caught between two worlds, he should make peace with the violent conflicts that arise between rival Ghoul cliques as well as understand his newfound abilities.
IMDb rating: 7.7/10
Ajin: Demi-Human (2016)
In Ajin: Demon-Human and Parasyte: The Maxim, both series’ protagonists one day realise that they have transcended their human nature through certain situations and have become something beyond ordinary.
The anime is set in a world where Ajin’s first-ever appearance occurred 17 years ago. Despite their human-like appearance, these creatures are a rare and immortal species spreading fear among the human race. With only 46 known Ajin, they conceal their true nature to avoid being harassed by brutal experiments.
Kei Nagai, a young boy wanting to become a doctor to heal his sister, discovers a dark truth after dying in a car accident and coming back to life as an Ajin. He is now on the run from both human and Ajin authorities who seek to harm him.
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Devilman: Crybaby (2018)
Akira Fudo discovers from his best friend Ryo Asuka that a long-established group of monsters has returned to reclaim the world from humans. Ryo informs Akira that the sole method to eliminate the monsters is to assimilate their extraordinary abilities and suggests that he combine them with a demon. Akira successfully metamorphoses into Devilman, a supernatural being that has the powers of a demon and the essence of a human.
Devilman: Crybaby and Parasyte: The Maxim are a combination of supernatural and horror anime with similar storylines. The former is a bit darker compared to the other but shares anecdotes of good vs bad throughout the series.
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Deadman Wonderland (2011)
When his entire class was brutally killed by an unidentified person dubbed Red Man, Ganta Igarashi, the sole survivor, was wrongfully accused of being a mass murderer and sentenced to prison. He is put up in Deadman Wonderland, a privately owned prison that doubles as an amusement park, where inmates are forced to participate in violent gladiator-style games for entertainment. Meanwhile, Ganta wants to learn the truth behind the Red Man and find out why he was the lone survivor on that dreadful day.
While Deadman Wonderland and Parasyte: The Maxim might not have much in common, the unique characters make for an intriguing watch. For example, both Shinichi and Ganta acquire superhuman abilities they do not desire, and these powers transform their lives.
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Inuyashiki: Last Hero (2018)
Ichirou Inuyashiki is an old man who does not feel appreciated by his family and finds out he is terminally ill. Hiro Shishigami is a high-school student with an opposite personality, who lives in the same city as Ichirou. Although Hiro is adored by his family, he feels unhappy with life and only shows limited compassion towards a few.
One night, an extraterrestrial light strikes the Earth, resulting in the deaths of both Ichirou and Hiro. However, they are miraculously revived by the aliens and bestowed with incredible new abilities. Yet, their approaches to utilising these newfound powers are different, causing unusual troubles.
Like the other anime series on this list, Shinichi and Inuyashiki share a common experience of experiencing a major change after encountering aliens. Although Parasyte and Inuyashiki differ in tone, they consist of dark themes and essences of supernatural, horror and thriller.
IMDb rating: 6.6/10
10 Anime Series Like ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ For True Fans Of Yuji Itadori’s Adventures
10 Best Anime Series Like ‘Demon Slayer’ To Put On Your Watchlist
(Hero and feature image credit: IMDb/Parasyte The Maxim)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best anime like Parasyte: The Maxim?
Mushishi, To Your Eternity, Tokyo Ghoul and Deadman Wonderland are some of the best anime like Parasyte: The Maxim.
– Which is the best anime like Parasyte: The Maxim available to watch on Netflix?
Tokyo Ghoul, Devilman Crybaby and Ajin: Demi-Human are some of the best anime like Parasyte: The Maxim available to stream on Netflix.
