---
title: "Parasyte -the maxim-"
year: 2014
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/parasyte-the-maxim-2014"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 61459
imdb_id: "tt3358020"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 1
episodes_count: 24
runtime_minutes: 23
community_rating: 8.3
vote_count: 1432
content_rating: "TV-MA"
---

# Parasyte -the maxim- (2014) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/parasyte-the-maxim-2014

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Parasyte -the maxim- is a Japanese animated television series released in 2014. The story follows high school student Shinichi Izumi, who becomes partially infected by a parasitic alien creature. While most of these parasites take full control of their human hosts, the one that enters Shinichi's body fails to reach his brain and instead remains in his right hand. As a result, Shinichi must share his body with the parasite while navigating the dangers posed by other parasitic beings who have fully taken over humans. These creatures are shape-shifting aliens that consume people and integrate into society to survive. The series explores themes of coexistence, identity, and survival as Shinichi adapts to his new reality. It was produced as an adaptation of Hitoshi Iwaaki's science fiction horror manga titled "Parasyte." The show aired during the 2014–2015 season and focuses on the conflict between humans and the parasitic species that infiltrate Earth.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A high school student must survive after a parasitic alien fails to fully possess his body."

### Why Watch
- unique premise
- high stakes conflict

### Caveats & Content Note
- features graphic violence
- Tone & Suitability: The series contains intense scenes of horror and violence involving man-eating monsters.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: science fiction, horror, suspenseful, intense

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Hidive Amazon Channel | None | Amazon Video, Fandango At Home |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Hidive Amazon Channel | None | None |
| **Canada (CA)** | Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Hidive Amazon Channel | None | None |
| **Australia (AU)** | Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Hidive Amazon Channel | None | None |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (24 Episodes)
## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 24
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 3 (13%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 21 (88%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Nobunaga Shimazaki** as *Izumi Shinichi (voice)*
- **Aya Hirano** as *Migi-(voice)*
- **Takuma Suzuki** as *Hirama (voice)*
- **Kana Hanazawa** as *Satomi Murano (voice)*
- **Rena Maeda** as *Akiho Suzuki (voice)*
- **Shinya Hamazoe** as *Kazuki Nagai (voice)*
- **Kiyono Yasuno** as *Yuko Tachikawa (voice)*
- **Masaki Aizawa** as *Kazuyuki Izumi (voice)*
- **Atsuko Tanaka** as *Reiko Tamura (voice)*
- **Toru Nara** as *Mr. Sasaki (voice)*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the series about?
It follows a teenager named Shinichi Izumi who becomes partially infected by an alien parasite.

### Q: What genre is this show?
It is a science fiction horror series.

### Q: Does the parasite take over the protagonist's brain?
No, the creature fails to reach his brain and instead inhabits his right hand.

### Q: What are the parasites capable of?
They are shape-shifting beings that can transform to feed on humans.

### Q: Is this based on a manga?
Yes, the series is based on the manga written and illustrated by Hitoshi Iwaaki.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Parasyte - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasyte)
- [Parasyte - Série TV 2014 - AlloCiné](https://www.allocine.fr/series/ficheserie_gen_cserie=25355.html)
- [Parasyte: The Maxim (TV Series 2014–2015) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3358020)
- [nosleep4dramas.com](https://nosleep4dramas.com/post/versus-showdown-parasyte-the-maxim-anime-vs-parasyte-the-grey-korean-adaption)
- [Kiseijuu Wiki | Fandom](https://parasyte.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page)
- [Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu (Dub) Episode 1 - BiliBili](https://www.bilibili.tv/en/video/2006655961)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*