Parasyte Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Parasyte Blu-ray Movie Review

Parasyte – The Maxim Collectors Edition is a special steelbook release of the cult-favorite horror anime series. Created by Hitoshi Iwaaki, Parasyte – The Maxim features animation production by Madhouse (Alderamin on the Sky, High School of the Dead). Broadcast on the Nippon Television Network, Parasyte – The Maxim features series theme music performances by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas (opening) and Daichi Miura (ending). Produced by Atsushi Kirimoto (Real Girl, Flying Witch), Daisuke Fukada, Hiroyuki Inage (Lupin III: Goodbye Partner, Run with the Wind), Sōta Shioiri (The Duke of Death and His Maid, World’s End Harem), Toshio Nakatani (Hunter × Hunter, Lupin III: Crisis in Tokyo), and Yuka Ooshima (The World Is Still Beautiful, Chihayafuru 2), Parasyte – The Maxim features voice performances by Nobunaga Shimazaki and Aya Hirano.

Shinichi Izumi (Nobunaga Shimazaki) lives a regular life and one that seems perfectly simple in all respects – with nothing out of the ordinary going on in his day-to-day life. Despite the simplicity, Shinichi’s ordinary life is turned upside down when a parasitic alien host infects his hand, now an extraterrestrial alien host going by the name Migi (Aya Hirano), and begins to wreak havoc on him previously unknown. The unexpected pairing of human host and alien parasite causes a connection between Shinichi and Migi to form.

Things escalate between host and parasite when other aliens are discovered becoming parasites to other humans across the country. As more parasites take host of human captives, the stakes of humanity are at stake – can the human species survive or will these takeover aliens cause more deaths and the killing of human beings? Now Shinichi and Migi are confronted with the duality of the two sides, despite their own unique pairing, as a war is now waged over humanity.

The central character is a decent lead protagonist for the series concept. The lead character is certainly tossed into an odd situation with the alien parasite taking a hold of his hand. The character designs by Tadashi Hiramatsu (His and Her Circumstances, Jujutsu Kaisen) work well for the series aesthetic. In particular, it must have been interesting for the designs to approach both the human form and the parasitic alien form. The character designs have to counter-balance the human aesthetic as well as showcasing the parasite – the alien attached to the hand of the human host. These design elements certainly add to the creepy horror style of the series aesthetic.

Parasyte – The Maxim features noteworthy animation. The animation features chief animation direction by Toshiyuki Komaru (Initial D: Fifth Stage, Ace Attorney) and art direction by Fuminao Akai (Ride Your Wave, Tatami Time Machine Blues). The animation is one of the most essential elements of the anime series. The series art looks invigorating and robust while also showcasing the darker aesthetic tones of a horror anime with aliens.

The animators walk a fine line between a more traditional anime aesthetic (the type one might find on a comedy anime) and that of a horror genre series. The aesthetic still manages to showcase the artistry of the animators and their attention to detail – from the series background animation to the line art. The team of animators brought together something special overall and it works well-enough for the genre. Anime fans expecting something more traditional might be surprised by the combination of standard animation aesthetics with horror but for the era of the animation it works well-enough.

The cinematography by Akane Fushihara (Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Boogiepop and Others) offers a contrasting showcase between the dark and light aesthetics of the series animation style. The series is a sometimes grim and dark anime with grittier aesthetics but it often walks that fine line with brighter, colorful, and ordinary cinematographic styles. The cinematographer does a solid job with highlighting the animation. The animation style is left intact by the cinematographer providing the right level of brightness, light, and dark – creating a visual showcase for the art.

The score by Ken Arai (Pingu in the City, OPUS.COLORs) is a decent backdrop for the horror anime. The score might not be perfect but it does offer solid enough background music. The score adds to the production and helps to elevate the mood of the series. The genre is well accompanied by the compositions. The score by Arai highlighting the alien parasite and the alien invasion element.

Written by Shoji Yonemura (Guin Saga, Hunter × Hunter), Parasyte – The Maxim is a solid enough storyline with the concept adding to the series success. Genre fans looking for an entertaining production blending horror and action will find something of note. The series explores some dark themes with the parasitic alien invasion concept and this allows for some intense drama for the anime.

Directed by Kenichi Shimizu (Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, Fantastic Children), Parasyte – The Maxim will appeal to anime fans looking for something offbeat in the horror-genre. The anime isn’t quite traditional in the realm of horror and it sits in a unique slot of action-horror that will make it appealing to some viewers.

Parasyte Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Sentai Filmworks, Parasyte – The Maxim is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The animation looks beautiful and crisp on the release. The native high-definition animation looks well preserved by the encoding. The background animation and line art add a lot to the presentation of the series.

One of the strengths of Blu-ray as a format is the option of superior video encoding. Streaming video services often provide lower bit-rate encoding. For home theater enthusiasts wanting the best in picture-quality achievable, the physical media format offers an advantage that may please audiences seeking to eek out the best in the presentation quality.

Parasyte Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The release capably preserves the sound direction by Tomoaki Yamada (Hunter × Hunter, Death Note). The English 5.1 surround sound audio is something that adds to the quality of the release. The surround sound enhances the experience with the rear channels allowing for a more immersive soundstage.

The score and sound effects are emphasized on the surround channels more and it creates a more robust audio experience. The 2.0 audio for the original Japanese language version is also impressive and works well for the series presentation. The Japanese language audio has a perfectly serviceable 2.0 audio presentation. The English subtitles provided are well-done. The English subtitles are free from significant issues with spelling or grammar.

Blu-ray provides a distinct advantage over streaming video services. The Blu-ray disc format offers lossless audio encoding. For audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts wanting the best possible presentation for the audio, the lossless audio encoding offers superior bit-depth and detail. The immersive clarity added with the lossless encoding can expand the soundstage. Enthusiasts will appreciate knowing the option of lossless audio is provided on physical media while it is not on streaming services.

Parasyte Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The collectors edition of Parasyte – The Maxim features a special steelbook. The steelbook is the biggest selling point of the release. The steelbook packaging is beautiful and something that adds significant collectability to the release. The steelbook packaging provides a high print quality, high-gloss design. The steelbook is shiny, gorgeous, and well-done. The manufacturing was exquisite and the steelbook both looks and feels premium in-hand.

Make no mistake: the steelbook quality is top-notch and anyone who collects steelbooks and wants to own a premium collectable of the series will appreciate the nice quality of the release. Sentai knocked it out of the park with this high-quality design and print quality. The cover-art was well- selected and it will look nice in the hands of collectors and on the shelf.

On disc supplements include:

Clean Opening Animation (HD, 1:32)

Clean Closing Animations (HD, 2:36)

Unfortunately, the release lacks other meaningful on-disc supplements. The release could have used a more expansive anniversary edition supplemental package. The release may have been more well rounded with audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries, making-of featurettes, cast/crew interview, photo galleries, art galleries, and more. Alas, the supplements are close to barebones instead and this can make or break a purchase decision for some fans who might otherwise opt for streaming it instead. Other than the beautiful packaging design with the nice collectable steelbook, the other extras certainly are lackluster.

Parasyte Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Parasyte – The Maxim Collectors Edition has received a deluxe steelbook edition. For steelbook enthusiasts wanting a gorgeous collectable edition of the series to own, the steelbook is simply outstanding. The steelbook package is high gloss, high print-quality, with the art looking quite breathtaking. The amazing steelbook packaging is top-notch and fans won't be left disappointed.

Otherwise, the release is similar to other releases of the series, and doesn't include any new on-disc supplements such as making-of featurettes (which would have added some nice value to the release). For fans of the series who do not already own a physical copy and would love a nice collectable edition with steelbook packaging, the release is a no-brainer. Fans who already own the series might find it to be a harder sell but the steelbook itself is simply beautiful. Steelbook fans can weigh the pros and cons. Recommended.