Parasyte - the maxim

[Buffalobiian]

That was brutal. Didnt expect his parents to die, not so soon anyway.

I saw that coming since last episode, but it still made a huge impact. I was honestly quite annoyed at Shinichi's state of denial because it clashes so much with my own (I am almost too willing to accept fate as it comes - to a fault). At the same time though, that drawn out conversation resulted in tension that wouldn't have been created any other way. Migi's constant warning really hit home that Shinichi's mental state was putting him in real danger.

I have mixed feelings about Shinichi's altruistic acts this episode. I'd be more comfortable with him acting out of concern for his classmate and (girl)friend, but currently it's more like he's doing it simply to prove he is still human. It's comparable to people who seek to be alternative to just to be alternative and anti-mainstream, not because the choice was inherently advantageous or self-satisfying.

The new girl was interesting. I want to know what her deal is. The current state of things also gives less weight to the idea that women parasytes are hormonely regulated to be gentler. The parasyte showed that it completely takes over the brain. Control of the hypothalamus/pituitary should effectively control all hormones that matter.

As for Shinichi's changes, I hope be becomes more able of a combatant with increased reflexes and thought capabilities etc. He needs to get over the fact that these are "monsters" and view them as sentient beings. His reflex reaction about becoming a man-eater irked me. Be proud of you symbiont superhuman powers buddy!

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edit: yesterday I was checking out my hard drive and found that someone had given me the Parasyte manga, so I read the first few pages for comparison. This updated art, especially for Murano - is so much better. Migi's robotic voice also makes the anime superior experience in my opinion.

[MFauli]

I wonder if thanks to the overall changes in Shinichi´s body, he´ll learn to actively control Migi, as if it really was his ability. That´s the only way I see for him to become useful. There´s simply no other way to keep up with those lightning-fast attacks. No matter how much he´d train, he´d always be vastly inferior against another parasite.

I have mixed feelings about Shinichi's altruistic acts this episode. I'd be more comfortable with him acting out of concern for his classmate and (girl)friend, but currently it's more like he's doing it simply to prove he is still human. It's comparable to people who seek to be alternative to just to be alternative and anti-mainstream, not because the choice was inherently advantageous or self-satisfying.

Fully agreed. While it´s too little information to tell if he really wouldjn´t have helped otherwise, the thought of proving Migi wrong definitely gave the final push.

Oh, btw super weird scene: Shinichi was at home with the girl after he helped the class mate. Then at the end of the scene he asks "wanna stay over?" and the girl, without any reaction, smilingly answers "No, I have stuff to do. Bye". wtf. Am I reading this completely wrong, or wasn´t that basically a direct proposal to have sex? Not only was Shinichi not portrayed as someone who´d be so forward, the whole thing was just weird. If it was just Shinichi´s question, I would have thought "okay, Migi´s influence on his psyche is making him less subtle, more confident". But the non-reaction on the girl´s side kinda destroys that possibility.

[Buffalobiian]

Oh, btw super weird scene: Shinichi was at home with the girl after he helped the class mate. Then at the end of the scene he asks "wanna stay over?" and the girl, without any reaction, smilingly answers "No, I have stuff to do. Bye". wtf. Am I reading this completely wrong, or wasn´t that basically a direct proposal to have sex? Not only was Shinichi not portrayed as someone who´d be so forward, the whole thing was just weird. If it was just Shinichi´s question, I would have thought "okay, Migi´s influence on his psyche is making him less subtle, more confident". But the non-reaction on the girl´s side kinda destroys that possibility.

Well they are on friendly terms. Shinichi certainly didn't say "Do you want to stay overnight", so perhaps it was less sexual than (?perverted) anime watchers are used to. The camera angle certainly pushed us in that direction though.

Migi introduced the idea of having a scouter sussing other enemies out, so even if Shinichi can't react to quick-strikes like Migi can, he can still evaluate enemies and analyse combat situations without Migi's input if he becomes more "animal", so to speak. I just hope he generally becomes smarter and better at fighting, regardless of how it's achieved.

I don't know how I'd feel about having the 'mother' stick around. You could lie to the father and pretend it was all just a dream while teaching the parasyte how to act as Shinichi's mother. In the end killing her won't do anything other than confirm the existence of monsters and stopping that particular one from eating nearby humans. It had enough self control not to eat its partner initially, but right now it seems a bit retarded in the control aspect.

[MFauli]

But it wouldnt be so bad if they world got aware of these monsters by using the dead mother´s body. This way, Migi´s cover isnt blown, but mankind can begin to start doing something against these parasites. Also, Shinichi could start measuring how the people around him react to those monsters. Like, slowly work towards revealing his own physical state in a manner that Migi doesnt have to kill anybody.

The scouter thing was a bit silly much. I mean, what is that number really telling? In the real world, no matter how trained a person is, the wrong blow into the wrong place and even a weaksauce guy can beat a boxing champion. Meaning, the number is completely worthless in a true fight. If this were about a specific sports discipline, then it´d make sense. You can objectively measure someone´s boxing skills. But when it´s free-for-all, it really mostly depends on spontaneous ideas and luck.

[Buffalobiian]

It's a measure of stamina, weight etc and gives a %chance of winning. Fighting experience and intelligence can also be factored in, though that shouldn't be something you can tell from eyeballing someone.

[shinta|hikari]

You can, somewhat, by analyzing their movements and stance.

Luck will always be a factor in fights, but it is a minor one. Would you bet on a high schooler sucker punching an MMA champion and winning that fight? Yeah, it is possible, but it is astronomically improbable. The idea that "spontaneous ideas" and "luck" can reliably overcome training and experience is utterly absurd and is obviously an inexperienced (in fighting or martial arts) opinion.

EDIT:

To clarify, I'm simply saying that fighting or combat is not any different from any other activity. It is affected by luck, but honed by training. Natural skill plays a part, but meaningless in the face of practical experience. Those "spontaneous ideas" actually come from experience. Ideas cannot randomly pop out from nowhere. You cannot expect someone to realize that leaping into an armbar is a faster way of disabling someone's arm if they did not even know what an armbar and how to do it was in the first place.

[Kraco]

Shinichi is such a mama's boy. The head bully wasn't thus wrong when he asked if Shinichi is going to tattle to his mom or what. He really need to develop his combat readiness and especially mentality if he intends to survive and keep sticking his nose into other people's business. He would also be far from useless since every single parasyte shares a common weakness: the human body.

[Buffalobiian]

He really need to develop his combat readiness and especially mentality if he intends to survive and keep sticking his nose into other people's business.

The problem exactly. He tells the thugs to stop, then stands there to be punched. I hate that lack of illogical nature of his. If you're going to pick a fight, either fight or grit your teeth. Standing unguarded is the worst option.

That goes back to his altruism. He wasn't even there to help his friend. He was just there so he could say "Hey look, I spoke up. I'm human!".

The girlfriend matter was different though. He had an aim. "Let go of her. If you don't.." I like this Shinichi much more. His intent to fight was there, reflected by Migi taking arms. I think it was a physiological response that wasn't really controlled by either of them.

[Kraco]

Standing unguarded is the worst option.

That goes back to his altruism. He wasn't even there to help his friend. He was just there so he could say "Hey look, I spoke up. I'm human!".

Too bad standing still and getting punched isn't even human. It's just Japanese. Humans at large have needed to fight for most of their evolution.

The girlfriend incident was indeed more interesting as he started to really get into a fighting mood. However, and ironically, it was hampered by Migi. He would have killed the bully with the Migi arm, which wasn't really what he wanted. So, he suddenly needed to hold back. Good thing the troops arrived right then.

[MFauli]

I don´t think it was unnatural and stupid to stand unprotected against the bullies in the first incident. This was in broad daylight and Shinichi is not used to fighting. In his head it was unthinkable that the guy in front of him would really throw a punch. Of course, letting himself get punched repeatedly was stupid, yeah.

Man, gives me flashback of the Gantz anime, where several episodes consisted of "shoot him!" - "i cant ... i cannot kill someone! Fuck!", when clearly the anime went to great lengths to show how lacking of empathy society is ... yet shooting at an alien starts a moral conflict, lol.

[Buffalobiian]

In his head it was unthinkable that the guy in front of him would really throw a punch.

No, I think seeing your classmate on the ground tells you the guy in front really will throw a punch.

[shinta|hikari]

I think he was completely against violence at that point. He wanted to stop the bullying but not by resorting to violence of any kind.

This changed when his girl was about to be raped, so he tried to punch them at least.

[Buffalobiian]

I can understand being against violence. I don't consider guarding or bracing for punches violence though. Shinichi only thought to open his mouth and didn't do angering afterwards.

[Archangel]

This would have been heart wrenching if the OP hadn't spoiled it from the very first episode.

[Kraco]

Episode 6 - HS




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Shinichi's haggard and tortured looks were exceptionally successful, as well as his expression when Satomi mentioned his mom. The atmosphere around him was quite melancholic, yet determined. Jolly good.

Migi might need to sleep four hours aday now, but on the other hand Shinichi is so polluted that he's starting to be a force to be reckoned with. Especially if they keep things under wraps so that no enemy expects it.

[NeoCybercoin]

Now it is getting good. He's no longer fully human. Everything about him is enhanced. His senses, strength, everything as far as we have seen. Plus now he is actually looking to kill. Fully away that it used to be his mother.

Judging from the preview, it seems Migi isn't the only one who failed to take over completely.

[shinta|hikari]

Was it the dad who was in the preview? Has he been taken over and Shinichi never noticed because Migi was asleep?

I hope JKS doesn't die.

[Buffalobiian]

I hope JKS doesn't die.

Who is JKS?

Now we have to counter-balance the other way and have Shinichi balance out the other way. He's still driven emotionally, but the whole story about him not being able to cry suggests he's now less emotional and human.

What he currently is, is driven one could argue. He suppressed his emotions to reveal Migi and worked out that he needs to keep him by his side in order to protect and avenge. This is a slippery slop now that Migi and Shinichi are sharing features. I wouldn't say that Migi is any closer to taking over Shinichi's mind, but Shinichi is definitely taking on characteristics of a parasyte.

Maybe one day the two would actually be indistinguishable, at which point Migi would evaluate the risk of a takeover is zero. At the same time however, he'd grow so sentimental that he'd rather keep their symbiotic relationship as it is.

[shinta|hikari]

Who is JKS?

JoshiKouSei.

JK also works.

So does High school girl.

[Buffalobiian]

Ah, yes. Or is she middle school?

Anyway, I don't want her to die either. When she was cut off mid-sentence this episode (the subs precede the voice), I was half expecting Shinichi to jump, and half expecting a parasyte to come in and kill her. The fact that she's interested in Shinichi doesn't help. It makes killing her all the more convenient.