(L+CR) Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu (Parasyte - the maxim)

[Mentar]

I feel the need to support Benigmatica here ^_^;

While in this episode, Shinichi didn't annoy me as much as in the last one, it's still a very sour aftertaste that is preventing me from fully appreciating the show. I'll try to explain:

Yes, it was very obvious that Shinichi was first in shock, and then in complete denial. So I won't overly hold it against him that once more he reacted like a total idiot. And yes, I do understand that he is desperately holding on to his "humans are altruistic, this is what separates them from these... things" conviction because one of his biggest fears is to lose his humanity.

Now, I'm not saying that this causes the show to be bad, just the opposite. If anything, that I'm still following it with big interest REGARDLESS of the fact that I'm not a fan of the MC should account for something. The best way to explain it would probably be that while I do like the overall story idea and setting, at the moment, Shinichi is drifting along like a damsel in distress, screaming and kicking in horror until Migi sorts things out. I'm not a fan of catastrophe movies that primarily milk the terror and desperation of the oh so poor helpless victims - and that is what Parasyte has been doing so far. I prefer action movies where the hero is actually DOING stuff. Logical and realistic victimization does not automatically translate into a show I enjoy (others might).

So Shinichi, for the love of god, PLEASE stop screaming and flailing and start thinking and acting. Come on, man, grow up. I'm confident you can do it. You even asked your "girlfriend" to stay over - gutsy move.

[IceHism]

You can't really expect Shinichi to act rational when he's not the type of human who does anyways(and yes, those rational humans who don't let their emotions get in the way do exist.).

He has shown time and time again that his morals and emotions constantly get in his way which prevents him from logically rationalizing actions. Expecting him to become more desensitized is something you would expect more in the middle or end, definitely not in the beginning. That's just who he is, a damsel in distress. A naive wuss.

[aohige]

Originally Posted by Mentar

I prefer action movies where the hero is actually DOING stuff. Logical and realistic victimization does not automatically translate into a show I enjoy (others might).

Then you should love this show.

Have you watched Twelve Kingdoms?
That's all I'm saying.

[Ryuga]

IMO, having Shinichi acting scared and irrational's a lot more interesting to the narrative and themes of this show compared to him being in control and mopping up parasites.

Mitsuo was right, to a small degree even if Mituso himself was just making excuses and rationalisations to beat on him. Shinichi's trying to be something he's not. He's been in denial about everything, including himself. He wants to reassure himself of his own humanity, that's he's a good person and different from Migi and the rest of the parasites. He's scared of himself and what he feels he might become. For what it's worth, I consider Shinichi's behaviour commendable. He's doing his best under a lot of stress and confusion and he still wants to do what's right. Those are the qualities of a hero to me.

And damn, I really liked Shinichi's parents. Rare to have grounded, loving parents being shown like this.

[ndqanh_vn]

Originally Posted by Ryuga

And damn, I really liked Shinichi's parents. Rare to have grounded, loving parents being shown like this.

I agree. It's very rare for anime character to have parents, let alone good, loving parents who behaves like normal, well-adjusted adult. And then the tragedy just has to come...

Originally Posted by Mentar

I feel the need to support Benigmatica here ^_^;

While in this episode, Shinichi didn't annoy me as much as in the last one, it's still a very sour aftertaste that is preventing me from fully appreciating the show. I'll try to explain:

Yes, it was very obvious that Shinichi was first in shock, and then in complete denial. So I won't overly hold it against him that once more he reacted like a total idiot. And yes, I do understand that he is desperately holding on to his "humans are altruistic, this is what separates them from these... things" conviction because one of his biggest fears is to lose his humanity.

Now, I'm not saying that this causes the show to be bad, just the opposite. If anything, that I'm still following it with big interest REGARDLESS of the fact that I'm not a fan of the MC should account for something. The best way to explain it would probably be that while I do like the overall story idea and setting, at the moment, Shinichi is drifting along like a damsel in distress, screaming and kicking in horror until Migi sorts things out. I'm not a fan of catastrophe movies that primarily milk the terror and desperation of the oh so poor helpless victims - and that is what Parasyte has been doing so far. I prefer action movies where the hero is actually DOING stuff. Logical and realistic victimization does not automatically translate into a show I enjoy (others might).

So Shinichi, for the love of god, PLEASE stop screaming and flailing and start thinking and acting. Come on, man, grow up. I'm confident you can do it. You even asked your "girlfriend" to stay over - gutsy move.

I prefer characters who feel like real human being, and reacts like one. Not a robotic Gary Tsu like that dude on Mahouka, and not a wimpy wish-fulfilment like Ohma Shoe. Shinichi was scared, and extremely confused, but it was wrong to say he never did something. He stayed back to face Mr. A. He refused Migi's plan. He choose to meet the first humaniod parasyte they come across, even though he's scared to death because he wants to know about them. And on this episode, what is the reason he stayed to help his not-so-close classmate? It is not because he's a goody-two-shoes. He's worried about what Migi said, worried about his human heart, and tried hard to keep his humanity. He thinks, and tries to find his way through the mess. It was true he was thrown into this against his will, but he still tried to keep his head above the water. It is totally different from what you say about victimization.

To be honest, I feel he already has a lot of complexity in his character, and seeds of a hero.

"Growing up" is a big theme of Parasyte, and you have to accept it.


For that Benigmatica dude, he could understand the anime in whatever way he wants really, I don't really care. It was his first comment that "shinichi is an idiot because he did not understand his mom is dead" rubs me the wrong way, and it's a mistake on factual event, not on interpretation. And I still find it hard to believe anybody could misunderstand that scene in such a way, if they really watch it.

[Mentar]

Originally Posted by ndqanh_vn

I prefer characters who feel like real human being, and reacts like one. Not a robotic Gary Tsu like that dude on Mahouka, and not a wimpy wish-fulfilment like Ohma Shoe. Shinichi was scared, and extremely confused, but it was wrong to say he never did something.

Fair enough to your first part (more power to you), but I have certain issues with the second half. "Doing something" tends to imply a self-aware activity to achieve some purpose. And while I can't deny that Shinichi has the tendency to _start_ things - usually unreflected and on impulse - but all too often he doesn't know what exactly he wants to achieve, and even less how to get there.

He stayed back to face Mr. A.

...having no idea what to do when he met him. Migi saved him.

He refused Migi's plan.

...but had no better one. Once more, Migi had to save his sorry ass by coming up with a solution.

He choose to meet the first humaniod parasyte they come across, even though he's scared to death because he wants to know about them.

...completely disregarding Migi's warning that this was dangerous. Once he met him Shinichi had no clue what to do, so Migi had to save him again.

And on this episode, what is the reason he stayed to help his not-so-close classmate?

...and once more he had no clue what to achieve and how to achieve it.

See what I mean? His actions are haphazard in nature, on impulse and entirely unreflected. He _starts_ stuff, and then relies on others to bail him out. This is exactly what annoys the hell out of me.

It is not because he's a goody-two-shoes. He's worried about what Migi said, worried about his human heart, and tried hard to keep his humanity. He thinks, and tries to find his way through the mess.

And this is where we have to agree to disagree. He has thoughts flashing up inside of him (typically "I don't want this") and reacts on them, and then he finds himself in a fix and can't deal with it. This is not "thinking" the way I understand the term.

It was true he was thrown into this against his will, but he still tried to keep his head above the water. It is totally different from what you say about victimization.

Once he learns how to autonomously extract himself from the messes he finds himself in (and often enough just caused by himself, ignoring the advice of others), THEN I will start seeing him as more than a damsel in distress. At this point of time, no. He is a hapless victim.

To be honest, I feel he already has a lot of complexity in his character, and seeds of a hero.

You're being much more generous than me, then. I hope he eventually ends up a hero, but he has lots of growing up to do first.

[Stark700]

Episode 6:

Spoiler:

Heh, I knew it. Shinichi's glasses are off now after he got stabbed. Thanks to Migi, he is alive and I think he's ready for some payback too. Damn, I feel bad for his family though since his mother was especially close to him and her husband

.

[ookamigirl]

Shinichi's naivete brought him to fatal injury.

Spoiler for plot:

As a result he became even more connected with Migi.
After that he definitely became even more alien..
Well, at least there were some up sides to that.
Sinichi lost his mom, but he still has his dad.
Things definitely took a sudden turn for the interesting.
It was just sad watching his dad delusional about mom.

Great episode, things got intense!

[aohige]

He's not being delusional, he was told by the doctor that he must have been seeing things.
He doesn't fully believe that himself, but it's not something to tell your worried son, at least not yet. (hence the clenching of his fist to calm himself)

[HandofFate]

damn, Shinichi is drawing all the ladies to him. And so badass now.

As far as I can tell, regular Parasytes were just able to morph the head, the host itself didn't gain any heightened abilities.
So a symbioite relationship like Migi x Shinichi is the more evolved form now.

[James Rye]

^I was thinking the same. Shinichi is a real woman/girl magnet. XD

Well, the person at the end clearly isn't Shinichi's NotMom and from the preview...oh right, it's that guy! Oh, that gonna be good next week.^^

Maki just saw something unbelieveable, I mean that kinda jump from standing still? Shows that Shinichi is lost in his thirst for revenge. Now he clearly lost his naivity. He will never be the same as he was before and Murano will notice that for sure.

[AntonKutovoi]

Originally Posted by James Rye

He will never be the same as he was before and Murano will notice that for sure.

I guess the question "Are you really Shinichi-kun" now will be asked much more often

[thundrakkon]

Wow, Shinichi now has superhuman powers. I'm guessing physically stronger and faster, greater eyesight, and superior sense of hearing. That leaves smell and taste, although I don't know what advantage superior tasting can do.

I'm wondering what if he will become more powerful as time goes on. I'm also wondering if he will meet other people who had an incomplete infection as well. Actually, they can make quite a few... uhhh... unsavory doujins with different body parts infected by a parasyte.

[AvianWing]

Migi's understanding of human emotion is eerily good. Not sure if its manifestation as a heart is a metaphor for that, but it's a nice touch.

Also, it felt like Shinichi physically became more imposing, or am I just imagining things? I'm probably one of those that wouldn't be able to tell between Clark Kent and Superman, so...

[ndqanh_vn]

@Mentar: I don't see there is any point in further argurment with you, when our views are so different. It would be as pointless as most online argurment anyways, so we better just sit back and enjoy the show.


Meanwhile, really good episode.
And I think I would grasp the CD soundtrack when they released.
Migi is really best girl, to nurse him so effectively like that.

They are at very last pages of chapter 14 (I think they only save them for the cliffhanger) The adaption is going very fast, but I am worried now that they won't be able to complete everything.

[Roger Rambo]

Originally Posted by ookamigirl

Shinichi's naivete brought him to fatal injury.

To be fair that was less naivete and more of a psychotic/emotional break. If this was simply a matter of being too stupid/naive to have any cognition of what had happened, he wouldn't have freaked out so much.

I suppose you could say it was a failing to have a breakdown under the circumstances, but most high schoolers don't have the kind of training/indoctrination that you'd need to not freak out in response to something like this. Frankly I don't think even veteran soldiers would be able to keep their cool completely in a situation equivalent to this.

Spoiler for spoiler:

You're definitely right to note that he's behaving more alien now. Fury in response to his mothers murder is natural, but there's a methodical ruthlessness to Shinichi now that doesn't entirely jive with a regular high school student. This isn't just someone spazzing out in despair.

[bakaouji]

The show simply doesn't show any signs of dropping in quality. If anything, it's getting better and better each week.

It seems that Migi too has undergone certain subtle psychological changes ever since it replaced/fused with Shinichi's heart. Migi actually bothered to ask before asserting himself whether it was okay to kill the creature impersonating as Shinichi's mother. Their partnership has evolved every so slightly, but these little changes go a long way in fundamentally transforming their relationship in a way that's benefits both of them.

Migi's further integration with Shinichi's body seems to have given the pair a bunch of new strengths and weaknesses. This will definitely force the duo to strategize even more carefully before approaching enemies.

One thing that concerns me though is how the female cast is increasing in size with each episode. It's not like Parasyte has suddenly become a harem show but it's insane how many women are currently interested in Shinichi now. I'm counting four now. I wanna say that it's probably because of Migi's influence but let's not forget that two chicks were into him before Migi ever entered his life. Clearly some of them are set up as sacrifices and others as sidekicks but I really wish they'd introduce female characters that are free from romantic entanglements.

[Roger Rambo]

Originally Posted by bakaouji

It seems that Migi too has undergone certain subtle psychological changes ever since it replaced/fused with Shinichi's heart. Migi actually bothered to ask before asserting himself whether it was okay to kill the creature impersonating as Shinichi's mother. Their partnership has evolved every so slightly, but these little changes go a long way in fundamentally transforming their relationship in a way that's benefits both of them.

There's also the matter of treading the subject lightly for pragmatic reasons. Last time Shinichi had a nervous breakdown at the sight of his "mother", and threatened to hack his own arm off rather than let Migi try to harm her. Migi certainly is going to try to confirm that isn't a liability anymore before getting into a fight against another parasyte.

[Master_Yoma]

Thats one hell of a change but Shinichi looks way better now

[DOmus]

Found the current shinichi more likeable
so having a parasyte makes one self desirable for the womens?