The BEST episodes of Parasyte -the maxim-

Every episode of Parasyte -the maxim- ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Parasyte -the maxim-!

A species of parasitic aliens descends on Earth and quickly infiltrates humanity by entering the brains of vulnerable targets; insatiable beings that gain total control of their host and are capable of transforming themselves to feed on unsuspecting prey. High school student Shinichi Izumi falls victim to one of these parasites, but the creature fails to take over his brain and ends up in his right hand.

Last Updated: 10/21/2026Network: Nippon TVStatus: Ended
The Selfish Gene
star
10.00
1 votes

#1 - The Selfish Gene

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/15/2015

Shinichi's secret becomes known to Kuramori, the private investigator hired by Tamura. Shinichi tries to confide in Satomi, but his unsuccessful attempt only drives a wedge between them. Shinichi recruits Uda's help to break the impasse.

In Cold Blood
star
10.00
1 votes

#2 - In Cold Blood

Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/19/2015

Suspecting Shinichi's connection to the parasite cases, Hirama arranges to have Shinichi meet with Uragami, a convict with a peculiar ability. Although cleared of any suspicion and able to return to his high school life, it isn't long before Hirama appears once more before Shinichi. A government operation to neutralize the parasites with Hirokawa is about to begin...

Crime and Punishment
star
10.00
1 votes

#3 - Crime and Punishment

Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/26/2015

The joint operation by the police and the strike force to eliminate the group of parasites led by Hirokawa has begun. Yamagishi's unit uses their special sensor system to hunt down the parasites. Amidst the chaos, human victory seems all but confirmed. But the tables are about to be turned by a single parasite...

Life and Oath
star
10.00
1 votes

#4 - Life and Oath

Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/19/2015

With no chance to survive, Shinichi pulls off a desperate move.

Parasyte
star
10.00
1 votes

#5 - Parasyte

Season 1 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/26/2015

With Gotou's defeat, Shinichi's life is finally back to "normal." Though saddened by Migi's sudden departure, Shinichi moves forward with his life. However, a final threat appears...

Kokoro
star
10.00
3 votes

#6 - Kokoro

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/25/2014

Kana's special ability is gaining in strength. Believing that ignoring her will only endanger her life, Shinichi tells Kana everything about the parasites. Shinichi only wants to save Kana, but Kana believes Shinichi is lying to her. They are two ships, passing in the night...

The Stranger
star
9.03
58 votes

#7 - The Stranger

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/6/2014

Running late to school, Shinichi sees Nagai in trouble with some punks. When Shinichi steps in to help, he meets a high school student, Kimishima Kana. Shinichi and Satomi share a close moment when she tends to his injuries, but his life is about to take a sudden turn with a single phone call from his father...

Disheveled Hair
star
9.02
57 votes

#8 - Disheveled Hair

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/30/2014

Shinichi's life returns to "normal" after A's killing spree, but Shinichi remains in low spirits. His mother, Nobuko, becomes worried, but Shinichi just bluffs when she asks him what's wrong. His father, Kazuyuki, suggests to Nobuko that a past incident may be involved. Nobuko looks down at the old scar on her hand and thinks back to what happened when Shinichi was a little boy...

More Than Human
star
9.00
2 votes

#9 - More Than Human

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/12/2015

Shinichi and Migi arrive at the park, only to find Tamura holding her child. As Shinichi struggles to quell his fury at the sight of her, Tamura unleashes a flurry of questions about the meaning of the parasites' existence and what humanity means to them.

Feast
star
8.91
57 votes

#10 - Feast

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/23/2014

As the number of mincemeat murder victims grows, Shinichi, alone in his knowledge of the truth, is in turmoil. When Migi suddenly alerts him to the presence of another parasyte, he is aghast to find that it is in his own school. Paranoid, Shinichi attends a schoolwide assembly, where the staff introduce a beautiful new teacher...

The Sun Also Rises
star
8.90
58 votes

#11 - The Sun Also Rises

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/13/2014

Struck through the heart by his mother-turned-parasite, Shinichi survives only through Migi's efforts. After regaining consciousness, Shinichi is devastated by the realization that none of it had been a dream.

Demon in the Flesh
star
8.88
57 votes

#12 - Demon in the Flesh

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/16/2014

As Shinichi and his parasyte continue their unasked-for coexistence, the parasyte in his right (migi) arm decides to take on the name of "Migi." Shinichi realizes that parasytes are involved in the ongoing mincemeat murders. Feeling alone in his discovery, Shinichi grapples with frustration. Unbeknownst to him, he is about to meet another parasyte for the first time...

Beyond Good and Evil
star
8.83
29 votes

#13 - Beyond Good and Evil

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/27/2014

Yuko is drawn to Shimada Hideo, but gradually realizes that something is seriously amiss with Shimada's face itself. As Yuko pursues Shimada's secret, she connects the dots between him and her brother's police investigation.

Metamorphosis
star
8.72
85 votes

#14 - Metamorphosis

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/9/2014

The whole world is about to change one quiet evening with the arrival of parasytes who devour human brains. One of their eggs lands at the home of Izumi Shinichi, a high school student. The hatched parasyte attacks Shinichi, but it faces unexpected resistance and fails to infiltrate his brain.

Directors: Kenichi Shimizu
Dark Night's Passing
star
8.13
30 votes

#15 - Dark Night's Passing

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/20/2014

Thinking he'd found his mother's killer, Shinichi instead meets Uda Mamoru, a man in a similar situation as himself. Uda sympathizes with Shinichi and suggests that they all work together. The time to avenge his mother has come at last! Shinichi heads to the precipice...

Directors: Kenichi Shimizu
Freezing Point
star
7.86
29 votes

#16 - Freezing Point

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/27/2014

Shinichi has regained some semblance of a normal life. However, with Migi's cells dispersed throughout his body, his physical abilities have greatly increased to the point that not even Mitsuo poses a threat. Shinichi fears that the changes go beyond the physical and into the psychological. Just as peace returns to his school, a new parasite appears!

Sex and Spirit
star
7.29
30 votes

#17 - Sex and Spirit

Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/5/2015

The assault squad succeeds in eliminating Hirokawa, the parasites' leader, but they find themselves in a bind when the ultimate parasite appears. Their failure to eliminate Gotou strikes fear into Shinichi's heart--who will give him the final courage to face Gotou?

The Blue Bird
star
7.00
2 votes

#18 - The Blue Bird

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/11/2014

Kana's feelings for Shinichi grows day by day, and so does Shinichi's apprehension about Kana's ability. As ordinary life returns, Satomi struggles with her mounting suspicion that something has changed in Shinichi. Meanwhile, a new parasite appears to wreak havoc in a local gang hideout. Everyone's lives are about to get shattered yet again.

What Mad Universe
star
6.00
2 votes

#19 - What Mad Universe

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/4/2014

Incapable of rationala thought, Shimada Hideo is a savage beast on a rampage, and Satomi's class has become his prey. Shinichi must make his way through the carnage in order to save Satomi...

Hello Sadness
star
6.00
2 votes

#20 - Hello Sadness

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/8/2015

A few days after Kana's death, things seem to be back to normal for Shinichi. Satomi and her friends are perturbed by his seeming indifference, but Shinichi, himself, is grappling with his own sense of disquiet with his unnatural state of mind. Meanwhile, a man begins snooping around about Shinichi...

Something Wicked This Way Comes
star
6.00
2 votes

#21 - Something Wicked This Way Comes

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/22/2015

Though still full of doubt, Kuramori has, for the time being, accepted Shinichi. Soon after, Kuramori's resolve is severely shaken by witnessing a parasite murder a human being. Shinichi is frustrated by the turn of events, but the lull is cut short when a new parasite appears...

The Adventure of the Dying Detective
star
3.00
2 votes

#22 - The Adventure of the Dying Detective

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/5/2015

Having determined Tamura to be a threat, Kusano's group moves to eliminate her. Meanwhile, Kuramori moves to avenge his family's death by abducting Tamura's baby. With her baby in his arms, Kuramori faces Tamura and threatens to throw the infant down a steep slope--what will Tamura do?

Happy Family
star
2.00
1 votes

#23 - Happy Family

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/29/2015

The newest parasite to appear is different from the others. Chatty and expressive, the parasite identifies himself as Miki and immediately makes his move. With Migi asleep, all Shinichi can do is to run and keep running...

Quiescence and Awakening
star
0.00
0 votes

#24 - Quiescence and Awakening

Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/12/2015

Motivated by Satomi to stay alive, Shinichi resolves to fight Gotou. With Migi's support, they press their attack in an isolated forest. However, they fail to finish Gotou at a critical juncture, causing Shinichi to lose Migi and flee in defeat.