There's not much attention being shined on Netflix's Parasyte: The Grey television series at the moment but that should probably change.
Those who have seen the series, can't stop raving about it, which leads us to believe that the show could be a slow-burner that could breakout several weeks after its release.
The 6-episode sci-fi horror series is based on the Parasyte manga series from Hitoshi Iwaaki, which was serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon seinen anthology manga magazine from 1989-1994. The original series concluded its run at 10 volumes in 1994.
In the original manga, weird creatures must infect and control human hosts in order to survive on Earth.
Once infected, they reshape their victims' limbs, organs and bodily fluids into any awful shape they choose, such as craniums splitting to reveal razor toothed mouths, batlike wings emerging from backs, and blades ripping through delicate hands.
However, most have decided to mask their destructive intentions under regular human features as they prepare to enact a sinister plot.
A fan-favorite anime series was released by Studio Madhouse in 2014, which consisted of 24 episodes. Adult Swim's Toonami also aired the series on Saturday nights, in 2015.
After a series of specials and one-shots. a sequel manga series, titled Parasyte Reversi from Moare Ohta, was launched on March 2, 2018, before concluding on May 7, 2021 at 8 volumes.
A two-part, live-action film adaptation of Parasyte was released in Japan by TOHO Pictures in 2014 and 2015.
More recently, Netflix South Korea commissioned a television series spin-off adaptation of the manga which premiered worldwide on April 4. The spin-off features a new cast of characters but "spoilery-events" throughout the series reveal that it's connected to the manga/anime.
Currently, Parasyte: The Grey has a 100% approval rating on the aggregate review website, Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 7.8 out of 10.
In their review, IGN writes, "It offers weighty action and some smart departures to complement a fearsome live-action portrayal of its famous monsters, but the characterization never reaches the same heights as the original."
Decider praised the show's action, writing, "Parasyte: The Grey has enough action to hold viewers’ interest, but the story of Su-in’s mutant existence is also what’s going to keep us watching."
The Age highlighted the series' horror elements, writing, "It works best as a horror tale, with the possessed humans transforming into monstrous form and back again as authorities try to stamp out the infiltration."
Pajiba had high praise for series director Yeon Sang-ho, proclaiming the spin-off to be, "A gloriously schlocky, B-movie-esque escape from reality. Director Yeon Sang-ho (of Train to Busan fame) serves up six episodes of gory creature designs and fight scenes that will have you simultaneously wincing and cheering."
You can check out a trailer for the series below, along with the original trailer for the Madhouse anime and decide which adaptation of the Hitoshi Iwaaki horror manga you should check out first.
Parasyte: The Grey Synopsis: When unidentified parasites violently take over human hosts and gain power, humanity must rise to combat the growing threat.