Review of Parasyte: The Maxim

Since I'm sure plenty have already read reviews beforehand, I won't bore you with a plot (especially as I last watched this a few months ago, but decided to come up with a short review). This is a show not to pass up on, even with what I will say. It was enjoyable. Originally, when this first came out, I didn't want to watch it since I hate horror, but now that I've grown out of that, this wasn't scary in a bloody way. Of course, there are over the top kill scenes, some more gruesome then the others, but it was really good. Story (6)--- I reallyloved the beginning and the suspense given. It really gave you the sense that any character could die at any moment--because they do. None of the deaths are completely in vain considering it works well with the plot (perhaps I wouldn't want a certain death since it didn't do anything with the plot). It played with the idea of humanity and animalistic instincts that are for the survival of themselves. It was interesting. There was only a few gripes I had with it, including the ending and certain plot points which I found unnecessary. Only if you watched it, would you know specifically what I meant, but for the sake of not spoiling, it was decent. With the lack of the horror genre that I have, I felt that this plotline was very generic.

Art (9)--- Definitely the strong point. Although not as colorful or detailed as say No Game No Life or K (my favorite anime art close to the year of this anime), it wouldn't make the average viewer cringe (like Angel Beats or Clannad style art). The parasites specifically were very well detailed and animated and as a normal consumer of anime, it passes.

Sound (8)--- I skip the intros and outros, but all I can remember it was okay. It wasn't like a Death Parade contrast, but I wouldn't really know much about the show from the intro (or maybe I have the worst memory). But the music and sounds during the whole anime was well placed and I wouldn't call any of the sounds awkward.

Character (6)--- I honestly didn't care for any of the characters (including the main character and the parasites themselves), but I also usually don't care much for most. But, considering it was a horror genre, I'm not surprised. To see our main character's humanity crumble, decent, but no good character development. He became even more of a blank slate at the end of it. You are most certainly not watching this show for the characters.

Enjoyment (7)--- Yeah, it was really good, I enjoyed it. But I wasn't expecting a Marvel superhero or Kaiju ending. Until the last few episodes, I enjoyed it a lot. Although I disliked how they dealt with the parasites (including their origin), even with the idea of equality and humanity, it was good. But, there were parts where it seemed like filler, and didn't really go anywhere.

Overall (7)---It was good. Kind of like a book you needed to read, it was something you read, but it's not something that would usually stick to you.

At the end of the day, I remember when I finished watching this and asked "Did I really spend my time watching this?" Although I could honestly go without those hours watching this show, as a normal anime viewer (and not a critic or a movie buff by any means), I wouldn't say to pass up on this. It's no gem, but it was better than Btooom by all metrics (if that even helps anyone).