Parasyte—The Maxim, Collection 2

The second episode cycle for Parasyte—The Maxim (see VL-7/16) offers more grotesque violence and mutations, in a world where humanity has secretly been invaded by ravenous, shape-shifting parasitic intelligences whose origins are unknown (even to them). Schoolboy Shinichi luckily was able to confine the wormlike parasite in his body to one arm, where the creature has not only managed to coexist with him, but also often fights alongside him against fully-possessed humans who morph into monsters with scythe-like appendages. While vicious slaughter and dismemberment (of both species) is plentiful, the material manages to address in surprisingly thoughtful measure the deep-dish questions of what it means to be human, as some parasites recognize mankind's finer qualities. Yet, the human authorities—faced with the “body snatchers” threat of the parasites—also strike ferociously (with the Hannibal Lecter-ish help of a depraved serial killer with an ESP-like ability to detect parasites). It's no wonder that Shinichi, with parasite cells permeating his body, is a super-being whose alliances are distinctly confused. Compiling the final 12 episodes from 2014 in separate dual-language DVD and Blu-ray editions, rated TV-MA, this is highly recommended. (C. Cassady)