Parasyte: The Maxim (2014) blends body horror, psychological tension, and deep human drama, making it a standout in anime that subverts expectations. Its themes of identity, morality, and the blurred lines between humanity and monstrosity resonate with viewers who enjoy underdog struggles and layered power systems.
Yet beyond the usual recommendations, there are many overlooked gems that echo its narrative style, character growth, and unsettling atmosphere. Here are 15 underrated anime that deserve more attention from fans seeking the same energy.
1. Shiki (2010)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 22 + 2 specials
- MAL Rating: 7.7
- Studio: Daume
- Awards: Nominated for the 2011 Tokyo Anime Award
A rural town is plagued by mysterious deaths as new residents move in, unraveling into a tale of survival against vampiric beings. Much like Parasyte, Shiki explores humanity’s moral gray areas, where monsters and humans mirror each other’s cruelty.
2. Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu (OVA, 1994)
- Streaming: Rare DVD/OVA copies only
- Episodes: 1
- MAL Rating: 6.6
- Studio: Madhouse
Before Parasyte: The Maxim, this one-shot OVA adaptation introduced the same grotesque body horror in a rawer, darker tone. It shares the exact source material but offers a grittier, more experimental style that fans of the 2014 series may appreciate.
3. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 23
- MAL Rating: 7.9
- Studio: Manglobe
In a post-apocalyptic city, humans and androids coexist uneasily until mysterious entities called “Proxies” disrupt the fragile balance. Its philosophical depth, dystopian setting, and slow unraveling of human identity parallel Parasyte’s existential themes.
4. Ajin: Demi-Human (2016)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 26 (2 seasons)
- MAL Rating: 7.4
- Studio: Polygon Pictures
When Kei Nagai discovers he’s an immortal “Ajin,” he becomes hunted by both government forces and fellow outcasts. Its cat-and-mouse narrative, dark tone, and exploration of human experimentation align closely with Parasyte.
5. Gokukoku no Brynhildr (Brynhildr in the Darkness) (2014)
- Streaming: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13 + OVA
- MAL Rating: 6.8
- Studio: Arms
A high schooler encounters escaped girls with supernatural abilities hunted by a mysterious lab. Like Parasyte, it mixes teenage vulnerability with violent conspiracies and tragic transformations.
6. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 7.7
- Studio: Madhouse
Set in a dystopian underground city, a fighter fitted with cybernetic limbs becomes entangled in the collapse of human society. Its bleak tone, slow-burn narrative, and exploration of survival instincts echo Parasyte’s darker meditations on humanity.
7. Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek (2005)
- Streaming: RetroCrush
- Episodes: 1 (film, 25 min)
- MAL Rating: 6.8
- Studio: Yamatoworks
Children vanish while playing hide-and-seek in a forbidden city haunted by mechanical demons. Like Parasyte, it blends urban legends with haunting visuals, showing how innocence collides with monstrous forces.
8. Witch Hunter Robin (2002)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.1
- Studio: Sunrise
A young woman joins an elite team tasked with hunting down humans who wield supernatural powers. Similar to Parasyte, it explores mistrust, the fear of being “other,” and moral ambiguity in the pursuit of justice.
9. Mnemosyne: Mnemosyne no Musume-tachi (2008)
- Streaming: Funimation, HIDIVE
- Episodes: 6
- MAL Rating: 7.2
- Studio: Xebec
An immortal private detective is drawn into violent conspiracies spanning decades. Its visceral brutality, body horror, and themes of immortality align closely with the existential dread found in Parasyte.
10. Kemonozume (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 7.0
- Studio: Madhouse
A monster-hunting clan clashes with flesh-eating creatures, while one of their own falls in love with the enemy. With rough, experimental animation and tragic romance, it mirrors Parasyte’s tension between love and monstrosity.
11. Gantz (2004)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.0
- Studio: Gonzo
After dying, unwilling participants are forced into deadly games against alien foes. Its violent action, grotesque transformations, and cynical tone strongly echo Parasyte’s nihilistic worldview.
12. Blue Gender (1999)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.1
- Studio: AIC
Awakening in a world overrun by alien insect-like beings, Yuji Kaido must adapt to humanity’s last-ditch survival efforts. Its insectoid horrors, post-apocalyptic mood, and reluctant hero parallel Parasyte’s survival narrative.
13. Devilman Lady (1998)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 6.9
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
A woman becomes host to a demonic power, struggling with her monstrous transformations while protecting humanity. Its gendered twist on Devilman and its psychological torment strongly reflect Parasyte’s themes.
14. Boogiepop Phantom (2000)
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.1
- Studio: Madhouse
Strange supernatural events plague a city as interconnected stories reveal hidden horrors. Its fragmented storytelling, eerie atmosphere, and exploration of fear align with Parasyte’s unnerving tone.
15. Garakowa: Restore the World (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 1 (film)
- MAL Rating: 6.9
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
Two program-like beings protect fragile data worlds from destructive viruses until meeting a mysterious girl. Though sci-fi rather than horror, its existential reflections on survival and destruction mirror Parasyte’s identity struggles.
Why These Anime Work for Parasyte: The Maxim Fans
All these series echo what makes Parasyte: The Maxim compelling: moral complexity, body horror, psychological weight, and protagonists forced to adapt to terrifying change. They also highlight anime’s ability to balance raw action with deeper philosophical questions. For fans seeking stories that challenge, disturb, and move them, these underrated gems deserve a place on the watchlist.
