Director Yeon Sang-ho is teaming up with Japanese creators to expand the Parasyte universe.
Netflix announced that production has been confirmed for the Japanese Netflix series "Parasyte: Tamiya," slated for release in 2027.
Hitoshi Iwaaki's manga "Parasyte" (published by Kodansha) has captivated numerous fans with its thrilling plot, dark universe, rich imagination, and philosophical themes. The manga has transcended generations, continuously receiving love through animated adaptations and live-action films.
In 2024, the Netflix series "Parasyte: The Grey," newly reinterpreted by Director Yeon Sang-ho and set in modern-day South Korea, was released worldwide. Following its release, the work charted in the global TOP 10 Non-English Series category for four consecutive weeks and claimed the number-one spot in 34 countries and regions.
Director Yeon Sang-ho is expanding the Parasyte universe through "Parasyte: Tamiya." In the original work, Ryoko Tamiya, who opposes the protagonist Shinichi Izumi, is a human-looking high school teacher and a dangerous parasite threatening humans. Living as a teacher based on her vast knowledge of humanity, she encounters Shinichi, who coexists with Migi, and begins to question whether "coexistence with humanity" might be necessary for parasites to survive.
The Netflix series "Parasyte: Tamiya" is an original story depicting the world through the perspective of Ryoko Tamiya, a unique parasite pondering "coexistence with humanity."
The production team behind "Gas Human" and "Parasyte: The Grey" has joined forces once again for this project. Director Yeon Sang-ho is in charge of planning and writing the script, while writer Ryu Yong-jae participates as a co-screenwriter. In addition, WOWPOINT, the production company that presented the two previous works together, is taking charge of planning and production.
Directing will be handled by Director Kensaku Kakimoto of "Glass Heart" and Director Kazuhiro Nakagawa, who directed "Double" and wrote the script for "Bullet Train Explosion."
Actor Shioli Kutsuna has been cast as the protagonist, Ryoko Tamiya. Leaving a strong presence by playing a newspaper reporter delving into the underbelly of the sumo world in the Netflix series "Sanctuary" and the popular character Yukio in the film "Deadpool 2," she is continuing her activities on the global stage, drawing attention as the star of the first live-action film in the "Gundam" series.
In this work, Shioli Kutsuna delicately portrays the different facets coexisting within a single character: Tamiya living as a human, Tamiya as a parasite threatening humans, and Tamiya transforming into a being contemplating coexistence with humanity.
Regarding this, Director Yeon Sang-ho praised Shioli Kutsuna's acting, stating, "She portrayed the process of a non-human entity ultimately understanding humanity and its own existence through surprisingly marvelous acting."
Director Yeon Sang-ho expressed, "Ryoko Tamiya in the original manga is a truly charming villain. She is a character who engaged in existential contemplation and elevated the original Parasyte from a mere boys' action manga into a profound work. I wanted to depict Ryoko Tamiya as she constantly contemplates, fails, and ultimately realizes coexistence between humans and parasites, as well as the coexistence of parasites. I thought such agony of Ryoko Tamiya was the very essence of Parasyte."
He also added, "This work is a fresh project distinct from previous live-action films, animations, and 'Parasyte: The Grey.' As it is a work that adds the individuality of the two directors while containing a deep respect for the original work, please look forward to it."
Meanwhile, the original "Parasyte" is a representative Japanese masterpiece manga that has been continuously loved for over 30 years since it began serialization in 1988 and concluded in 1995. One day, parasitic organisms called "Parasites" that take humans as hosts, seize their brains, and control their bodies appear. Ordinary high school student Shinichi Izumi is also attacked by a parasite, but the parasite attempting to take over his brain fails and ends up parasitizing his right hand. Shinichi and the parasite that calls itself "Migi" begin an unexpected symbiotic relationship. Other Parasites hide in various places in society disguised as humans and begin to prey on them, dragging humanity into a struggle for survival. Shinichi and Migi also stand at the center of a massive battle, unfolding a story upon which the fate of humans and Parasites rests. Published in over 20 countries and regions worldwide, it has surpassed 25 million cumulative copies in circulation, maintaining high popularity to this day.
The Netflix series "Parasyte: Tamiya" is scheduled to be released worldwide in 2027 through Netflix.
(Photo: Yonhap News) (Reported by Kim Ji-hye, SBS News)
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