Yeon Sang-ho Returns to ‘Parasyte’ Universe With ‘Tamiya,’ Starring Shioli Kutsuna, at Netflix
What's happening
Director Yeon Sang-ho is creating a new live-action series called 'Parasyte: Tamiya' for Netflix, expanding the 'Parasyte' franchise universe. The series will star Shioli Kutsuna and premiere on the streaming platform in 2027.
Who's involved
Yeon Sang-ho is a South Korean director known for Netflix hits 'Hellbound' and 'Parasyte: The Grey.' Shioli Kutsuna is a Japanese actress recognized for roles in 'Bullet Train' and other international productions. Netflix continues its partnership with Yeon to develop content from the 'Parasyte' intellectual property.
Why it matters
This greenlight signals Netflix's confidence in the 'Parasyte' franchise as a multi-installment universe with global appeal. The 2027 release extends Netflix's content pipeline and demonstrates the studio's ongoing investment in adapting manga/anime properties with prestige filmmakers, potentially influencing how other streaming services approach similar IP.
More context
Yeon Sang-ho previously directed 'Parasyte: The Grey,' a live-action film adaptation that launched in 2024, establishing his vision for translating the body-horror sci-fi manga into live-action. 'Parasyte' is based on Hitoshi Iwaaki's classic manga series about alien parasites that infiltrate human hosts. Netflix has invested heavily in anime and manga adaptations in recent years, from 'One Piece' to 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.' This project represents a continuation of Netflix's strategy to build shared universes around existing intellectual property with established creative voices.