Kusano

Kusano is a member of the Parasyte group aligned with Takeshi Hirokawa, a major organizer of Parasyte activity in the anime.

Within this faction, Kusano functions as a combatant whose main narrative purpose is to oppose Reiko Tamura.

He travels and operates alongside two other Parasytes, a man named Maezawa and a woman named Hikawa.

These two Parasytes are presented as his associates and comrades during his key confrontations.

Kusano appears from episode 11 through episode 17 of Parasyte -the maxim.

Across these episodes, his actions gradually lead toward open conflict with Reiko Tamura.

As in the original manga, he initiates a split with Reiko Tamura, turning their ideological and tactical disagreements into a direct battle.

His decision to rebel against her authority drives his brief but impactful arc.

In the anime, Kusano remains closely tied to Maezawa and Hikawa during the build-up to this confrontation.

The story uses this small group to show the internal tensions and fractures within the broader Parasyte community.

Kusano’s defining moment is his confrontation with Reiko Tamura, where he attempts to overthrow or eliminate her.

This role is consistent with his depiction in the source material, in which he also becomes an enemy from within the Parasyte ranks.

In the original manga, Kusano and his allies become separated and are defeated one by one after being divided.

This method of defeat emphasizes their lack of coordination and their tactical disadvantage once isolated.

The anime adaptation changes the dynamic of this defeat in a key way.

Instead of being split up, Kusano and his allies witness Reiko Tamura’s strategy from start to finish yet still cannot comprehend her plan.

Despite seeing the entire course of her tactics, Kusano fails to understand the reasoning behind her moves.

This lack of insight highlights the gap between his straightforward, brute-force thinking and Reiko’s more advanced, analytical intelligence.

Ultimately, Kusano is defeated by Reiko Tamura in both versions of the story.

However, the anime underlines his defeat as a clash not just of strength, but of intellect and strategic depth.

Kusano is associated with Takeshi Hirokawa’s faction, indicating that he initially trusts Hirokawa’s leadership and overall vision for Parasytes.

This connection situates him within a more organized Parasyte power structure rather than as a lone predator.

His closest on-screen companions are Maezawa (voiced by Takuma Suzuki) and Hikawa (voiced by Makiko Ōmoto).

They act together as a small unit, sharing information and moving as a team until their final confrontation with Reiko Tamura.

Kusano’s antagonistic relationship with Reiko Tamura defines his narrative identity.

By rebelling against her, he positions himself as a challenger to her evolving philosophy and methods.

Kusano comes across as aggressive and confrontational, choosing direct combat over careful analysis.

His inability to grasp Reiko Tamura’s strategy, even when he sees it unfold, suggests limited adaptability and rigid thinking.

He embodies a more traditional, survival-oriented Parasyte mindset, focused on power and dominance rather than deeper reflection.

This makes him a useful contrast to Reiko Tamura, whose character arc involves complex reasoning and evolving views on humans and Parasytes alike.

Despite his shortcomings, Kusano’s presence adds tension and internal conflict to the Parasyte ranks.

His story shows that threats to Reiko Tamura do not only come from humans, but also from ambitious Parasytes who underestimate her.