Tamiya

Lore & Background

Ryoko Tamiya is a parasite who possesses Shinichi Izumi's teacher. Unlike many of her kind, she is more reasonable and is interested in studying the humans' way of life. She demonstrates this by becoming impregnated with fellow parasite Mr. A, and she explains that despite having parasite parents, the baby she carries is a normal human. Tamiya's actions include sending an underling, Takeshi Hirokawa, to run for mayorship in order to set up the town for the parasites' interests. When Hideo Shimada, another parasite, becomes disfigured due to Satomi Murano and loses control, Tamiya leaves him to his fate. She then gives Shinichi the location of the Mr. A-possessed Nobuko before leaving the scene. Her character provides a contrast to the more aggressive parasites, showing a capacity for observation and strategic thinking.

In Their Own Story

Ryoko Tamiya is introduced as a high school teacher who is actually a parasite. She is more reasonable than many of her kind and is interested in studying human life. She becomes impregnated with fellow parasite Mr. A, and explains that despite having parasite parents, the baby she carries is a normal human. Tamiya sends an underling, Takeshi Hirokawa, to run for mayorship in order to set up the town for the parasites' interests. When Hideo Shimada transfers to Shinichi's school and later massacres students after being discovered, Tamiya leaves him to his fate due to a disfigurement that Satomi causes, which makes him unable to control himself. Before leaving the scene, Tamiya gives Shinichi the location of the Mr. A-possessed Nobuko. The epilogue details Hirokawa's successful run for mayorship, the appearance of the mysterious parasite Goto, as well as Shinichi's visit to Satomi at the hospital.

Reader's Guide

Ryoko Tamiya is a parasite who takes the form of a high school teacher. She is portrayed by Eri Fukatsu. Her role in the narrative is that of a more reasonable and observant parasite, interested in studying human life. She becomes impregnated with fellow parasite Mr. A, and explains that the baby she carries is a normal human despite having parasite parents. Tamiya sends Takeshi Hirokawa to run for mayorship to set up the town for the parasites' interests. When Hideo Shimada becomes disfigured and loses control, Tamiya leaves him to his fate. She then gives Shinichi the location of the Mr. A-possessed Nobuko before leaving the scene. Her actions demonstrate a strategic and observational approach, contrasting with the more aggressive parasites.

Did You Know?

• Ryoko Tamiya is portrayed by Eri Fukatsu in the 2014 film *Parasyte: Part 1*.
• Tamiya becomes impregnated with fellow parasite Mr. A and explains that the baby she carries is a normal human.
• She sends Takeshi Hirokawa to run for mayorship in order to set up the town for the parasites' interests.
• Tamiya leaves Hideo Shimada to his fate after he becomes disfigured and loses control.
• She gives Shinichi the location of the Mr. A-possessed Nobuko before leaving the scene.