Parasite Eve (パラサイト・イヴ, Parasaito Ivu) is a Japanese science fiction horror novel by Hideaki Sena, first published by Kadokawa in 1995.

It is thought that they were originally separate organisms, and a symbiotic relationship between them and early cellular life has evolved into their present position as cell organelles with no independent existence (see endosymbiotic theory).

The novel's plot supposes that mitochondria, which are inherited through the female line of descent, form the dispersed body of an intelligent conscious life-form, dubbed Eve, which has been waiting throughout history and evolution for the right conditions when mitochondrial life can achieve its true potential and take over from eukaryotic life-forms (i.e. humans and similar life) by causing a child to be born that can control its own genetic code.

Eve influences Toshiaki and a doctor to ensure that one of Kiyomi's kidneys is transplanted into the teenage girl Mariko Anzai as an organ donation.

Eve anticipates that her child will be able to consciously change its genetic code, thus being an infinitely adaptable "perfect life form" capable of replacing humanity and similar life-forms.

Sena had a background in pharmacology and his day job consisted of testing mitochondria with various drugs for their ability to convert fatty acids into energy.

[1][2] A television documentary he viewed got him thinking about the idea that mitochondria had a will of their own and did not feel like keeping up their end of the symbiotic relationship.

[2] The original book, Parasite Eve by Hideaki Sena, became the first winner of the Japan Horror Novel Award.

[3] Library Journal noted that "Sena's work in pharmacology and microbiology lends this Japanese import a sense of discovery and fear that resonates when new science is not fully understood", and recommended the book to science fiction and horror fans who had enjoyed Suzuki Koji's The Ring and films like White Noise.

The story follows the same events of the original novel and was written by Shikaku, illustrated by Fujiki Noriko and published in Asuka Comics DX.

[11] The second series is two volumes in total and is titled Parasite Eve Diva ― N. Y. Shi no utahime (パラサイト・イヴDIVA―N.Y.死の歌姫, lit.

[12][13] Parasite Eve is the first video game in the series, produced by Squaresoft and centered on a New York City police officer named Aya Brea.

Parasite Eve II is the sequel to the original game, released for the PlayStation, for Japan in 1999 and worldwide in 2000.