Square Enix Trademarks “Symbiogenesis” in Japan for Potential ‘Parasite Eve’ Revival?

Square Enix might be taking a cue from Konami when it comes to reviving the Parasite Eve series. Per Gematsu, Square Enix has filed a trademark for “symbiogenesis” in Japan, with the filing made back on October 13, and being made public today.

“Symbiogenesis”, also known as “endosymbiotic theory”, is the evolutionary theory whereby two separate organisms combine to form a single new organism. That also happens to be the basis for the story of the 1995 Japanese novel “Parasite Eve” by Hideaki Sena. Square Enix developed Parasite Eve as a sequel to the book and released it in 1998.

Nothing has been confirmed as yet in regards to Square Enix actually pursuing a revival of the Parasite Eve series, be it a remake or a new entry. In fact, the last we heard anything about the series was when Square Enix had trademarked the name in Europe back in 2018. That, and the indication that the first game in the series could’ve been included on Sony’s PlayStation Classic Mini prior to launch.

In Parasite Eve, New York City police officer Aya Brea attends an opera at Carnegie Hall on Christmas Eve. During the aria of the diva, Melissa Pearce, people start to spontaneously combust. Aya and Melissa are the only ones left, with Melissa mutating into a creature and escaping into the sewers. It’s revealed that Melissa (now calling herself “Eve”) is the living embodiment of the mitochondria, and can control other people’s mitochondria. Aya must now find a way to stop Eve from destroying New York City, but also the world.

The last game in the series was 2011’s The 3rd Birthday, which was released for the Sony PSP.