Soul Eater (ソウルイーター)
I haven't done this type of entry since Baccano xD Hehe. Anywayz, this is the show I'm looking forward to the most that will premier next month ^_^ (If I put aside the sequels of cg, kkm, and holic xD)
Click to viewSoul Eater is an anime based on a shounen manga by Ookubo Atsushi serialised in Shounen Gangan. Set in the Shinigami technical school for weapon technicians, the series revolves around 3 groups. Each group comprises of a weapon technician and a human weapon. The weapon technician’s goal is to make the latter a “Death Scythe” and thus fit for use by the Shinigami. In order to create this, they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and 1 witch. (from THAT animeblogger)
Japanese Staff:
Director: Takuya Igarashi
Series Composition: Akatsuki Yamatoya
Music: Taku Iwasaki
Original creator: Atsushi Ohkubo
Character Design: Yoshiyuki Ito
Art director: Norifumi Nakamura
Director of Photography: Yohei Miyahara
Color design: Shihoko Nakayama
Conceptual Design: Shinji Aramaki
Sound director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi
Theme Song Performance: T.M. Revolution
(Cast info from Anime News Network)Japanese Cast:
Chiaki Omigawa as Maka Alban
Kouki Uchiyama as Soul Eater
Mamoru Miyano as Death the Kid
Yumiko Kobayashi as Black Star
Akeno Watanabe as Liz Thompson
Emiri Katou as Blair
Houko Kuwashima as Medusa
Kaori Nazuka as Tsubaki Nakatsukasa
Maaya Sakamoto as Chrona
Masafumi Kimura as Sid Barett
Rikiya Koyama as Shinigami-sama
Takehito Koyasu as Excalibur
Toru Ohkawa as Death Scythe
Yuya Uchida as Dr. Franken Stein
MY IMPRESSIONS:
Though I haven't seen the anime yet (only spoiler screenshots), I have background on the manga ^_^ So I have an idea on what the anime will be like. Here are my thoughts on the series overall as of now (on both its manga and anime):
Note: Oh, don't worry, I made them as non-spoilery as possible ^_^ I know there are those who can't handle spoilers ^^; Ehehe. I also made them as short and summarized as I can because . . . I have manga to read xD ohohoho!!! :
STORY:
This series for me is like a mixture of Shaman King, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Bleach with some dark elements. The story isn't really like the three I've mentioned, but the feeling while reading it and how much it had entertained me is cose to those three xD
The story sounds like your typical shounen series: leading characters want to achieve something, and in SE's case, for Soul to become Shinigami-sama's weapon.
But there's more to it aside from that main plot. Characters have their own side stories, there are obstacles they had to face, there are adventures they need to get in aside from their main goal (e.g. stopping the enemy from causing chaos), and so forth.
It's as shounen as Naruto and One Piece, but unlike those two, miracle wins don't always happen. Leading characters lose at times.
I admit it has its flaws though. It lacked story and character development in some areas (especially in the first volume. I was meant to be just a series of one-shots at first). . . BUT it did a good job on the development in many parts of the story. (I can't go specific in fear of blurting out spoilers ^^;)
GENRE/THEME:
Wikipedia puts it under the action, comedy, and supernatural genre. Now, since when have I resisted a series that are under such genres??? xD Hehe. And its very true to its genres ^_^ It indeed has a lot of awesome action scenes *_* And I love its comedy!!! It's freakin' hilarious!!! Soul Eater is rich in crack!!! xD Haha! And oh yes to supernatural stuff!!! I love fantasy! I love the unreal xD Supernatural stuff dealing with shinigamis, superpowers, human weapons, souls, etc. never fail to capture my interest xD
I also love it that romance here is not like in many shounen manga . . like the leading guy ahs the obvious crush on some moe girl, or a girl always flirting or blushing to the guy she likes. No-no . . .nothing like that in Soul Eater. Though the leading guy and girl in Soul Eater aren't officially a couple, they have done stuff that are seen as sweet or romantic in shounen manga but they see it in a platonic way. They even say stuff like "I'll die for you" in a casual way o_o So rare to see something like that in a shounen series xD
The big turn-off in this series though is the . . .ECCHI FANSERVICE -_- Especially on Blaire! o_O Whoa! I admit some parts with that kind of fanservice were funny . . . but still . . . they are so not necessary x_x
But oh well, putting that aside, Soul Eater is still awesome xD Hehe.
CHARACTERS:
Soul Eater is one of the few series wherein I don't have a character that I loathe a lot O_O. All of them are freaking lovable xD
Soul isn't like the most typical shounen series heroes: (1) a loser yet has an extraordinary ability (2) too perfect
Maka isn't like the most typical shounen series heroines either: (1.a) damsel-in-distress all the time (1.b.) damsel-in-distress but actually has some important/extraordinary ability (1.c.) acts tough but later useless or a damsel-in-distress (2) too perfect/goody-goody
I like that ^_^
The other characters are fantastic as well. Some of them reminded me of characters from a different series, but they are still different from them and they have unique qualities and are awesome in their own way ^_^
CAST:
I am not familiar with some of the voice cast o_O But I've heard the voices of the main characters from the trailer.
I expected Soul's voice to be a young boyish one. Something close to Ed from FMA or Naruto. But no, it was FREAKIN' DEEP o_o It's not bad but still freakin' unexpected to be a voice for a kid x_x It will take me a while to get used to it I think ^^;
As for Maka, I expected her to be a small and squeky one. Like the voice of Louise from Zero no Tsukaima or maybe Tsubasa fom Lucky Star. But no, it's a matured one. It makes her sound like a tough chick. Fits Maka nicely. I LIKE IT ^_^ Oh I'm so happy that they made a good choice on Maka. She won't sound like the annoying type of female xD Hehe.
As for Black Star, it fits him perfectly!!!! No complains xD And for Kid, it's freakin' sexy!!! I love it!!!! xD I can't wait to hear that voice saying the drama that Kid often says: "Damnit. Depressed. Die" LOL! xD
Other seiyuus I'm familiar with . . . . Maaya Sakamoto. I totally didn't expect her to be playing as Chrona, but it sounds interesting ^_^ And I also know Blaire's seiyuu! I've heard she also voiced Kagami from Lucky Star. I love Kagami xD Hehe. And Takehito Koyasu! That guy's crack! The character he'll be playing is ridiculous! So combine the two . . .this is gonna be fun xD Haha!
PRODUCTION:
Art has been loyal to the manga design, which is good ^_^ I love the manga's grotesque like art xD Hehe. Oh how fun to see Soul Eater in color and on screen soon *_*
BGM Music is by the one who did Gurren-Lagann's and Persona's . . .so I already expected it to be awesome xD And when I heard some of them fom the trailer, I was confirmed xD Oh wow I love it!!! I'm already begging for the OST xD Hehe.
The OP Theme's by T.M. Revolution . . .the one who sang Heart of Sword, an OP of the series Rurouni Kenshin *_* And I love that song!!! Oh I'm very looking forward to see Soul Eater's OP theme *_*
And lastly, the studio handling it is BONES, the one who did FMA and Ouran. I HAVE FAITH IN BONES!!! Yaaaay!!! xD
FANDOM:
Well, I guess it's pretty obvious that I'm OBSESSED with it xD This series had entertained me a lot xD I love all that action and humor.
And the characters!!! SQUEE! I love Death the Kid to bits and pieces xD He's cool, cute, and CRACK! xD I'm also a sucker for skater boys and child prodigies, and Kid is both! xD Kyaaaa!!!!
I love the friendship between the boys. Especially on Soul and Black Star, & Kid and Black Star. Those combos are the best xD Hehe.
I also love the partnerships of Black Star and Kid with their weapons. So freakin' sweet xD
I am also very amused with Stein and Death Scythe's relationship xD They make me LOL a lot xD Hehe.
Oh I love Death Scythe's daughter complex xD So funny! Hahaha!
Lastly, I'm a Soul x Maka shipper xD Officially one of my top OTP's ever xD They give me fanservice but still not a couple xD It's teasing me! Aaaahhhh!!!!!
SPREAD THE LOVE:
According to Fansub Wiki, the anime's gonna be subbed by Saizen. So watch out for that group's releases ^_^
Manga Scanlations are by Manga-Rain and Mahou-X.
I download manga from Anime-Eden or read them online at One Manga ^^;
Well, there might be other sources, but that's where I got my copy ^^; Ehehe.
Lastly, I blame
ensuingfor this addiction, for she was the one who introduced this to me xD Hehe.
Now I'm spreading this disease to other people xD Mwahaha!
Off-topic: I need to have a Soul Eater icon soon xD Hehe.