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Series: Soul Eater: Part Two
Release date: 26th July 2010
Certificate: 15
Running time: 325 mins
Director: Takuya Igarashi
Starring: Chiaki Omigawa, Kouki Uchiyama, Akeno Watanabe, Emiri Katou, Houko Kuwashima
Genre: Anime
Studio: Manga
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
Directed and designed by the same creative team that brought us the cult-hit Fullmetal Alchemist, the second instalment of Soul Eater arrives on these shores to an army of expectant anime fans.
Soul Eater takes place in the Death Weapon Meister Academy. Here we follow the exploits of one class of students as they strive to understand the full extent of their powers. But this is a complex matter in Death City, where people can morph into weaponry, and the resonance of one’s soul can become a matter of life and death. For the students to progress to the level of Death Scythe, they must collect the souls of ninety-nine humans and one witch, the witches being the death meister’s mortal enemy.
Matters complicate further when the head of the academy, Lord Death, reveals that there is a terrible Kishan (demon) sleeping underneath the grounds of the institute. The city is attacked by a tribe of witches who seek to unleash the Kishan, and soon student and master are having to band together to save the world from a selection of terrifying and surreal enemies.
With each episode, more is revealed about our characters and just how unstable they actually are. Head lecturer Dr. Frankenstein begins to reveal his psychotic nature, the Demon Sword becomes trapped in his own self-loathing, and Lord Death’s son is increasingly incapacitated by his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder…
The first episode on this release sets this series up like it’s going to be a goth-lite version of Naruto. Just another in a long line of disappointing and lacklustre anime shows. Its mix of ‘school-life’ melodrama and ultra-violent swordplay seem like a desperate attempt to hook in that all important teenage audience. But patience is rewarded, and as soon as the introductions are over, Soul Eater comes thrillingly to life.
Critics of anime will always refer to the use of impenetrable storylines and hokum technicalities, and Soul Eater will do little to change their minds. However, the fantasy logic of Death City is slowly drip-fed to the audience, which saves rambling, boring exposition getting in the way of explosive action. What begins as mystifying and woefully complex starts to become strangely logical and easy-to-follow. Before you are aware of having had any explanation, you suddenly begin to understand the combat jargon and labyrinthine back-story.
Once the story and characters have all been set up, all that is left to do is enjoy the battle sequences, which thanks to Takuya Igarshi’s eyes for direction and team of talented animators are slick, fast-paced and hugely entertaining. People morph into dragons and rip through the sky; huge golems wield chainsaws; people transform into weapons, laying waste to entire towns, with apocalyptic fireballs and waves of flashing lights... They may not be subtle, or even logical, but the level of imagination and spectacle is, at times, truly astounding.
What makes Soul Eater even more impressive is that while you are being dazzled by the kinetic and frenzied fight sequences, you are slowly introduced to a collection of characters, who due to, or perhaps because of their faults and dark compulsions are very likeable. Each struggles with their own psychological concerns and dilemmas, something which becomes more apparent as the series progresses. It is here that the gothic-dressing of earlier episodes makes way for a more adult and sometimes frightening darkness. The Demon Sword’s back-story is one of horrifying child-abuse, and when the academy’s dormant Kishan rises, he begins a campaign of infectious madness with truly sinister results.
But with all this darkness, there comes a knowing humour sadly lacking from a lot of gothic anime, making this all the more enjoyable. During one of Lord Death’s speeches, he seems to openly admit that what is going on makes little sense, and the unexplained appearance of the infuriating Excalibur, a Moomen-esque creature with a superiority complex, hilariously brings the storyline to a grinding halt. Moments such as these stop the admittedly po-faced pretension of some of the proceedings, and keep this show more on the side of pure visual entertainment.
Soul Eater will do little to convert the anime-phobic, but this is a title which rewards patience. An exciting show populated with likeable characters, spectacular action and a welcome strain of the macabre. AC
Film: Soul Eater: Part One
Release date: 28th June 2010
Certificate: 15
Running time: 325 mins
Director: Takuya Igarashi
Starring: Chiaki Omigawa, Kouki Uchiyama, Akeno Watanabe, Emiri Katou, Houko Kuwashima
Genre: Anime
Studio: Manga
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
Based on the manga written and illustrated by Atsushi Okubo, Soul Eater was first released as three separate one-shots serialised in two Gangan Powered special editions and one Gangan Wing issue way back in 2003. The anime first appeared on TV Tokyo in 2008. Finally available on DVD, part one brings together the first 13 episodes.
At the Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA), Maka and her partner, human-weapon Soul, have collected the spirits of 99 evil mortals, needing just one from a witch to transform Soul into a death scythe - a weapon of great power that will retain order and balance to Death City. Failing, the gifted youngsters have to start all over again, but they’re not alone.
The cocky but gifted Black Star and his weapon partner Tsubaki struggle to form a workable relationship whilst new student Death the Kid must overcome his aversion to asymmetry if he and his partners Liz and Patty are to succeed in bringing down the destructive enemies threatening to collect non-evil human souls to transform one of their own into a Kishin - an evil demon God that would plunge the world into madness…
Soul Eater, like its main antagonist Medusa, is a beautiful but flawed creature. Packed with salacious humour, lengthy action sequences and stylish imagery it demands attention. Its influences can be traced all the way to genres as disparate as British Hammer Horror (with its mad scientists and mummies) and Poliziotteschi films (episode seven takes place in a crime-riddled Italy), though neither can compete with the brashness of old-school Shounen Manga.
Its audaciousness irritates just as much as it fascinates, especially in the opening episodes when we are introduced to the three main protagonists. Excluding Maka and her human-weapon Soul, the other two, Black Star especially, are just plain annoying. Whilst Death Kid’s struggle to cope with anything not evenly shaped brings levels of playground humour, Black Star’s cockiness brings nothing but maddening frustration - episode two is a real struggle until its ‘Shadow Star’ finale finally hits the right notes. In fairness, as the story progresses, the two characters become less of a headache, but it’s very hard to root for something that rattles your cage so much.
Bursting with invention and a slew of impressive weapons certain to delight all, Soul Eater’s pace is fast and furious with a delirious score of rock and hip-hop to keep things wild and rowdy right from the polished opening credits. Sadly, the interest in its lengthy opening sequence wanes after a few episodes, and the lure of the skip chapter function on the remote control is too difficult to resist. Even some of the episodes suffer from being more filler than killer - the main plot lost in the sheer effort to make even the most banal show ludicrously entertaining.
This isn’t a massive problem - the fight scenes ripped straight from the best beat-em-ups are for the most part a joy to behold; and its humour, although aimed at teenage boys mostly, is often titillating and right on the money. Episode nine, introducing the legend that is Excalibur, is a complete riot thanks to its clever twisting of a classic tale. Director Takuya Igarashi is in no rush to reveal the main plot, which is just as well seeing as there are 51 episodes in total, but it’s his use of lingering shots and moments of complete silence that pack an unexpected emotional punch.
Soul Eater’s universe is a joy to behold - even the sun and the moon have personalities, inspired by Okubo’s favourite manga Dr. Slump. It’s this attention to detail that really satisfies - the concept of arrows pointing out the obvious, or simply to show us where we should be looking is innovative and amusing, whilst the inclusion of madcap characters ripped from other genres setting it apart from the crowd. Takuya is well aware of his target audience’s expectations, and he truly delivers the goods. But he’s also savvy enough to incorporate emotion and depth to his characters, and the world that encompasses them, which could, if given the chance, appeal to more than just horny teenage boys (the female characters are clearly the strongest, the males stupid for the most part).
Not only is Soul Eater a feast for the eyes, sticking faithfully to Atsushi Okubo’s original work, it’s also packed with boisterous witticisms, be it verbal or visual, and brilliantly realised personas (even the most deranged antagonists are somehow endearing). In short, Soul Eater is a riot from start to finish. Whether it can sustain as much interest over another 38 episodes remains to be seen (it does seem like a ridiculously long ride), but for now, part two can’t come quick enough.
Regardless of its deficiencies, annoying protagonists and moments of banality, movie fans will find plenty in the inventive Soul Eater to keep them entertained. From mind-boggling action to bawdy humour, from astounding imagery to a pumping soundtrack, this first-rate anime has it all. DW
