if my review seems intimidating, just read the one by MakaS0ul two reviews down. she says pretty much everything I tried to say in mine, except 10 times better with less words.
INITIAL REACTION
okay. when I first saw the promo pics I thought this anime was going to be original and unlike anything else. the drawing style looked unique and the plot exciting. I thought it was going to be gory horrific depressing serious and cynical (almost like the When They Cry franchise). then I watched episode 1 and it all became clear. it wasn't any of those things. It has all the typical humor specific to Japanese anime. over exaggerated responses, girls beating up guys, monotone character foibles, unreliable (non-existent) parents, super talented kids, ridiculous fan service, bleeding noses,
need I go on? if Naruto, Bleach, Elemental Gelade, xxxHolic, and Vampire Rosario had a baby, you'd get Soul Eater. I guess that makes it an original mix?
STORYLINE
the storyline is very Bleach-ish making it an instant winner. bunch of shinigami I mean meistros at an academy get paired with their zanpakto I mean partners to kill Hollows I mean afreets which are humans that sought power in fear of death and consumed other souls, making them freaks and dangerous and not human anymore. the weapons have human forms and consume afreets to become stronger. the goal is to consume 99 + 1 witch's soul to become a "death scythe" = uber powerful weapon that will now belong to "Lord Death". say bye bye to all your hard work "meistros"
there is a lot of drama of this show. but sadness barely lingers because there is tons of comic relief that balances it out - that's the part that caught me off guard. when the slap stick reared its head, I knew this was going to be another typical anime. I'm actually glad now it didn't go down the path of super dark and depressing (which it easily could have). I don't think my soul could take it.
what is keeping this anime fresh is the re-interpretation of everything Halloween from zombies to witches to Frankenstein, which leads me to the characters. there is also an original underlying principle in the show which is repeated at the beginning of every episode.
CHARACTERS
all of the characters hold their own and have great chemistry. however, there are 2 in particular that will become the subjects of tons of blingees, fan art, comics, quote reels, and avatar pics. once you watch the show, you'll know which two I'm talking about.
** Spoiler Alert!!! click to hide or show**
DEATH THE KID IS THE BEST CHARACTER ON THE SHOW!!!!! HE'S HILARIOUS!!! MOST ORIGINAL CHARACTER OF THE DECADE!!! LOVE <3 HIM TO DEATH!!!
I must say though the first 2 episodes were frustrating introductions of the characters. One character garnered my hate from first glance and it took me 15 episodes to stop hating him. just giving you a heads up.
also, one thing this show is doing differently than others is that it is keeping all the minor characters in the loop, which always leaves the plot open to new characters. it's not like where the main characters exist in their own little world all the time so the producer always pulls cheap plot tricks out of his hat so no one dies. this anime is creating a whole world like Naruto, Bleach, Inuyasha, Gintama, and all the other greatest anime of all time. I haven't finished the series yet, but I'm expecting some people to die in the final climatic battle.
another great character is the ultimate bad guy. every series has one. he's the voldemort to this show.
MUSIC
this anime has great OPs and EDs. really catchy. I haven't heard 1 yet that I don't like. also the background music really helps set the mood in scenes.
ANIMATION
this anime has the look of a Japanese cartoon with some American flair. things are drawn and colored rather blocky. it doesn't have a sketchy or stringy feel. it's refreshing to look at. and the action is animated well.
OVERALL
this anime is worth watching for 4 reasons
1) the creative/innovative/original use of Halloween/Mythological themes
2) Death the Kid
3) the ultimate bad guy that needs to be defeated
4) the refreshing drawing style
I am looking forward to seeing this through to the end. check it out. you won't regret it!