Summary
Channeling the mystical visual aesthetic inspired by Harry Potter and Tim Burton,Soul Eater’s distinct art style was born. Author and illustrator Atsushi Ohkubo’s spooky and quirky artwork pairs well with the uncanny characters of his series. Nevada, U.S.A. may seem like an unsuspecting place, but the chilling shadows surrounding Death City make way for hilarious and gruesome adventures for protagonists Maka, Soul, Black Star, Death the Kid, and their friends in this supernatural shōnen story.
The series' art style is distinct from its peers, making Ohkubo’s other series, likeFireforce, instantly recognizable. He favors exaggerated figures, bright shades among deep blacks, and straightforward block shaping and coloring. Despite its simplicities, the illustrator finds ways to create spine-chilling visual interest, addingglowing details, sinister expressions, or otherworldly movement.
10Unlikely Resonance
Volume 13
Volume 13 sports Black Star and Tsubaki Nakatsukasa, posed ready to fight. The bright white background draws readers' eyes to the deep black designs on Tsubaki’s figure, the shining metal of Black Star’s weapons, and his blue pop of hair. Many of the manga covers for this series have a simple background, often opting out of detailed surroundings and instead focusing on the story’s beloved characters. Ohkubo’s art style is exaggerated and fun, giving the personas a fun and dynamic pose, mirroring the movement in the plot’s action sequences.
Despite Black Star’s childish demeanor and self-centered behavior,his care and support for Tsubaki is apparent, as hers is for him. With Tsubaki’s painful family history and Black Star’s lack of personal bonds, the two come together to fill in each other’s gaps and offer support, admiration, and talent to forge a powerful partnership.
9The Youthful Mains
Volume 16
Although the usual art style forSoul Eateris mostly exaggerated, gothic, and sometimes creepy, some illustrations stand out as cute in color, pose, and demeanor. Issue 16 offers the main characters calmly strolling by, wearing a different outfit than their usual attire. Readers see protagonist Maka Albarn softly floating to the right with Soul “Eater” Evans walking to her side. Blair, in cat form, stands at the bottom of the page and gazes up, wearing her signature hat.
As exciting as it is to seethe sentient weapon charactersdrawn ready to battle, this glimpse of Soul in his human body next to his Meister is a sweet and calm snapshot of the two. This cover is bright and fresh, exuding the youthful and witchy vibes found throughout the series. To do so, the illustrator adds interest and world-building with his unique outfits and character designs. Through fun color choices, magnified facial features, or peculiar body language,Ohkubo’s style is unlike any other.
8Holy Madness
Volume 21
Volume 21’s cover is colored with a cool palette of murky green and ash gray, drawing eyes to the flames’ lively blues that spew across the right side of the page. Incorporating weaponry into the body is an interesting design and premise for the character pairings and battle sequences. With this foreboding yet somber illustration, readers see a guillotine attached to the partial human body slowly burning.
Although the illustrator opts for gloom and gore in his mangas, his incorporation of color and vibrancy adds a needed whimsy that makes the darkness even more impactful. Through back-story and conflict, viewers can see the lingering shadows that cross even the brightest of characters. With this duality,the definitions of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ are questioned in this tale of absurdity and existentialism.
7Role Models?
Volume 5
Volume 5 is an ode to two older characters: Maka’s father, Spirit Albarn, and teacher, Franken Stein. Stein sits in his chair leaning over with a cigarette lit in his mouth while Spirit broods to the side. Their outfit designs are relatively simple, as Spirit sports a cool suit and cross tie. With his companion, fans see the spooky imagery that nods to the 1818 Mary Shelley novel,Frankenstein,that gave him his name.
Although these two are not the show’s front-runners, they are well-known characters for their power, design, and interesting shared history. Despite being adults, teachers, and supposed role models, Stein and Spirit are not without faults. Franken’s lack of emotional understanding makes him villainous at times, while Spirit’s womanizing ways drive a wedge between him and his daughter.The world ofSoul Eaterplays with the borders of morality, and this powerful Meister-Weapon duo fits that perfectly.
6Rectifying Madness
Volume 24
Readers can instantly identify the noteworthy imagery on volume 24’s cover. The deep, punchy black covers the majority, adding a depth and eerieness that is not seen in manga’s earlier issues. Readers see the renowned Death standing tall to the right while Asura creepily grins on the left. The wind seems to blow past both characters, all while the frightening and legendary moon smiles in the background.
Two characters connected by past mistakes and the need for rectification: even as Death rules over the land as a respected and friendly figure, his good intentions and goofy nature have unpleasant consequences. His entanglement with Asura proves that his high ground has come at the cost of another, as he disregards the incarnate figure of his unease. While other characters in the series deal with insanity and distortion, Asura is the main antagonist the audience sees succumbing to and embracing betrayal and madness.
5Misled Innocence
Volume 17
The illustrator uses interesting composition and perspective, which alters the proportions into something distorted and otherworldly. Crona Gorgon on the cover of issue 17 is a perfect example. Their body is long and curved backward as viewers stand above. Their dark outfit and weaponry contrast their sweet pink hair and childish face, fitting their story essence. Crona’s ‘power’ has them twisted in inhuman ways during battles, and this cover is another illustration depicting the gross ‘relationship’ they share within their body as the ‘Demon Sword’.
Crona is taken advantage of and abused by their birth mother witch Medusa Gorgon, who manipulates their self-worth and worldly perception. Seeing Crona’s meek personality and sweetness bleed through as they cross paths with Maka and the other students,fans can’t help but sympathize with the naive andtragic villain.
4The Star
Volume 18
Black Star loves the spotlight, and he gets just that on the cover of volume 18. This bright and zestful illustration adds some light to the manga’s latter half, which is mostly overcome with darkness as the series draws to a close. The young fighter draws his blade with a white cloak fluttering behind him in the breeze. His shock of blue hair instantly draws eyes and compliments the written details around the borders. On his right shoulder is his signature star tattoo: a symbol of his heritage and mission.
In the animated series, Black Star does not get the fleshed-out character development he needs. With this small snapshot, fans easily find him grating or troublesome; however, in original written work, with his rivalry with Death the Kid, his continued support for Tsubaki, and his growing strength, he becomes a more reliable companion despite his persisting recklessness.
3Rivals, Friends
Volume 23
The figures are lengthened, colored with paled blue and swampy green hues contrasting the overwhelming shadow. Its distorted perspective creates a fun composition similar to a simple album cover. It draws readers’ attention from the blade at the bottom, up to the two bodies, and finally to the large title at the top. Star holds his Katana adorned with his name, as Kid holds his gun upside down. Both smirk at the audience, adding to the playful energy of this fashionable artwork.
Both boy characters have eccentric personalities and interesting idiosyncrasies. When it comes to design, presence, and fighting capabilities, they go toe-to-toe as Black Star’s proclaimed rivals. The beginning of their relationship started slightly rocky but encouraged by the sweet dispositions of the friendly weapons Liz and Patty Thompson and warm Tsubaki, the two grew closer as fellow meisters and friends.
2Dark & Light
Volume 25
The final cover forSoul Eateris a sweet collection ofthe beloved main characters layered together. Backed with a simple white setting, Kid, Black Star, and Maka yield their weapon friends as Crona looks somber in the rear,. Volume 25’s artwork seems cleaner compared to the starting releases, as the linework is sharper, colors more pronounced, and proportions more grounded.
Unfortunately,fans of the series are let down bythe canon-diverging animated series that cuts out much of the original plot. Luckily for readers, they get to see the art style and conflict evolve with more depth as it goes on. As the manga draws to a close, it reinforces the message of faith, friendship, and the collective strength needed to defeat madness and tyranny.
1Balance in the Shadows
Volume 19
Volume 19 is the most artistically experimental of the bunch, as it switches up textures and style for a painterly look. Death the Kid smugly scowls under the smeared ink strokes adorning the page. The lines mimic a ribcage along his body, playing on his skeletal imagery. The simple black-and-white background is ironic as it makes Kid’s nonsymmetrical details stand out more. This artwork is unique and visually pleasing, using simplicity, cohesive texture, and solid character design shine.
As the series progresses and the author finds his stride,the artwork becomes more detailed and engrossing for readers. Even when choosing to limit the color palette, Ohkubo makes an impact with the monochromatic character. Kid’s need for balance becomes not only a funny and vexing personality trait, but a matching point of conflict as he seeks equilibrium through his madness.
Soul Eater
Cast
Soul Eater is an anime series set in the Death Weapon Meister Academy, where students train to become meisters and weapon partners to hunt evil souls. The protagonist, Maka Albarn, along with her living weapon partner Soul Eater, aim to transform Soul into a powerful Death Scythe. The series explores their battles against various supernatural threats and the complex dynamics within the academy.
