Title

Soul Eater

Also known as: ソウルイーター, 소울이터(SOUL EATER)

by Atsushi Ookubo

Score from AniList: 80/100finished25 volumes117 chapters

ActionAdventureComedyFantasySupernatural

Buy or read official Read with StoryHoard Community Sign in to vote for this week's Top 10

Maka is a scythe meister, working to perfect one particular scythe until it is good enough to become Death's Weapon -- the weapon used by Shinigami-sama, the spirit of Death himself. As if that wasn't unusual enough, her scythe is a demon scythe called Soul Eater, which can change form from a scythe to a human-looking boy. In order to make Soul Eater powerful enough to be Death's Weapon, he must eat the souls of 99 humans and 1 witch. Along the way, the two of them face many different challenges, including a cat witch named Blair (who happens to have a thing for Soul) and a teacher who's been turned into a zombie (and wants him to join her!). Her fellow students, like the shadow ninja weapon meister named Black Star who always needs to be the center of attention, aren't much help, either. It'll be a miracle if Maka even survives, let alone manages to make Soul Eater into the Death Scythe. (Source: Yen Press) Note: Includes four extra chapters.

Chapters available: 117
Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 3/5

A stylish, energetic shonen with a fun found-weapon hook, though its tonal swings and uneven arcs keep it from greatness.

Pros

A quirky, energetic premise
A distinct, fun ensemble
Stylish art and character designs

Cons

Tonal swings can be jarring
Later arcs are less focused than the early ones

Read this if you liked:Black Clover Fire Force Bleach

Read the full take

Soul Eater is a bright, energetic shonen with a premise that is easy to love: a scythe that turns into a boy, and a partner who wants to forge him into a legendary weapon. The design work is a highlight, with bold character looks and a monster-school setting that the series uses for plenty of fun. The ensemble is strong, and the comedy is quick and playful. The honest cons: the tone can swing hard between goofy and dark, and some arcs feel less focused than the early ones. As the series goes on, the momentum can wander. It is not a series that breaks new ground, but it has a lively charm and some memorable designs. If you like shonen that feels like a cool, slightly chaotic cartoon, this is worth a look. Go in for the style and the cast, and you will get a lot of fun out of it.