Soul Eater NOT!

First off, I'm not a reviewer. This named prequel of the critically acclaimed "Soul Eater" has got me cringing and shuffling my hair, even more so than Eureka Seven's Pocket Full Rainbow movie. It surprised me that it did. Those who've read the manga and/or watched the anime series may have mixed feelings or downright hate it or love it, god knows why. Story, 3: The story had a lot of potential, but it really didn't go into much context at all. The witch comes in to destroy all of DWMA but her motives are devoid and unoriginal. It's just looking for blood and gore forher entertainment with no background or so to back up why to even say how she came to be who she was. The supporting characters are really weak as they feel like they're just there to set up things for the MC until she realizes the situation not until the second to last episode. Yes, throughout the show the MC who is the weapon, I don't remember their name, that's how bad it is, goes on with her slice of life show and while she yearns to become stronger she doesn't really go through much of a training sequence or desire a goal when it's clear that would've made her motive at DWMA much more stronger than the friendship stuff she would've had with it. For the most part, the main cast just strolls around and have fun and then get a friendship boost for the last level....I'll leave the rest to you. Art, 7: The art isn't really anything original or unique to say. It's similar to almost every anime in the last few years and present. Although it is quite refined and I haven't seen any derpy faces which kind of shows the studio gave the art a lot of time and effort. Sound, 5: You know actually, I was so appalled by the characters every dialogue the sound I couldn't hear at all. Although I did like the opening song it was decent. Character, 1: There is no character. They are a mixture of cliche, generic stereotypes as if they were just created like the Power Puff Girls. The MC strives for nothing. She knows nothing like Jon Snow knows nothing yet he is COOL and does something like a badass. Here the MC, weapon girl, does not do anything. She doesn't even try to realize the situation in DWMA nor cares about anyone else other than her friends. Who cares about fodder. The other two MC, the meisters, are yet again a generic princess who knows martial arts but is useless most of the time until the plot calls for it. The forgetful girl with big boobs and the idiot among them although the weapon girl is also an idiot. if you think about it they are nothing but fan service and I'm okay with fan service but not the way it's presented here. As for the rest, the original cast I was glad to see but they don't represent them as good as the original series even though this is a prequel. I don't believe they were that bland. Everyone else is just used a tool to set everything up. Enjoyment, 1: If I cringed and shuffled my hair while moving around weirdly on my chair because of how bad and annoying this show was I'd be either crazy or this show is actually that appalling. There were moments that made me blush a little but it only lasted less than a second. It doesn't have any measure of excitement and the battle animations were terrible. Overall, 1: This show is the worst show I've ever seen earning itself a 1/10. This show literally SLAPS you in the face if you enjoyed the Soul Eater Manga or anime this show detriments everything the world and character of Soul Eater once was. It tried to give a different take but the way it presented slice of life with some action was god awfully bad. The final fight literally yelled "PLOT". Don't joke with me, I love slice of life and if you do too this show does not live up to the Soul Eater series let alone it's own genre. It is NOT worth anyone's time yet already many people watched it or is watching it. I just felt like slapping whoever wrote this. The characters are literally a combination of only cliche and generic things. They don't have a taste of originality like Death the Kid's obsession with symmetry. Now that's called character. And for those rating this show above average should write their own stories and see to themselves they could write an even story just as bad as this or better. The show's main point...there was not point. It's your usual friendship stuff. The art and stuff was like I was watching any other anime that looked just like it. The conflicts within this story will kill your hype for expectations for the moment because it is a mind manipulation show. And that is my review without talking crap and spoiling anything. Although I actually did talk crap only. Then again I'm not a reviewer.

The title of the series speaks for itself. For starters, this is definitely NOT Soul Eater. If fans were eager to wait for a long anticipated Soul Eater sequel or remake, then look elsewhere. It just seems that Bones didn’t decide to do such a project and instead focused on this alternate spinoff, with characters from the original series making cameos but is, and will NOT be a Soul Eater continuation from the same author. Still, this show has its own ways to shine and that’s NOT an understatement. Despite being a spinoff, the show still takes place in the same universal setting and that’s theinfluential academy of DWMA. One might also label this as a prequel though since many of the events happens before the original series. It could be beneficial to watch original Soul Eater series to familiarize yourself with some of the cameo characters. However, it is not imperative. In fact, this show focuses on a trio of girls that chronicles their daily lives in a strange yet innovative world of spiritual power. Starting with 14-years old Tsugumi Harudori, we quickly find out in the beginning that she is not a normal girl. After a certain incident involving her realizing the essence of her being as a weapon, she goes to Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA) as part of the NOT (Normally Overcome Target) class to discover her potential. The catch is that she is still a beginner and a newbie at the academy, until she meets fellow students Meme Tatane and Anya Hepburn. It’s from here that the trio forges a powerful friendship that tells the story of this show. For Tsugumi though, she is an average girl with average skills. Her ability to turn into a weapon (halberd) may seem admirable but takes effort to pull through. The first episode depicts her transformation the first time as she embraces her destiny. But really, she is just a normal girl with normal traits. Unlike her two other friends, her skills lacks in comparison. Enter Meme and Anya, the other two protagonists. Although existing as polar opposites, they possesses skills that makes Tsugumi in awe whenever they display their abilities. Meme, a bubbly girl with a short-term memory, is shown as a girl that cares about her friends. And despite being well endowed and sometimes spacing out during class, her athleticism is a testament that people admire. On the other hand, we have Anya, an elegant girl with a more egoistic nature who often choses to refer others as “commoners”. Her encounter with Tsugumi sticks out as a fascination because she seems Tsugumi as the ultimate commoner. But despite her haughty, tsundere tendencies, and cold behavior towards other people, it’s easy to see that she truly wants to become friends with others. She also shows an antithesis of the classic princess-type character for her boldness to explore; in fact one of her reasons to enroll at DWMA for discovery and learning. Further evidence of her boldness involves her tactics to take risks such as her fight with Tsugumi as a weapon against a fellow student and later on against a real threat. Maybe the trio don’t possesses much in common (hell, even the hair color serves as a gimmick) but they share a bond of unique friendship, forged by their connections. The show might have a different cast of main characters but other members from the original Soul Eater does make cameos. Some in fact plays more important roles such as Maka, Soul Evans, and Sid. Other characters such as Black Star, the Liz sisters, and Death the Kid serves more as guidance and progress with the story to evolve. However, this doesn’t work out right for this show on some occasions. This is because the show has a taste of slice of life where some episodes stands out to depict every day events and experiences. And despite the show taking place in a fantasy world, the realism can be related for characters such as Liz and Patty for their pasts. Also, one prominent feature involves Tsugumi as we witness her growth. There’s a contrast between this show and the original Soul Eater in terms of motivations. From the original series, Maka (the main character) already has a dream and what she wanted to be when she grew up similar to most characters. Here, we have Tsugumi, an average girl with potential but yet doesn’t entirely know what to do with it. Throughout the series, she develops more confidence as result of the time she spent with her friends. Yet on various occasions, she still doesn’t stand out too much especially during dire situations when standing beside Meme and Anya. From some points, her progress can feel sappy in a ride that feels off balance, especially compared to its parent series. But do note that the show does have its more grim moments later on involving a dangerous antagonist with a taste for experiments. To get full enjoyment from this show is to appreciate the relationship dynamics between the characters. Supporting character also get their own spotlights such as Kim and Jackie, the Liz sisters, among others. Their relationship may differ a bit from our main trio but their purpose remains the same – to illustrate the nature of characters and how they can build connections with one off another. Otherwise, some nature of the characters can feel a bit of prejudice when the term ‘witch’ is used. This is evidenced with Kim’s presence in the show as she feels a weight of stress but yet is able to maintain her cherry self. On the other hand though is a weakness in characterization especially with development. Most characters suffers from this either in a lack of background depth or change. To cut to the chase, the show doesn’t do well when it tries to focus itself with character development. Judging from a standalone point, the show has its many similarities and differences. The similarity involves perhaps the mechanics explained in the beginning such as the NOT and EAT classes. Other terms such as meister, witch, and traitors also become terms with established usages. Classes are taught at the academy in a similar fashion to the original series by experienced instructors. On the other hand, differences expands more than just the style of the story. The comedy is instead influenced by the characters’ gags and gimmicks. On several occasions, the show can even feel like watching a typical ‘cute girls doing cute things’ with its aesthetics. Here, it’s also expanded by the cutesy relationships, fashionable maid outfits, and occasional fan service. As opposed to a full all out on shounen story, we get a borderline slice of life tale chronicling a trio of cute girls. On the other hand, the story can seem rushed, blend, and feel crammed together at once. It’s not about recreating the Soul Eater atmosphere again, but the show’s artwork can come as a hit or miss in this category. The standard character designs achieves its purpose to make the girls look adorable and innocent to match their persona. Similarly, the background and fantasy like aura gives off a familiar vibe from Soul Eater. DWMA is designed to give fans that sense of nostalgia along with idyllic dose of its energy. But for what’s worth, it doesn’t feel serious on most occasions. There is enough action on occasions to bring back the Soul Eater shounen feeling. The bad news? Well, it would be the quality. Bones really dropped the ball with its production here as the action feels lifeless and dull. In the beginning though, it had consistency but later on is out of pace. Long story, short: it isn’t a battle shonen anymore so don’t expect high level action. Also expect some edgy fan service on occasions because like mentioned before, the show has a much lighter mood so expect much more goofy moments. Soundtrack functions as a device to supplement the Soul Eater NOT atmosphere. On most occasions, it is lighthearted with a good complimentary measure. The way is executed has a good balance with its slice of life mood and more ominous scenarios. The OP and ED song has eccentric energy to itself with some catchy dancing sequences. But to top it off are the character voice mannerisms. Character tones have a general yet admirable attribute to them to provide their roles. Anya, for instance, can speak in both a haughty yet caring voice. Other characters, in particular witches, speaks with a noticeable baleful voice to contrast the mood of the story. What you see is what you get though as the show has a clear goal in mind. The soundtrack and voice department achieved that. This show might NOT be what the original series offered but it can still be a fun little ride of academic adventure. The trio of our main characters lacks purpose but builds on their connections to forge and tell stories. It is the charming relationships between the characters that paints this show as more than just a SOL ride. But if you’re looking forward to a hardcore story or expansion of what Soul Eater had presented, then it’s the wrong place. The comedy may seem also seem mindless at times but its gimmicks can be attractive when it stands out on its own. It may not be a masterpiece of the coming ages from the Soul Eater world but neither is it gagantous.

Soul Eater NOT! is difficult to judge because it's hard to pick what standards to judge it from, as well as what demographic it is trying to accommodate. If you come in looking for a slice-of-life anime, the steep, intermittent changes in tone and the general story-arch may be jarring for many. If you are coming in for a story-driven action-fest akin to the original series, this show will disappoint with its sparse and short actions sequences and how few episodes are actually driving the story forward. This show also assumes you have seen the original series, else many of the unique concepts behind thecanon as well as back stories and cameos from the original story will be lost to the viewer. Story: The first half or so of Soul Eater NOT is very episodic with little overarching story to speak of, instead using the time to introduce the characters as they go about their first semester at DWMA. The last six episodes is when the story starts kicking it in to gear, but up through the end I found it somewhat shallow, both in complexity and scale. The anime does offer up some quite entertaining moments, whether its humorous or unsettlingly dark and unexpected, but these are relatively few and far between. Overall, it is a very "the power of friendship" kind of story, so be aware. Art: There isn't a lot to say about the art except that it was "okay." As a slice of life the colorful and somewhat simplistic nature of the bulk of the animation holds up fine, but the few action sequences were largely hit-or-miss; some scenes were relatively fluid and enjoyable, while others were completely lacking. Sound: Again, the sound was okay for the purposes. The voice-acting was decent enough, as I didn't find myself cringing at any particular characters when they spoke. The music was forgettable however; literally I can't remember any of the songs besides the opening... Characters: In terms of the three main characters, their personalities and motivations are pretty generic; you can pretty much pin them to a T from the first episode or two. You have the main girl who wants to get stronger to protect her friends, one who lived her child-hood in high class and wanted to escape it, and the overly enthusiastic, dim-witted one. Not much else to say. The supporting cast is where I believe much of the show's entertainment lies, as long as you are familiar with the original series. Many recognizable faces are present in one way or another, and it was actually very interesting seeing their stories expanded upon from before the events of Soul Eater without any major discrepancies of the overall canon. I feel that I would have enjoyed the show much more if it gave more focus to this pre-story in terms of these recurring characters. There are a few characters, however, that I feel are not given proper justice and/or inconsistent if you are familiar with the original canon. Enjoyment: As I stated before, most of my enjoyment came from the expanded narrative around the supporting cast. I didn't find the show overly bad in any way, but as I am confessedly not a huge fan of the slice-of-life genre, those who are fans may get more out of it than I did. Although I still find the action-side of it lacking, if you are a fan of both genres and aren't afraid of switching between them in the same continuity, I would say go ahead and give it a whirl.

Soul Eater NOT is NOT good and it is NOT a good spin-off to Soul Eater. This is one of those things where you watch it for hints of already established characters but you end up watching a sorta yuri anime. Now myanimelist.net says I need to write a longer review but there isn't much else to say unless I waste more time than I already have dissecting this non-expanding Facade. ... I just read some reviews with the plan to counteract them but I ended up noticing the same arguments I made being used (also I wasn't standing out with my jab at the NOT title)

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