Summary
Ohkubo's distinct art style in Soul Eater draws inspiration from Harry Potter and Tim Burton, with whimsical and spooky artwork. The series features exaggerated characters, bright colors, and creepy imagery, creating unique and bizarre characters. The series focuses on the characters and their motivations, such as Black Star's relationship with Tsubaki, which reflects the themes and relationships of the story.
Conveying a mystical visual aesthetic inspired by Harry Potter and Tim Burton, Soul Eater's distinct art style has come to life. Author and illustrator Atsushi Ohkubo's eerie and spooky artwork blends well with the strange characters in his series. Nevada, USA may seem like an unlikely place, but the cold darkness that surrounds Death City paves the way for fun and creepy adventures for protagonists Maka, Soul, Black Star, Death the Kid, and their friends in this supernatural shōnen story.
The art style of this series is distinct from other series, making Ohkubo's other series, such as Fireforce, instantly recognizable. He favors exaggerated images, bright shades of deep black, and simple shapes and coloring. Despite the simplicity, the illustrator still finds a way to create creepy visual interest, adding vibrant detail, sinister expressions or supernatural movements.
10 Uncertain Resonance
Episode 13
Volume 13 features Black Star and Tsubaki Nakatsukasa, ready for battle. The bright white background draws the reader's attention to the deep black designs on Tsubaki's figure, the shiny metal of Black Star's weapon, and his blue hair. Many manga covers in the series feature simple backgrounds, often without detailed backgrounds and instead focusing on the story's beloved characters. Ohkubo's art style is exaggerated and playful, giving the characters a fun and dynamic pose that reflects the movement in the plot's action sequences.
Despite Black Star's childish attitude and selfish behavior, His care and support for Tsubaki is obvious, as is her care and support for him.With Tsubaki's traumatic family history and Black Star's lack of personal connection, the two come together to fill each other's voids and share support, admiration, and talent to form a powerful partnership.
9 Main Dishes of Youth
Episode 16
While Soul Eater's usual art style is mostly exaggerated, gothic, and sometimes creepy, some of the illustrations stand out with their cute colors, poses, and attitudes. Issue 16 features the main characters walking calmly, wearing outfits that are different from their usual attire. Readers see the main character Maka Albarn floating gently to the right with Soul “Eater” Evans walking beside her. Blair, in her cat form, stands at the bottom of the page and looks up, wearing her signature hat.
It's fun to see sentient weapon characters drawn ready for battle, but the glimpse of Soul in a human body next to his Meister is a sweet and calm snapshot of both. This cover is bright and fresh, exuding the youthful and magical vibes that run throughout the series. To do so, the illustrator adds fun and world-building with his unique character designs and costumes. Through playful color choices, exaggerated facial features, or strange body language, Ohkubo's style is unlike anyone else's..
8 Divine Madness
Episode 21
The cover of Volume 21 is colored in a cool palette of somber greens and ash grays, drawing attention to the vibrant blues of the erupting flames on the right side of the page. The incorporation of weapons into the body is an interesting design and premise for the character pairings and battle sequences. With this creepy yet dark illustration, readers see a guillotine attached to a human body in slow motion.
Although the illustrator opts for darkness and gore in his manga, his use of color and vibrancy adds a necessary oddity that makes the darkness all the more impactful. Through the backstory and conflict, viewers can see the lingering darkness that even appears in the brightest of characters. With this duality, The definition of 'good' and 'evil' is questioned in this absurd and existentialist tale.
7 models?
Episode 5
Episode 5 is an ode to two older characters: Maka's father, Spirit Albarn, and the teacher, Franken Stein. Stein sits in a chair, leaning back with a lit cigarette in his mouth while Spirit stands pensive to the side. Their costume designs are relatively simple, as Spirit wears a cool suit and cross-tie. With his companion, fans see a ghostly image reminiscent of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein, the novel that gave him his name.
While these two aren't the leads of the show, they are popular characters due to their powers, designs, and interesting shared history. Despite being adults, teachers, and supposed role models, Stein and Spirit are not without their faults. Franken's lack of emotional intelligence sometimes makes him come off as antagonistic, while Spirit's promiscuous behavior creates a rift between him and his daughter. The world of Soul Eater playing with the boundaries of moralityand this powerful Meister-Weapon duo fits the bill perfectly.
6 Fixing the Madness
Episode 24
Readers can immediately recognize the remarkable image on the cover of volume 24. A deep, powerful black covers most of it, adding depth and a creepy quality not seen in previous manga editions. Readers see the famous Grim Reaper standing tall on the right while Asura grins eerily on the left. The wind seems to blow past both figures, while the ominous and legendary moon smiles in the background.
Two characters connected by past mistakes and the need to make amends: Even though Death rules the land as a respected and friendly figure, his good intentions and foolish nature have unpleasant consequences. His entanglement with Asura proves that his high status has come at the expense of another, as he ignores the embodiment of his insecurities. While other characters in the series face madness and distortion, Asura is the main antagonist that the audience sees succumb to and accept betrayal and madness.
5 Innocence Deceived
Episode 17
The illustrator uses interesting compositions and perspectives, altering the proportions into something twisted and supernatural. Crona Gorgon on the cover of issue 17 is a perfect example. Her body is long and curved backwards as the viewer stands above. Her dark outfit and weapons contrast with her sweet pink hair and childlike face, fitting their backstory. Crona's 'powers' cause them to contort in inhuman ways during battles, and this cover is another illustration that depicts the crude 'relationship' they share within their bodies as 'Demon Swords'.
Crona was abused and mistreated by their biological mother, the witch Medusa Gorgon, who manipulated their self-esteem and worldly perceptions. Seeing Crona's gentle personality and sweetness flow through when they met Maka and the other students, Fans can't help but sympathize with the naive and tragic villain..
4 Stars
Episode 18
Black Star loves attention, and he gets it on the cover of volume 18. This bright and vibrant illustration adds a little light to the latter half of the manga, which has largely been consumed by darkness as the series ends. The young warrior draws his sword with a white cape billowing in the wind behind him. His blue hair immediately draws attention and compliments the details written around the edges. On his right shoulder is his signature star tattoo: a symbol of his legacy and mission.
In the animated series, Black Star doesn't get the full character development he needs.. With this snapshot, it's easy for fans to see him as annoying or annoying; however, in the original work, with his rivalry with Death the Kid, his constant support for Tsubaki, and his growing power, he becomes a more trustworthy companion despite his continued recklessness.
3 Rivals, Friends
Episode 23
The drawings are elongated, painted in pale blues and swamp greens that contrast with the enveloping darkness. Its distorted perspective creates a playful composition similar to the simple album cover. It draws the reader's attention from the blade at the bottom, up to the two bodies, and finally to the large title at the top. Star holds a Katana emblazoned with his name, while Kid holds a gun upside down. Both smile at the viewer, adding to the playful energy of this stylish piece of artwork.
Both male characters have eccentric personalities and interesting traits.. When it comes to design, presence, and combat ability, they are on par as Black Star's declared rivals. Their relationship starts off a bit rocky but encouraged by the sweet personalities of friendly weapons Liz and Patty Thompson and the warm-hearted Tsubaki, the two grow closer as friends and comrades.
2 Night & Morning
Episode 25
Soul Eater's final cover is a sweet collection beloved main characters stacked on top of each other. Backed by a simple white backdrop, Kid, Black Star, and Maka relinquish their weapons to their friends as Crona looks on sadly in the background. Volume 25's artwork appears cleaner than the first releases, as the lines are sharper, the colors pop more, and the proportions are more realistic.
Unfortunately, Fans of the series were disappointed that the anime series cut out much of the original story. Luckily for readers, they got to see the art style and conflict develop more deeply as the story continued. By the time the manga ended, it had reinforced its message of faith, friendship, and the collective strength needed to defeat madness and tyranny.
1 Balance in the Dark
Episode 19
Issue 19 is the most artistically experimental of the lot, as it changes texture and style to give it a painterly look. Death the Kid frowns smugly under the smudged ink that adorns the page. The lines mimic a ribcage along his body, playing with the image of his skeleton. The simple black and white background is ironic as it highlights the Kid’s asymmetrical features even more. The artwork is unique and beautiful, using simplicity, cohesive texture, and solid character design.
As the series progresses and the author finds his stride, The artwork becomes more detailed and more appealing to the reader.. Even with his limited color palette, Ohkubo still makes an impact with his monochrome character. Kid's need for balance becomes not only a funny and annoying character trait, but also a corresponding point of conflict as he seeks balance through his madness.