Soul Eater ep.05

May 5, 2008 | 17 Comments

Well, this is a rather pleasant ending to Dr.Stein's mini arc. This is actually one of those occasions where I feel lucky that I haven't read the corresponding chapter. If you haven't either, then try not to read it until you watch the episode first because it's worth it. Unfortunately, the animation starts showing sign of degradation here. While it still looks good in general, it's not as clean and perfect as the past 4 weeks. As long as it doesn't degrade a lot more than it currently is, I think I'm going to be fine with it. Anyway, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the missing interrogation scene wasn't added in the late night version and we don't get to see it either in this one. Since Soul Eater is an evening show, I can understand BONES decision to excise the scene although it's a bit unfortunate as well because it's a funny scene more than anything else. This, however, makes me wonder about the purpose of the late night version. Is it just a way to increase ratings for the series instead of giving the ultimate version of the series?

The two technicians/weapon group arrive in front of Dr.Franken Stein's lab when they hear the sound of chair coming their way. Much to their surprise, Dr. Stein falls over backwards while he sends himself hurling on it. Dr.Stein then confronts the group directly, fully aware that they come from Shibusen. He informs them that the reason he attacks Shibusen are for two reasons: observation and research. As it turns out Dr.Stein is capable of analysing souls. He tells Maka and Soul that their souls aren't stabilised. One is a serious, hard-working person while the other is a twisted sarcastic individual. Their conversation is interrupted when Black Star appears on top of the roof, asking Dr.Stein to see his soul because after all, it's all about him. Dr.Stein fulfills Black Star's request by telling him that his is a self-absorbed soul. Black Star tries to attack Dr.Stein but he easily elbow-knuckled the boy. He then notices that Tsubaki is the reverse of Black Star: someone so co-operative and accepting that she matches her soul to Black Star's wavelength. With this, Dr.Stein feels that he's gathered enough data so he asks them to start practical session.

Meanwhile, Maka's dad is spending his time at the cabaret club again accompanied by Blair, who's been there for 3 days. Maka's dad, however, becomes depressed when Blair asks him if he got along with Maka. He starts to tell Blair how Maka still hates him so Blair cheers him up by saying that he only got divorced a month ago so he should give Maka some time. Maka's dad feels bad because he can't be a father to Maka no matter what he does. Upon hearing this, Blair suggests that they first need to fix his womanising ways and suggests that he marries someone nice. Maka's dad, however, tells Blair that he can't think about getting married again ever since he teamed up with "Stein-kun". At the same time, Dr.Stein remembers that he has heard Maka's name before and realizes that she's the daughter of "Sprit", a name that Maka's dad used before he became the current Shinigami's scythe. As it turns out, Stein used to do experiment on Maka's dad when he was sleeping...for 5 years. Maka's dad believes that if his ex-wife didn't find out about it, he'd still be Dr.Stein's experiment. Dr.Stein concurs and feels unhappy that Maka's mother stole his research subject.

Maka's father tells Blair that Dr.Stein can learn to use his weapon's enemy if he's a bit curious about it. At the same time, Soul tells Maka that Stein is just unleashing Shotei technique so he suggests she blocks it with the scythe. When Maka does this, however, she gets hit by what looks like an energy from Stein's arm. Death, who's been watching from the Shinigami's room points out that a weapon obviously possess physical attack power but that power is usually amplified by the tech's soul wavelength. Dr.Stein, however, can channel his own soul wavelength without a need for a weapon. Shinigami-sama agrees with the assessment, comparing Maka's own power to a small sound coming from a guitar. But if she connects that guitar to an amplifier, in this case being Soul's scythe form, her power becomes stronger. Dr.Stein, however, manages to use his full power without using any amplifier (weapon). Meanwhile, because Maka panics, Dr.Stein manages to grab her. Before he can perform an incision on her, however, Black Star already attacks from behind. Dr.Stein thinks his attempt is useless until Black Star reveals that Stein is not the only one who can hit directly with his soul's wavelength.

True enough, Black Star manages to land a direct hit without even using Tsubaki. Everyone is surprised about this but Shinigami-sama explains that Black Star's soul wavelength is large and he's clever in its use. Unfortunately, Dr.Stein already checked his soul wavelength and has the ability to match his own to mirror Black Star's. If the frequency match, the attack power vanished. Before Black Star can do anything else, Dr.Stein already electrocutes him to death. Maka, Soul, and Tsubaki are shocked to see this latest development. Upon seeing this, Death decides to help the others. Shinigami-sama reminds him that this is those students' extra assignment and Death is a Shinigami. Upon hearing this, Death tells his father that from now on, he'll be a student as well and expects his father to enroll him at the school. At the same time, Maka goes slightly catatonic because she can see Stein's soul and realizes that their level is completely different. Meanwhile, Death fidns himself unable to move because he thinks he has forgotten to do something important, like rolling his toilet paper into a triangle shape. Liz who thinks he's completely hopeless orders Death to die already. XD

Back in the battlefield, Maka continues her spiral into despair despite Soul's attempt to tell her that he only saw Stein's soul not their future. Eventually, Soul's pep talk cheers Maka up again so the two decide to do Soul's resonance again. Stein who sees this realizes that this is a technique where a tech sends his/her soul wavelength to the weapon which amplifies it and sends it back, resulting in a very massive soul wavelength if it's repeated. He's especially surprised that Maka/Soul can use Witch Hunter on their level. Maka manages to push Stein backward with this weapon but eventually her power loses to him. Before Stein can finishes her off, however, Soul transform and uses his own body to protect her. Much to everyone's shock, Stein tells Soul that in that case, he'll give Soul a pass point. Stein then announces that extra lesson is over. He explains that he was asked by Shinigami-sama to give the two teams an extra lesson. The fact is, Black Star is not dead and Sid the Zombie is actually testing them as well. Stein, however, admits that it was fun making them running around, causing Maka and Soul to realize that he's still sadistic after all. The next day, the four students are horrified when they find out that Stein will be their new teacher. This is the first time Maka wants to see her father.

Highlights:

* Stein falling over backwards twice. That should have been a dead giveaway that he's not a villain.
* Maka's dad being experimented by Stein. Gives a new meaning to the words "While You Were Sleeping".
* Black Star's ability to unleash his soul wavelength without using Tsubaki.
* Maka/Soul's Witch Hunter ability. I can't wait until they are strong enough to wield it.
* Death the Kid swimming on the ground like his predecessor, Light Yagami. And he gives a sad meaning to the word OCD. I mean, toilet paper?
* Maka/Soul/Black Star's facial expression when the truth was revealed.
* Maka claims that she dreamt being dissected and her admission that for the first time, she wants to see her dad.

Impression:

I'm kind of glad that I haven't read this particular chapter of the manga yet. It was rather shocking to see Black Star 'died' and I kept thinking "that could not be true" but he was just laying there lifeless. And I liked that I felt like I was deceived towards the end of the story. Anyway, this episode is where Maka/Soul gets their spotlight. Before that though, Black Star has one added extra point which makes him cool. It turns out he can channel his power without having to use a weapon. If only he's less impatient and more careful, he could have been like Stein. Especially if he uses Tsubaki. It's awesome though that Dr.Stein can match his wavelength to that of his enemy. That means he basically nullify the attack and just absorbs the power onto himself. He could be dangerous if he's a real enemy. As for Maka/Soul, they showed a rather good team work this time around. For them to be able to control Witch Hunter and hold it as long as they did was quite an achievement. Obviously their powers are not at a level that can withstand Stein's attack yet and he was actually attacking them without intending on harming them. As for the last group, Death the Kid is completely useless. He can't possibly be of any help if he keeps on getting distracted by mundane things that he feels he must do.

Preview

Next week: Tsubaki shows her fierce self. Also, Soul/Black Star will provide your weekly shounen-ai fodder.

© memento 2005