Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

[ Episode 5: Soul's Form: Strongest Meister Stein's Entrance? ]

By now I think we should all know that things aren’t always what they seem in the end. This was no different. Ohkubo really knows how to transition the mood and scene hysterically even at the most serious times. Stein may have stitches and a giant screw through his head (what’s that for anyway?) but he’s still damn awesome, considering he also is Death Scythe’s old Meister. And hell, I love swivel chairs myself.

The second attempt at resonating the soul worked out better and looked just as cool as last time. Unfortunately it still didn’t do so well but at least there weren’t any bad screw ups.

Another event that comes to light is Maka’s ability to see the souls of others. I think that’s pretty neat, it kinda reminds me of Shaman King when the shamans have their spirits transform into small soul things. Actually it is like that, but what they do is like Soul Resonance. Now that Stein’s on board, one can only imagine how much more involved he’ll get.

Stein is awesome. I knew that he was introduced as the best Technician ever but I didn’t see this level of skill coming. Come on, has there been anyone else anywhere that can fight while in an office chair? Not to my knowledge and even if there is another, they can’t be as awesome as Stein was. Maka and Soul were also great. Also I could’ve sworn that Black Star was dead (not really) from the blow he took. But of course, that idiot just can’t die. This was a really cool battle that served the purpose of testing Maka, Soul, Black Star, and Tsubaki and it looks like it worked. Didn’t see Stein becoming a teacher angle coming though. And…what’s up with that screw in his head?

Stein is… well I am not sure if to call him “awesome” or “downright psycho” but unique is one way. I have to say if there is something Soul Eater has done surprisingly well for a shounen show is combining comedy and seriousness and it is mostly apparent with Stein’s offbeat character. At first he is shown as the ultimate technician and the number one graduate of Shibusen, which means he is a force to be reckoned with. You see from the last shots from the previous episodes and the OP as well he may be a bad guy, but when is first shown in the episode itself, he is sliding on his chair and falling over again and again.

Despite that Stein doesn’t give them a break and literally humiliates Soul, Maka and Black Star. Maka is terrified when she is able to see the size of his soul, but Soul still believes they can defeat him if they use Witch Hunting correctly. While they actually manage to execute it perfectly, Stein blocks it as well. The result of the battle was as amusing as it was a test to examine how the soul resonance of Maka and Soul will work and it was equally hilarious that Sid was part of the plot all along.

Episode 5 was a nice conclusion for this two parter and with a cool addition like Stein I can only imagine what can happen next when he is Maka and co.’s homeroom teacher.

9/10