Soul Eater Manga Discussion

[Zoe]

It seems significant to me that SS is always in the mirror...

In the manga, anyway. For some reason in all his scenes in the anime, they take him out of the mirror and put him with the other people in the room.

[lmd_84]

@ HiroInazuma - *nods* I've been considering an explanation along similar lines for how Shinigami exists in the world. For fanon purposes (e.g in fanfiction) I tend to think his power and overall influence was greatly reduced following the chaining of Asura, though the only canon basis for this so far is that he simply cannot leave Death City (his physical influence has lessened massively)

The very fact that Death bound the Kishin rather than destroying him outright makes me think that his former ally did Shinigami some serious damage before getting bound under the city.

The 'other dimension' notion would also provide an explanation for the differences between the two gods and the humans; they have access to areas and powers that the Techs and Weapons do not.

Oddly enough, I reckon two things point to this: Shinigami talking to Kid in episode 3 is doing so not through the mirror nor in person, there almost needs to be some other medium here (or at least in my mind, liking as I do to explain...everything); Kid's skateboard, because the way it appears looks like he's pulling it out of somewhere.

But if there is some other dimension - of Death and his eccentric child - in the SE universe the author has spent an awful lot of time without suggesting that's actually the case. I like the idea, but, I'm not sure how right it is...

@Zoe - Yes, I think you're right that him being in the mirror is significant. I'm not too bothered about the anime leaving him out of the mirror, because they don't always do that. We've seen him in it several times.

[White Manju Bun]

In the manga he's not always in the mirror too since he fights Asura, obv not in a mirror but yeah I agree the mirror is significant.

Ok maybe I should have rephrased the "just a tech" but I was paraphrasing from RC, obv SS isnt just a tech but the mask aspect is interesting. But Imd makes a good point with the pic posted of Asura fighting SS, there doesnt seem to much too him.

We know SS is bound to Shibusen because of Asura, atleast until Asura escaped (right? he's not still bound is he?).

Taking a script from Zombie-Loan, (concerning Kid) Chika and Shito pull out their weapons from their hands just as Kid does with the skate board. They manifest their weapons so it could be Kid is simply doing that instead of pulling out of another place but again this is speculation on my part.

[lmd_84]

Originally Posted by White Manju Bun

In the manga he's not always in the mirror too since he fights Asura, obv not in a mirror but yeah I agree the mirror is significant.

Ok maybe I should have rephrased the "just a tech" but I was paraphrasing from RC, obv SS isnt just a tech but the mask aspect is interesting. But Imd makes a good point with the pic posted of Asura fighting SS, there doesnt seem to much too him.

We know SS is bound to Shibusen because of Asura, atleast until Asura escaped (right? he's not still bound is he?).

Though Asura being out rather suggests Shinigami would be free, I'm not sure about that. The last time I brought it up (somewhere...could have been here, might not) someone pointed out that if Shinigami had used a lot of strength to bind Asura, even if he was now free from that 'spell' he's not immediately as strong as he was before.

On the other hand, there's the storytelling aspect to consider here. If Shinigami was free to roam around as he wished - thanks to Asura being out - he could possibly track down Arachne and Asura himself. I can't imagine he'd leave the attack on Arachnaphobia's HQ to Medusa and his own students if there was any alternative. Medusa tried to 'destroy the world' and judging by a certain flashback Shinigami has...issues with Arachne (he is so fun when he's being nasty ).

Shinigami being bound serves a plot device to stop that (relatively) simple elimination whilst allowing for more drama and action on the part of the student characters. That said, the fact the mangaka's not clarified SS's status on the seal is itself something of a plothole.

[Clarste]

Originally Posted by lmd_84

Though Asura being out rather suggests Shinigami would be free, I'm not sure about that. The last time I brought it up (somewhere...could have been here, might not) someone pointed out that if Shinigami had used a lot of strength to bind Asura, even if he was now free from that 'spell' he's not immediately as strong as he was before.

On the other hand, there's the storytelling aspect to consider here. If Shinigami was free to roam around as he wished - thanks to Asura being out - he could possibly track down Arachne and Asura himself. I can't imagine he'd leave the attack on Arachnaphobia's HQ to Medusa and his own students if there was any alternative. Medusa tried to 'destroy the world' and judging by a certain flashback Shinigami has...issues with Arachne (he is so fun when he's being nasty ).

Shinigami being bound serves a plot device to stop that (relatively) simple elimination whilst allowing for more drama and action on the part of the student characters. That said, the fact the mangaka's not clarified SS's status on the seal is itself something of a plothole.

No one's said anything about him being unbound, so I assume he's still bound, especially since as you said it'd make no sense for him not to be taking care of things personally at this point. Not to mention Asura got away specifically because the Shinigami was still bound after Asura's release. Otherwise he would've been chased. Unless there's some bizarre time delay thing.

I get the impression that the Shinigami no longer has a body at all. Sort of like what we see is just a projection that his soul (which is bound to the city itself) can create within itself. This also explains his preferred presence in mirrors; it seems reasonable that creating an illusion is easier than physically manifesting himself.

And, as I've argued in another thread somewhere in here, I believe that whatever Shinigami did to seal Asura required him to sacrifice something permanent, either his body or simply his mobility (possibly requiring him to live in another dimension?). I never got the impression that him being bound to the city was merely an effect his long term maintenance of the seal, which seems to be the more common interpretation.

[lmd_84]

Originally Posted by Clarste

I never got the impression that him being bound to the city was merely an effect his long term maintenance of the seal, which seems to be the more common interpretation.

One thing that strikes me about these alternative explanations: can either be strongly supported by canon? That is to say, are both drawing on the same material and coming to different (but equally plausible) conclusions, or is one more substantial than the other?

Stein does say, IIRC, that Shinigami bound himself to the city, but I can't recall if there is any dialogue supporting that this is (or is not) permanent. Instead, we have for e.g the circumstantial evidence that you brought up about Asura not being chased.

*shrug* I have a tendency to get attached to one particular theory (hence me still considering the seal can be undone and SS freed), but I figure at this point that one could still make an argument either way.

[kagato3]

He is not unbound. Stien stated that even if Asura was released Death would still be bound to the city and the only way to for him to move would be for the city itself to grow legs.

[orangejuicetang]

Rereading, I have a quick question. If medusa was the one who betrayed Arachne to the reaper 800 years ago to the Shinigami, how is it that the Shinigami wasn't able to recognize Medusa present time and hired her as a nurse?

[lmd_84]

Originally Posted by orangejuicetang

Rereading, I have a quick question. If medusa was the one who betrayed Arachne to the reaper 800 years ago to the Shinigami, how is it that the Shinigami wasn't able to recognize Medusa present time and hired her as a nurse?

Well, either Medusa had changed her appearance, or it could be because, when he was talking to two of the witch students, Spirit told them that he was the one in charge of hiring staff in the school. If that's the case, Shinigami might not have really seen Medusa before she became the nurse.

[HiroInazuma]

Where is the manga?! I haven't seen a chapter in weeks!

[Zoe]

Originally Posted by HiroInazuma

Where is the manga?! I haven't seen a chapter in weeks!

This is a monthly manga series. The latest issue just came out on the 12th.

Edit: Oh my! The newest chapter has made me feel faint!

Edit2: Anybody here speak Russian?

[Excorsism]

Talk about severe power-ups from the damned bug.

What are the chances of Kid being killed off permanently? I just don't see him getting out of this dire situation at all.

[~Kezia~]

troublesome bug -_-'

if Kidd does die..i wont be able to believe that, Free wont die at least since he is well inmortal and all
Lets just hope Kid doesn't die

[orangejuicetang]

Yay for the new chapter. I was thinking that Free and Kid make a pretty good team, until I saw mosquitto's powerup. Who else here thinks that if nothing else, mosquitto looks awesome? It reminded me of a vampire.

[Fenrir_valindri]

I get the feeling that is exactly what he is, the bats and drinking blood thing give it away.

That said; I don't see how they can beat him without Free or Kid stepping this up a lot.

Perhaps we will get to see the true depths of a Shinigami's power?

[NobodyMan]

Heh, Yeah, I think that Mosquito is actually a vampire as well. I can see him saying something along the lines of this:

Mosquito: Mosquito was the name given to me by Arachne-sama, but back in the day I had another name...

Kid: Another name...?

Mosquto: The name was feared throughout the lands, a name that made the blood run cold. That name was...*dramatic pause*

Kid: ...

Mosquito: Dracula.

To be Continued.

Or something like that.

[ccha]

Free and Kid make an awesome team but I guess it ain't enough to defeat Mosquitto. Can't wait to find out about this Eibon guy.

[HiroInazuma]

I can't believe he cut Free in half and cut off Kidd's arm...he must be pissed cos now he is even more unsymmetrical

[KousaCross]

Originally Posted by NobodyMan

Heh, Yeah, I think that Mosquito is actually a vampire as well. I can see him saying something along the lines of this:

Mosquito: Mosquito was the name given to me by Arachne-sama, but back in the day I had another name...

Kid: Another name...?

Mosquto: The name was feared throughout the lands, a name that made the blood run cold. That name was...*dramatic pause*

Kid: ...

Mosquito: Dracula.

To be Continued.

Or something like that.

I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be Dracula. o.o Soul Eater's had other famous names like Rasputin, Al Capone, and Jack the Ripper. Here comes Dracula! xD

[D a m i e n]

I hated the last page of chapt 52... next issue mid october... it feels like i m reading kissxsis all over again :/