I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't something so utterly enjoyable as this. Really beautifully made.
I'm not coming to this as a fan of the original
Soul Eater, which I didn't last very long with. This first episode, however, was good to look at, funny, and even moving for me. I felt all Tsugumi's moments of doubt and joy and determination. Props to the newish seiyuu playing her,
Chisuga Haruka; and also to writer/director Hashimoto Masakazu (who also did both jobs on
TariTari), and to Bones. By the way, I totally loved Tsugumi's poking-out hairstyle.
But the real reason I am here is for the other two stars: Yuuki Aoi and Hayami Saori, two of my favorite seiyuus, fellow-students at Waseda University, and partners in a long-running radio show. Hayamin has one of the most beautiful voices in the world, singing or speaking; and Ao-chan has one of the strongest seiyuu voices, and great ability to work with it. I didn't even recognize her voice at first, which is unusual for the very distinctive Ao-chan. She was wonderful in
Love Song for a Certain Pilot, and she's started well here (as Meme; Hayamin plays the princess).
I can understand why people who liked the first series are put off by this one. This ain't that, at least so far. But I myself am ready to see the story and the characters evolve. The less we see of stupid shounen villains like the two guys, though, the better.