Soul Eater, Vol. 9

ソウルイーター [Soul Eater] #9

by Atsushi Ohkubo (Creator)

Crona's loyalties are torn as Medusa regroups and plots to beat both DWMA and her sister, Arachne, in the arms race for Eibon's demon tools. As the madness of the Kishin continues to spread, Maka, Black*Star, and Kid begin even more rigorous training to master their weapons and work together as a team. Will they be ready to face Arachnophobia in time for their next mission? Or will internal strife tear them apart?!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Action, Graphic Novels, Shonen, Young Adult

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 2007

About the author

OHKUBO Atsushi

Atsushi Ōkubo ( 大久保篤), also romanized as Atsushi Ohkubo, is a Japanese manga author and fantasy artist known for his work on the manga series Soul Eater, which has been adapted into an anime. Okubo worked as an assistant under Rando Ayamine, on the manga series Get Backers. He also created artwork for various cards for the Lord of Vermillion game.

Atsushi Ōkubo was not a model student and was more attracted to drawing than to learning. At the age of 20, after finishing studies at a manga school where he met Rando Ayamine, the author of Get Backers, he became Rando Ayamine's assistant for two years. Finally, he won a competition at Square Enix's Gangan magazine with his first manga series B.Ichi and it was published for four volumes. After the end of his last manga, he created Soul Eater, still for Square Enix's Gangan magazine, which brought him worldwide success.

Reviews

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

La batalla entre la organización Aracnofobia y los estudiantes de Shibusen sigue.

Un tomo que empieza con el entrenamiento de almas de los chicos y acaba con ellos yendo en búsqueda de una herramienta demoníaca creada por Eibon que no puede ser tomada por lo enemigos y que representa un peligro.

P. D.: no sé qué tanto diga de mí pero el capítulo extra de Excalibur fue lo que más me gustó.

[Darby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two page drawing of just Excalibur’s face KILLED me

[Mary ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this manga so much tbh

[Blake the Book Eater · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stakes are upped and mysteries intensify. I’m invested now!

[Nakarem]

Excalibur....what an obnoxious existence, I feel honestly sorry for the fairies.
Also I get that Hero is bullied etc but I still don’t really feel sorry after how he used his short-lived power. How disgusting can a person be?

[Micha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never get tired of seeing Excalibur.

[Lisa ₊⁺✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dont remember feeling so heartbroken about Chrona when I read this series when I was younger 💔

[Luke Goldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eibon, Eibon, Eibon!

[Mélaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

intrigue sympa mais il faut vraiment que les hommes arrêtent d'écrire des personnages féminins

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soul Eater, Vol. 9 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next four chapters (32–35) of the on-going manga series with a bonus story.

Death the Kid attempts to research who Eibon is and finds that the book on Eibon was taken by someone he assumes to be Medusa.

Meanwhile, Crona begins to adapt well to life at Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA), but is confronted by Medusa, who asks Crona to spy on DWMA. Crona places an item into Marie Mjolnir, Franken Stein's new partner, to increase his insanity. To counter the threat from Arachnophobia, Franken Stein trains Maka Albarn, Black Star, and Death the Kid in duel arts, a form of combat in which the three synchronize their souls to fight better in tandem. Although Maka Albarn and Black Star are initially incompatible, they overcome their differences for the sake of their team.

Shinigami dispatches DWMA's forces to find Brew, one of the most powerful demon tools created by Eibon. While the battle rages on the island where Brew is located, Maka Albarn, Black Star, and Death the Kid attempt to find Brew, and encounter Mosquito, one of Arachne's foremost servants.

This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Atsushi Ōkubo. Medusa reveals to Crona, her daughter, that she is alive and asks her to spy on the comings and goings in DWMA. Meanwhile, the DWMA are trying to better their defense against Arachnophobia by collecting powerful artifacts and training their students to counteract their threat.

All in all, Soul Eater, Vol. 9 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.

[Ethan Knierim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid volume but the extra Excalibur chapter exemplifies not only a return to fanservice of underage characters (After multiple volumes without) but also a display of Sid having some lecherous morals. It surprises me how much Excalibur was elaborated upon in his episodes in the anime. I believe he gets more characterization later on but the additions the adaptation made more greatly endeared the character (as much as one can endear such an obnoxious creature) to me. As the DWMA squads enter onto the island containing "Brew" the lovely trio of student teams is introduced into the main ensemble. I remember quite liking Ox and that looks like it will still be the case.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Updates Per Chapter:
32: I can't remember but I hope Maria adopts Corona in the end
Bonus: Did I read that long paragraph that Atsushi Ohkubo told us not to read? Oh absolutely. And I had no idea what I read.
33: I fucking HATE Black Star. Is it because one time my ex compared himself to him and me to Tsubaki? That is a BIG contender but sometimes I just want to beat him up!
34: I absolutely love that we get to see some of the other kids
35: I definitely thought this happened later in the series... so it's official I remember NOTHING from the anime

[Katherine Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gang go to retrieve a demon tool
Although while going arachnophobia are also there
The demon tool is in a storm that if stayed to long you disappear
Stein and Marie go in but take to long so the gang goes in to help
Stein is seen going mad
While there the gang sees the past
Death from 100 years
Arachne
And even
Eibon

[Ian Morando · Rating 4 out of 5]

No me esperaba esa doble página de Excalibur lpmmm, estallé de risa.

Ahora entiendo porque Arthur tiene esos poderes tan fumetas en la pelea con Dragon. Si bien Fire Force es la precuela, es mejor leer Soul Eater primero. Al haberlo escrito antes, son muchas más las referencias que cazas si empezás por el mundo de las almas.

[Michael Schmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Der Band war einfach nur mega geilo xD und das Ende sooooooooo gemein qq

[Waldkauzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content warnings: Excalibur

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pixies reference in my Soul Eater? Yes please!

[Katelyn Maimone · Rating 5 out of 5]

the madness is taking overrrr🤤

[Augustus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to start here, which is where season 2 ends IIRC. The art is absolutely beautiful, and the story remains just as enticing as it was in the anime.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i want a girls trip i think maka and liz would be unstoppable

[Rolaka Pisarka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skończone

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just before the Mosquito battle

[☆•★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the world building and the powers of new characters so much

[goonther · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7⭐

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

the librarian when the student called death the kid turns out to be death’s kid 😨

[Julie Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death the Kid has gone to the DWMA library, determined to learn all he can about the mysterious Eibon, who is supposedly the same as the Shinigami. Wth? He tells the librarian he needs to go through the books in the level 4 stacks, but she tells him he isn’t allowed access, as he’s just a one-star meister. But when he shows her his badge, and she realizes he’s the Shinigami’s son, suddenly she’s all kinds of cooperative and offers to fetch the books he wants herself. Unfortunately, the one book on Eibon the library owns was checked out two months previously and never returned. The only signature is a single M. Kid has a bad feeling he knows who that is.

Crona is in a touch position. He is beginning to make friends for the first time and has been accepted by Maka and her friends, only to be approached by his crazy mother, Medusa, who has an errand for him. How can he please her without betraying his friends? Does he even have the strength to stand up to her, even after the way she has treated him? Ragnarok is no help, constantly reminding Crona that if he doesn’t do as Medusa says, she will get very angry with him. Crona just can’t handle anger…

While searching DWMA for the secret vault, Crona runs into Marie, and is fearful she will be suspicious of his being where he should not be. Luckily, she is clueless and thinks he is lost, just like her, and offers to help him find his way. The blind leading the blind! Will her assistance be worse than her thinking he’s up to something?

Crona receives his next assignment, when he fails to find the vault. He has to bug Dr. Stein’s lab!
The worst meister ever at DWMA is Hero, a guy the other students pick on and use for menial tasks. But Hero has a goal—to claim the Holy Sword as his weapon. Then no one will treat him like that. So what if it comes with some strange requirements he has to meet. The fight is on! How long will DWMA remain under Hero’s control?

Shinigami informs Stein that Arachnophobia knows the whereabouts of another Demon Tool known as Brew. Stein must begin more intensive duel instructions with his students immediately! Teams who are unable to synchronize their wavelengths will be cut from Stein’s class by the end of the day! Maka, Black Star, and Kid are failing spectacularly, and things aren’t looking good for them. Maka wants Black Star off the team, but Stein refuses. Can they get their act together in time or will they end up being cut?

Brew is located on an island just north of Alaska, Lost Island. But there’s a catch. Once the witches had a demon tool development facility on the island, but it was accidentally destroyed. Because of that a magnetic field has arisen, keeping people from approaching the island. Anyone who lingers inside the magnetic field risk permanent damage to their body. Twenty minutes is the limit. The timer has begun, the race is on!

This volume of Soul Eater introduces us to a couple of students we haven’t met before, including Hero, Pot Meister Kilik Rung, Lamp Meister Kim Diehl, and Spear Meister Ox Ford. Before this, we seldom saw other students, so it’s good to have that chance now.

Death the Kid is one of my favorite characters. Despite his quirks, he’s a really good Shinigami, and has a strong sense of justice. I know he will research Eibon until he finds an answer, no matter where the information leads him. Stein has come a long way since we first met him. I can see what a good instructor he is. He won’t let the students get hurt if he can help it. Interesting that he and Marie are living together now. I hadn’t seen him as the domestic type. You have to feel sorry for Crona, caught between a rock and a hard place—the mother he loves, for some unknown reason, and the new friends he’s made at DWMA. I suspect that when the time comes, he will do the right thing.

Justin is on top of his game in this volume, and shows he is more than just that annoying weapon. Watching Maka, Black Star and Kid attempt to resonate together, and failing at it, is just a reminder that despite what kind of students they are, they are still teenagers who have a lot to learn. But they will, I’m sure.

Another appearance by Mifune, whom I truly believe will end up on the right side in the end, and DWMA will learn a lesson in tolerance as well.

A special mysterious guest appearance at the end of the book sets us up for the next one! Not sure when I’ll be able to read that, since the libraries are closed right now because of COVID-19, but will get to it as soon as I can. Looking forward to it!

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

In a world where witches, minions, and tainted souls exist, there must also be those that stand against them. These people are known as Weapon Meisters and their Weapons. They are charged with devouring tainted souls and protecting the world.

A new arc is on the horizon, and with it – a new villain! Meanwhile, poor Crona is going to have to make some hard decisions. Stick to the past, or embrace the potential future?

Review:

Well, a whole lot happens in Soul Eater Vol. 9. I'm not even sure where to start. Should I talk about the new arc, the new villain, or the students we got to learn more about? Oh, and let's not forget the Excalibur cameo (cue the weird face).

The good: I love love love reading about the other students in this world. There's so much potential to explore here, and I wish we had more time with all of them. (Well, most of them; more on that in a minute). Likewise, I'm happy with the overall plot advancement, especially knowing where it will lead.

The bad: There's one student (who pairs up with Excalibur for a bit) that I can't stand. Mainly because he uses his new power to torment the girls. Worse, the teachers don't care?! That ticked me off. I know the series is over a decade old at this point, but come on.

Highlights:
Shinigami
Paranormal
Humorous
Has an Anime

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[jzmcdaisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Soul Eater anime is what got me back into the medium. I grew up watching Sailor Moon and Pokémon, but when I grew into a tween, I said I didn’t like anime in order to fit in with other kids at school. Kids are going to be shitty to each other whether they like it or not, so my efforts were fruitless. By the time I was a senior in high school, I stopped trying to make myself palatable to others and focused on being happy. Took me a bit, but getting back into the stuff I really enjoyed helped a lot with self-acceptance. Soul Eater isn’t the best anime OR manga, but it was instrumental in allowing myself to like things that I like.

I liked the show, but its disappointing Power of Friendship ending directed me towards the manga. Overall, I’d say the 25-volume series is better, even though it diverts pretty hard from the anime about halfway through. The end of the anime focused more on the Kishin’s threat to the school. The end of the manga however focused on the corruption of Justin and Stein and Maka’s effort to learn Genie Hunter. I liked the manga more, but the resolution of the series goes from Maka learning one slash to her learning, well, a bigger slash. My biggest criticism of Shonen series is its reliance on tropes.

What I like about both series is the resonance part of the story. I’ll admit that Soul Eater stands out from other series like Blue Exorcist because of its fun worldbuilding and rules. The meister-weapon pairings are all about characters with differences coming together to confront their world’s problems. While I think the manga explores this more than the anime, it still has some of the same filler pitfalls that other series do. I think the gender-swap escapade that gives Blackstar tits embodies this more than anything else. Still, I recommend Soul Eater to anyone who wants a solid, above average manga with some flaws.

[KianaML · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume like 8, was pretty good! As DWMA gets tossed into another fight for a Demon tool, though this tool "brew" looks more important since it's like a full on battle!

The plot just keeps on getting more interesting with the whole demon tool, Arache, etc. though I must say I am a bit annoyed how everyone seems to be falling into madness! Thankfully not like volume 6 or anything but you can feel it coming and I hate it! Poor Crona I was hoping that he would ditch Medusa and not be a double agent but he's still listening to that B! And I really hope that he snaps out of it! Stein is obviously almost gone to madness though I'm really hoping he will pull through as well. You see a bit of jealously that Maka has towards Black Star in this volume, though I saw that a couple volumes back. Anyhow I'm absloultly loving Kid as always, Black Star is amazing, and I love Soul too especially how he (unlike everyone else who is threatened with madness/black blood) actually knows how and does shut up that damn ogre!

Overall I thought this volume was pretty good!

[Zay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Crona completes his mission for Medusa + ( The rise and fall of the worst DWMA meister ever )Hero/Excalibur vs Kilik/Black Star/Death the Kid + Retaliation class ( team work make the dream work) + The great battle for the “ Brew “ DWMA vs The Arachnophobia crew , Sid vs Mifune

Love seeing them in regular clothes so much