Studio BONES, It’s time to lock in. The world yearns for a Soul Eater remake

“GACHIAKUTA” is cool and all, but let’s be real for a moment: “Soul Eater” walked so newer anime could run. This isn’t to discredit the hype around today’s shows, but it feels a little like the Kanye West–Taylor Swift VMA moment. I’m here to say, “I’mma let you finish, but Soul Eater has one of the greatest storylines of all time”.

That might sound like hyperbole, especially in an era dominated by mega-hits like “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” and “JUJUTSU KAISEN“. Both series have captured the mainstream in ways anime could only dream of a decade ago. But those titles are inching toward their conclusions, and with them, a new era of shōnen anime is on the horizon. If there were ever a perfect time to bring back a beloved classic with the treatment it deserves, it’s now. And that classic is “Soul Eater“.

When Soul Eater first aired in 2008, it stood out immediately. Atsushi Ōkubo’s manga had already built a cult following with its gothic aesthetic, quirky humor and imaginative combat system centered on meisters and living weapons. Studio Bones delivered a visually striking anime, with sharp animation, bold color palettes and a distinctive Halloween-inspired style. But here’s the issue: what viewers got was not the whole story.

Like many adaptations of its era, Soul Eater diverged from the manga halfway through and wrapped with an anime-original ending. While it was stylish and memorable in its own right, the anime never offered a true adaptation of Ōkubo’s full narrative. Fans who turned to the manga discovered an even richer world, layered themes and character arcs that deserved to be brought to life on screen.

That disconnect is why the series has remained in a strange limbo. It’s beloved, but it’s also unfinished in the eyes of many. The manga’s story deserves a faithful anime version, just as much as Fullmetal Alchemist deserved its Brotherhood treatment after the 2003 adaptation diverged.

Timing is everything in media, and the anime industry is at a crossroads. The past decade was defined by long-running, high-budget adaptations that pushed shōnen series into mainstream culture. Attack on Titan captivated a global audience with its dark storytelling. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba became a box office phenomenon, even surpassing “Spirited Away” in Japan. JUJUTSU KAISEN revitalized the genre with its fluid animation and emotionally charged battles. Yet these series are ending. Their conclusions leave a void, and fans are looking for what comes next.

Studios are competing to find the “next big thing”, whether through new manga adaptations, original projects or even reboots of classics. Soul Eater offers a unique opportunity: it’s already a proven property, but one that never got its definitive adaptation. That combination nostalgia for older fans, fresh discovery for new viewers makes it an ideal candidate for revival.

And the timing couldn’t be better with “Fire Force” also penned by Ōkubo having wrapped its manga and anime run. The storylines are connected in significant ways, and fans are already buzzing about the shared universe. A Soul Eater remake would not only stand on its own but also reframe the legacy of Fire Force, creating continuity between the two in the public eye. That synergy is marketing gold for any studio bold enough to greenlight the project.

There’s another reason Soul Eater would thrive in today’s market: its style. The gothic and Halloween-inspired aesthetic that defines its world is no longer niche it’s mainstream. From fashion trends that embrace darker palettes to the resurgence of horror-influenced pop culture, audiences are leaning into the kind of imagery Soul Eater has embodied for years. Death City’s crooked buildings, eerie moons and sharp-edged character designs are tailor-made for the kind of visual culture that dominates social media. Cosplayers, TikTok creators and fan artists would find endless material in a modern remake, amplifying its reach far beyond just anime circles. Simply put, Soul Eater was ahead of its time, and now the time has caught up.

A remake of Soul Eater wouldn’t just be about retelling the same story with prettier visuals. It would be about reintroducing one of shōnen’s most distinctive worlds to a generation of fans who missed it the first time. With today’s animation technology, the gothic aesthetic of Death City could come alive in ways that were impossible in 2008. The series’ unique blend of creepy atmosphere and high-energy combat could rival the cinematic flair that made Demon Slayer such a hit. Moreover, the story’s themes friendship, fear, madness and growth remain just as relevant now as they were 15 years ago.

There’s also the simple fact that Soul Eater is stylish. Its characters, from Maka Albarn’s determination to Soul Evans’ cool composure, embody a timeless edge that continues to resonate in anime culture. You can still see its fingerprints in fan art, cosplay and online discussions. A remake would allow those aesthetics to shine again in high definition, appealing not just to anime fans but to the wider cultural appetite for visually bold storytelling.

We’ve seen how successful faithful remakes can be. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is now considered the definitive version of that story, eclipsing its predecessor by adapting the manga faithfully from start to finish. Similarly, “HUNTER x HUNTER” received a second adaptation in 2011 that delivered a more complete, modern retelling of Yoshihiro Togashi’s work. Both cases show that remakes aren’t about nostalgia alone. They’re about honoring the original vision and bringing it to a broader audience. Soul Eater deserves that same chance.

The anime landscape is changing, and studios are searching for their next flagship titles. Rather than chasing trends or pumping out more half-finished adaptations, why not return to a story that’s already stood the test of time?

Fans aren’t asking for reinvention. They’re asking for justice for Soul Eater to be given the same respect that other beloved series have earned. With Fire Force closing its final chapter and gothic aesthetics trending in mainstream culture, the timing is perfect. A remake could cement Soul Eater’s place alongside the heavyweights of the new shōnen era, bridging the gap between longtime fans and younger viewers eager for a fresh experience.

So while GACHIAKUTA is cool and the next wave of anime is dawning, let’s not forget the series that set the stage. It’s time to give Soul Eater the full, faithful adaptation it has always deserved.

————
AnimeTV チェーン bringing you the latest anime news direct from Japan ~ anytime! — Your new source of information!

_{Please note that this article is simply the opinion of Kiran Mckee.}