Soul Eatin Mondays – week 13

So I’m going to have to assume a few things for this one. First and foremost, I’m going to assume pairing mean meister/weapon pairing and that we’re sticking to the ones actually sown in the anime. Then I’m going to assume this was in fact a shipping question but I’m going to ignore that.

1. Your Favorite Teen Meister
2. Your Least Favorite Teen Meister
3. Your Favorite Teen Weapon
4. Your Least Favorite Teen Weapon
5. Your Favorite Adult Meister
6. Your Least Favorite Adult Meister
7. Your favorite Adult Weapon
8. Your Least favorite Adult Weapon
9. Your Favorite Witch
10. Your Least Favorite Witch
11. Your Favorite Class
12. Your Favorite Outfit
13. Your Favorite Pairing
14. Your Least Favorite Pairing
15. Your Favorite Crack Pairing
16. Your Least Favorite Crack Pairing
17. Your Favorite Scene
18. Your Least Favorite Scene
19. Crossover
20. Your Favorite Opening
21. Your Least Favorite Opening
22. Your Favorite Ending
23. Your Least Favorite Ending
24. SYMMETRY!
25. Moon or Sun?
26. Fool! / BAKA!
27. Lord Death
28. If You Met Your All Time Favorite Character
29. Chibi Time?
30. A Message To Atsushi Ohkubo

Your Favorite Pairing

Again, this one is a bit of a moving target but I feel pretty good about my choice. I’m going with Black☆Star and Tsubaki.

Look I know everyone fawns over Maka and Soul, and they do have a nice relationship but it has it’s flaws, besides I’ve already talked about it. And Kid and the Thomson twins have a very endearing back story but Patty is insufferable and in the present their partnership feels less personal than the others. The adults have some nice things going on too but since we really don’t see them as much I decided to just write them off for ease of choice.

I just made it sound like Black Star and Tsubaki won by default, they didn’t. They most definitely earned their pick.

I know very well that Black☆Star isn’t exactly a fan favorite. I personally like him a lot but I get that he’s annoying and loud and really doesn’t bring that much to the story overall when compared to the other meisters. I mean he’s competing with Maka and Kid, so already that was hardly fair. And then Tsubaki us very sweet but, let’s face it, kinda dull. The anime doesn’t even use her for shameless fanservice like the manga did so I won’t blame you for possibly forgetting about her.

But you didn’t – and you know why, cause you can’t forget Black☆Star – he’s way to obnoxious for that. His high-octane constantly bouncing off the walls character makes Tsubaki seem like an angel just for putting up with him. It also makes what would otherwise be a boring and superfluous character, a welcome addition to any scene as her presence means Black☆Star will be tempered.

On the flip side, Black☆Star’s most pivotal moments of character development, and what will make him eternally endearing to me, all involve his dedication and deep respect of Tsubaki. Of course all the Meisters are dedicated to their weapons but there’s this unspoken agreement that when push comes to shove, it’s the weapon’s job to guard their meister’s from danger. They are the tools after all. This understanding doesn’t seem to apply to Black Star and Tsubaki. Black☆Star has always and will always treat her as an equal. He will not hesitate to stand guard or shield her, he has never tried to force her to adapt a strategy or do anything in combat she didn’t feel comfortable with (unlike every other meister except perhaps Sid) and he will not hesitate to prioritize her needs or desires. He also is completely accepting of Tsubaki exactly as she is and unwittingly boosts her self esteem by that meer fact.

When you consider that, and the fact that he is one of the very few meister with a powerful enough soul to even handle Tsubaki as a weapon, her fondness of him becomes a lot more understandable. She isn’t putting up and humouring a petulant and impetuous child, she’s spending time with an occasionally exhausting but cherished friend.

This is why as a team, they have the best communication and teamwork. In fact, Black☆Star and Tsubaki are able to resonate so well together, as he is skilled in not just one of but all of her weapon forms, when it is rare for a weapon to have more than one form. Black☆Star is even capable of resonating with Tsubaki’s Uncanny Sword Mode, despite the initial strain its immense power put upon his very soul.

So there you go. Best pairing – fact! Maybe the others will get there someday but they aren’t there yet.

Suggested drink: Perfect Pear

• Every time Tsubaki is grateful to Black☆Star – take a sip
• Every time Black☆Star looks out for Tsubaki- take a sip
• Every time Tsubaki appologizes for Black☆Star – take a sip
• Every time either worries for the other – take a sip
• Every time Tsubaki turns into a different waepon – take a sip
• Every time they hug – smile