It isn’t uncommon for characters within shows to be paired together by fans, but due to the nature of Soul Eater’s combat system, the basis for many of the best and most integral relationships is set up by the show itself. This is the case for the pair of Black Star and Tsubaki, an overly reckless and loud shadow meister and his weapon, an incredibly caring young woman willing to compromise and work with his hard-to-tame soul.
Most of the faults in their relationship come from Black Star rather than his partner, though she also works out her own issues early on. This makes sense given how utterly powerful Black Star’s inherited abilities are, though. Despite his issues, the two still drive each other to be better versions of themselves that they likely wouldn’t have bloomed into otherwise.
10 Works Well: They’re The One Main Source Of Support In Each Other’s Lives
Neither Black Star nor Tsubaki had a wonderful childhood. Tsubaki inherited powers that should’ve gone to her elder brother, causing him to look down on and resent her- eventually going rogue and killing innocent people. On the other hand, Black Star is the single lone survivor of a much-powerful and hated clan and left with an unfair reputation.
Neither of them had much until they had each other, which is part of what makes their relationship so beautiful. Tsubaki was the only one who listened to Black Star’s speech on the first day, and he repaid her loyalty by helping instill self-confidence within herself.
9 Doesn’t Work: Despite Helping Her Grow, Black Star Holds Tsubaki Back In Other Ways
Although Tsubaki doesn’t have any problem with having Black Star as her partner, it’s also undebatable that she’d have made strides far faster with someone else. Even Maka points this out early on when the two groups show up for remedial lessons, stating that she feels sorry that he’s her partner.
They could have captured nearly all of the souls they needed to upgrade Tsubaki if Black Star hadn’t blown their cover in the second episode. Even after the two grow together, his hubris and loud attitude nearly cost him his life in fights, and Mifune comments that it’s Tsubaki’s talent carrying him.
8 Works Well: Black Star Pushes Himself To Be Powerful Enough To Wield Tsubaki Properly
After Tsubaki wins her fight against Masamune and unlocks her Enchanted Sword mode, at first, Black Star was entirely unable to use it. If he tried to harness its power, he’d pass out immediately afterward- think Megumin from Konosuba style– and be useless for the rest of the fight and potentially get himself injured.
However, he didn’t let this stop him. He went to Professor Stein to train to be strong enough to wield the Enchanted Sword mode properly, and it skyrockets his and Tsubaki’s strength to new heights.
7 Doesn’t Work: The Sexual Harassment Jokes Don’t Look Very Good For Black Star’s Treatment Of Tsubaki
Soul Eater- and many other shows within its time—both have a bad habit of writing in jokes that sexualize female characters as a form of humor. In Black Star and Tsubaki’s introductory episode, he tries to peep on her while she’s bathing in a hot spring not once but twice.
He’s also written to flip Tsubaki’s skirt in front of a teacher, which is wrong for multiple reasons. In both of these situations, Tsubaki violently reprimands him afterward, but it really shouldn’t be written in, to begin with.
6 Works Well: Black Star Never Gives Up On Tsubaki No Matter What The Odds Are
During Tsubaki’s fight against her brother Masamune, it seems as if her soul isn’t going to be strong enough to win their battle. Black Star has no idea what’s actually going on or who might come out on top during the entire fight, but this never stops him from supporting Tsubaki and believing in her.
All the while, the townspeople were treating Black Star horribly because of his linage, beating him with wooden planks and telling him they’re not welcome in the village. He was able to sit stone-faced and ignore all of their abuse, focusing all of his attention on cheering on Tsubaki, which is beyond sweet.
5 Doesn’t Work: Despite Knowing Speaking Up Is Hard For Her, Black Star Often Talks Over Tsubaki
Before Tsubaki met Black Star and the two became partners, she was mainly close with her elder brother, whom she had a messy falling-out with. He resented her shier and quieter nature, and those negative feelings didn’t make it any easier for Tsubaki to speak up and be her authentic self.
Even though Black Star is fully aware of this, because of his hyperactive- and immature, at least early on- personality, he doesn’t often actually listen to Tsubaki. Anytime he charges in and announces himself instead of sticking to his assassin training, Tsubaki likely tells him either just before or after this that he’s making too many reckless mistakes, which he never seriously listens to.
4 Works Well: Tsubaki Supports Black Star’s Plans Wholeheartedly, Even If They Lead To Failure
It’s no secret that Black Star isn’t exactly the most competent individual when it comes to battle strategy. Tsubaki is good at staying calm and analyzing things, so one would think they’d balance out, but typically her meister is too busy charging in headfirst to listen to them.
Tsubaki genuinely doesn’t care about this, though, and it’s part of why their team still works despite their issues. Tsubaki tells Maka after being questioned that “if they fail, they fail together- it’s just the kind of team they are.” They don’t seem to care about other people understanding them and are content together, which is great to see.
3 Doesn’t Work: Tsubaki Is Always Considering Black Star, Whereas Black Star (Mostly) Considers Himself
Black Star is the one typically charging in and acting on his own whims, and Tsubaki is the one that has to clean everything up with her calm and caring nature. Stein early on, this is commented on, but just because it’s how their souls resonate doesn’t mean it’s a good thing for their relationship.
This comes up prevalently in the exam arc, where Tsubaki takes extra time to help Black Star study to make sure he was ready for the exam. Black Star then decides to sneak into Stein’s lab and try to steal the answers, which leads to him being completely disqualified, showing that he didn’t respect Tsubaki’s efforts whatsoever.
2 Works Well: Both Of Them Have Been Mistreated Because Of Their Lineage, Connecting Them In A Way Others Can’t
Black Star’s clan was a bunch of infamous assassins, all eliminated- save for the infant Black Star- by the DWMA after breaking their rules. Likewise, Tsubaki’s clan powers skipped over her brother, and she inherited them instead, leading to bitter resentment that corrupted him beyond saving.
These events led to them being unfairly judged by others because of their family history when in actuality, it had nothing to do with them. This leads to a deeper understanding of one another so that the other members of the cast can’t truly understand.
1 Doesn’t Work: Tsubaki Doesn’t Have Enough Courage Early On To Stop Black Star When Needed, Causing Unnecessary Fights
When Death the Kid first arrives at the academy, several hours late, Soul and Black Star are at the entrance waiting for him. Upon asking if they’re there to show him around, they reveal their plans to take him on in a fight.
This proves to be a pointless attempt that doesn’t mean anything that episode, except for showing off how ahead of the other students Kid is. Tsubaki watches on and is against the fight entirely, as well as battling inner worries that Black Star might leave her for another partner- but she doesn’t voice any of these concerns and watches as he gets destroyed.
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