Death Scythe

Lore & Background

The transformation into a Death Scythe is a rigorous test of stability and strength. The process begins with the weapon absorbing ninety-nine Kishin eggs (souls of evil humans), a task that risks driving them insane due to the chaotic nature of those souls. To complete the conversion for those aiming to serve Shinigami, they must consume the soul of a witch, which acts as a stabilizing agent against madness. However, this is not the only path—a Death Scythe can also be created directly by a witch. The narrative highlights this through Soul Eater Evans, who resists the madness-inducing effects of black blood while striving for this rank. His journey is complicated by his family's musical tradition and his rivalry with his brother Wes, yet he aims solely to become the strongest Death Scythe. Once achieved, the weapon gains new abilities; notably, Soul uses the "Soul Hack" technique earlier in the series, such as during the fight with Crona, not after becoming a Death Scythe.

In Their Own Story

The path to this title is marked by specific turning points in the series. Early in the story, Maka Albarn and Soul Eater face Crona, where Soul becomes infected with black blood, risking insanity. Despite this danger, they persevere, with Maka developing the Anti-Magic Wavelength inherited from her mother to resist the madness. The climax of Soul's journey occurs when he defeats Arachne alongside Maka and consumes her soul. This victory fulfills the requirement of one witch soul after ninety-nine human souls, officially making him a Death Scythe. However, this achievement comes with a unique historical weight; following Asura's defeat and an agreement between Kid and the witches to cease creating new Death Scythes, Soul becomes the last one ever created in that era.

Reader's Guide

To understand the status of a Death Scythe, one must look at the strict criteria set by the DWMA. The primary requirement is the collection of ninety-nine human souls and one witch soul. This process is designed to filter out those who cannot handle the power or risk turning into monsters themselves. The role involves acting as field agents for the school, reaping evil souls to prevent them from becoming Kishin—humans who devour innocent souls to become monstrous creatures. While characters like Black Star and Tsubaki are central protagonists, the text specifically identifies Soul Eater as the one who reaches this status by defeating Arachne. His ability to resonate his soul wavelength with others, playing the piano within his soul to enhance power, is a testament to his refined state. The narrative notes that while Kid's agreement prevents future Death Scythes from being made, Soul remains active throughout the series as the final holder of this rank, serving as a crucial asset against threats like witches and monsters.

Did You Know?

• Becoming a Death Scythe for Shinigami requires consuming exactly ninety-nine Kishin eggs (souls of evil humans) followed by one witch soul to stabilize the weapon's wavelength, but a witch can also create a Death Scythe
• Soul Eater Evans uses the "Soul Hack" technique earlier in the series, such as during the fight with Crona, not after becoming a Death Scythe.
• Not all Death Scythes serve directly under Shinigami as guardians; Justin Law later becomes a Kishin, and Marie Mjolnir works as a teacher at DWMA.