The Soul Eater frog witch, also known as the frog witch or simply the frog, is a character from the popular manga and anime series called "Soul Eater." She is one of the main antagonists in the series and plays a significant role in the story. The frog witch is a powerful witch who has the ability to transform herself into a giant frog-like creature. This transformation allows her to have enhanced physical strength and agility, as well as the ability to jump great distances. She also possesses a long tongue that she can use to capture and eat her enemies. In the series, the frog witch is a member of the organization called Arachnophobia, which is an evil group that aims to create a world of fear and chaos.
The acting was passable. I have not seen Lee Kang Sheng in any other movie or show, so his questionable performance and somewhat weak line delivery might have been the result of poorly written script.
He begrudgingly agrees to play the part of Zhong Kui during a song rou zong ritual to save a village from a Thai spirit that is causing villagers to hang themselves. The emphasis is firmly on atmosphere rather than scares, and while Liao does a good job of giving the film a creepy look, with lots of lurid colours and shadows, this might disappoint anyone looking for more lively terrors.
In the series, the frog witch is a member of the organization called Arachnophobia, which is an evil group that aims to create a world of fear and chaos. She serves as one of the higher-ranking members of the organization and is tasked with carrying out various missions and activities to advance their sinister goals. Despite her villainous nature, the frog witch is shown to have a complex personality.
The Rope Curse 2
馗降：粽邪2. Taiwan 2020. Directed by Liao Shih-han. Starring Lee Kang-sheng, Wilson Hsu, Vera Chen, Yen Cheng-kuo. 104 mins. In Mandarin with English subtitles.
Sinister rituals and Thai black magic in this Taiwanese Netflix chiller…
Likely as a result of the squeeze on new content due to the COVID pandemic, 2020 has seen a rise in the number of films from around Asia appearing on international streaming platforms, with Netflix in particular picking up a fair few titles. Taiwan has proved an increasingly happy hunting ground, with films like Secrets in the Hot Spring, A Sun, Your Name Engraved Herein and The Bridge Curse all having appeared recently, now joined by supernatural horror The Rope Curse 2. Directed by Liao Shih-han, the film is a follow up to his popular 2018 original, and stars Wilson Hsu (also in Liao’s 2019 drama The Paradise) and Tsai Ming-liang regular Lee Kang-sheng who won praise in 2020 for a very different role in the acclaimed director’s Days.
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After opening with a product placement warning and handy bit of info about Thai black magic and the demonic entity at the heart of the titular curse, the film gets down to business, following a young orphaned woman called Jia-min (Wilson Hsu) who has the ability to see ghosts. After her uncle is killed by a rope curse connected to a ritual performed by Thai drug dealers, Jia-min’s aunt (Vera Chen, The Tenants Downstairs) is possessed by the demon and starts to behave alarmingly, ending up in hospital. Events see Jia-min’s path crossing with that of Huo-ge (Lee Kang-sheng), a washed-up exorcist whose master died several years back trying to undo the curse, and despite his initial reluctance he agrees to help her save her aunt.
Probably the main initial issue here is whether or not potential viewers need to have seen The Rope Curse before checking out the sequel, though since there doesn’t appear to be much connecting them aside from similar themes, it’s not really a problem. What does help is an interest in Taoist and black magic customs and costumes, as this is very much the focus of the film, Liao Shih-han showing great attention to detail in painstakingly bringing them to the screen. While having Curse in the title might suggest a traditional modern ghost horror in the manner of recent compatriot The Bridge Curse, the film is a much slower and more thoughtful affair, with long sequences dedicated to rituals and their trappings. The emphasis is firmly on atmosphere rather than scares, and while Liao does a good job of giving the film a creepy look, with lots of lurid colours and shadows, this might disappoint anyone looking for more lively terrors. Things do shift gears a bit during the final act, though the sudden injection of computer effects feels out of place rather than impressive, and doesn’t really add much.
Liao is similarly more concerned with the film’s dramatic elements than with actually frightening the viewer, and it quite quickly gets dragged down by an overabundance of subplots, following Jia-min and her aunt, Huo-ge and his struggles with guilt and alcoholism, a police investigation into the drug dealers, and more. It’s all a bit overstretched and muddled, especially since it’s obvious from early on that Jia-min and Huo-ge will end up coming together to fight the demon, with matters not helped by a sluggish pace. This isn’t the fault of the cast, with Wilson Hsu passable as the tormented Jia-min and Lee Kang-sheng and Vera Chen both impressive, and more down to the fact that the script simply doesn’t give their characters enough depth to justify the amount of time spent on them.
It’s a shame, as for patient viewers interested in black magic and Taoist rituals The Rope Curse 2 has a reasonable amount to offer despite its over-plotting, and is well-directed by Liao Shih-han. Although an easy win for anyone with Netflix, it’s unlikely to impress the average genre fan, and is a little too dry and convoluted to work effectively as a supernatural shocker.
The Rope Curse 2 is available to stream on Netflix now.
About the author
James Mudge
From Glasgow but based in London, James has been writing for a variety of websites over the last decade, including BeyondHollywood in the US and YesAsia in Hong Kong. As well as running film consultancy The Next Day Agency, James is also the Festival Director of the Chinese Visual Festival in London, an annual event which showcases Chinese language cinema. More »
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Liao’s direction is slick and visually arresting throughout, while performances from Hsu, Lee and Chen play their part in selling the somewhat convoluted narrative.
She is intelligent and cunning, often using her abilities and knowledge of the occult to strategize and outwit her opponents. However, she is also shown to have a playful and mischievous side, often taunting and teasing her enemies during battles. Throughout the series, the frog witch engages in numerous battles against the main protagonists, who are a group of students training to become weapons and their meister partners. These battles showcase her formidable strength and skills, making her a formidable opponent. The frog witch's unique design, with her frog-like attributes and distinctive outfit, has made her a memorable and recognizable character in the Soul Eater series. Her presence adds an element of danger and unpredictability to the story, making her a fan favorite among viewers and readers. Overall, the Soul Eater frog witch is a captivating and complex character in the manga and anime series. Her unique abilities, cunning personality, and memorable design make her an integral part of the story, leaving a lasting impression on fans of the series..
Reviews for "The Soul Eater Frog Witch: A Tale of Power and Sacrifice"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I really didn't enjoy "Soul Eater Frog Witch". The storyline felt disjointed and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth. The animation was also subpar compared to other anime series I've watched. Overall, I found it underwhelming and struggled to stay engaged throughout the episodes.
2. Michael - 1 star - "Soul Eater Frog Witch" was a complete disappointment. The plot seemed promising at first, but it quickly became dull and uninteresting. The main characters lacked development, and their actions felt forced. Additionally, the animation quality was consistently low, making it visually unappealing. I wouldn't recommend this anime to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed series.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Soul Eater Frog Witch" based on the hype surrounding it, but I was thoroughly disappointed. The pacing of the storyline was incredibly slow, and the plot itself lacked originality. The characters felt one-dimensional and had very little growth throughout the series. The overall experience left me feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in continuing to watch.
4. David - 3 stars - Despite its unique concept, "Soul Eater Frog Witch" failed to meet my expectations. The story started off strong, but it quickly became repetitive and predictable. The character development was decent, but the animation quality was inconsistent, ranging from good to mediocre. While it had its enjoyable moments, the overall execution fell short for me, making it an average anime at best.