Serif Other Meru 2 is a bold, very wide, very high contrast, upright, normal x-height font.
Keywords: headlines, posters, book titles, packaging, branding, whimsical, ornate, storybook, retro, theatrical, ornamental display, vintage appeal, expressive caps, headline impact, swashy, curly, tuscan-like, bracketed, display.
This typeface pairs heavy, high-contrast serif letterforms with decorative, inward-curling terminals and occasional swash-like details, most noticeably in several capitals. Serifs are pronounced and bracketed, with a classic vertical stress and generous counters that keep the shapes readable despite the ornamentation. Widths are expansive and the rhythm is assertive, with strong thick strokes contrasted by fine hairlines and crisp interior curves. Lowercase forms are more restrained and traditional in construction, while select capitals introduce distinctive spiral/scroll motifs that give the set a decorative, poster-like presence.
Best suited to short, attention-grabbing settings such as headlines, theatrical posters, book or chapter titles, and vintage-inspired packaging. It can work well for brand marks and display lockups where the ornate capitals can be showcased. For long passages, it will read most comfortably at larger sizes where the hairlines and curls remain clear.
The overall tone feels playful and theatrical, evoking Victorian-era display typography and storybook titling. Its curls and flourishes add a sense of charm and mischief, making the text feel more like a headline or logo than neutral reading matter. The heavy weight and dramatic contrast also lend it a slightly gothic, carnival-poster energy without becoming overtly distressed.
The design appears intended as a decorative serif for display typography, combining robust, traditional serif construction with selective ornamental curls to create memorable capitals and a distinctly vintage flavor. It prioritizes personality and visual impact over neutrality, aiming to add character to titles and featured words.
Ornamentation is not uniform across all letters: several capitals carry prominent curled interior terminals, while many lowercase letters and figures remain comparatively plain. This creates a strong hierarchy where uppercase words or initial caps become focal points in a line. Numerals appear sturdy and traditional, matching the serif structure and weight of the lowercase.