Kuroshitsuji

Young Ciel Phantomhive is known as "the Queen's Guard Dog," taking care of the many unsettling events that occur in Victorian England for Her Majesty. Aided by Sebastian Michaelis, his loyal butler with seemingly inhuman abilities, Ciel uses whatever means necessary to get the job done. But is there more to this black-clad butler than meets the eye?

In Ciel's past lies a secret tragedy that enveloped him in perennial darkness—during one of his bleakest moments, he formed a contract with Sebastian, a demon, bargaining his soul in exchange for vengeance upon those who wronged him. Today, not only is Sebastian one hell of a butler, but he is also the perfect servant to carry out his master's orders—all the while anticipating the delicious meal he will eventually make of Ciel's soul. As the two work to unravel the mystery behind Ciel's chain of misfortunes, a bond forms between them that neither heaven nor hell can tear apart.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Michaelis, Sebastian Main

Ono, Daisuke Japanese

Phantomhive, Ciel Main

Sakamoto, Maaya Japanese

Sutcliff, Grell Supporting

Fukuyama, Jun Japanese

Undertaker Supporting

Suwabe, Junichi Japanese

Mey-Rin Supporting

Katou, Emiri Japanese

Finnian Supporting

Kaji, Yuuki Japanese

Midford, Elizabeth Supporting

Tamura, Yukari Japanese

Spears, William T. Supporting

Sugiyama, Noriaki Japanese

Kadar, Soma Asman Supporting

Tachibana, Shinnosuke Japanese

Cainz, Drocell Supporting

Katsu, Anri Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Maruyama, Hiroo Producer

Shimizu, Hiroyuki Producer

Iwata, Mikihiro Producer

Reviews

May 2, 2026

marislakkkj

Recommended

If Black Butler were a banquet, it would be served on fine china, with a slight taste of poison—elegant, seductive, and dangerously addictive. A work that dances between the gothic and the psychological, delivering style and substance in almost equal measure. Rating? A solid 9/10. But the true beating heart of the series isn't the demonic pact or the visual spectacle—it's Ciel Phantomhive… an interesting read that perfectly matches the symbolic weight he carries. Ciel isn't just a protagonist—he's a walking paradox. A boy with the bearing of a lord, but a soul scarred by deep trauma. Unlike many characters who "grow" throughout the story, ... Ciel starts out broken—and that changes everything. He doesn't seek redemption. He seeks revenge. And that makes him closer to a tragic anti-hero than a classic hero. Like a small Atlas (yes, the one who carries the world on his shoulders), Ciel bears: the weight of the past, the responsibility of a destroyed family ...and the cost of a contract that has already sealed his fate. But, unlike the titan, he chose to carry this burden—and pays for it with every cold decision. One of the most fascinating layers of the character is the constant charade: To society: an impeccable young nobleman. To his servants: a rigid master. To himself: someone who cannot allow himself weakness. Ciel lives acting. And the most unsettling thing? He knows it. This self-awareness adds rare depth. He is not deluded about who he has become—he accepts it, even if it slowly consumes him. The dynamic with Sebastian Michaelis is where everything gains even more density. Sebastian is not just a butler. He is: temptation, inevitability, and the constant reminder that the end has already been decided. Ciel, in turn, does not fear Sebastian—he uses him. But there is a silent tension there: who is really in control? This relationship transforms each dialogue into an elegant psychological game, almost like a game of chess where the king is already doomed from the firt move.
Despite its brilliance, Black Butler sometimes stumbles: episodic arcs that break the rhythm, moments where the tone oscillates too much between comedy and tragedy, parts less focused on the main narrative. These details don't ruin the experience, but they prevent absolute perfection. Black Butler is a work that delights the eyes, but captivates the mind. And at the center of it all is Ciel—not as a hero, but as a portrait of loss, pride, and obsession. He doesn't want to save the world. He wants to settle accounts with it. And perhaps that's exactly what makes it so fascinating. Final score: 9/10 🖤

PT

Se Black Butler fosse um banquete, ele seria servido em porcelana fina, com um leve gosto de veneno — elegante, sedutor e perigosamente viciante. Uma obra que dança entre o gótico e o psicológico, entregando estilo e substância quase na mesma medida. Nota? Um sólido 9/10.
Mas o verdadeiro coração pulsante da série não é o pacto demoníaco nem o espetáculo visual — é Ciel Phantomhive…, uma leitura interessante que combina perfeitamente com o peso simbólico que ele carrega
Ciel não é apenas um protagonista — ele é um paradoxo ambulante. Um garoto com postura de lorde, mas alma marcada por trauma profundo. Diferente de muitos personagens que “crescem” ao longo da história, Ciel já começa quebrado — e isso muda tudo.
Ele não busca redenção. Ele busca vingança.
E isso faz dele mais próximo de um anti-herói trágico do que de um herói clássico. Como um pequeno Atlas (sim, aquele que carrega o mundo nas costas), Ciel sustenta:
o peso do passado
a responsabilidade de uma família destruída
e o custo de um contrato que já selou seu destino
Só que, ao contrário do titã, ele escolheu carregar esse fardo — e paga por isso a cada decisão fria.
Uma das camadas mais fascinantes do personagem é o teatro constante:
Para a sociedade: um jovem nobre impecável
Para seus empregados: um mestre rígido
Para si mesmo: alguém que não pode se permitir fraqueza
Ciel vive encenando. E o mais inquietante? Ele sabe disso.
Essa autoconsciência adiciona profundidade rara. Ele não se ilude sobre quem se tornou — ele aceita, mesmo que isso o consuma lentamente.
A dinâmica com Sebastian Michaelis é onde tudo ganha ainda mais densidade.
Sebastian não é só um mordomo. Ele é:
tentação
inevitabilidade
e o lembrete constante de que o fim já foi decidido
Ciel, por sua vez, não teme Sebastian — ele o usa. Mas há uma tensão silenciosa ali: quem está realmente no controle?
Essa relação transforma cada diálogo em um jogo psicológico elegante, quase como uma partida de xadrez onde o rei já é condenado desde o primeiro movimento.
Apesar de seu brilho, Black Butler às vezes tropeça:
arcos episódicos que quebram o ritmo
momentos em que o tom oscila demais entre comédia e tragédia
partes menos focadas na narrativa principal
Esses detalhes não destroem a experiência, mas impedem a perfeição absoluta.
Black Butler é uma obra que encanta pelos olhos, mas prende pela mente. E no centro disso tudo está Ciel — não como um herói, mas como um retrato de perda, orgulho e obsessão.
Ele não quer salvar o mundo.
Ele quer acertar contas com ele.
E talvez seja exatamente isso que torna tudo tão fascinante.
Nota final: 9/10 🖤

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Apr 24, 2025

deijiplays

Mixed Feelings

It piqued my interest why this anime had been quite the trend back then. I didn't have much expectation about its graphics in comparison to today's anime, but the story flow made me feel somewhat bored. Throughout its season, the investigation scenario was short and mostly filled with Sebastian solving little problems caused by their household members. It didn't show much detail about the mystery they were uncovering, and sometimes, it included scenes connected to Ciel that just made me even more confused. Despite that, I was still amazed at Sebastian and how he handled everything, making him a perfect butler.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Feb 18, 2022

IgnitedJesus

Not Recommended

I have heard many people rate Kuroshitsuji as their favorite anime ever. I really wish I was able to understand the hype behind it because I feel like a lot of this review is mainly attributed to personal reception. This anime has been sold off as a "shonen" but I don't think it's even remotely near the category, this feels much more like some type of pseudo-slice of life fantasy if anything.

The story of the Anime kept falling flat for me as well as the main characters. Sebastian has some cool moments, but these moments were all outshone by the fact of Ciel being ... a typical snotty rich kid that has near 0 personality behind his character. I understand the "that's how he was supposed to be. He grows more as the anime moves on", but it is never to a point that makes me recognize him as a discernable character that is solidified in my memory bank of notable protagonists.

Throughout the whole series, I found the secondary characters to be significantly more enjoyable than that of Ciel or Sebastian. Bard, Mey-Rin, Finn were all much more loveable additions to the series than the latter.

While there were a few scenes that made me enjoy the watch, there was nothing that truly shook the Earth for me and delivered me an experience that I felt like was not done better in another series or manga.

I wish I understood the hype but I guess I will just have to chalk this one up to personal disinterest.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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