Black Butler: Season One is Worth Watching

 

Highlights

• Classic and influential anime series
• Black Butler is a dark fantasy mystery series
• Season 4 of Black Bulter will focus on the Public School Arc and will premier January 2024

Black Butler is a supernatural mystery anime set in Victorian-era London circa 1885.  The Black Butler anime originally launched in 2008 and has had 3 seasons created with a new 4th season of Black Butler debuting in 2024 produced by Cloverworks Studio.

Black Butler is a supernatural dark fantasy mystery anime and while there is comedy in the series I would not say that the content is kid-friendly.  The 4th season will focus on the Public School Arc of Black Butler and there are 3 other seasons for you to enjoy.  The first season for me is the best however the other two seasons are still good and worth watching.

Black Butler is produced by A-1 Studios who also produced another supernatural anime called Blue Exorcist and they do absolutely beautiful work.  A-1 is a brand that in my mind means quality.  Season 4 will hand the animation reigns over to Cloverworks Studio who is another powerhouse animation house so we’ll have to wait and see how it works out.

However, if the trailer of the Black Butler 2024 anime below is any indication we are in for some high-quality animation and storytelling.

Watch the Black Butler 2024 anime trailer below

Black Butler Season 1 anime trailer

Plot

Set in the bustling city of London during the Victorian Era, Black Butler is a gripping anime that follows the story of Ciel, a young and courageous boy who has been through unimaginable pain and loss. Tragically orphaned after his family was brutally murdered, Ciel makes a deal with his devilish butler to avenge his family and bring justice to those responsible.

As Earl Phantomhive and "Queen's Watchdog", Ciel embarks on a perilous journey filled with mystery, danger, and unexpected twists and turns. With his trusty butler Sebastian by his side, Ciel uncovers sinister plots, solves baffling mysteries, and battles against formidable foes.

From the lavish halls of high society to the dark and seedy underbelly of London, Black Butler immerses viewers in a world of intrigue, betrayal, and supernatural forces. With its beautifully crafted animation, intricate plotlines, and memorable characters, this anime is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good mystery and a thrilling adventure.

Black Butler Characters

Ciel Phantomhive

Who is Ciel Phantomhive?  Ciel, the Black Butler main character, is a character with depth and complexity. His unbreakable spirit and relentless pursuit of revenge are contrasted by his caring nature towards his loved ones. As the Earl of the Phantomhive house, he exudes a commanding presence and inspires loyalty in those around him. The dynamic between Ciel and his loyal butler Sebastian adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.  But beyond his tough exterior, Ciel is a relatable character with his love for sweets and his struggles with asthma. Overall, the character of Ciel is a compelling part of this cinematic experience.

Sebastian Michaelis

Sebastian is the titular Black Butler and is a flawless butler who always carries out Ciel's orders, but he can be critical of his treatment of workers. He's a sadistic demon who has bargained his service for Ciel's soul and is willing to harm others and put Ciel in danger to achieve his ultimate goal. Despite this, his loyalty and dedication to Ciel are unwavering.  What is Sebastian Michaelis true form?  We never see his true demonic form however we are shown images of raven feathers falling.

Black Butler Season 1 Studio

We talked about it earlier but Black Butler season 1 is produced by A-1 Studios.  A-1 was previously spun off from Aniplex Studios in 2005 to handle some limited anime series. Since then has grown into a respected and talented anime studio capable of excellent animation and direction.

For more anime series produced by A-1 Studio, you can check out my collection of reviews and I’d recommend watching pretty much all of their catalog of series.

The director for season 1 of Black Butler is Toshiya Shinohara.  Toshiya directed the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Inuyasha movies.  He is also responsible for directing Iroduku: The World in Colors as well as Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea.  Did doesn’t entirely apply here but he seems to really like directing series that have to do with water.  Again off topic but something that I noticed.

Another anime from A-1 Studios is called Lycoris Recoil and it is absolutely worth watching.  It is not a supernatural series but instead focuses on two young female assassins and their relationship with one another.

Is Black Butler Good?

Yes, Black Butler is a good anime series.  Black Butler Season 1 has stellar character designs.  The Black Butler franchise has several stellar character designs in the form of Ceil and Sebastian.  For the longest time, Sebastian was the poster boy for anime with his angular features and confident demeanor.  I have a clear memory of heading into a Suncoast video and seeing posters of this man plastered everywhere.  Sebastian's character design plays to Yaoi tropes and I’ve read articles that say that as a negative.  I don’t agree with that sentiment and it seems to come from more conservative schools of thought.  Putting that to the side.  Black Butler characters are designed for the most part in practical clothes except for some obvious exceptions.  Case in point Ceil in his with his adorable little hat.  The butler's exterior does a good job of concealing Sebastian Michaelis true form.  We are never shown his true form overtly however several themes have been shown including raven wings.

I’d say that the Black Butler manga is a story-driven mystery.  Action is a part of the equation however there can be long periods of downtime where we watch Ciel and Sebastian work their way through an investigation.  If you are looking for more action I’d look elsewhere.  Since the series takes more than a little time to get to know the characters we can settle and invest in Black Butler characters.  We are allowed to invest in them without having to leap from plot point to plot point.

If you are looking for a more action-oriented anime there is a series coming out in January 2024 called The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic.  Check it out and get hyped.

Conclusion

To finish up Black Butler season 1 is absolutely worth watching as well as the sequel seasons as well.  The characters are well-designed and developed and the mystery and the pacing of the series is fantastic.