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Black Butler

Black Butler

Introduction

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]

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Audience ratings

MyAnimeList / Tenrai : 7.65/10 · 653080

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Audience reviews

20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.

chumchummaru

I also read other people's reviews for the first ep. and came across one where it was written that the last 9 ep. and the second season are basically fillers, and I would like to correct it since ep. 7 to 12 are also filler (I checked it myself). But with A-1 Pictures I'm not surprised that it turned out like this. And now I'll express my feelings about the anime. Honestly, I was quite looking forward to this anime. But the cruel truth ruined my overall enthusiasm and I'm basically disappointed that out of the total 24 ep. there are only 8 original ones, which I haven't experienced yet, so that 80% is just filler, with such a short series. It's a shame that I haven't read the manga and even bigger that we won't even see it in CZ. I like the characters, I write okay because in those 8 ep.…

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Olorin666

*A Black Butler* is a cult classic. Its blend of English history, mystery, mysticism, and comedy really hit the mark. Ciel and Sebastian are iconic characters. But. In the first season, the episodes that are canon to the manga are only 1–6 and 13–15. That’s a total of just 9 episodes. The quality of all the other episodes is, let’s just say, questionable. And I hope the fans will forgive me, but even the original episodes aren’t as good as they once seemed. There really isn’t that much deep, interesting lore. Most of the time, we’re watching either dumb, cringey antics or a whole bucketful of yaoi. And don’t get me wrong, I’m very open to different ideas, but how old is Ciel? 12? 14? Damn, I don’t think that’s normal. All these hints aren’t exactly healthy, no matter what you say. Another…

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JonaRM

I liked it. At the beginning, there are many plots about investigating murders, which makes it quite enjoyable, and they throw in some good humor at times. However, it does become somewhat repetitive towards the end. In many episodes, they build up the plot little by little, although I feel it was resolved a bit too quickly. But I think the ending was fitting. The relationship between the main characters is the best part, in my opinion. I think it's what makes the anime work; without either of them, something would be missing. Something I didn't like is that at the beginning, they show you a super-powerful butler who can do everything, and in many episodes, he seems limited or doesn't show all of that power, although he does show it at the important moment. Overall, I enjoyed watching t…

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k6451

Like another review said, this anime is breathtakingly beautiful, and has both humor, and thought provoking themes. The characters are all charming in their own ways, and there is never really a dull moment when watching this show. Though, this season seems to actually preserve the mood that this series/story is supposed to give off. The later seasons seem less so, so that's why I gave them a lower score. This season is very much gothic, and more true to the overall vibe of the environment. Especially the opening theme/video. Kind of a shit review since I can't really think of that much to say at the moment, but this show is very dear to my heart and will certainly make you feel a wide variety of emotions. The only issue for most people is that most of the season isn't canon. I personally…

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marislakkkj

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…

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BeLLaGoth

What can I say about Black Butler?It's one of my favorites animes...the gothic vibe, the beautiful music, the op song is amazing!On to the story now is unique,there is something very dark about it...a demon in a butler form and a little boy hopeless and helpless ,Ciel(ourCiel) knows from a very young age how much evil there is out there.The only one who is always by his side is Sebastian,Even if he knows, it's because of the contract they have signed between them Ciel has feelings for Sebastian he sees him as his own person and as his family (this is my personal opinion)like Sebastian, he has feelings of admiration for Ciel and that's the paradox a demon admiring you more than your own family. The animation is very good!I recommend you watch it, it will leave you with a very beautiful and…

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SakamakiKoyatsu

One of those rather occult and sorcery based anime, it is semi-steampunk in a appearance but victorian in setting, taking place seemingly between the 18th and 19th century Brittania. As one of an iconic anime in its genre and well-known by title by those who have watched anime, and the mystic appearance of its characters and antics, it does not dissapoint. Which a demon for a butler, an very young master, some seemingly benign servents, reapers, angels, immortals, and all sorts of events that can churn someone minds, it is an eccentric anime to behold to the watcher and viewer. The prospect of the demon contract for a ?Tasty? soul between our main character Ciel Phantom, now head, epithet, and most prominent phantom hive in the series and his butler, main sidekick, and one hell of a comp…

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maya_kotori

Kuroshitsuji is one of those anime that completely pulls you into its world before you even realize what’s happening. It was only my third anime ever, and somehow I got totally lost in it in the best possible way. I watched it together with my sister, and that alone made the experience even more special. There’s something about sharing all the twists, the humor, the dark moments, and the absolute chaos of this series with someone else that makes it unforgettable. The atmosphere of Kuroshitsuji is unlike anything else. It mixes elegance, mystery, gothic aesthetics, and dark humor so perfectly that every episode feels like stepping into a beautifully twisted Victorian fairy tale. And of course, Sebastian and Ciel are such iconic characters. Their dynamic is intense, clever, emotional, and so…

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_kelliana

Okay when I first began watching it I felt like everything was repetative. Ciel was finding a problem and Sebastion helped him solve it over and over again. I was going to stop watching it to be honest because it became very boring. I am so very glad I didn't! After a couple (like 10 episodes) things began progressing and there was ACTUAL PLOT. I think those episodes was for the watchers to meet the new characters and see every personality. I really like the plot and Ciel's backstory wasn't what I was expecting at all it was extremely sad ngl. But I do reccommend watching the whole series because if you think its good now just know IT GETS BETTER!

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CyberDawg

I first watched Black Butler back in high school nearly a decade ago, and I was instantly drawn in by its moody Victorian setting, elegant character design, and the unique dynamic between Ciel Phantomhive and his demonic butler, Sebastian. Add in the quirky, clumsy, but endearing household staff, and it was easy to see why the series stuck with me. Having recently rewatched it, I’m happy to say that much of what I enjoyed still holds up, especially the strong visual style, atmospheric soundtrack, and its moments of strong storytelling (Additionally, I forgot just how funny certain scenes were). That said, Black Butler's first season is not without its issues, most notably in how heavily it deviates from the manga. Roughly nine or ten of its twenty-four episodes closely follow the source m…

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Walrusnation

Listen, listen. We all like to trash-talk season 2, but honestly? Season 1 wasn’t that great either, in my opinion. And that’s coming from someone who freaking adores Black Butler—both the anime and the manga. I love the anime, but I can also recognize when something I love isn’t actually that good. Season 1 is mostly filler episodes and fanservice, and when the main story does pick up, it barely makes sense half the time. If they had just stuck with the main story a bit more (maybe dropped one of the filler episodes or something), the eventual reveal could’ve had way more depth and time to actually shine. I think I would’ve liked it a lot better if they had done that. But yeah, even though it's messy, it is a fun kind of messy.

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deijiplays

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.

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colelouch

Season 1 of Black Butler often serves as many people’s first exposure to the franchise, especially for those like me who haven’t read the manga. Watching it in 2025, I’d say it definitely feels like a product of its time. Still, it has a strong aesthetic and offers intriguing ideas and solid world-building rooted in 19th-century British history and fiction. Sebastian’s behavior and his dynamic with Ciel make it easy to see why the series originally drew in a large female audience. I chose to watch the season in its original release order, including all the filler, rather than following the fan-recommended "true" viewing guide. This made the experience feel a bit inconsistent. The manga-based arcs are short but well done. The filler starts off interesting but quickly loses momentum. The an…

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Jastereich

This show is definitely my thing. Let's divide it up by seasons the way Funimation does. The first season begins in an uncertain atmosphere, darkening the audience's mood and revealing only parts of Ciel's life two years after the meeting with Sebastian. We get to know the characters and how they interact with each other, then some 5 minutes on the introductory video we see Ciel naked with a red cloth and he seems to be talking with a crow. The story, however, is leisurely paced with the focus being on the characters and their conversations. Others exist only to provide the needed comic relief. Bardroy's cooking disasters, Finnian's failed gardening attempts, and Mey-Rin's clumsiness does add some humor, but they are too one-dimensional. Even Tanaka, who is different from them and has a w…

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asifshinichi

"Black Butler" is a mesmerizing blend of Gothic elegance and dark mystery, weaving a tapestry of shadows and secrets that captivates from the very first frame. Set in Victorian England, the series follows the enigmatic Sebastian Michaelis, a demon bound in service to the young and affluent Earl Ciel Phantomhive. The anime's allure lies not only in its rich historical backdrop but also in its intricate narrative, which seamlessly melds elements of suspense, supernatural, and the macabre. Each episode unfurls with meticulous attention to detail, immersing viewers in a world where every gesture and glance harbors hidden motives. What sets Black Butler apart is its nuanced exploration of loyalty, power, and the price of one's soul. As Sebastian navigates the treacherous labyrinth of his master…

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PapaSomm

Mood. Moody. Moodiness. This is a “different-from-other-girls,” quirky goth girl’s wet dream. Set in Victorian England, a dark depressed rich boy orphan and his relentlessly sexy demon butler take to detective work while not forgoing lessons in etiquette. This is Tim Burton's vision of a Sherlock Holmes Story; I was surprised Johnny Depp and Helen Bonham Carter didn't make a cameo. The characters have all the charm of the Addams Family, and the atmosphere is as rich as Bela Lugosi's Dracula films. Sophisticated sexy. Your guilty pleasure. One to watch on a rainy day. Did I mention it’s gothic and moody?

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Technion

I know that the score of the series not that high, but its a personal favorite of mine ever since I’ve started it. The story seems unique a other should like this. I liked the plot, it was suitably dark (although not TOO dark for me), and it was one of the first anime of mine. I enjoyed very well! The Humor and the characters are great, and in my opinion its very good. Have heard about that the manga is better, but haven't read the manga, although I might. Don't know. So in short, is Black Butler good? I believe so. Ron. (:

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LilacProse

24 episodes. 15 of them are useless, unfunny filler: that's 63%, the majority. Filler used to be super common in "older" anime but this is insane. I don't understand where the massive fandom of this anime came from. Maybe the manga is good, but this? This was genuinely uninteresting for the most part. The plot is mostly non-existent and the characters are mostly flat. Ciel and Sebastian are supposed to be the main characters, but they feel like side-characters is most of the episodes. They appear during the climax of an arc or an episode, but barely participate in the story or plot itself. They don't really seem to have strong likes or dislikes either. I struggle recalling a single character trait either of them have. Sebastian is "perfect" and maybe secretly a little bloodthirsty. B…

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Disapeared_Ghost

This is an anime adaptation of the manga of the same name by Yana Tobusu. I first learned about this tv series when I was in my early years of high school. The series is about Ciel Phantomhive and his demonic butler Sebastian. Ciel is the watch dog for the queen and the earl of his house Phantomhive. His job as the watchdog of the queen is to serve the queen of England for morally dubious tasks. While he is investigating who is behind his parent's murder from a massive house fire a couple of years ago. The story and characters are really interesting. Sebastian is quite charming and he always manages to come out on top. And any task he does by Ciel he always exceeds his results. Other characters in the show as well like Grell and The Undertaker are quite humorous and they give off some…

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SenpaiSkye

I love the animation style and the visuals on this series. It is really detailed and polished without being overbearing, which curates the level of elegance that this series demands. It is a very interesting story that is somehow both engaging and endearing in a twisted way. Personally I am partial to victorian themes, and this series does an amazing job of executing that without being played out. You would expect the twist on a series like this to be vampire related but instead it's something much more sinister. Ciel is sort of like batman, except he needs an exorcist and a therapist. Every now and then the episodes had content that deviated from the plot which can either be a negative or positive depending on how you view it. For me it was a positive that kept me engaged. It is also…

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