Review of Black Butler

I pondered for a long time about just how to approach a review for this show, not because it's bad or anything. I thought it was perfectly fine title, but probably about as bare bones as an anime can get, and that is a bit of a problem for me, since it will sound like I'm being a blowhard whose hating on something a vast majority loves. i'll try my best to explain in a fair manner. Scenes were funny, and I enjoyed the main cast and the macabre setting, but by the time I completed the last episode, nothing about Kuroshitsuji says it willbe an anime title to remember. A fun anime, but hollow.
I'll put on my bifocals, navel-high slacks with suspenders and be the bitter old man talkin about the "good ol' days of Japanime watchin'" for a second to explain my position. There's a very good reason why anime like Cowboy Bebop and Fooly Cooly are still being aired on American television; they delivered a dynamic cast of memorable characters, a seducing visual appeal, stellar soundtracks, and were written with heart, subtlty, and patience while showing a respect to it's viewing audience and not treating them like gaggling fanboys and fangirls (my secondary reason is U.S. anime fans failing to give something outside of the norm a chance to breathe some need life into this fledgling industry, but that's a tirade on it's own). I do understand that there is a generational gap between Black Butler and Cowboy Bebop, and I don't wish to try and compare the two. I want to illustrate that there is nothing in Kuroshitsuji that will stick with me. It's entertaining when it has to be, and only seems to drag near the end when it just feels like the show is killing time until that idiotic climax, but it just feels like another hotshot anime title that's keeping the seat warm until the next big anime craze catches everyone's attention. It's seemingly forced sequel is an even stronger indication of a show that desperately wants to be revered ten years from now. That whole vibe I got from this just kind of bugs me about today's anime and it's shallow marketablity that kept Bleach on the air for 14+ seasons.
All of that being aside, it's still a kind of fun endeavor. I thought if every episode played out in a similar fashion of the first episode, I could've given this a strong 9 out of 10. Kind of like Nerima Daikon Brothers, nothing else happens thats even close to it's first episode. Ciel Phantomhive and his charges have an aura that is a bit of a cross between the Addams Family and Tales from the Crypt, and thats what I thought I was getting into. Sebastian himself is pretty enjoyable, but if "dark" was the mood Kuroshitsuji was trying to set, then his humor should've been less subtle. You can be twisted and jocular while still being imposing and intimidating if the writing is crisp enough, but Sebby only gets more absurd as the show goes on, which is why it's hard to take the more dramatic moments seriously. and that time should've been used to build Ciel as a character to get behind. instead of learning about his actual plight and the deal he made to get him where he is, his story is just rushed and never seems to develop, so noe I'm stuck with yet another run of the mill revenge-based protagonist. Yay, I haven't seen that done to death or anything. Bardroy, Finnian, and Mey Rin provide most of the comedy and slapstick and are very damn good at it. they are my favorite characters in the whole show, as well as Eliza and her assistant Paula. they were gems.
16th century Europe is.......well.....about as charming as 16th century Europe would be, given plagues, British Tyranny and all. The setting looks pretty great is what I'm saying. The drab, shadowy visuals and smooth animation make great bedfellows during the marrionette episode, and Grell's life reel animation looks stunning. It really is one of the better looking television shows I've seen since X.
IN CLOSING: It really does sound like I hate Kuroshitsuji more than my score says. While I did enjoy this, it didn't light my world on fire. The main story is easy enough to get into, I felt more could've been done in that regard, and there is plenty of whacky hi-jinks to sink your teeth into if you like a hybrid of light and dark comedy and can make you forget about the weak plot. Kuroshitsuji's weakest aspect is it's inability to try anything we haven't seen already. Amusement parks stay successful by introducing innovative rollercoasters, and anime needs the same kind of boost instead of sitting in place and offering more of the same kind of humor and paint-by-numbers storytelling.

STORY: 6
ART: 8
SOUND: 7
CHARACTERS: 5
REWATCH VALUE: 7
OVERALL SCORE: 6 out of 10

PROS: Pretty funny stuff, lovable side characters, art style
CONS: Underdeveloped story, Sebastian wears thin after awhile, nothing really fresh about this title