Review of Black Butler

After being apart from the Anime and Manga world for a year and four months, I decided to come back, and the best way to do that was to search for something new and refreshing, something that would make me step out of my comfort zone when it comes to genres. After reading several reviews, I chose Kuroshitsuji or "Black Butler". I told myself to not expect anything and simply enjoy watching it. It wasn't my kind of story at all — not even close. However, as soon as I finished watching the first episode, I was already hooked. First of all, the story wasflawless. It's not everyday that you see a twelve-year-old — thirteen after a couple of episodes — seeking revenge for the death of his parents and contracting a demon to help him do it. On top of that, add a strange aunt with secret intentions, servants that could kick your ass in half a second and an androgynous Shinigami that likes to complicate things. Although you must know that Kuroshitsuji is a lot more than that.

Like I said, it was flawless, and it obviously had a lot of potential, which they used very well. However, in the middle of it all things started getting a little vague. Too many fillers and too little answers to important questions made me forget about the main plot for a while. I have not read the Manga and understand that it is still going, but still can't quite find the reason why the producers would follow the story loyally up until episode five. It made no sense to me.

The art was actually one of the things that got me into Kuroshitsuji. Like many others, I judge an Anime before-hand by the character's design. Sebastian and Ciel, the main characters of this story, were beautifully drawn. There were little to no scenes in which they faces looked weird. When I read that the events took place in 19th century London I wondered how well they would portray it, and it absolutely exceeded my expectations. Four for you, A-1 Pictures! You go, A-1 Pictures!

Usually, I'm not very fond of Openings and Endings. They bore me after a couple of episodes and I find myself skipping them. However, I absolutely loved every Opening and Ending that they chose to show. I even liked the subtle changes they made to the Opening after episode thirteen. The background music in important scenes was perfect and it suited the atmosphere. It was unique.

Voices were great, too. Sebastian's voice had that little thing to it, that subtle sweetness which, at the same time, reminded you that he was, in fact, a demon, not a caring butler after all. Ciel's voice was my favorite. Being a twelve-year-old, it would be easy to have him had a voice that would annoy you. However, it was innocent and hard at the same time, just as his character. After all, he was still a kid trapped in a dark world.

I waited and waited for an episode — or even two — that could show us more about the background characters, such as the servants or even the Queen. It came, yes, but it was not what I expected. This Anime would have been even much better if all those filler episodes would have been used to explain where did all the characters come from, their hopes, dreams, and opinions as to what was happening around them.

I've seen a lot of people complain about Ciel being a conceited brat. If Ciel were to be a loving and caring young boy, the story would lose all realism and fall into even more plot holes.

As far as enjoyment goes, I can honestly say I stopped myself from doing important things only to continue watching Kuroshitsuji. Hell yes, I did enjoy it. Even the fillers had a little something that would make me want to continue until the end. I'm not much of a Manga person, but this Anime made me feel such a great deal of things that I think I'm going to start reading just so I can see what other direction can the story go to. I don't regret watching it and I don't see it as a waste of time at all.

Overall: Kuroshitsuji is a great Anime. It can fall sometimes in a boring cycle and make you wonder if you should continue watching, but it always has that something, that doubt that makes you want to keep it up until the end. If you can handle an ending that may not be exactly what you want, then all I have to say is: go watch it. After all... it's just one hell of an Anime.