Review of Black Butler

Kuroshitsuji Black Butler The short version of the Canon Before I start with the actual Rating, I have to mention that I have not read the manga and only know the Non-Canon anime adaptation (which does not follow the manga). Second, I recommend starting with Season 3 (Book of Circus), which follows the manga for anyone interested in the original story. Season 1 has no connection to the manga except for episodes 1,3,4,5,13-15 and these listed episodes have also been changed so that the transition to the other non-manga-based episodes remains. -scenes with new enemies that don't really exist. Season 3 briefly summarizes the events from episodes 1-5 and 13-15,but at least the Jack the Ripper part (3-5) should be seen to get to know the larger context.

Apart from that, it should be noted that I had already ended the seasons at the time of the review. The quality difference between season 1/2 and season 3 is far too great. So if you are displeased with seasons 1 and 2, you should switch to season 3 all the more because the writing style and implementation are much better.

So what makes this adaptation so bad? In all honesty, I don't even know where to start.

The concept of Black Butler is the same at the beginning of this season as in the manga, it is simple and nothing special. What else will be made of it is unclear. However, we see the attempt to create an alternative plot for this and how it could fail.

The plot is almost too transparent and too simple from start to finish, which in itself is not catastrophic, as this applies to many anime. But what happens when you combine this lack of creativity with the worst possible implementation? Completely pointless, illogical and frighteningly boring, and dull conversations? Unfortunately, they didn't just stick with it.
They also managed to create no tension in the whole plot, adorned with enormously drawn-out episodes, hardly any music, weak animations. To create by far the most clichéd antagonists without real ambitions or content. I had to pause each episode at least 3-4 times to talk about what we were watching in the first place. In all of the 20 episodes, there was practically not a single moment in which you could even experience a rudimentary high-quality implementation.

Without exaggerating, this title is by far the prime example of why you shouldn't change a story out of your mind. And how bad the implementation can be.

And then there are the characters.
Sebastian has no personality, no charm, nothing at all. He is an empty puppet that adorns the stage.
Ciel spends most of the time talking about his inner darkness and how highly intelligent he is. Unfortunately, he never managed to present his alleged superiority once. Instead, he acted like a fool as often as possible.
The servants of the house have been annoying after the others who can do nothing. This could be used as a subtle running gag, which has also been tried. However, with absolutely no creativity, it was just catastrophically enforced. If a character serves up the same subterranean joke 7 times within 5 episodes, it won't be funnier, especially if the joke has no structure whatsoever. "Ohh, I am not allowed to prepare the food with a flame thrower?" "Ohh, I am not allowed to fry the food with TnT?" "Oh, is it bad when I cut hedges with a chainsaw?" In the background of the characters one learns (in canon) more about their personality, but nothing that justifies this constant senseless use of their screen time. Especially when their respective scenes take several minutes. After all, it is still better than every single minute of screen time from the "antagonists".
Would personally like to say more about the antagonists, unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing there.

Musically Black Butler is average and has almost no Osts and hardly any use of it. The intro, on the other hand, has a certain catchy tune and interesting style, it succeeded.

Animations are mostly average, with no noteworthy properties. On the other hand, they became duller and duller by the end.

This season of "Black Butler" can be watched by "newbies" in the anime scene who have no claims or experience. I definitely cannot recommend this to any experienced viewer. The Canon Seasons are incomparably better.

- Story 3
- Art 5
- Sound 4
- Character 2
- Enjoyment 1
- Overall 2