Review of Black Butler

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. Thismade 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 animation quality noticeably dips in the final episodes, and the story seems to lose direction. It’s clear there was some disconnect between Yana Toboso’s original vision and the anime director’s interpretation, which led to some character inconsistencies.

That said, I still appreciate the show’s unique concepts. Even the filler episodes, despite their flaws, are better executed than some early anime adaptations like the original Fate/Stay Night. Overall, Season 1 is a mixed but passable entry point, and I plan to continue watching the rest of the series, hoping for a more rewarding experience ahead.