Movies / Animé and Toons

Black Butler: Season 1, Part 1

By Chris Zimmerman
December 28, 2010 - 08:19

If given the opportunity, would you sell your soul to a devil in pursuit of your ultimate goal? While the cost may be steep, the reward may be worth it if Black Butler is any indication. The story is a Faustian one, with a party making a deal with a demon in exchange for the means to their ends, and while it may not sound all that unique, the show runners decide to spice things up with boatloads of gothic set pieces and finely crafted characters to ensure audiences of dark fantasy get their fill.

Like a majority of the anime streaming in Japan, Black Butler is an adaptation of a manga by Yana Toboso, mixing shojo and shonen qualities in the hopes of crafting a universally appealing work. The manga was licensed by Yen Press within the last few years and given its habit of hovering around the top spot on the New York Times bestseller list, it was only a matter of time before an anime studio picked up its animated counterpart. Funimation did just that, bundling the first half of the first season in one set.

The story is set in Victorian era London where nobles still thrive and the supernatural lurks around every corner. Ciel Phantomhive is the heir to his estate and the sole survivor of a fire that claimed his parent’s lives years prior to the start of the series. Being a noble, Ciel has several servants to call upon, most of whom are dimwitted and ill-suited for their positions, that is, except for his butler, Sebastian.

Sebastian is practically a one man work force, not only carrying out his own chores, but also picking up the other’s slack. Later on, when Ciel finds his life threatened, Sebastian reveals himself as a competent combatant, storming in and laying siege to his foes. As the series proceeds, its made abundantly clear that there is more to Sebastian than meets the eye.

With Sebastian at his side, Ciel is enlisted by the queen to serve her will, being tasked with solving various crimes, pitting the duo against murderous foes. As dark as the cases can be, Ciel and Sebastian prove themselves to be just as dark, ruthlessly attempting to take the lives of their enemies without hesitation, providing a unique counterpoint to the virtuous protagonists that populate other series.

The series boasts a suitable mix of action and the occasional patch of dialogue to move the plot along. The episodes are mostly populated with action but there are bits of dramatic silence that can stretch out for an insufferable amount of time, giving the pacing a stilted feel.

The animation is standard for television anime, neither good nor bad but average. The color palette deals mostly in grays and blacks, suitable given the series’ subject matter.

The set is rounded out by a surprising offering of bonus material, including two audio commentaries, a music profile, and the usual clean animations and trailers.

Black Butler is an entertaining jaunt through a gothic wonderland of excitement that succeeds in delivering exactly what is expected of it. It’s not perfect, nor is it great, but is fun and a worthy addition to the franchise.

Black Butler is a treasure trove of gothic imagery for fans of dark fantasy.

B+     

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12