| "I could never have imagined that something so unreal could be true..." |
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| This article covers a subject that is not in-universe, meaning it does not constitute canon or plot material in the Kuroshitsuji series. |
| This article is not part of the Kuroshitsuji universe. |
| This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors). | 
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| Kuroshitsuji | |
|---|---|
| File:KuroshitsujiVolume1Cover.jpg | |
| Kanji | 黒執事 |
| Romanji | Black Butler |
| Genre | Supernatural, Comedy, Action, Shōnen |
| Manga | |
| Created by | Yana Toboso |
| Published by | Square Enix |
| English Publisher | Yen Press |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | Monthly GFantasy |
| English Magazine | Yen Plus |
| Original Run | September 16, 2006 - ongoing |
| Volumes | 13 |
| TV Anime | |
| Directed by | Shinohara Toshiya |
| Written by | Mari Okada |
| Music by | Taku Iwasaki |
| Studio | A-1 Pictures |
| Licensed by | FUNimation Entertainment |
| Network | TBS, MBS, Animax |
| English Network | United States: FUNimation Channel Australia: C31, TVS Singapore, Philippines, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand: Animax Asia |
| Episodes | 43 (Episodes) |
| Related Works | |
| Extra | Video game Musical 1 Musical 2 |
Kuroshitsuji (黒執事, Black Butler) or Black Butler is a manga written and illustrated by Yana Toboso.
Kuroshitsuji follows the adventures of Earl Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis, his demon butler, as they take up missions Queen Victoria assigned in order to solve certain mysteries. Although complying to her orders is his preliminary task, Ciel also seeks revenge on those who has shamed the Phantomhives and risks his soul for consumption to Sebastian in order to fulfill this.
The manga series have been adapted to an animated television series (i.e. anime), musicals, ovas, and a video game.
Introduction
In a manor house on the outskirts of Victorian era London, butler Sebastian Michaelis serves Ciel Phantomhive, the head of an English noble family as well as a toy, food, and candy empire, Funtom Company. Sebastian obliges to any task required by his master and solves the problems plaguing England effortlessly due to his demonic lineage and Faustian Contract with his master.
Media
Manga
- Main article: Chapters
Written and drawn by Yana Toboso, the chapters of Kuroshitsuji have been serialized in the shōnen manga magazine Gangan Fantasy since its debut on September 16, 2006.[1] The chapters are also published in collected volumes by Square Enix. The first volume was released on February 27, 2007.
The series has been licensed for an English release by Yen Press and will be published in Yen Plus' August 2009 issue.
Anime
- Main article: Kuroshitsuji (anime)
In July 2008, it was announced that an anime adaption, directed by Shinohara Toshiya, was expected. It premiered in October 2008 and broadcasts on the Tokyo Broadcasting System as well as the Mainichi Broadcasting System.[2][3] The episodes are directed by Toshiya Shinohara and are produced by A-1 pictures.[4] On January 1, 2009, a limited edition DVD containing the first episode was released by Aniplex.[5] The next three episodes were released on another DVD on February 25, 2009.[6]
At the "Black Butler, That Butler, The Final Chapter ~One Last Dinner With You~" (黒執事、その執事、終章 ～最後の晩餐を貴方と共に～, Kuroshitsuji, Sono Shitsuji, Shūshō ~Saigo no Bansan wo Anata to Tomoni~) event on June 14, 2009, it was announced that the anime will be returning for a second series. Undertaker's seiyū Junichi Suwabe confirmed this news on his official blog later that day.[7]
On January 16, 2014, the cover of the February issue of Square Enix's Monthly G Fantasy magazine announced that production on a new anime series for Kuroshitsuji has been green-lit.[8]
Video game
- Main article: Kuroshitsuji: Phantom & Ghost
A video game for Nintendo DS, called Kuroshitsuji: Phantom & Ghost, was released on March 19, 2009.[9] The game is sold in two versions, a limited first-press edition with a higher price and numerous extra goods, and a regular edition.
Books
- Main article: His Butler, Assembles
- Main article: Black Record
- Main article: Final Record
- Main article: Rainbow Butler
- Main article: Rainbow Butler 2
On February 27, 2008, the Kuroshitsuji Character Guide "His Butler, Assembles" (黒執事 キャラクターガイド その執事、集合, Kuroshitsuji Kyarakutāgaido "Sono Shitsuji, Shūgō") was released.[10] It contains character sketches, character information, interviews with the characters through Yana Toboso, an interview with Toboso herself, a quiz, and games, among other things.
The TV Animation Kuroshitsuji Black Record (TVアニメーション黒執事, TV Animeeshon Kuroshitsuji) was released on March 27, 2009.[11] It contains illustrations, cast, and staff interviews and more. The TV Animation Kuroshitsuji II Final Record (TVアニメーション黒執事, TV Animeeshon Kuroshitsuji) was released on October 18, 2010. It consists of illustrations and cast reviews from Kuroshitsuji II, as well as a message from Toboso herself.
An official comics anthology Rainbow Butler (虹執事, Niji Shitsuji) was also released on that date.[12] It is a collection of one-shot chapters drawn by other artists in a variety of styles.
Drama CDs
- Main article: Drama CDs
On August 10, 2007, a drama CD was released by Frontier Works. It featured many of the characters appearing in volumes one and two.[13] A second drama CD was released on November 26, 2008 under the Aniplex label.[14]
Musicals
- Main article: That Butler, Friendship
That Butler, Friendship (その執事、友好, Sono Shitsuji, Yūkō) is a musical adaptation of the manga that was featured at the Sunshine Theater in Ikebukuro between May 29, 2009 and June 7, 2009.[15]
- See article The Most Beautiful DEATH in the World
- See Article The Most Beautiful DEATH in the World (Remake)
- See Article Lycoris Burning on the Ground
Reception
During the week of December 18, 2007, the third volume placed third on a ranking of the manga sales in Japan that week.[16] Later, during the week of June 3, 2008, the fourth volume ranked ninth.[17] During the week of February 16, 2009, the sixth volume placed nine on a ranking of the manga sales in Japan that week.[18] During the week of June 22 to 28, the seventh volume ranked third selling 167,692 copies and remained third during the following week of June 29 to July 5, selling an additional 256,164 copies.[19]
The series itself was ranked tenth of the top-selling manga series in Japan during 2009, selling a total of 1,603,197 estimated copies.[20]
The Japanese music distributor Recochoku has created an annual survey of which anime characters that people would like to marry. Sebastian Michaelis ranked ninth in the category "The Character I Want to Be My Groom."[21]
Trailers
Complete Second Season Trailer
References
- ↑ Gangan Fantasy
- ↑ Kuroshitsuji Anime Confirmed to Premiere this Fall
- ↑ Kuroshitsuji TV
- ↑ Kuroshitsuji TV
- ↑ Amazon
- ↑ Amazon
- ↑ Kuroshitsuji Anime's Second Season Green-Lit
- ↑ Anime News Network: New Black Butler Anime Series Green-Lit
- ↑ Square Enix
- ↑ Amazon (in Japanese)
- ↑ Amazon
- ↑ Amazon (in Japanese)
- ↑ Amazon (in Japanese)
- ↑ Amazon (in Japanese)
- ↑ Entertainment Plus, Inc. (in Japanese)
- ↑ Japanese Comic Rating December 18-24
- ↑ Japanese Comic Rating May 29-June 4
- ↑ Japanese Comic Rating February 10-16
- ↑ Japanese Comic Rating June 22-28
- ↑ Top Selling Manga in Japan
- ↑ Survey: K-ON's Mio, Reborn's Hibari are #1 Bride, Groom
External links
- Manga official website (in Japanese)
- Anime official website (in Japanese)