# Black Butler (2008)

> A twelve-year-old Victorian business magnate and his demon butler investigate crimes and threats to the queen in a gothic London.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/45437

## Facts

- Seasons: 5
- Episodes: 70
- Episode runtime: 24 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, comedy, mystery, fantasy
- Network: MBS, AT-X, Gunma TV, TOKYO MX, BS11, Tochigi TV
- Cast: Daisuke Ono, Maaya Sakamoto, Jun Fukuyama, Junichi Suwabe, Yuki Kaji, Koji Yusa, Emiri Kato, Shunji Fujimura
- TMDB rating: 7.6/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1316554/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: moderate
- Tone: gothic, dark, witty, macabre, playful

## What critics say

Audiences rate the anime positively for its stylish Victorian gothic look, dark humor and memorable demon butler, though later seasons are rated somewhat lower than the original.

## Synopsis

Black Butler (2008-2025) is a Japanese anime series created for MBS and AT-X, adapted in the spirit of Japanese shonen and gothic storytelling. Twelve-year-old business magnate Ciel Phantomhive (voiced by Maaya Sakamoto) commands a Victorian London household and works for the queen, shielded by his demon butler Sebastian Michaelis (voiced by Daisuke Ono), whose contract binds him to Ciel's vengeance. Their engine is simple and sharp: Ciel wants answers and revenge, and each season pushes them into dangerous assignments involving kidnappings, circus intrigue, and occult figures hiding beneath respectable society. Supporting servants Grell Sutcliff (Jun Fukuyama), Undertaker (Junichi Suwabe), and Finny (Yuki Kaji) add farce to the menace. The show runs five seasons of mostly self-contained cases with a slow-building underlying arc, giving it an episodic yet serialized feel. Its tone blends gothic atmosphere, deadpan wit, and sudden bloody violence, a mix that suits fans of Hellsing Ultimate, Sherlock, and Penny Dreadful. Its dark comedy and aristocratic bite make it a distinctive watch for mystery and supernatural fans.

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