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Kuroshitsuji  
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Description
From Yen Press:

Just a stone’s throw from London lies the manor house of the illustrious Phantomhive earldom and its master, one Ciel Phantomhive. Earl Phantomhive is a giant in the world of commerce, Queen Victoria’s faithful servant…and a slip of a twelve-year-old boy. Fortunately, his loyal butler, Sebastian, is ever at his side, ready to carry out the young master’s wishes. And whether Sebastian is called to save a dinner party gone awry or probe the dark secrets of London’s underbelly, there apparently is nothing Sebastian cannot do. In fact, one might even say Sebastian is too good to be true…or at least, too good to be human…

Type
Manga

Related Series
Kuroshitsuji Anthology Comic (Spin-Off)
Kuroshitsuji Character Guide (Spin-Off)

Associated Names
Чёрный дворецкий
黑管家
黒執事
Black Butler
Hắc quản gia (Vietnamese)
Kuro Shitsuji

Groups Scanlating
Black Asylum
Bleach Asylum
Mazoku
MsLaundry
More...

Latest Release(s)
c.81 by Black Asylum (4d ago)
c.80 by Black Asylum (34d ago)
c.79 by Black Asylum (66d ago)
Search for all releases of this series

Status in Country of Origin
16 Volumes (Ongoing)

Completely Scanlated?
No

Anime Start/End Chapter
Starts at Vol 1, Chap 1
Ends at Vol 5, Chap 21 (story splits at Episode 15)

User Reviews
Kuroshitsuji by Akari

Forum
30 topics, 257 posts
Click here to view the forum

User Rating
Average: 8.7 / 10.0 (1044 votes)
Bayesian Average: 8.64 / 10.0
10
 47% (488 votes)
9+
 20% (214 votes)
8+
 16% (164 votes)
7+
 7% (73 votes)
6+
 4% (38 votes)
5+
 2% (26 votes)
4+
 1% (8 votes)
3+
 1% (6 votes)
2+
 1% (6 votes)
1+
 2% (21 votes)

Last Updated
May 10th 2013, 6:18pm PST

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Genre
Action  Comedy  Drama  Historical  Mystery  Shounen  Supernatural 
Search for series of same genre(s)

Categories

Category Recommendations (beta!)
Pandora Hearts (weight: 208.98)
God Child (weight: 202.54)
Hakushaku Cain Series (weight: 200.18)
Kuroshitsuji dj - Hakoniwa (weight: 194.94)
Kuroshitsuji dj - Mellow Mellow (weight: 181.66)

Recommendations

Author(s)
TOBOSO Yana

Artist(s)
TOBOSO Yana

Year
2006

Original Publisher
Square Enix

Serialized In (magazine)
GFantasy (Square Enix)
Yen Plus (Yen Press)

Licensed (in English)
Yes

English Publisher
Yen Press (13 Volumes - Ongoing)

Activity Stats (vs. other series)
Weekly Pos #86 increased(+43)
Monthly Pos #170 decreased(-121)
3 Month Pos #62 increased(+15)
6 Month Pos #62 increased(+2)

List Stats
On 4253 reading lists
On 1373 wish lists
On 179 unfinished lists
On 459 custom lists

Note: You must be logged in to update information on this page.

Forum Posts
Should/ will CielxSebastian happen? 134 days, 16 hours, 50 minutes ago
Who looks better together? 376 days, 13 hours, 21 minutes ago
Dream Cast for Live Action Kuroshitsuji? 429 days, 14 hours, 26 minutes ago
Ciel's past: Inconsistent? 443 days, 14 hours, 31 minutes ago
Kuroshitsuji 2 ending: love it or hate it? (in case you can't tell, spoiler alert) 462 days, 7 hours, 6 minutes ago

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User Comments [ Order by usefulness ]
 

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 You'll Be Surprised   
Rating: 8.0 / 10.0
by P_O_C_K_Y
May 14th, 2013, 6:20pm
Yeah, I'll admit it, I started reading this in hopes of yaoi-ish themes, but that was soon forgotten by the amazing plot of this story. Screw the romance, Ciel and Sebastian are one badass duo. Ciel is a cold and calculating kid, Sebastian is...well, one hell of a butler *wink wink*.

The characters are all likable (by likable I mean the only character you'll probably dislike is Ciel's fiancee/cousin) whether they're good or bad. The story is brilliant, the twists are unpredictable, their adventures range from comical to suspenseful.

You never know what you'll get in the next chapter which made this manga surprisingly good. So don't be deceived, it's deep and dark and unpredictable and definitely worth a try.
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 Hmm. Keeps dragging its feet...   
Rating: 7.0 / 10.0
by qusaihaider
April 18th, 2013, 2:08pm
Started out alright. But recently it just seems like the current arc will last a year or two more. Also the author is taking too much liberty with English culture and the period in which it's set.
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
The current arc (at time of comment) involves the game of cricket. I'm from India and Cricket is THE game of the nation. Even though I'm a particularly big fan of the game, I can't simply bear to watch the idiotic things being done. Cricket is not and will never be played like this. It's too much even as a manga. I give up. Guess my patience ran out. It would have been more fun if the main story progressed but alas that is just not happening any time soon.

Despite this it's not really a bad manga. Don't take my comment to seriously. After all you won't notice the problems in the story line if you don't know much about England or Cricket.

... Last updated on April 18th, 2013, 2:11pm
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 Don't be deceived   
Rating: 9.0 / 10.0
by 14FragmentsOfLight
February 15th, 2013, 10:24pm
I love this manga! I really took the time to read EVERYTHING in the span of a year and I loved it.
Though I have to be honest about this manga...

The plot development (Ciel's revenge) isnt really developing. We see some archs of the manga that hint about what happened to the Phantomhives before the story timeline, but it isn't enough. Some characters tend to be a bit too much to handle. Some situations flux from hilarious to serious at unexpected rates. And yet...
The characters develop at a normal pace. The more you read the manga, you are faced with characters who are more than what you think. Ciel isn't just your cold-hearted, antihero brat one may think, he is multi-faceted. Elizabeth isn't your typical annoying fiancee because the more you read, the more you find out that she herself carries a burden of her own which makes her endearing. And Sebastian isn't perfect. I admit that I can scream "I love Sebby" but there are times when you get annoyed with him.

I also noticed that Yana Toboso poured her heart out into the manga. She uses the characters to voice out some of her opinions and perspectives. How ordinary people can be geniuses in their own right, how perfect people are more than what they seem, and so much more!

It is also no surprise that Yana knows her Victorian times. From characters to events to games and rituals, you can see that the author researched on it. She also has great taste in fashion and she knows her orchestra pieces!

This is Yana Toboso at her best! The art, the characters and the concept of some archs as well as the idea of selling your soul to a demon and making him you butler is just...*faints*

I love this manga though I feel mixed about it (time and time again)...

... Last updated on March 13th, 2013, 4:43am
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 Would you sell your soul to a demon?   
Rating: 9.0 / 10.0
by GriSlyBear
December 26th, 2012, 6:01pm
What drives a ten year old child to sell it's own soul to a demon to form a contract and choose hell instead of heaven? What happened on his 10th birthday that he even forgot how to smile?
Hate and despair are his source of strengh and make Ciel Phantomhive the most complex and intriguing game maker who seeks for revenge to those who dirtied his name. His best pawn is his perfect butler Sebastian, who'll never leave his masters side and follow him until the very end.
--------
This manga took my manga virginity (and made me a manga-fan!) and I already have been following it for years. It is my favourite manga and I think it will always be.
There are so many things I love about Kuroshitsuji: Victorian Era, Dark Atmosphere, Beautiful (MOST AMAZING) Art, Deep Plot that is storngly influenced by the British-Empire history and it's events and Fantastic Characters (esp. the main ones: Ciel and Sebastian).
If you watched the Anime with it's wonderful OST and liked it, you'll LOVE the manga.

Sed, qui me defendet?
...ab me terriblissimo ipse.

Enjoy reading!

... Last updated on December 26th, 2012, 6:30pm
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 ok, but i don't like some of the characters.. :/   
Rating: 5.0 / 10.0
by AddicTed to ManGas
November 27th, 2012, 9:01am
I agree, this manga is AMAZING!!
It's extremely funny and i like comedy.. The plot is okay..
The art is just..WOW..

BUT the only problem is the useless characters in it..
For example, elizabeth, i H.A.T.E her.. i mean, she isn't fit for Ciel.. IF SHE WAS, everyone would go for ciel x elizabeth instead of the huge fandom over ciel x sebastian.. But her stupid-like personality annoys almost everyone and the truth is, i stopped reading the manga because of her.. I know, she will become 'badass'.. but i never knew badass could change a person.. even a badass person can be stupid.. like NARUTO or NATSU!! yet, people don't like them.. i don't see how elizabeth is an exception..

seriously, there are other useless characters who are supposed TO BE important, Meylin.. she changes from the stupid-annoying-clumsy girl to a super-hot-badass girl in almost no time O.o the hell? It's not the only time i found this stupid transformation in this manga..

anyways, thanks for reading this.. And i give this a 5/10.. mainly because of some characters i like..
i only wish elizabeth would disappear and never come back in this series.. unless that happens, my vote will stay 5/10.
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 pity   
Rating: 9.0 / 10.0
by namu76
November 21st, 2012, 10:18pm
I would have given this 10 if only it would progress more in the main plot, that is, Ciel's revenge. But as far as I've seen, it goes nowhere near it. If it continues like this, I figure Sebastian would never eat Ciel's soul. Really.
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 A Thousand Thumbs (Up)   
Rating: N/A
by Ballads
July 19th, 2012, 3:00am
Kuroshitsuji was what drew me back into the world of manga after my short three year reprieve. Art wise, it utterly appealed to my sense of aesthetics, but as I've always said, art is entirely subjective; so clearly what might me a perfect masterpiece for me, might be something else for someone else. However, if my opinion matters however much, it was dripping with gorgeous scenes, the evolution of art, though, is certainly obvious, As it is, Yana Toboso's style had grown more refined, and delicate in the later volumes as compared to the first. Nonetheless, we have stunning eye candy with exquisite wardrobes, and scenic views from the get go.

Regarding the characters themselves, for I place plenty of importance on character development as opposed to plot, Ciel, in my opinion, is the perfect protagonist. Controversial, no doubt, but I do so tire of those pure, earnest do-gooders... The selfless, innocent, naive heroes, I have naught against them, but I do enjoy a taste of bitter sweet after all the sugary goodness. Ciel may not be morally upright, but in that sense, he behaves like a human. Humans aren't morally upright; even if we assume we are, when it comes down to it, we take care of our own. If we didn't, our species would have been wiped out eons ago. Ciel is a human. As much as I adore Manga Characters, and I adore them lots, I relate to humans better.

Sebastian is a demon. I've really not much to say about him, because there's really not much to say. He does brilliant work, looks like a dream, and assumes a rather mysterious contradictory personality. The thing I love best about Sebastian, is actually his relationship with Ciel- they often bring out the best and worst of each other. Ciel makes Sebastian less of a demon, and Sebastian makes Ciel less a human (that being easily corruptible, self-centered and greedy). Either way, they've admirably interesting relationship dynamics.

Plot-wise, I love it all, save maybe, the arc after the circus, it seemed to drag on too much for a bit, but it was nonetheless a refreshing change to watch our main duo from a third party's point of view. My current favourite remains the circus arc, it sent chills down my spine the first time I read it, and it still makes my heart flutter every time I decide to revisit that plot. The irony of life and the inadequacy of humanity was so well woven into the plot, it just made me smile.

The zombie arc was a nice action-packed bit, and it had a nice pacing too it, it didn't seem too rushed, nor did it seem dragged out; and we got to see Ciel's first-class manipulation skills, it just made me fall in love with him more. As for the current school arc, the premise is certainly noteworthy. Clearly, there are those who detest the apparently overused setting, but I would say, I'm leaning towards the supportive side. However, I reserve to make judgement, as there's a wealth of unseen potential.

Overall, it's a beautiful manga, (with several historical errors, but I'm not quite the nit-picky sort over factual details like this), and I would give this manga two thumbs up. I would give ten, if I had ten thumbs. A hundred, if I had a hundred. And yes, a thousand if I had a thousand. So on and so forth.
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 A reasonably good manga that has suffered somewhat over time...   
Rating: 7.8 / 10.0
by luminousbrink
May 25th, 2012, 5:32pm
I have been reading Kuroshitsuji since the summer of 2008, when only a few chapters were translated to English. For about four years now, I have been following the manga. The series has a good premise, is very interesting, and the art is nice and clean. However, now at 14 volumes, I think the manga lacks a distinct and forward main plot. I understand that Ciel works for the Queen while also using Sebastian to discover the true perpetrators of the death of his family, however, I think the series has become slow. I honestly don't know why things are happening now. Ciel just continues to get jobs from the Queen. And that has been going on for 14 volumes now. I am a little disappointed with the introduction of the new arc - the school arc, because I fear the story is just reverting back to the same formula with yet again another order from the Queen. However, I can not be sure yet. I have a feeling that eventually, like all of the arcs, something WILL happen to further the story at least a little bit. Right now, though, the school arc just isn't to my taste.

The good thing is that with the last arc - the ship/zombie story - many character developments and revelations occurred, and I believe the dark undertones fit the manga. I'm glad the shinigami were included again. I hope that their world will be further explored in the manga, because it is intriguing and will open up the manga more, I think.

Overall, in the manga, I do believe some good developments have happened, at least. I'm just concerned that not enough has happened in the 14 volumes released so far. But, I have a feeling the manga will have many more volumes (I HOPE) that will answer questions and develop Ciel and Sebastian. In a way, I hope maybe that Yana Toboso will create a part 2 of the series in which Ciel is older by a few years, that way we can see his maturity. To be honest, I thought Ciel would look at least a little older after all of these volumes, but I guess he looks a bit younger due to Toboso's changing art style or something.

Something else that irks me a little is
Spoiler (mouse over to view)
the fact that Ciel is so relentless and cruel ( circus arc). I understand that it gives a new dynamic to the series, creating a protagonist that is not completely good, however, bringing in dark scenes ( like Ciel's heartless response to the circus people) completely contrasts with the one chapter fun-time stories that Toboso includes which are usually lighthearted ( like most recently, the Easter chapter). He draws the line between good and evil. He lies, he deceives, and he has no mercy for those he deems not worthy. Because he is a child, his philosophy on human beings seems strange and too insightful, but perhaps it is because of his traumatic past. Maybe Ciel represents the jadedness and corruption of children who are exposed to horrible incidents.


I still read this manga because I do enjoy it and I've invested much in it ( like buying the English volumes ). But, as I've read the story, I've noticed unfortunate drawbacks that I've expressed here. To me, many things can make the story more concise and better. But, I'm sure the author is working on it, gradually, in her own vision. So, I don't mind waiting for now as the story hopefully expands. Kuroshitsuji still has many great elements (Victorian Era, nice mix of the supernatural and the darkness, shinigami, demons, Ciel and Sebastian's contract), but it angers me to see them become overridden with the poor factors in the story.

... Last updated on May 25th, 2012, 5:38pm
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 Mixed Feelings   
Rating: 8.0 / 10.0
by Cassiopea
April 28th, 2012, 8:19pm
It truly is a lovely manga in many ways - interesting enough concept, and the art is visually stunning. And of course, plenty of male eyecandy for the ladies.


The only thing I'm not keen on, is the regular up and down between silly chapters and serious chapters.

One moment you will have something a bit more childlike, fluffy, or pointless (Easter Egg Hunt, The Whodunnit mystery scenerio, the Curry Arc, the servants making a mess of things again etc) that I don't find particularly interesting and often interupts too frequently. Then the next moment, you will have something more straightforward, deep, dark, unique, with the offer of twists. But then after that the themes will switch again.

And don't get me wrong about the Mystery chapter. I love mystery, from Agatha Christie to Doyle, but the whole bunch-of-guests-are-at-a-fancy-mansion-dinner-party-then-someone-dies-everyone-is-a-su spect has been done to death.

And don't get me wrong again, I definitely enjoy humour, but I like it better within the more complex scenerios. Or within a more natural way, instead of inserted into more googoogaga scenes.

Another thing: While the author does a reasonable job offering historical information, there are some tiny mistakes. For example: Little girls would not be going to balls until they would reach an appropriate age (Usually 18), gentlemen would not be wearing hats indoors, and ladies only wear hats indoors until teatime.

This is a very minor complaint on an obviously fictionalized world, but it's just that for a series that promotes the Victorian themed style, it would be nice if the proper historical etiquette would be involved here and there, since readers can get the wrong - often glorified- concept of 19th century life.


I'm also not crazy about the recent chapters going on of Ciel going to that school. There are tons and tons of manga out there that takes place in a Highschool/Private school setting, something which I'm weary of, so I gave a tiny bit of a groan that there was going to be a school segment in this series. With, of course, the additional new gorgeous typical mysterious bishounen boys (Something that I'm also getting a wee bit tired of) I will hope though, that something more will come out of it.

So overall it works out like a hit or miss. It can be either amazing or a bit of plummet. Sometimes it offers, sometimes it lacks. Sometimes it feels like it is going somewhere, sometimes it goes to a completely other direction. Sometimes the characters are great and complex, sometimes they feel cliched or you just want to slap them in the face.

But, to consider it altogether, it is a solid quality series. Definitely try a go if you are a possible new reader, since there would likely be something that will interest you.

*Note. The Manga is much better than the anime.
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 Must Read   
Rating: 10.0 / 10.0
by jupanuma
February 13th, 2012, 9:47pm
Blood, mystery, supernatural, and/or action you ideal type for a book, then you should read Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler).
If you don't like mystery because it is hard for you to understand, then fear not, Kuroshitsuji is an easy to understand mystery, but not to easy that you figure it out right away. They explain everything that happeneds, in somewhat good detail, but you can only put so much detail in telling a story.
Is the blood what stopping you from reading it, then don't worry, they don't have as much blood as they do in any horrors book, but just enough to show that they are really like any scenario would be in the real world even if you don't beleive that.
If supernatural hard for you to get into, then you are in luck. Kuroshitsuji doesn't have much in the supernatural world. Just telling you that there is a demon, some grim reapers, and ... well I don't want to spoil it for you. It is a older teens book, but I would recommened it to any teenager, but I WOULDN"T recommened this book to ANYONE under 12, just because of the horrible scenes that happen sometime.
Now the charaters are what makes the book good. The characters are well developed, and you know exactly who they are when someone says something about them. So you wont have to look through the book and say "Now who are they talking about?"
Ciel Phantomhive - Is the main charater. He is like a detective in any mystery book, but in Kuroshitsuji he is more of a "dog" then a detective. He is about 12 maybe 14 years old, but is really smart.
Sebastian - The main side charater. The demon butler!? Yep. He is a demon, but Ciel is his master. If you want to know why, then you have to read the book to find out.
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