Kuroshitsuji

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.

Official English

Type

Manga

Related Series

Kuroshitsuji Anthology Comic (Spin-Off)

Kuroshitsuji Character Guide (Spin-Off)

Associated Names

Black Butler

Black Butler - Il maggiordomo cattivo

Black Butler คน(ลึก)ไขปริศนา(ลับ) (SIC)

Fekete komornyik

Hắc Quản Gia

Kara Kâhya

Kuroshitsuji – Piru hovimestariksi

Kurosicudzsi

Kurošicudži

Majordome noir

Mayordomo negro

Mroczny kamerdyner

O mordomo negro

O mordomo sombrio

Piru hovimestariksi

Куросицудзи

Тĕттĕм керменçĕ

Темний дворецький

Темный дворецкий

Тёмный дворецкий

Черният иконом

Чёрный дворецкий

الخادم الأسود

خادم سیاه

کوروشیتسوجی

黑執事

黒執事

검은 집사

흑집사

Groups Scanlating

atashi

Black Asylum

Bleach Asylum

her-majestys-watchdog

More...

Latest Release(s)

c.189-190 by Little Miss and Good Sir Scanlations 2 years ago

c.187-188 by Little Miss and Good Sir Scanlations 3 years ago

c.186 by Little Miss and Good Sir Scanlations 3 years ago

Search for all releases of this series

Status in Country of Origin

34 Volumes (Ongoing)

Completely Scanlated?

Anime Start/End Chapter

Starts at Vol 1, Chap 1 (S1) / Vol 5, Chap 23 (Circus) / Vol 8, Chap 38 (Murder) / Vol 11, Chap 51 (Movie) / Vol 14, Chap 67 (School) / Vol 18, Chap 86 (Emerald)

Ends at Vol 5,Ch 22 (S1) / Vol 8,Ch 36 (Circus) / Vol 11,Ch 50 (Murder) / Vol 14, Ch 65 (Movie) / Vol 18, Ch 86 (School) / Vol 22, Ch 107 (Emerald) Skips Chap 5, 14, 37, 66

User Reviews

Kuroshitsuji by Akari

Forum

36 topics, 292 posts

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User Rating

Average: 8.7 / 10.0 (1435 votes)

Bayesian Average: 8.65 / 10.0

44%

21%

16%

10%

Last Updated

May 5th, 2025 10:36pm PDT - 2 hours ago

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Genre

Action Comedy Drama Historical Mystery Shounen Supernatural
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Categories

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Category Recommendations

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Kuroshitsuji dj - Hakoniwa

Recommendations

Pandora Hearts

Noblesse

Hagane no Renkinjutsushi

Author(s)

Artist(s)

Year

Original Publisher

Square Enix

Serialized In (magazine)

GFantasy (Square Enix)

Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher

Manga UP!

Yen Press (32 Vols - Ongoing | Simulpub)

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

Weekly Pos #379

(-66)

Monthly Pos #436

(+18)

3 Month Pos #589

(-121)

6 Month Pos #595

(-160)

Year Pos #700

(-153)

List Stats

On 5982 reading lists

On 2011 wish lists

On 210 completed lists

On 363 unfinished lists

On 887 custom lists

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Forum Posts Click to view the forum

Is Ceil evil

6 years ago

Black Butler references for gift?

8 years ago

Get anime movie

10 years ago

Black Butler end of the first season

11 years ago

Which (if any!) is the best Kuroshitsuji pairing?(based off of the manga - does NOT include anime only characters)

11 years ago

User Comments [ Order by usefulness ]

Must Read

by jupanuma
13 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

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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One of my favorite manga

by kimihoshi
13 years ago

Rating: N/A

The art is really stunning, there's something with the art which make my eyes getting drawn to watch at each pages for at least 7 seconds. The story is truly awesome, it's suspicious, mysterious, got black humor yet also sometimes funny ''normal'' humor, action, kind of horror, dectetive stories-like and maybe more?
It's easy to recognize who is who, the explanations for the mystery cases are explained well into every details and the stories is really different from other mangas.
I don't really want to tell more since I really want you to read it ~ It suits best with people with black humor, got sense for action and horror (might sometimes be very disturbing scenes for some people, depends) and if you like to read a story which is around the 18th century.

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Refreshing to see an antihero protagonist

by infinity9001
13 years ago

Rating: 9.4 / 10.0

This is an excellent manga in my opinion. It's got a fantastically convoluted plot, along with great characters and some of the most beautiful art I've ever seen. It's definitely pretty dark, but it's not the darkest one I've read, by a long shot (and I've read a lot of dark mangas).

First off, the plot may seem a bit weird at first, since Yana Toboso begins the manga with seemingly comedic chapters, but if you read between the lines you'll definitely see the heavy tone that's been set right from the start. Overall, the manga's tone is quite dark, but Yana Toboso lightens up the heavy topics she approaches such as unrequited love and sex trafficking with a bit of humor (although I do wish she would put in less humor) so it's not completely depressing.

As for the characters, I actually really like how Ciel is a seemingly inhuman, cold being, because I feel that's what makes him three-dimensional. He's gone through a lot and his past is what makes him who he is. As you read on, with the character development, you see who he is behind that facade. If he had some positive character development, then the point of the manga would be gone. Ciel is out for revenge - he is not a person who forgives and attempts to save everyone. If he did that, then we would just have another Oz, Naruto, and Luffy. But he's not them; he's more than them. He does do heroic deeds, but you see that he's not just a noble knight - he's a very dark, hypocritical shade of gray. He's a complex one, but you need to read through carefully to see that.

As for Sebastian, he may seem perfect at first, but read the latest chapters - you're in for a surprise. Also, you'll see that while Ciel may look like he's always relying on Sebastian, it's an equal relationship - Sebastian relies on Ciel as much as Ciel relies on him. But there are still so many questions surrounding him and his mysterious character that I can't really give proper judgement about him. But the thing I can say is that I like that he seems like a cardboard cut out. It makes sense. He's a demon, not a human. He's not supposed to have human feelings, he's not supposed to be relate-able to us.

Wow O_O long character analysis. Anyways, Kuroshitsuji is a great manga, but it does have its flaws. I feel that some of the humor thrown in is contrived and shouldn't be there - Yana Toboso has more skill with tragic topics. But since it is marketed toward teens, making it far too dark probably isn't viable >.< Also, as for the fan service, I don't particularly mind it, but I feel that if it was reduced it make the manga much more deeper.

All in all, don't miss Kuroshitsuji if you're looking for something different. But if you like happy stories (I'm pretty sure this will end in a rather tragic fashion) or an antihero type protagonist, this is not for you.

... Last updated 13 years ago

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Overrated

by crazyboutcute
13 years ago

Rating: 6.0 / 10.0

I started reading this manga awhile ago, before it gained its current popularity, and back then, I thought it was a good black comedy that was overlooked by many. It was quirky and fun, a great escapist read. It was easy to accept the blatantly two-dimensional characters for what they were simply for the comedic aspect. The manga wasn't overly serious and oftentimes made fun of itself, which was enjoyable.

However, as it grew in popularity, it started to lose that charm. I'm not one of those people who start to hate something simply because it becomes popular. No, what bothered me was that many people started to take this manga too seriously, and it seems now that the author is doing the same thing. What started merely as a comedy has started to flaunt a more convoluted plot than what the initial premise is capable of. With twelve volumes currently, we have yet to see any significant character development from the protagonist we're supposed to be rooting for. We've been given a few flashbacks of Ciel's clearly traumatic past, and yet we still know next to nothing about what actually happened to him. He is entirely bent on getting revenge, but it's hard for a reader to sympathize with that shaky motive, especially taking into account many of the horrific things we've witnessed him do.

The gruesome end of the circus arc, for example, gave Ciel a huge amount of character derailment rather than development, as it essentially reinforced all of the negative characteristics he's come to possess. It would be nice every once and awhile to see him as the innocent kid he was before his parents' deaths and not as the cold, calculating, hardly human chess master that he's become. And since the author decided to take the route of a more serious plot, it's even more difficult for me to engage myself in the story simply because cardboard-cutout Sebastian, who arguably worked well in the manga's original flavor, is simply too perfect and rarely has any trouble accomplishing anything BECAUSE he's perfect.

All that aside, this manga really jumped the shark for me pretty early on during the Jack the Ripper arc. Having studied the actual case of Jack the Ripper, I was interested in seeing which one of the suspects was the killer and how they went about disemboweling the victims. As it turns out,

it wasn't ANY of the suspects but rather the BUTLER of one of the suspects who committed the murders. This character is then revealed to be an eccentric, out-of-era transsexual shinigami (which previously we did not know existed) who promptly attempts to capture Sebastian's heart and succeeds in capturing the hearts of thousands of fangirls who merely think s/he is "flamboyantly gay." Other than the completely inaccurate portrayal of a transsexual individual (of whom I know many in real life), the manga took a turn for the weird and not in a good way. I found myself increasingly nonplussed reading this part and was happy when the transsexual finally went out. I just could not take this character seriously and felt that s/he ruined the setup. As a side note: Sorry to break it to you, Toboso, but England doesn't have shinigami like japan does. If you're going to bring them into the story, at least make them Japanese!

One of the main appeals of this manga is simply the slashiness of it. I don't know when relationships between prepubescent children and adult men became so popular, but it's one of the trademarks of this series, so if you're into hints of that sort of thing, then maybe this manga is for you after all.

I haven't read the most recent chapters because

of said transsexual reappearing , and I'm not sure I'll be able to bear reading this manga anymore. I'll give it a six because the artwork is beautiful and the humor is good, but if you're looking for a deep, compelling dark fantasy with great characters and a beautifully woven plot, try Pandora Hearts, a series to which Kuroshitsuji is often compared but which can't, in reality, hold a candle to.

... Last updated 13 years ago

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Kuroshitsuji - My Personal Favourite

by Silver_Sky
14 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

Why a lot of people like Kuroshitsuji (with me probably over analyzing some parts):

It's quite dark, and unexpectedly so. Why? Because of the silly first chapters. But as the story progresses, the adventures of Ciel and Sebastian take on a darker theme. It is not simply about revenge and corruption. It's also about the fallacies of mankind, their hope in the face of desperation, and the will to sacrifice everything for one goal. It's tragic because Ciel is young; younger than most of us who read the manga. Yet he has suffered more than we could ever believe. Is he a strong character? Perhaps not. But as a human being, he perseveres to achieve his one goal of revenge. Will he be able to fulfill it? We have yet to know. It is interesting to see his wavering humanity and how he tries to keep his sanity during his everyday life. In recent chapters, he has become a more mysterious character, especially in regards to his contract with his butler, Sebastian. Ciel seeks salvation by, ironically, giving himself over to evil, thus portraying the weaknesses and the desperation of human beings.

The character of Sebastian is incredibly demon-like. He is cruel, sadistic, and yet loyal (but only to his aesthetics). He is skilled at everything yet he can only do it alone; He is not human and therefore cannot interact with them. He may be the image of perfection but he is not. As we read the story, Sebastian and the rest of the characters seem more and more separated. This disparity, though I do not know if it is intended or not, isolates Sebastian and marks him as a devil. Yet, he can blend in to the society as if he were a human. This is frightening as it shows that evil exists among good, but it is so well hidden that we could never recognize it, even if it should be obvious. Yes, Sebastian is quite a "cardboard cut-out" but I believe that it's only his facade so he can hide his true self. Personally, I find that Sebastian is an interesting character because I just can't quite understand him at times, thus causing me to come to the conclusion that Yana Toboso successfully created a being that cannot be comprehended by humans because he is a demon.

The relationship between Sebastian and Ciel seems to be one of absolute trust. They are so intricately intertwined that it is a bit scary to think how much Ciel has associated with evil. Yet, he does it because he is willing to sacrifice his soul for revenge. Ciel and Sebastian are alike in a way, but Yana Toboso also manages to keep them separated. Ciel succumbs to evil and is more susceptible to it, even without Sebastian's help. His fate lies with the devil, and is forever connected to the dark. Human nature is more demonic than a demon.

The main plot is usually shrouded in mystery and is seldom shown. It is perhaps because of this that people love Kuroshitsuji so much; whenever the main conflict surfaces, the readers get drawn into the darker side of the story... Although, at first, the story seems to be going nowhere, each arc has a subtle foreboding undercurrent that usually keeps us reading. Not to mention the exceptionable art that appeals to the eye and is usually very clean and very clear. Yana Toboso has great designs and seems to put a lot of effort into researching about Victorian England (although, she does tend to slip up quite a bit...).

Although it seems that the main storyline lies with Ciel's conquest for revenge, I really do believe it is more about Sebastian's perspective on humanity which, in consequence, also gives the readers a different view on the nature of human beings. Every character seems to have a darker side to them, and they all have their own dark secrets. So although some characters may annoy the hell out of you at first, you grow to love them...

One problem I do have with the manga is that sometimes, the "fanservice" is a little over-the-top. You'll see what I mean if you read it. Also, as someone has already mentioned, sometimes, the comic relief is completely unnecessary and overdone.

Oh, and I can't believe I have to clarify this: Kuroshitsuji is NOT YAOI. For goodness' sake people! Although it is labelled as "shounen" its target audience is more on the female side than the male side, therefore, be prepared to have many fangirl comments that will make you confused.

With all that said, Kuroshitsuji is my personal favourite. So, of course, I'm going to rate it 10/10. However, this may vary with other people due to the aforementioned problems above.

If you're into the slightly gothic style, Victorian England and mysteries, you'll probably like Kuroshitsuji. It's not the best, but it you may just become addicted to it 🙂

... Last updated 14 years ago

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The Pheonix!!

by blublaise
14 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Lulz, this series is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! At first, I was like, "Ohhh this is going to be boring..." but as a Yen Press published manga, it came up to it's expectations. I swear, I've become a fan of Yen Press/ Square Enix. I'm now torn between Pandora Hearts and Black Butler.

The art is magnificent. Truly is great. I love the character designs, though it can be a bit consistent in facial structure sometimes. But anyway, I love the beautifully drawn clothing and settings that perfectly depict Victorian England. It's gorgeous. Especially Sebastian who is a total hottie XD

The storyline consists of a few plots, due to the fact Ciel and Sebastian take on different mystery cases that leave you aching for more. It can be best described as... Juicy? Haha, anyway, I enjoy the perfect balance between humorous, bloody, and serious moments. Toboso-sensei really knows how to get a story going. It's a nicely woven series.

The characters are awesome. Like Mochizuki-sensei, the story would not have been successful if not for the nicely made characters. Toboso-sensei's characters are intense, amusing, and have truly twisted backgrounds that will surprise and entertain you. The characters are best described as "badass". Yes, excuse my foul language, but that is the best way to describe them. I could say my most favorite character development is Lizzy. Why? Read to find out... ^_-

In general, it's a very much recommended series, though not for the young audience/weak hearted. There are a lot of intense scenes and themes unsuitable for some people. So beware.

... Last updated 14 years ago

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Awesome

by Kishu
14 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

I love this manga. It is suspenseful, has a variety of quirky characters (Love Grell XD), an amusing plot, and clean/beautiful artwork. The anime was okay up until episode 6. The rest of the 1st season was horrible, and I wish that the 2nd season never existed in the first place. So, if you are curious about this series, I would suggest reading the manga and don't waste your time with the anime.

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Love this manga.

by keyracunan
14 years ago

Rating: 8.0 / 10.0

Love this series so much. My fave non-yaoi manga at the moment. Still, I dont expect it will turn out nicely in the future volumes, since this series is the kind that have a possibility to be prolonged pointlessly like Tenipuri or Conan.
Since Kuroshitsuji is not a yaoi manga, I'm expecting a plot development. Unless Yana-sensei decided to screw the dignity and turn this series into blatant shonen-ai as cheap as can be, (which, will result as one happy me and 853492382 raging fans and shattered organs), then who cares abt plot. But as for now, maybe I'll get tired if the plot keep advancing too slowly.

oh and Yana-sensei, some of us do realize what extra interpretation you wanted 'some of us' to imagine by some scenes, though most of us didnt since they're too saintly or lack their yaoi consumption that way, but anyway we're grateful for the torture, thx.

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Love it.

by ForteAtrox
14 years ago

Rating: N/A

The art is amazing and it gets better and better. I can say Yana Toboso is definitely one of my favorite manga artists.
I like the dark humor and such in it, the dark parts remind me of a toned down version of the darkness in God Child. (Note that I am not saying it is anything like God Child.)
The characters are quite interesting, not entirely unique, but the way they are displayed works quite well. And I do not feel as if there's a 'shounen-ai' element between Ciel and Sebastian.
The story is interesting, it doesn't feel very repetitive... But what about the main plot? It's hardly progressed. I thought it was to find out who ruined his life.. or am I just imagining things..

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Black Butler Review: 5/29/2011 (Chap 57 Latest)

by Raitei
14 years ago

Rating: N/A

Dear Readers,

I keep up with a lot of series, as a professional I find that watching anime that are manga adaptions isn't fruitful for time management, and manga reading is much easier. Black Butler the Manga, was a rating of a 7/8 just because of the original story ,interesting take on the "butler" concept, and good plot/character design.

However, the mangaka constantly continues to surprise, keeps the reader entertained within the story and with historical allusions to the truth behind what we perceive as reality. Example: providing a "black butler" interpretation of the author behind Sherlock Holmes, or the sinking of the Titanic.

I definitely suggest this series to be read by all!
In regards to the latest chapter:

Lizzy was SO FREAKING BADASS!!!

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