The Reincarnation of an Ordinary Person With Unparalleled Effort ~If You Work Hard From the Time You Are a Baby, Before You Know It, You Will Be Carrying the Future of Japan on Your Shoulders~

So I first watched the anime and was left with a bitter taste because I felt the story had more potential than what was presented, then I picked up the manga.<br />
Both get a seven from me, but honestly, the manga is a hundred times better than the anime or its poor sequel, which was so bad I couldn't even finish watching it. Although I prefer the manga, it still has its shortcomings, and here I will try to explain why.<br /><br />

STORY: Quite good, actually very good. However, the story lacks consistency; the only consistent element is that Ciel sold his soul and is now Sebastian's master, seeking revenge on those who wronged him. This concept is promising and could have unfolded as a mysterious, detective-like tale where Ciel follows clues to find his answers, but it doesn't quite do that. Instead, it relies on clichés and overused shonen tropes that I've grown tired of. We have various arcs, some enjoyable, but they ultimately lead nowhere. Sure, the villains are defeated, and mysteries are solved, but how does this relate to Ciel and the people who killed his parents? Since the series isn't finished yet, and we're not sure when it will be, these seemingly unrelated arcs might eventually tie together, but by the time we reach the end, the constant filler has worn us out. The last few chapters are just filler with elements so disconnected that the story becomes stiff and boring. This plot could have been executed in a much wittier way, perhaps with fewer chapters, but it drags on too much. 7 only for the concept.<br /><br />

ART: The art is PERFECT! If you appreciate Victorian fashion and the overall atmosphere of that era (and the gothic theme, of course), you'll likely enjoy the art immensely. Beautiful castles are intricately detailed, as are the interiors, providing great backgrounds (not quite as good as Kaori Yuki's, but close) that perfectly capture the feel of the era. The clothing is magnificent; I especially admire Ciel's imaginative and stylish outfits. This series excels in fashion, with no letdowns here. 9<br /><br />

CHARACTER: Ugh, I found the characters flat in the anime, and the manga isn't any different. Our main characters are Ciel and Sebastian. While I find Ciel's character promising and often intriguing, despite being a spoiled brat, Sebastian is flat. Despite being polished with all the cool traits—wits, sharp moves, and a chilly attitude—he's forgettable at the end of the day. He COULD be interesting, being a devil and all, but he falls flat. I've encountered more engaging creatures of his kind. The servants of Ciel's mansion are forgettable, though funny, but that's all they offer. Some key characters like Lau are enjoyable while they're present. The gay shinigami is awful—not because he's gay, but because he just doesn't fit. Elizabeth, Ciel's fiancée, is terrible and annoying, and oh-so familiar! Ciel shows promise, as do some others who appear briefly, but ultimately, there's no growth or development. They're too far-fetched! 5<br /><br />

ENJOYMENT/OVERALL: This manga IS enjoyable, even though the characters are a major turn-off for me, someone who appreciates well-written characters. It's still fun to read. You can see that the author did her research on England in the 1800s, and that's very evident. Black Butler is an enjoyable manga if you like looking at pretty art. You can easily immerse yourself in its era and enjoy the story. Some arcs, like the one about the Circus, are really excellent. Nothing too heavy, an easy read definitely, and it's kind of fun. The tackiness can get to you, but it's still worth checking out. If you like nice art, take a look at it. If you expect any significant development beyond a hint every 20 chapters, forget it. 7<p>

Anime Black Butler was the first one I ever watched, which naturally led me to reading the manga. And I did find it somewhere.<br /><br />The art is truly outstanding, and as you read, you can really feel the passion the creators have for their work. The drawings are incredibly detailed, and even though the plot (which I'll discuss later) isn't at its highest level, simply looking at each page is a great joy.<br /><br />As I mentioned, there's a "little" issue with the plot. Initially, perhaps throughout the first half, it seems fairly realistic, if you overlook some inaccuracies related to the time period (a cellphone? Really?). You quickly learn to ignore these.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the story then takes a wrong turn. I don't want to spoil the fun of reading it, so I'll just say that you start to get a strong feeling of reading a poorly written fanfiction. The art remains great, of course, but it seems like Yana Toboso is sometimes overly excited about her own character, Sebastian, and tries hard to showcase all his capabilities—ignoring realism and throwing characters into ridiculous situations that don't match the manga's atmosphere. Additionally, the author's knowledge of the time period in which the story is set is something she should work on harder (though you can see clear progress in later chapters. Stupid situations remain stupid, but futuristic objects become less frequent).<br /><br />That's all for the objective review, because the rest is heavily influenced by my personal taste.<br /><br />The biggest advantage for me is the concept of shinigami. Don't ask me why, but I just love them. It's not a horror manga, but they're a great idea in the form she presented them. Although it also comes with many plot holes, the biggest one being demons' selective ability to recognize shinigami, resulting in one being recognized immediately while another is ignored for many chapters. The explanation provided doesn't hold up.<br /><br />I had trouble enjoying the characters fully. At first, the author managed to balance their behavior and screen time well, but now things have gotten a bit out of control. The main character, Ciel, is becoming more childish and delicate, probably due to letting Sebastian do more things for him to show his strength and intelligence. Still, they're extremely enjoyable. I'm not sure what to think about the quality and complexity of the characters, but reading about them can still give you a lot of fun. Also, not all characters were ruined—for example, Undertaker (my favorite), who appears more often recently, hasn't lost his ability to intrigue, and his entrance and motives remain a mystery.<br /><br />All in all—I think I'd recommend it. It's not the greatest manga, but if you're looking for a light-horror manga with many handsome guys and art that makes you contemplate the drawings for hours, this is it. Just don't expect too much.

If you're checking the reviews to decide whether to give Kuroshitsuji a read, just dive into it already. And sure, I might be an (extremely evident) fan of the manga, but honestly, I recommend ignoring the reviews and giving it a try—if you're into drama with a dark edge and a meticulously crafted plot.

By "elaborate," I simply mean that the main storyline ties together every single arc seamlessly. Don't bother looking for plot holes—I've tried, and there aren't any. The story itself is fascinating, to say the least; you'll need to stick around for quite a few chapters to fully grasp its depth.

The artwork? Absolutely top-notch. Have you seen Sebastian? The characters are numerous, strikingly beautiful (no surprise there), and complex, especially the key ones.

One potential downside is that the plot can become overly intricate and convoluted at times, making it hard to follow, particularly after the 100th chapter. It's a lot to take in.

However, some people, including myself, love this aspect. You'll find yourself wanting to revisit earlier chapters, gather clues, and piece together theories about what's truly happening. It's incredibly engaging and offers plenty to explore.

So, if you've read this far, give at least a few dozen chapters a shot before deciding if it's worth your time. Happy reading!

---Not for long, anyway

After seeing the numerous 10 and 9 ratings this manga is receiving, I felt compelled to pen my own review. Let me clarify, I genuinely adore Kuroshitsuji, but I believe this manga requires more objective and candid evaluations. After all, enjoying something doesn't inherently make it fantastic.

Story: 5  
Kuroshitsuji introduces a fascinating premise: a young boy, aged 10, strikes a deal with a demon to exact revenge on those who obliterated his family. As someone who appreciates dark, twisted narratives, this manga immediately caught my attention. Nevertheless, the manner in which the story unfolds detracts from its overall quality. Yana Toboso isn't a particularly skilled storyteller. The main narrative is pieced together through individual arcs that often have little connection to the primary characters or their goals. Recently, these subplots seem increasingly clichéd, suggesting the author might be running low on inspiration. For readers like myself, eagerly anticipating more insights into Ciel and Sebastian, being offered mere snippets per arc is quite frustrating. Thus, while the core story captivates me, its presentation lowers the score.

Art: 10  
The artwork in Kuroshitsuji is undeniably stunning. It's highly detailed, and the artist excels at merging beauty with the macabre. The style is distinctly gothic, perfectly aligning with the story's setting and atmosphere. The character designs are intriguing, and the abundance of attractive characters makes it a dream for many fans.

Character: 7  
I'm fond of morally ambiguous characters, and this series delivers them in spades, with Ciel as the prime example. He's an unpleasant individual—cold, uncaring, manipulative, and capable of despicable acts. Yet, sympathy arises because his personality stems from the cruel events leading him to contract with a demon. At 12, he assumed leadership of the Phantomhive family, striving to project maturity despite his youth and small size. Throughout the story, he grapples between his humanity and his objectives. Sebastian, though somewhat one-dimensional, remains enigmatic due to the limited knowledge about his motivations. Elizabeth, initially despised by me and still somewhat disliked, reveals unexpected depth. Many side characters possess significant depth, although some, like the servants, appear primarily for comic relief, highlighting Ciel's manipulative abilities.

Enjoyment: 8  
I thoroughly enjoy reading this series. Despite the occasionally slow pace, which can be exasperating, most individual arcs remain engaging. Plus, the presence of numerous attractive characters adds extra appeal for fans. Kuroshitsuji offers an entertaining read.

Overall, this manga earns a 7 from me.

Story - The story scores a 9.  
The plot unfolds gradually, allowing the reader to slowly piece together Ciel's past and the true nature of Sebastian. Although the beginning might feel a bit slow, it progressively becomes more action-packed and evolves into an incredible manga!  

Art - The art deserves a 10.  
What can I say about the art? It's absolutely stunning! The food, the mansions, and the roses are all beautifully rendered. Additionally, the tea sets are depicted with remarkable detail.  

Character - The characters earn a 9.  
I thoroughly appreciate the character designs. In particular, Ciel, the self-centered young master; Sebastian, the "butler from hell"; and Grell, due to his genuine personality, stand out to me.  

Enjoyment - My enjoyment level is a 9.  
I adore all the characters, the art, and the fantastic storyline. The manga features intense, bloody scenes and plenty of mysterious elements. I have a preference for mangas with these types of genres and cool characters, so when I started reading it, what happened? - I have no regrets whatsoever!  

Overall - 9.

Story: The concept and idea behind Kuroshitsuji are truly excellent, keeping you constantly guessing about what's coming next. While the story can be somewhat confusing, as readers, we're still unclear on the overarching goal of the plot. Nevertheless, the smaller arcs are captivating, historically rich, and exceptionally crafted, imparting significant morals along the way.  

Art: The art in this series is nothing short of BRILLIANT. Every single aspect, without exception, is stunning. The backgrounds are meticulously detailed, and elements like flowers, tea sets, clothing, and characters are intricately designed and beautifully executed.  

Characters: I absolutely adore the characters. There's no denying it. Ciel Phantomhive, the 12-year-old heir to the Phantomhive estate, is a selfish yet endearing brat who's impossible not to love. Sebastian, a demon and Ciel's butler, possesses extraordinary abilities. Both characters leave you eager for the author to reveal more about their stories.  
Enjoyment: I genuinely cherish this manga. ^^ I eagerly anticipate reading it whenever I have the chance.  

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I thought it was a shoujo.  
It contains plenty of fan service, which led me to believe this until now, but beyond that, it's an incredible manga. One that I've thoroughly enjoyed. Its intertwined narratives blend historical realism with entertaining fantasy, making this manga truly unique. The atmosphere crafted by the mangaka is perfectly suited.  

The character development may appear weak initially, but each one has a defining moment where the mangaka pours her heart into making them significant and engaging within the broader story.  

And the art... well, Toboso is one of my all-time favorite mangakas. Aside from the captivating story she weaves, her artwork is outstanding! It's something I deeply appreciate. Carefully refined and visually appealing, it isn't overloaded with intricate details but instead uses strong contrasts to make action scenes feel incredibly realistic.  

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...I genuinely wish I could appreciate this series more than I currently do. Certain elements, and a few entire story arcs, are so impressive that they make me yearn for the series to be a masterpiece. However, as it stands, there are too many aspects of the series that I dislike to continue pursuing it further. This review is lengthy, so if you're looking for a concise version, there's a TL;DR at the bottom.

When considering the series as a whole, it isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination; I can see why it has such a large fanbase. While I'm not particularly fond of fanservice (despite my appreciation for bishonens), those who enjoy it—or at least don't mind it—will likely find this series appealing. Beyond that, there are numerous aspects of exceptional quality here. For one, I cannot praise Toboso's art highly enough. Her art style is my favorite among all the manga I've encountered. The costume and character designs are remarkable; what impresses me most is her ability to avoid the common pitfall of giving every bishounen the same design with just a different hairstyle. Instead, each character looks distinct, and their appearance alone conveys their personality and role. Many characters stand out as truly unique and interesting, my favorites being Sebastian, the Noah's Ark Circus crew, and Sieglinde Sullivan. The series also raises intriguing moral questions and, by showcasing characters willing to commit the worst acts, Toboso manages to highlight the best qualities of others—a delicate balance indeed.

Frankly, the Noah's Ark Circus Arc is the finest I've encountered in any manga (and I've read Fullmetal Alchemist). If I could rate arcs individually, I'd give this one a perfect 10 across the board—and not just because I adore circuses. The exploration of humanity's extremes, both its worst and best, is executed with profound elegance in this arc. It's tragic, somber, and thought-provoking. Joker, for the record, ranks among the most fascinating characters I've come across. He resides firmly in the moral gray area, yet his motivations become crystal clear. I'd love to see him as the protagonist in another work. Additionally, I'd rate the subsequent two arcs—the murder mystery and the cruise with Elizabeth—an 8 or 9; the former for its mystery, the latter for its effective character development of Elizabeth and the Undertaker.

So, why do I only rate the series a 6 out of 10 when I have so much positive to say about it? Simply put, the aspects that don't work for me significantly detract from the overall experience. For one, I don't care for many of the characters or any of the arcs aside from the three I mentioned. In terms of characters, Grell and Ciel are the biggest offenders for me. I admire Grell's design, but her personality has consistently annoyed me. After her initial appearances, the most intriguing aspects of her character, particularly her struggles with gender identity, are either underexplored or reduced to cheap jokes. That said, Grell's combat skills are still impressive, and she doesn't appear often enough to ruin the story entirely for me. Ciel, however, is a different story.

Let me clarify. Typically, a tragic backstory—especially one as brutal as Ciel's—would earn my sympathy; if I feel for a character, I want to follow their journey, support them, and see them triumph. And I'm not opposed to revenge plots; in fact, I quite enjoy them, especially when they delve into the emotional turmoil of the avenger. But there's something about Ciel that prevents me from feeling any pity for him. It's not solely his willingness to perform despicable acts—despite his actions, I thought he was at his best during the Circus arc—but rather his personality. At best, he comes across as cold, impersonal, and entitled, which, while understandable given his backstory, doesn't create a character I feel compelled to root for. What draws me to Ciel in the Circus arc is seeing him grapple with the weight of his actions; he displays an emotional vulnerability rarely seen elsewhere. But if he seems indifferent to everything, why should I care?

Beyond Ciel, many plotlines struggle to engage me. Aside from the three arcs I highlighted, the stories range from dull to downright irritating. The Red Butler arc suffers from pacing issues; the Indian Butler arc feels redundant (and introduces Agni and Soma, who, while enjoyable, contribute little to the overarching narrative); the Public School arc reads like pure wish fulfillment and regurgitates the best parts of the Circus and Luxury Liner arcs without adding anything new, making it feel stale; and the Emerald Witch Arc, aside from introducing Sieglinde (who is genuinely great) and providing some insight into Sebastian's motivations, quickly becomes tiresome and overstays its welcome. None of these arcs were enough to make me stop reading, though. That dubious honor goes to the Blue Cult, which reintroduces a cringe-worthy quartet from the Public School arc. I didn't think any of those characters had enough story potential to warrant a return, and it only reinforced my sense that the series had grown stagnant. Combined with the pacing issues, this led me to abandon the series altogether.

I've heard about some significant developments since I stopped reading, but none of them intrigue me enough to reconsider. That's not to say I won't revisit the series someday; I just don't care enough at the moment to bother.

TL;DR: Outstanding characters and art can't compensate for an unlikable protagonist, weak plotlines, and repetitive formulas. In my opinion, the Circus, Murders, and Liner arcs are worth reading, but the rest lacks sufficient merit. Considering everything, I'd average it out to a 6.

For anyone who took the time to read this review, remember: these are merely my opinions. If you enjoy the series, don't let my views diminish your experience. I write this primarily for newcomers who might be considering picking up the series; if any of the points I raised would be deal-breakers for you, it's worth keeping them in mind.

I went into this manga without high expectations. I had watched the anime and enjoyed the characters, but it didn't leave a strong impression on me. There were moments when I found it rather dull, yet I was curious about where the story would lead. Additionally, I had come across some art panels from the manga on Reddit that truly fascinated me.  

The art is phenomenal, and I'll start with that. The dedication to the manga's aesthetic and its clean style is evident, and I thoroughly appreciated it. However, recently, the story has felt quite sluggish and, at times, boring. The main plot unfolds across multiple arcs, revealing small pieces of the overarching narrative at the end of each one. Given this structure, plot twists are anticipated and, ideally, welcomed by the reader. Unfortunately, I found these twists to be stretched or clichéd, and in some cases, predictable. I often had a clear idea of what the twist would be and when it would occur.  

What keeps me invested, personally, are the characters. They are incredibly endearing! Even if they aren't entirely relatable—how could I relate to a demon butler or a sniper maid?—their development and interactions are so compelling that it doesn't matter. What matters most is the characters themselves and how they engage with each other and the world around them as the story progresses.

To be honest, I wasn't planning to read any of the manga in this series, especially after struggling to get through most of the anime past episode eight. Surprisingly, though, I enjoyed the manga quite a bit more—possibly because you can flip through it at your own pace—but it still has its share of issues.

First off, the plot is a decent idea overall but doesn't do much to develop the storyline. The story is divided into different "arcs," none of which properly delve into the main characters or feel like they're part of the overarching plot. Instead, they focus on various supporting characters, many of whom don't receive much attention later on. Still, each arc provides some scattered clues about the main characters and manages to be enjoyable (depending on personal preference). They usually conclude with powerful endings that are worth experiencing, despite some tedious parts.

As mentioned earlier, the main characters aren't exactly well-developed; characterization is rather weak in this series. Ciel is tolerable—he seems to be the self-proclaimed chessmaster here, but readers can see that it's more about his ego than actual skill. He's a spoiled brat with a cruel past, and you can observe how it shaped him as a character. On the other hand, Sebastian is someone I absolutely dislike. He embodies perfection and is undoubtedly a God Mode Sue in my opinion. Perhaps it's justified since he's a demon, but the way the story unfolds makes him more of a Deus ex Machina than anything else, with little development of his character. Even after over sixty chapters spanning a couple of years, we still lack backstory or clear hints about his true motivations. Maybe this will change later (and let it CHANGE), but until then, I refuse to give him much credit.

On the bright side, the supporting characters receive slightly more development and each has their unique quirks. It's important to note that morality in this series is very dark, and characters shouldn't be easily categorized (good, evil, neutral) just because they harm a major character, who aren't particularly virtuous themselves.

The art, however, compensates for many of the series' flaws. It's intricate and pays great attention to detail, truly bringing the setting to life. The only downside is that it's overly delicate, which disrupts the flow of fight sequences (unfortunate for the reader).

Will you enjoy this manga? That's hard to predict. If you're a fangirl, you might be captivated by the endless stream of attractive male characters (which seems to dominate fan discussions). Otherwise, many people may find the slow pace frustrating, especially given the long wait for each chapter (a month for around 30 pages).

Overall, this series earns a 7/10 from me.

In the Black Butler manga, I have only read the first three books so far, and I must say they are quite good.  
I'm eager to continue reading the rest because it becomes quite addictive. It might not be the absolute best book series, but it's perfect for taking your mind off things and immersing yourself in someone else's world. The plot and adventures are definitely worth looking forward to. The art style and the way the storyline unfolds are very thrilling.  
There isn't much to strongly dislike or love about it, but it's one of those series you can simply enjoy. That's my perspective, at least.  
If you're looking for something pleasant, not too violent, and not too boring, I recommend giving the Black Butler manga a try.  

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When I first began reading the Kuroshitsuji manga at fourteen, the sole motivation driving me was an immense, perhaps unhealthy obsession with Sebastian. As you might imagine, the plot wasn't exactly on my radar back then.

Now that I've matured, I can honestly say that the initial arcs were a real struggle to get through and felt painfully monotonous.

Kuroshitsuji stands as a prime example of an author growing and refining their craft over time. The artwork in the early stages was, let's face it, rough and unappealing (think Junjou Romantica), the narrative was largely dull and lacked purpose, and the characters came across as irritating in their attempts to be humorous.

That said, as the manga unfolds, there's a marked improvement in the art style. It becomes so striking that you often find yourself pausing just to admire its beauty. The story evolves into something compelling, making each new volume impossible to put down once you start reading, despite the presence of noticeable plot holes. Most characters grow on you, particularly Ciel and Sebastian, who embody the archetype of being love-to-hate figures akin to Holden Caulfield.

One cautionary note for potential readers: Kuroshitsuji is not easy to get into. Initially, it may seem unengaging and visually underwhelming. However, persevering through these early challenges is well worth it due to how remarkable the series becomes later on. For new readers, I urge you not to give up, because even though I detested the beginning, this manga eventually became one of my all-time favorites.

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