By: Yana Toboso
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Series: 黒執事 [Kuroshitsuji] (#1)
Summary: In the Victorian ages of London The Earl of the Phantomhive house, Ciel Phantomhive, needs to get his revenge on those who had humiliated him and destroyed what he loved. Not being able to do it alone he sells his soul to a demon he names Sebastian Michaelis. Now working as his butler, Sebastian must help the Earl Phantomhive in this suspenseful, exciting, thriller manga.
Review: In Pseudo-Victorian, Ciel Phantomhive is a twelve-year-old, Earl to the Phantomhive household. Owner of a famous toy factory, and Queen Victoria’s faithful servant with tremendous responsibility on his shoulders. Fortunately, his loyal butler, Sebastian, was ready to carry out his young master’s wishes. Apparently, there is nothing Sebastian cannot do. Some may argue He is too good to be believed.
Black Butler is a slow pace filled with low brow humor. It will disappoint the reader on this story.
What do I not like?
This is honestly a bit of a rough start. Despite hints at the manga’s tone in certain scenes, the first four chapters are enjoyable and lighthearted. Considering the series’ beginning, it’s shocking to see how it began. The first four chapters of the manga are enjoyable and lighthearted, despite hints of the manga’s tone in certain scenes. Considering the series’ beginning, it’s shocking to see how effectively the setting and characters are introduced, even though the plot in volume one ends on a less exciting note.
Throughout the story-telling, there were many distractions. Unnecessary humor disrupted the message.
Almost all side characters were painfully dull and superficial. In summary, Ciel has a guest over and Sebastian serves dinner; Ciel’s fiance arrives to dance; and Ciel gets kidnapped and rescued by Sebastian.
The end of volume 1 reveals Sebastian to be a demon. With a simplistic and predictable plot, the story lacks suspense or surprises. The characters are all one-dimensional and lack depth or development.
Overall, this volume is meh. I’ll continue reading because I recall it becomes more enjoyable in the later volumes.