Kuro Shitsuji Review by GaoAsaurusG
FORMAT: TV 24 eps adapted from manga created byYana Toboso
GENRE: Mystery, supernatural, comedy,historical
DIRECTOR: Shinohara Toshiya
MUSIC: Taku Iwasaki
Opening: ‘Kiss of Mononchrome’ by SID
Ending: ‘I’m Alive’ by BECCA 2#’Lacrimosa’ by Kalafina
PLOT: After the violent death of his parents, 12 yr old Ceil finds himself the heir to the Phantomhive title and vast comercial empire. While once a happy child with a bright future, the Ceil we meet is a changed young man. The now grim and serious Ceil is bent on revenge while honoring his family’s duty to serve the Queen. With the help of his loyal butler, Sebastion, Ceil solves a ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’ like mystery, catches Jack the Ripper, among other things. Ceil’s butler is no ordinary servant. We quickly discover that young Master Ceil has made a pact with a demon. In return for help in exacting his revenge on those responsible for the death of his parents [ and other more vague personal injuries], Ceil will give Sebastian what is left of his soul.
CHARACTERS: While the Phantomhive household does have in its’ employ a staff of four who appear in each episode, there are only two main characters.
Ceil Phantomhive: [voiced by Maaya Sakamoto] The 12 year old Earl of Phantomhive, and ” Queen’s Dog”. He seeks to avenge the deaths of his parents while doing as the Queen commands. He appearently has many underworld connects and is often called upon by the Queen to get to the bottom of certain unseemly events. Ceil wears an eye patch that conceals the mark of his pact with a certain Demon Butler.
Sebastiam Michaelis: [voiced by Daisuke Ono]. Sebastain is ‘one demon of a butler’…pun intended…He is the perfect butler and runs the Phantomhive estate like a well oiled clock. He also protects and obeys young Master Ceil. In return for his service, Sebastain hopes to claim Ceil’s soul.
GENRE: The mix of period history and supernatural was interesting. The comedy is well placed and vary from Sebastian’s dry wit to the silliness of the household staff.
STYLE: Unfortunately the sub/translation is abit off at times and left me scratching my head. A couple of times I even had to back up and play a section again so try and figure out what the actors might actually be saying.
I found the soundscape to be well done while not overpowering.
CONCLUSION: I enjoyed the series. The food references made me hungry and the constant chess images got me to dust off my own board and brush up on my game. Kuro shitsuji was a poignant piece of anime that regretfully came to an end to soon, in my opinion.