Saturday, May 2, 2009

その執事, 最強 [Sono Shitsuji, Saikyou]

DON'T READ THIS POST BECAUSE IT'S A SPOILER.
unless you don't mind being affected by it. :)

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On friday morning, around 1am+, I finished watching Kuroshitsuji. I thought I was gonna leave the last 3 chapters for the next day(friday), cause I don't want to finish it that fast. But in the end I did. *sigh* Until I realize, I don't have enough preparation to face the ending. ;_; Well at least Ciel "left" with a willing heart. He made a contract with the demon of a butler, Sebastian Michaelis. I loved this anime so damn much, so I gotta post about it. ♥ Maa... I took the necessary informations from other sites though. Keheheh. I know most of you won't bother to read, but I just wanna do it. Cuz you-know-why.

Kuroshitsuji Official Homepage -- DVD, CD, Blog, Links, Events, Staff etc are all here.
Kuroshitsuji @ Wikipedia -- List of Characters, Chapters, Mangas etc.
Kuroshitsuji @ AnimeNewsNetwork -- more infos
Download Kuroshitsuji
Kuroshitsuji Manga Chapters
➟ Yana Toboso ; Wikipedia, AnimeNewsNetwork

About
Japanese Title: 黒執事 Kuroshitsuji
English Japanese: The Black Butler
Genre: Comedy, Supernatural
Themes: Historical

About Kuroshitsuji
Kuroshitsuji (黒執事, Black Butler) is a manga written and illustrated by Yana Toboso. Since its debut on September 16, 2006, it has been serialized in Square Enix's shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy. The series follows Sebastian Michaelis, a demonic butler who is obligated to serve Ciel Phantomhive, the twelve-year-old head of the Phantomhive noble family, due to a contract he made with Ciel. It was announced in July 2008 that an anime adaption, directed by Shinohara Toshiya and produced by A-1 Pictures, was expected. It premiered in October 2008.

Summary
One of the noble families of England - Phantomhive, has a butler, Sebastian Michaelis. He has unquestionably perfect knowledge, manners, talent with materials. martial arts and much more. But for some reason, he serves a 12 year old master...

Themes
Opening Theme:
Monochrome no Kiss by SID
Ending Theme:
#1: I'm ALIVE! by BECCA
#2: Lacrimosa by Kalafina

Characters
(profile pictures got from Kuroshitsuji OHP and cropped, not all characters are posted anyway ;D)

Sebastian Michaelis
Sebastian Michaelis (セバスチャン・ミカエリス ,Sebasuchan Mikaerisu) is the series' protagonist. He is the butler of the Phantomhive household acts as Ciel's bodyguard, two jobs he is completely devoted to. However, he is not overly concerned about Ciel's well-being as he insults and even harms Ciel to see his reaction. Sebastian often describes himself through the phrase "Because I am a butler to the end" (わたしはあくまで執事ですから ,Aku made shitsuji desu kara) to describe himself. The phrase plays on the word "demon" (あくま ,akuma) and the phrase "to the end" (あくまで ,aku made). It can also translate to "I am a demon and a butler". He is highly skilled in any area and handles every task, no matter how impossible it is, as well as any problem that arises from the errors of the other staff with ease, stating it is only natural as the butler to the Phantomhive family. This is due to the fact he is a demon bound by a Faustian contract to abide by Ciel's will. A sign similar to the one marking Ciel's right eye can be found on Sebastian's left hand, which has been used on one occasion to twist the arm of a kidnapper without touching him. The name Sebastian is in fact a temporary name given to him by Ciel and was previously held by Ciel's dog. He bears a slight resemblance to Ciel's father. In the anime adaption, Sebastian can take the form of a crow or a cat. Sebastian's true demonic form is not completely known, however a depiction of sharper teeth and elongated nails have been given. He's also implied to have wearing high-heeled leather boots in his real form. In the manga adaptation, Sebastian showed his true form when he first met Ciel, while in the anime version, he showed himself to Ciel in the form of a crow. He is voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa on the first drama CD and Daisuke Ono in the anime adaption and on the second drama CD. His name is similar to that of Father Sebastien Michaelis, who compiled a hierarchy of demons in Hell.

Ciel Phantomhive
Ciel Phantomhive (シエル・ファントムハイヴ ,Shieru Fantomuhaivu) is the business-savvy, twelve-year-old head of the English Phantomhive noble family, taking over after the deaths of his parents, Lord Vincent and Lady Rachel Phantomhive. He also runs Funtom Company, which manufactures toys and sweets, and later adds a food branch after winning a Royal Warrant. His right eye, which is usually covered with a black eyepatch, bears a pentacle sign of the Faustian contract which binds the demon Sebastian Michaelis to his will. Prior to meeting Sebastian, he was a slave. During this time, a mark was burned into his back, although in the anime adaption it is found on the left side of his chest. He does not want anyone to see this mark. He is portrayed as emotionless, but he does express occasional concern for the well-being of the few close to him. He does show some concern for Sebastian's well-being, however, he ultimately looks at Sebastian as a pawn, sometimes even wishing for Sebastian to fail a task or request, for humor's sake. He is close to his cousin and fiancée Elizabeth, seeing her as an important friend and someone he needs to protect. It is noted that his parents were killed and his mansion set ablaze on his birthday, a reason why he does not like to celebrate his birthday. This tragedy causes him to not want to lose anyone important again. At the end of the anime adaptation, with his revenge completed, Ciel awaits for Sebastian to devour his soul. His final order is to make the process as painful as possible. He is voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro on the first drama CD and Maaya Sakamoto in the anime adaption and on the second drama CD.

Bardroy
Bardroy (バルドロイ ,Barudoroi), usually referred to as Bard, is the household cook of American descent with an unlit cigarette in his mouth. However, he rarely produces anything edible as he uses weaponry such as flamethrowers to cook and believes cooking is an art requiring explosions. Sebastian believes anything he creates is made up of charcoal and carcinogens. Bardroy pursues cooking to learn how to slow down, as he states cooking takes patience to master. In the anime he was revealed to be an English soldier whose entire platoon was wiped out, leaving him to be the only survivor. At the end of the anime, it is unknown whether he is alive or dead, although Sebastian comments that he was still breathing when he collapsed after killing Pluto. He is voiced by Hiroki Touchi in the anime adaption and Rikiya Koyama on the drama CD.







Finian
Finian (フィニアン), often called Finny, is a gardener. However, it seems every time he tends to the garden it is killed through an accident caused by his clumsiness. He is portrayed as a more innocent, child-like character, but is dubbed an idiot by Sebastian. In the anime adaption, he has memories of being experimented upon with treatments to increase physical strength before the events of the story until he was rescued by Ciel. Finian displays feats of superhuman strength, with which he once accidentally crushed his beloved pet bird to death, so he now tries to suppress from fear of hurting others and risk of sabotaging his work. He seems to have feelings for Angela with her kindness and beauty until he saw her true dominatrix personality. He works as a gardener to spend as much time as possible outside because he was not able to do so before. At the end of the anime, it is unknown whether he is alive or dead, although Sebastian comments that he was still breathing when he collapsed after killing Pluto. He is voiced by Kaji Yūki in the anime adaption and Motoki Takagi on the drama CD.



Maylene
Maylene (メイリン ,Meirin) is a clumsy, bespectacled maid. Her cracked glasses do nothing to improve her clumsiness, but she refuses to purchase a new pair as they are the first thing Ciel bought for her. The ill-fitted glasses actually cause her to become far-sighted. Sebastian believes her main problem is her intelligence and not her poor eyesight. She seems to have a crush on Sebastian as she is even clumsier when Sebastian is watching. Maylene takes an interest in horror fiction and loves her maid outfit because she was not able to dress nicely where she previously lived. In the anime adaptation, she used to be an assassin who used her sharp vision to snipe without the use of a scope. At the end of the anime, it is unknown whether she is alive or dead, although Sebastian comments that she was still breathing when she collapsed after killing Pluto. She is voiced by Katou Emiri in the anime adaption and Orikasa Fumiko on the drama CD.




Pluto
Pluto (プルートゥ ,Purūtō), also known as the Demon Dog, is a large dog that terrorizes the town of Houndsworth until Sebastian tames him. Afterward, he lives at the Phantomhive Estate. He can breathe fire, walk through barriers and shape-shift into a human. As a human, he retains dog-like qualities. Although Sebastian hates dogs, Pluto has taken a liking to him and gets jealous when he receives less attention than a cat. He only listens to Sebastian's orders. Finian is in charge of walking him, as he is the only one strong enough to do so. It is hinted that he might have ties to the organization that killed Ciel's parents, as he rested by the feet of one of the members and licked his hand, along with being with Angela prior to living at the Phatomhive Estate, later proven true when Ash uses him to set fire to the mansion and burn London. Ciel then orders his staff to kill Pluto to stop his rampage, stating that Pluto is no longer the Pluto they once knew. In the last episode Sebastian reveals that they did indeed kill Pluto, and offers to collect the bones for Ciel. Pluto appears only in the anime adaptation. He is voiced by Takafumi Yamaguchi in the anime adaption.


Lau
Lau (劉/ラウ ,Ryū/Rau) is a Chinese noble, President of the British Branch of a Chinese trading company, and friend to the Phantomhive family. He is also part of the Shanghai Mafia and runs an opium den. He is always smiling and his eyes are always closed. He is often seen with Ranmao (ランマオ ,Lanmao), a Chinese, doll-like girl referred as his sister, although not by blood, and his cat ridding his city of rats, hinting she is his personal assassin. Though she does not speak, is portrayed as emotionless, and Lau is usually seen playing with her in some way, she is very loyal to him. In the anime adaption, her role to where she has a speaking role. Lau is attracted to cute objects. Lau often agrees to something before learning what is happening and jumps into conversations with helpful information to later state he has no idea. He is also unaware his antics appear strange to others. However, he can be very coldblooded when he wants to be and can be very cryptic when he talks, only during this time he opens his eyes. In the anime adaptation, Lau and Ranmao are defeated by Ciel and Sebastian after they betray Ciel by using his Futom Company to store and sell White Lady opium in the guise of candy. Lau and Ranmao then throw themselves over the boat and into the freezing Thames River. He is voiced by Koji Yusa in the anime adaption.

Soma
Prince Soma Asman Cadart (ソーマ・アスマン・カダール ,Sooma Asuman Kadaaru) is a seventeen-year-old Indian prince. Unlike Ciel, he is spoiled and uses his parent's fortune for his personal needs and blames all of his problems on others. He bestowed his affections on Meena (ミーナ ,Miina), a beautiful maidservant who served at his palace in India since he was born. He saw her as an older sister. However, she came to hate him due to his arrogance and ran away to England with Lord Harold West, a trader in Indian goods, wanting to be a rich wife, rather than an ordinary cook bound to her social class. After learning Meena hated him for his ignorance, Prince Soma decided to stay with Ciel and learn how to act as a gentleman and even proclaims to be Ciel's best friend. He does not know that Meena and Lord West were both killed by Ramao on Lau's orders after they lost the curry contest and were planning to try again. In the anime he returns in the last episode handing out curry bread to the people of London after the great fire. He is voiced by Shinnosuke Tachibana in the anime adaption.



Agni
Agni (アグニ ,Aguni) is the servant of Prince Soma, whom he sees and worships as a god. Agni was once a nobleman named Arshad who used his powers and wealth for his own desires to the point that he was to be hanged for his crimes. Before he was to die, Prince Soma offered him a new life with the death of his old. He is able to fight on par with Sebastian while using a fencing foil. Unlike Sebastian, however, he is able to see the good in the Phantomhive manor staff and assign the tasks where their skills will be of use. He is known as the "Right Hand of God" for his god-like skill at making curry. He betrays Prince Soma and became the chef for a curry contest for Lord West to prevent the prince from discovering Meena ran away from and hated the prince. Later, Agni reconciles with the prince. He is staying in the Phantomhive manor to learn to become a better servant from Sebastian's example, and even calls Sebastian his friend, something that surprises Sebastian as no one has ever referred to him by that title before. Sebastian also takes advice from him on taking care of the one he serves, something he seems to enjoy annoying Ciel with. In the anime he returns in the last episode handing out curry bread to the people of London after the great fire. He is voiced by Hiroki Yasumoto in the anime adaption.

Grell Sutcliffe
Grell Sutcliffe (グレル・サトクリフ ,Gureru Satokurifu) is a flamboyant, pansexual shinigami who works as Angelina Durless's butler. He is initially portrayed as worthless and is often seen in the anime adaption trying to commit suicide after mishandling tasks. Eventually, Angelina put him under Sebastian's care, so he could learn to be a better butler. After this, he becomes infatuated with Sebastian. As a shinigami, he is characterized with red hair and shark-like teeth. Grell often refers to himself as a female and verbalizes his infatuation with Sebastian, much to the latter's disgust. He meets Angelina while she is murdering a former patient. Although he is to remain neutral without killing for enjoyment, Grell and Angelina forge a partnership and continued the murders. They are known as "Jack the Ripper" thereafter. Grell's shinigami scythe is illegally modified to look and function like a chainsaw. When cutting someone with his Scythe, their past memories are played out like a video reel; this is referred to as "Cinematic Record". In the end, Sebastian almost kills Grell with the Grim Reapers' own scythe, but Sebastian is stopped by William Spears. William beats Grell and takes him back to headquarters. Grell has not appeared afterward. However, he has made a reappearance in the anime adaption, where his role is lengthened through missions William has assigned him to investigate. His scythe is confiscated and Grell has to rely on scissors which are able to cut through anything. He is easily manipulated with promises of "alone time" with Sebastian. In the last episode William returns his chainsaw scythe so that he can help the other shinigami destroy the tainted souls caused by Angela/Ash. He is voiced by Jun Fukuyama in the anime adaption and the second drama CD.

Undertaker
Undertaker (アンダーテイカー ,Andaateikaa) is, as his name suggests, a funeral director. He often works with corpses resulting from movements in the underworld of the United Kingdom. He also acts as Ciel's informant. He seems to have known Ciel's father, Vincent, as in a flashback he is seen as one of the Evil Nobles. He seems to know Ciel's deal as he reminded Ciel that humans have only one soul. He is a rather eccentric man as he wishes to hear a funny joke for his services instead of receiving money. In the anime adaptation he too is a Shinigami one that William respects highly and is ranked in Management Level. Though he is legendary and retired, he still can access the Shinigami Library and alter the books. His scythe is akin to that of the stereotypical Grim Reaper scythe, and he is seen cutting away the tainted souls that are unfit to be kept in the shinigami library in the last episode. He is voiced by Junichi Suwabe in the anime adaption.





Fred Abberline
Fred Abberline (フレッド アバーライン ,Fureddo Abaarain) is young officer of Scotland Yard. He truly believes in the justice system, as he wishes to make a London where it is safe to have a family. He is planning to propose to his girlfriend, who is pregnant. He is similar to Ciel as his parents were killed and he had to go through hard times to get where he is. At first he does not trust Ciel and his position as the Queen's Watchdog, but later joins him as an ally. Ciel describes him as a person who walks in light, where he walks in darkness. He is killed by Lau by using his body as a human shield, but not before telling Ciel to live for the future. On a comical note, Sebastian sees him as a rival for telling jokes, as he was able to make Undertaker laugh hysterically just by introducing himself. His role in the manga adaption is significantly shorter. He is voiced by Hisayoshi Suganuma. Abberline is modeled after the real life Frederick Abberline, the Chief Inspector for the London Metropolitan Police and a prominent investigator of the Jack the Ripper murders.




Angela
Angela (アンジェラ ,Anjera) is a maid to the Lord Henry Barymore of Houndsworth, though he treats her poorly in public. Finian initially becomes infatuated with her beauty and seeming gentle kindness, until he learns of her true dominatrix personality. She has ties with the organization that killed Ciel's parents, even suggested it might have been her who killed them, and later she is shown to be an angel (though her personality is the opposite one would expect an angel to be). Like other members of the organization, she has an obsession of purifying souls filthy with negative emotions, referring to them as Unclean. She appears only in the anime adaption where it is found that she and Ash are the same person. She seems to have the desire to be with Sebastian, where every time she is out she wants him to recognize her as a woman and even offered a place beside her in her bid for world domination. She is voiced by Akiko Yajima.





Ash
Ash (アッシュ ,Asshu) is the Queen's butler who delivers all of the Queen's request to the Phantomhive Head. His appearance is the exact opposite of Sebastian's, where Sebastian has a black suit and hair color, Ash has a white suit and hair color. He is connected to the organization that killed Ciel's parents, hinted that he might be the leader as well, as in the new opening he is seen walking away from the burning mansion and used Scotland Yard to arrest Sebastian. He and Angela are the same person, as he is later revealed to be an angel too. At the end of the anime, the full extent of his insanity is revealed, leading Sebastian to comment Ash might be a fallen angel, but he is gruesomely killed by Sebastian's true form in ten seconds. Sebastian appears to tear Ash's wings off, making Ash "unclean" in his own eyes. He fights with a sword that resembles a foil, which is strong enough to cut through steel. In the manga, he is a regular boy known as John (ジョン ,Jon) who wears large goggles. He plays a shorter, more comical role mostly spent trying to keep up with Queen Victoria and calming her hysterical fits of tears. He is voiced by Satoshi Hino.

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Touzen! Some of my favorite Seiyuu(anime casts) include! :D ♥

Daisuke Ono as Sebastian Michaelis
[also: Nikaido Akira from Monochrome Factor, Kazuma Yagami from Kaze no Stigma, etc)

Maaya Sakamoto as Ciel Phantomhive
[also: Haruhi from Ouran High School Host Club, etc)
PS: She's more suit to cast a male character ;)

Fukuyama Jun as Grell Sutcliffe
[also: Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass, Takishima Kei from S.A Special etc)

Romi Paku as Madam Red
[also: Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist etc)

Junichi Suwabe as Undertaker
[also: Shirogane from Monochrome Factor etc)

Mitsuki Saiga as Edward V (episode 16)
[also: Wolfram from Kyou Kara Maou!, Jomy from Terra He, etc)

My favorite words from this anime :
  • "Ichido ushinatteshimatta mono wa nidoto modoru koto wa nai." - Ciel Phantomhive
  • "Akuma de, Shitsuji desu kara." - Sebastian Michaelis
  • "Fantomuhaivu buken no shitsuji taru mono, sore kurai dekinakute doushimasu?" - Sebastian Michaelis
The first one means, "A thing that is once lost will never ever return."
2nd, "I'm one demon of a butler, after all."
3rd, "As the Phantomhive butler, if I can't do anything until that level then what should I do?"

It's just my own brief explanation. So it's not 100% right but 99% right. :D Of course the DVD I watch has got english subtitle, but I swear that I already know what it means right before I read the subtitle XD! Except the 3rd one I'm not that sure. Ho Ho Ho. Oh yeah, about the romanji spelling, the 3rd one, the first part of it, I'm not sure about the spelling. Buahaha.

Should I add more pictures? *rubbing my hands together with a smirk*
-lazy mode on- is currently saving Junjou Romantica mangas *evil laughter*
Whatever, it's not like I won't ever post about Kuroshitsuji anymore. XD
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I'm not really done with this post, will edit later. ;D
Now you know why I love this anime so much? Like, so much?

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