Black Butler

In an alternate Victorian London, young Ciel Phantomhive is the head of a powerful household and the queen's unofficial watchdog, handling matters the crown won't touch. After a traumatic loss, he forms a contract with Sebastian Michaelis, a demonic butler whose flawless manners and lethal skill keep Ciel alive and the Phantomhive name intact. Episodes mix stand-alone investigations, courtly intrigue and the pair's private power struggles, alternating light banter with darker threads tied to Ciel's past and the cost of his bargains. The series stays focused on atmosphere and character interplay, revealing motivations and stakes slowly while keeping major plot turns for viewers to discover.

Released in 2008, the anime adapts Yana Toboso's manga, with Hiroyuki Yoshino credited among the creators. The show features prominent voice talent, including Daisuke Ono as Sebastian and Maaya Sakamoto as Ciel, and it introduced many viewers to Toboso's gothic, stylized world.

The series didn't collect major international awards, though it proved commercially durable enough to spawn additional seasons and OVAs, plus a wide range of merchandise. Its sustained popularity helped keep the franchise active across media for years after the initial broadcast.

Its Victorian-gothic aesthetic, impeccably designed costumes and the striking image of a composed, supernatural servant quickly became touchstones in anime fandom. Fans embraced the dynamic for cosplay, fan art and discussions online, and the show's blend of dark themes with moments of wit made it a recognizable entry in late 2000s anime culture.

Audience and critic scores tend to be positive, the series holding a roughly 7.74/10 average from viewer polls. Reviewers often praise the animation quality, voice performances and mood, while some point out uneven pacing and deviations from the source material. Recurring themes include loyalty, class privilege, revenge and the moral price of power, all filtered through a lens of gothic style and occasional dry humor.