*clears throat and has a cup of tea* There are types of anime shows with strange creatures/demons and cats, and then there is this one....with strange people. I wonder what the Queen of England or a cat would think of this show.
Plot/Setting:
Very interesting setting. I've always loved historical stories with a twist. They had the timeline right on with Queen Victoria and the fire. But I have never watched an anime set in Great Britain in the late 19th century. It was rather different and gives an idea of more culture. And even the mansion was very high class. I was a bit surprised a child was running it. But I guess living with a demon and people with strange abilities, you can do anything.
*hiss* I wasn't very impressed with the plot. I found there were plot holes throughout the episodes and the pace was off at times. There wasn't really a middle piece and it was filled with several side stories of contests. Reminded me a lot of a crime show actually. Now this might've been the intention all along, what do I know, right? Crime shows usually will have side stories of murders and strange occurrences while the plot is moving. A good live action example would be Grimm. However, the plot did bore me at times. I didn't get the suspenseful feeling until episode 18. I loved when the black cat arrived.
Art:
*puts on monocle* This shit is so fancy I need a second monocle! I'm always a sucker for the animation of these shows. This one did really good on the designs of the castles. They were all different and very well done. I didn't find any sloppiness of any sort in the character's, background, and other things, and found the art clear as rain. The composition of colours were just spectacular. The effects of the blood and the fire created really nice colour and glow for dramatic effect. The fog in a few episodes captured the creepy atmosphere England is famous for. And, of course, the eyes. Sebastian's especially. When they glowed, it was the most gorgeous colour.
The cats were the best art in there, though, by far.
Sound:
Very eerie, although the opening reminded me of a Tango dance, and I couldn't help but dance at the beginning. But the ending songs went from upbeat and happy, to absolutely dark. It was a strange shift. The music in the episodes created the best atmosphere though. I think it's what made Black Butler so...dark at times. But needs more meows and purrs.
Character:
In the words of Ciel, "Where is my rubber ducky, Sebastian!?" Good day sir! Ciel Ciel Ciel...what can I say. He's the stereotypical rich boy with a fancy butler and believes he's the best in the world. He reminds me of a cat ready to get pampered. There is nothing else to say. He doesn't change very much and is still the same snobby kid at the end- a static character. I was disappointed in that character and didn't find him as likeable as the others.
Sebastian would be the leader of the cats if he wasn't Ciel's butler. He would be stereotypical too, if he wasn't a demon and did all these supernatural things, but even then, from all the stories told these days with butlers in them, I find most of them do have that kick ass butler. Even though he is very attractive and yes, I would love to marry him, he is probably not my favourite in the show. Tanaka, yes the lovable, tea drinking, "haha" butler is my favourite. He's sounds like a scholar, but can't maintain his energy very long. He's that butler who would still serve the family after they become housebroken. He added humour every time he was on screen. And he is so cute!
I really liked the multicultural mix though. There was French, English, American, Indian, Chinese, and probably a few more in there. There needs to be more shows with this kind of multicultural characters! And more cats.
Enjoyment/Overall:
I...actually enjoyed this show surprisingly. As someone who is very picky with what she watches, I really did like it. Yes, it was a bit boring at the beginning since not a lot was happening and side story after side story was just being thrown at me, but after getting through I found I really did enjoy it...until the end. I'm actually glad there is a second season because the cliffhanger ending is tearing me to pieces. Am I satisfied with it? No. But I guess that's what shows do in finales. I recommend this show...sure! But don't expect it to be purrrrfect. It really needs more cat appearances to be at that level.
I give this show a B or a 78% on the Cat scale.
