I'm a huge fan of Black Butler, and this is most definitely a must have for fans of the series! A great series and Season one is definitely the starting point for fans new to the series. Is a great series about the perfect butler serving his young master Ciel. If you want to more about the series itself, definitely check it out on MyAnimeList.
(Redirected from Yusibu)
I Couldn't Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job. | |
勇者になれなかった俺はしぶしぶ就職を決意しました。 (Yūusha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shūshoku o Ketsui Shimashita.) | |
---|---|
Genre | Comedy, Harem |
Light novel | |
Written by | Jun Sakyou |
Illustrated by | Masaki Inuzumi |
Published by | Fujimi Shobo |
Demographic | Male |
Imprint | Fujimi Fantasia Bunko |
Original run | January 20, 2012 – July 20, 2014 |
Volumes | 10 |
Manga | |
Written by | Misaki Mori |
Published by | Fujimi Shobo |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Magazine | Age Premium |
Original run | February 9, 2013 – June 9, 2014 |
Volumes | 4 |
Manga | |
Written by | Gao Yuzuki |
Published by | Square Enix |
Demographic | Seinen |
Magazine | Young Gangan |
Original run | May 2, 2013 – May 2, 2014 |
Volumes | 3 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Kinji Yoshimoto |
Produced by | Atsushi Itou |
Written by | Masashi Suzuki |
Music by | Hiroaki Tsutsumi Masaru Yokoyama |
Studio | Asread |
Licensed by | |
Original network | Tokyo MX, AT-X, BS11, TV Saitama, CTC, tvk, Sun TV, TVQ, GBS, SBS |
English network | |
Original run | October 5, 2013 – December 21, 2013 |
Episodes | 12 + OVA (List of episodes) |
I Couldn't Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job. (勇者になれなかった俺はしぶしぶ就職を決意しました。Yūsha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shūshoku o Ketsui Shimashita., lit. 'I, Who Didn't Become a Hero, Reluctantly Decided to Find a Job.'), also known in its short form as Yu-Shibu, is a Japanese light novel series written by Jun Sakyou and illustrated by Masaki Inuzumi. The series was awarded Gold in the 23rd Fantasia Awards.[1] An anime adaptation by Asread[2][3] aired from October to December 2013.
- 3Media
Plot[edit]
The story revolves around a young man named Raul Chaser who dreamed of becoming a hero with his team of skilled heroes-in-training, but due to the collapse of the Demon Empire, the Hero Program was suspended. With Raul's dream crushed, he was forced to find a new line of work and ended up employed at a small department store called Magic Shop Reon. Raul's life since then has been busy but dull, when one day someone arrives at the store applying for a job. Raul finds out that the new hire is the Demon Lord's child and also happens to be a cute girl.
Characters[edit]
- Raul Chaser (ラウル・チェイサーRauru Cheisā)
- Voiced by: Keisuke Kōmoto
- Raul is the main character of the story, and a former Hero candidate at the Hero School. He had to find a job after the Demon Lord was defeated and he could not become a Hero. Raul meets a Demon Lord's daughter who is in search of a job, and at first mistakes her for a boy. He is often annoyed by her but at the end of the day is glad that she is around and likes her positive enthusiasm.
- Phino Bloodstone (フィノ・ブラッドストーンFino Buraddosutōn)
- Voiced by: Azusa Tadokoro
- Phino is the daughter of the deceased Demon Lord. She lacks common sense due to living in the Demon World and is really carefree. She is very positive and very funny. She involuntarily tends to scare off many customers because of her weird way of speaking about violent things when discussing products with them. She might be harboring some feelings for Raul.
- Airi Altinate (アイリ・オルティネートAiri Orutinēto)
- Voiced by: Kanae Iwasaki
- Raul's self-proclaimed former rival from Hero School. After she could not become a Hero either, she started working as bunnygirl in the shop that's rivals with Leon shop, but instead lies to Raul about being a security guard. Due to the fact that she always scored top marks in her examinations, Raul usually addresses her as 'All A'. She likes Raul, but she's tsundere so she denies it when pointed out.
- Seara August (セアラ・オーガストSeara Ōgasuto)
- Voiced by: Maina Shimagata
- The manager of the magic shop, who is always smiling. She has a very soft angelic voice, and is very nice to her workers and appears as if she sometimes tries to involve Raul and Fino in situations that would make them attracted to each other. She can also change magical items to fight with.
- Viser Crossroad (バイザー・クロスロードBaizā Kurosurōdo)
- Voiced by: Yoshihisa Kawahara
- Childhood friend of Seara and the assistant manager of the magic shop, Viser was once a magic engineer. He sometimes mocks Raul to not do anything stupid with his employees. He cares a lot about the shop.
- Nova Luminous (ノヴァ・ルミナスNova Ruminasu)
- Voiced by: Madoka Sowa
- Part of the magic shop's staff, Nova is a cheerful but really clumsy girl. Although sometimes an old man who 'shops' at Leon tends to stroke her buttocks whenever in the premises, she actually doesn't mind getting touched like that.
- Lore Periferal (ロア・ベリフェラルRoa Beriferaru)
- Voiced by: Kumi Takaragi
- Part of the magic shop's staff, she is Raul's upperclassman. She works mostly with the deliveries and doing mechanics such as fixing faults, so Lore isn't often seen in the shop. Very quiet, tomboyish, and reserved.
- Elza Crucial (エルザ・クルーシアルEruza Kurūshiaru)
- Voiced by: Emi Nitta
- Elza is the manager of Lawson Station, a convenience store next to the magic shop. She is fascinated by catalogs of magical items. She also likes Raul, something that is occasionally teased by her coworker and friend Ramdimia.
- Ramdimia Do Aximemor (ラムディミア・ド・アクセィメモールRamudimia do Akusimemōru)
- Voiced by: Natsumi Yamada
- An employee at Lawson Station like Elza, who's also from the Demon World. Her name is well known in the Demon World, so she mostly gets annoyed when people shorten her name (such as 'Ram-chan'), so she often corrects them by stating her full name. She is coworkers and a friend of Elza and teases her about her obvious crush on Raul.
Media[edit]
Light novels[edit]
The light novels are written by Jun Sakyou, and illustrated by Masaki Inuzumi. It was published by Fujimi Shobo. Its original run began on January 20, 2012, and finished on July 20, 2014, with 10 total volumes.[4][5]
Anime[edit]
The anime television series aired in Japan from October 5 to December 21, 2013. It was directed by Kinji Yoshimoto, written by Masashi Suzuki, composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi and Masaru Yokoyama, and animated by Asread. There are a total of 12 episodes + 1 OVA overall.
No. | Title | Original air date[6] | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 'I Couldn't Be a Hero, So I'm Working the Register' Transcription: 'Yūsha ni nare nakatta ore wa reji o utte i masu.' (Japanese: 勇者になれなかった俺はレジを打っています。) | October 5, 2013 | |
Raul Chaser, the main character, is shown training to be a hero alongside Airi 'All A', among others. At the end of the session they find out that another hero has defeated the Demon Lord and there is no longer any need for them to train. When next we see Raul, he is reluctantly working at a magic appliance store called 'Leon', since there is a severe lack of jobs for people with his particular skill set. Enter Fino, the Demon Lord's daughter, who demands to see the manager. Raul mistakes this as her wanting to make a complaint against him and does not react well to the idea. To his surprise she pulls out a resume and goes off with the manager, leaving the resume behind. Given, her attire, Raul thought that Fino was male, but, on reading the resume, finds out his error along with Fino's severe lack of skills even for this type of job. (One line of the resume also reads 'I don't have anywhere to go, please let me live here.) Raul hurries to the manager's office only to find that Fino has been hired. | |||
2 | 'The Demon Lord's Daughter Is Going to Learn How to Speak to Customers' Transcription: 'Maō no musume san ga sekkyaku yōgo o oboeru yō desu.' (Japanese: 魔王の娘さんが接客用語を覚えるようです。) | October 12, 2013 | |
Raul tries to teach Fino how to greet customers properly, only for her to misspeak and end up scaring customers away, frustrating both of them. He later has a brief encounter with Airi who becomes angry at him for forsaking his dream to become a hero. Still later, Raul goes off to meet and catch up with two of his friends from the hero academy, Blaze and Klein. When he returns to the store that evening, Fino, having memorized all of the customer service lines he taught her, tries her best to show Raul how much effort she put in while he was gone. | |||
3 | 'We Should Be Careful When Handling Weird Products Sent to Us by Corporate' Transcription: 'Honsha kara okurare te kuru ayashii shōhin ni ki o tsuke masho u.' (Japanese: 本社から送られてくる怪しい商品に気をつけましょう。) | October 19, 2013 | |
The workers at Leon receive a strange product, and everyone tries to figure out how to work it. When Fino attempts to help, her body releases too much magic, causing the product to go out of control and a number of appendages extend from the product ensnaring Airi, Fino and Nova. It is up to Raul to effect a rescue but can he still fight after so long a hiatus? With Fino's help Raul manages defeat the Witch's Arm, but passes out due to the strain of using his skills without recent practice. | |||
4 | 'The Daughter of the Demon Lord Will Be Working at the Convenience Store' Transcription: 'Maō no musume san ga konbini de hataraku yō desu.' (Japanese: 魔王の娘さんがコンビニで働くようです。) | October 26, 2013 | |
Lawson, the convenience store next door to Leon, needs an extra worker for a day, so Elsa, the manager, comes over and asks to borrow one of the Leon staff. Seara, the manager, volunteers to go but is prevented by the assistant manager. She then volunteers Fino, who initially refuses, stressing her loyalty to Leon, but relents when Seara makes it an order. Raul is apprehensive about this decision, fearing that Fino may do something wrong or make something explode. Fortunately, with a little help from Elsa and Lamdimia, Fino is able to hold her own. Later, Raul comes over to 'buy lunch', checking on Fino's performance. | |||
5 | 'I Couldn't Be a Hero so I Snuck into a Rival Store with the Daughter of the Demon King' Transcription: 'Yūsha ni nare nakatta ore to maō no musume san ga raibaru ten ni sennyū shi masu.' (Japanese: 勇者になれなかった俺と魔王の娘さんがライバル店に潜入します。) | November 2, 2013 | |
Leon experiences a downturn in sales due to the big new magic store, Amada, opening in town. Since they are having a slow day, Raul and Fino go undercover on the manager's orders to see what all the fuss is about. When Raul notes that Fino is drawing attention to herself, she recalls Seara's advice and starts to act like his girlfriend. While they are investigating, Raul helps an older woman find the air conditioners out of habit, even though it is helping the 'enemy'. During a performance of the idol group Sphere, Raul runs in to Airi but in an unexpected manner. | |||
6 | 'She Couldn't Become a Hero, so She Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job, Too' Transcription: 'Yūsha ni nare nakatta kanojo mo shibushibu shūshoku shi te i mashi ta.' (Japanese: 勇者になれなかった彼女もしぶしぶ就職していました。) | November 9, 2013 | |
Airi was a straight A student in hero school and is embarrassed to have to admit that she is working as a bunny-girl at the rival magic store. She gives them a tour of the store and is relieved to learn that Fino is only pretending to be Raul's girlfriend. As they go around, Airi is groped by an overly-friendly customer who is chased off by Raul and Fino. This draws the attention of management who reveal that they knew from the start just who Raul and Fino were. Elsewhere, the assistant manager and Lore are given a tour of an appliance manufacturer where they find that the reason their prices are so low is that they use no cost monster labour. The manufacturer also reveals that they are part of the Amada group and were told to give the people from Leon a tour if they showed up. On the way back from Amada, Raul and Fino encounter the older woman whom Raul helped while undercover who comes to Leon with them and buys an air conditioner there because the salesmen at the new store confused her with technical jargon. Lore has to install the unit but has a previous engagement. Raul volunteers his services for that job to allow Lore to take care of the air conditioner. Fino accompanies Raul to the job which is to refill the magic tank for a store whose owner doesn't have any magic of their own. Raul and Fino work together to fix the problem which turned out to be a magic eater, a rare creature not usually found in a city. After they fix the problem, they get a call from Lore that means trouble. | |||
7 | 'The Demon Lord's Daughter Visits a House' Transcription: 'Maō no musume san ga ippan katei ni o jama suru yō desu.' (Japanese: 魔王の娘さんが一般家庭にお邪魔するようです。) | November 16, 2013 | |
Fino and Raul arrive to find that the old woman's son went to Amada and bought a unit too. Because the Leon unit is more expensive, the son wants to install the unit he bought and they are about to leave but stop when the son flags them down. The new A/C is unable to run because of low magic. The Amada rep states that the house may need to be rewired - a prohibitively expensive solution to the problem. As he is on a schedule, the rep leaves allowing Lore and the others time to investigate the reason for the low power. Everything seems to be in order leading Raul and Fino to realize that there must be magic eater here too. With considerable effort they are able to remove the magic eater infestation (there were tens if not hundreds of them in the house) and are about to leave when the son has a change of heart. Given their level of customer service, not to mention having saved him the cost of needlessly rewiring the house, he has chosen to install the A/C from Leon despite the penalties it will cost to return the other unit. That evening, after a bath, everyone celebrates a job well done and Raul takes an inebriated Fino home to their apartment building as a heat wave envelops the city. The following morning he wakes up to find Fino in his bed. After clearing up the misunderstanding (she came to his room because it was cooler) and having breakfast they head in to work where they find Nova passed out on the floor. | |||
8 | 'The Demon Lord's Daughter Is Tending to Customers in a Swimsuit' Transcription: 'Maō no musume san ga mizugi de okyaku san o omukae suru yō desu.' (Japanese: 魔王の娘さんが水着でお客さんをお迎えするようです。) | November 23, 2013 | |
Nova has collapsed due to heat exhaustion since the store's A/C has broken down. The Leon head office has sent a shipment of summer goods, but, due to the heat wave, customers are staying home. Fino, leaking magic because of the heat, sets off a box of fireworks and scorches her clothes. Since Nova has sent the spare uniforms to be cleaned Seara gets the idea to sell items outside with bathing suits on. She even gets Liza and Lamdimia to help out. Predictably, this catches the attention of male passersby and the sale of summer goods skyrockets. To increase the sales of other items, such as cameras, Lamdimia proposes that customers can test out their new cameras by taking photos of the bikini-clad staff. Later Airi, with the permission of Amada management, arrives to check out what is going on and ends up helping out in a bikini as well. The day ends with the arrival of the A/C customer from the other day, who happens to be a reporter for the Capital Economic Times and wants to write an article about Leon and their hard-working staff. | |||
9 | 'How the Demon Lord's Daughter Spent Her First Paycheck' Transcription: 'Maō no musume san ga moratta shonin kyū no yūkō katsuyō nitsuite.' (Japanese: 魔王の娘さんが貰った初任給の有効活用について。) | November 30, 2013 | |
Payday has arrived and Fino is given her first pay check. Seara suggests that Raul escort her as she goes shopping for the first time. Fino is nervous about the experience but after she gets through the first few transactions, she gets the hang of things. She buys a number of items including a dress and a thank you gift for Raul but ends up spending the entirety of her paycheck. She is proud of her math until Raul points out that she now has nothing to live off of until next pay day. On their way home, while Raul stops to buy drinks, Fino is attacked. She states that the attackers want her to become the next demon lord and so open up the hero business again. | |||
10 | 'I Wanted to Be a Hero, but She Didn't Want to Be the Demon Lord' (Japanese: 勇者になりたかった俺と魔王になりたくなかったあいつ。) | December 7, 2013 | |
Fino has been acting a little out of character since the attack in the last episode, and Raul is worried about her. When he presses Fino on the issue, she tells him that she has decided to work harder so that she can become the manager of the Leon store that she intends to open in the demon world. Raul has lunch with his former classmates and, based on their saying that the hero program is going to be reinstated, figures out that they were the ones who assaulted Fino. Lamdimia meets with a demon named Raid who also wants Fino to become the next demon lord and he has the Bloodstone amulet to ensure it. Later Fino is kidnapped and it is revealed that Amada, with plans to reopen weapon and armour shops, is working with Raid and Blaze in this matter. That night, at the hero prep school where she is being held captive, Fino refuses Raid's plea that she take up her father's throne. When Blaze shows up he reveals the motivation for his participation in her kidnapping and then shocks her by revealing that Raul and Airi were heroes in training. | |||
11 | 'I Couldn't Become a Hero, but now I'm Going to Rescue the Demon Lord's Daughter' (Japanese: 勇者になれなかった俺が魔王の娘さんを助けに行きます。) | December 14, 2013 | |
Raul Chaser finds out where Fino is taken and goes to rescue her at the old Heroes Academy. Once there he faces Blaze and defeats him using only a ruler. As he tries to rescue Fino, Airi interrupts and states that she will kill Fino because demons killed her family. Raul and Airi duel it out ending in a tie when both are knocked out. Fino, feeling distraught starts crying and the royal bloodstone reacts with her. She flies off towards the demon world seemingly reborn as the new demon king. | |||
12 | 'I Couldn't Become a Hero, so I Decided to Get a Job' (Japanese: 勇者になれなかった俺は就職を決意しました。) | December 21, 2013 | |
Raul, Lami-san, Lore-Senpai, Airi and the old man that come in to buy light globes sets off after Fino. As they go towards the mountain they start getting separated. At the end Raul faces Fino in a battle. After some time trying to convince Fino she reverts back to her old self destroying the Bloodstone amulet. At the end of the episode The Leon Magic Shop gains an extra member, Airi, and Fino was told to show her the ropes. | |||
13 (OVA) | 'My Sister Came to the Capital to See Me, Her Brother Who Couldn't Become a Hero' (Japanese: 勇者になれなかった俺の妹が上京してきました。) | March 9, 2014 | |
This OVA stars all the original characters. Raul's Sister has come all the way from Raul's home village to see her brother who has 'become a hero'. Raul and his fellow co-workers think its a better idea to trick his sister to thinking Raul is a real hero. |
References[edit]
- ^富士見書房 第23回 ファンタジア大賞 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-01-10. Retrieved 2013-03-12.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^'Yūsha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shūshoku o Ketsui Shimashita Novels Have Anime in the Works'. Anime News Network. January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- ^'Yūsha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shūshoku o Ketsui Shimashita Staff Listed'. Anime News Network. May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^勇者になれなかった俺はしぶしぶ就職を決意しました。 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^勇者になれなかった俺はしぶしぶ就職を決意しました。 10 (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^勇者になれなかった俺はしぶしぶ就職を決意しました。. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
External links[edit]
- Official light novel website(in Japanese)
- Official anime website(in Japanese)
- I Couldn't Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job. (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I_Couldn%27t_Become_a_Hero,_So_I_Reluctantly_Decided_to_Get_a_Job.&oldid=916701220'
Black Butler | |
The cover of the first volume of the original Japanese manga release featuring Sebastian Michaelis | |
黒執事 (Kuroshitsuji) | |
---|---|
Genre | Dark fantasy,[1]thriller[2] |
Manga | |
Written by | Yana Toboso |
Published by | Square Enix |
English publisher | |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Imprint | Gangan Comics |
Magazine | Monthly GFantasy |
English magazine | |
Original run | September 16, 2006 – present |
Volumes | 28 (List of volumes) |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Toshiya Shinohara(season 1) Hirofumi Ogura (season 2) |
Produced by | Hiroo Maruyama Hiroyuki Shimizu Shunsuke Saito Mikihiro Iwata |
Written by | Mari Okada |
Music by | Taku Iwasaki |
Studio | A-1 Pictures |
Licensed by | Aniplex of America(season 1 only) |
Original network | MBS, CBC, TBS, TBC, SBS, RCC, HBC, RKB, Animax |
English network | C31, TVS |
Original run | October 3, 2008 – September 17, 2010 |
Episodes | 36 + 7 OVA (List of episodes) |
Anime television series | |
Black Butler: Book of Circus | |
Directed by | Noriyuki Abe |
Produced by | Yasutaka Kimura Kozue Kaneniwa Ryū Hashimoto Shinobu Satō Ayako Yokoyama Katsunori Kubo Hirotsugu Ogisu |
Written by | Hiroyuki Yoshino |
Music by | Yasunori Mitsuda |
Studio | A-1 Pictures |
Licensed by | Madman Entertainment |
Original network | MBS, TBS, CBC, BS-TBS |
English network | |
Original run | July 10, 2014 – September 12, 2014 |
Episodes | 10 (List of episodes) |
Original video animation | |
Black Butler: Book of Murder | |
Directed by | Noriyuki Abe |
Produced by | Yasutaka Kimura Kozue Kaneniwa Ryū Hashimoto Shinobu Satō Ayako Yokoyama Katsunori Kubo Hirotsugu Ogisu |
Written by | Hiroyuki Yoshino |
Music by | Yasunori Mitsuda |
Studio | A-1 Pictures |
Licensed by | Madman Entertainment Funimation |
Released | October 25, 2014 – November 15, 2014 |
Runtime | 60 minutes (each) |
Episodes | 2 (List of episodes) |
Films | |
|
Black Butler (Japanese: 黒執事Hepburn: Kuroshitsuji) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yana Toboso. Since its debut on September 16, 2006, it has been serialized in Gangan Comics' shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy. The series follows Ciel Phantomhive, a thirteen-year-old boy head of the Phantomhive household, an aristocratic family known as the Queen's Guarddog. He is tasked with solving crimes in London's underworld. Ciel has formed a contract with Sebastian Michaelis to seek revenge against those who tortured him and murdered his parents. Sebastian is a demon who has taken on the disguise of a butler, and in exchange for his services, he will be allowed to consume Ciel's soul. The series has been licensed by Yen Press in North America and published in Yen Press' August 2009 issue for the magazine's first anniversary.
A 24-episode anime adaption, with 3 seasons, directed by Toshiya Shinohara and produced by A-1 Pictures, aired from October 2008 to March 2009. The second season, Kuroshitsuji II, aired in 2010 spanning 12 episodes with two new main characters, Alois Trancy and Claude Faustus, following the aftermath of the first season. This series had an original storyline and did not feature manga content. A live action film adaptation was released in Japan on January 18, 2014. A third anime series, titled Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus, was broadcast between July 10 and September 12, 2014.[3] A two-part theatrical OVA titled Kuroshitsuji: Book of Murder screened in Japanese theaters on October 25, and November 15, 2014.[4][5] An animated film for the series, titled Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic, premiered in Japan on January 21, 2017 and in America on the selected dates of June 12th and 14th of 2017.[6][7]
- 2Media
Plot[edit]
In Victorian-era London lives a thirteen-year-old earl named Ciel Phantomhive, who acquired this position after the events of December 14th, 1885 (Ciel's birthday), when the Phantomhive manor was attacked by unidentified perpetrators and was set ablaze. Ciel, amidst of the chaos, discovers his parents, Vincent and Rachel Phantomhive, to be dead along with the family dog, Sebastian. The same night he is kidnapped by the attackers and then sold into slavery, where he ends up in the hands of a sadistic, demon-worshipping cult. Ciel then endures endless physical, mental and sexual abuse at the hands of his captors. Ciel was also heat branded with a mark referred to as the 'mark of the beast'. One night, during a sacrificial ceremony to summon a demon, instead of forming a contract with the cult members, the demon states that he was summoned by Ciel, therefore he only agrees to form a contract with him, killing all the cultist members in the process. To show a contract was formed, the demon places a contract symbol referred to as the Faustian contract symbol on Ciel's right eye, giving it a purple hue, and his iris and pupil now showcase the symbol of the convent. After the formation of the contract, the demon reveals he will consume Ciel's soul as payment for helping him achieve his goal; revenge on those who brought down the House of Phantomhive. Afterwards Ciel names the demon Sebastian Michaelis, after his deceased pet. The duo then return to society as Ciel takes over his now late father's previous position as the queen's watchdog, a very high-profile individual who is tasked with investigating cases that Queen Victoria herself deems especially important or threatening to England and the crown.
Media[edit]
Manga[edit]
Written and drawn by Yana Toboso, the chapters of Black Butler have been serialized in the shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy since its debut in the October 2006 issue.[8] The chapters are also published in collected volumes by Square Enix. The first volume was released on February 27, 2007 and as of July 27, 2018, twenty-seven volumes have been released.[9]Yen Press licensed the series for an English language release and serialized the manga in Yen Plus' August 2009 issue for the magazine's first anniversary.[10] The publisher released the first volume in January 2010.[11] The second volume was released in May 2010.[12] French publisher Kana licensed the series in under the Dark Kana imprint as Black Butler. The publisher released the first volume in November 2009.[13]Carlsen Comics has licensed the series in Germany as Black Butler, the same title used for the French and English releases. Black Butler have been also published in Italy by Panini Comics.[14] In Poland, Waneko is publishing the manga as original Kuroshitsuji with subtitle Mroczny kamerdyner – as of February 2013, nine volumes have been released.[15] The series has been published in Finland under the original Japanese name Kuroshitsuji by Punainen jättiläinen since July 2012. In Spain, the series has been published in Norma Editorial since November 2011 under the title Black Butler.[16]
Drama CD[edit]
On August 10, 2007, a drama CD was released by Frontier Works. It featured many of the characters appearing in volumes one and two.[17] A second drama CD was released on November 26, 2008 under the Aniplex label.[18]
Anime[edit]
In July 2008, it was announced that an anime adaption of Black Butler, directed by Toshiya Shinohara and produced by A-1 Pictures, was expected. It premiered in October 2008 and broadcast on MBS as well as the TBS.[19][20][21] On January 1, 2009, a limited edition DVD containing the first episode was released by Aniplex.[22] The next three episodes were released on another DVD on February 25, 2009. On an event on June 14, 2009, it was announced that the anime would be returning for a second series. Japanese voice actorJunichi Suwabe confirmed this news on his official blog later that day.[23][24] The second series, Kuroshitsuji II, premiered in July and follows a butler, Claude Faustus, and his master, Alois Trancy, as well as Sebastian and Ciel. Both new characters were designed by Toboso.[25]
On March 29, 2010, North American anime distributor Funimation announced on their online FuniCon 3.0 panel that they had licensed Black Butler.[26] At Anime Expo 2010, Funimation also announced that they would stream the simulcast series, Black Butler II.[27] Funimation announced on their Facebook page that they had fully licensed the second season. Funimation released Black Butler Combo Pack Blu-ray/DVD first and second season on April 3, 2012. The series made its North American television debut on February 8, 2011 on the Funimation Channel.[28] Funimation lost the rights to the series in 2017.[29] The first season is currently licensed by Aniplex of America and it will be released on a Blu-ray Disc box set on January 29, 2019.[30]
On January 16, 2014, it was announced that Black Butler had been green-lit for another anime adaptation.[31] Unlike most of the previous seasons, the third series was a close adaptation of the original manga storyline, adapting the Noah's Ark Circus arc and titled Kuroshitsuji Book of Circus.[32] The series was directed by Noriyuki Abe at A-1 Pictures, with Hiroyuki Yoshino in charge of scripts, along with Ichiro Okuchi and Yuka Miyata as scriptwriters. The main cast from the previous anime series returned, along with new cast members, and the series aired from July 10, 2014, to September 12, 2014. In addition, a two-part OVA titled the Book of Murder, an adaptation of the Phantomhive Manor Murders arc, was screened in Japanese theatres on October 25, and November 15, 2014. The OVAs featured returning staff from the previous season.[5]
On August 7, 2014, Funimation announced that they have licensed the third season of the series, Black Butler: Book of Circus, which is based on chapters 24-37 in the manga,[33] and have streamed it on their simulcast. Funimation released the series on Blu-ray and DVD on April 19, 2016.[34] Additionally, Funimation has licensed a two-part OVA titled Black Butler: Book of Murder, which is based on chapters 38-50 of the manga, and released it on May 17, 2016.[34]
Musical[edit]
That Butler, Friendship (その執事、友好Sono Shitsuji, Yūkō), a musical adaptation of the manga, had run at the Sunshine Theater in Ikebukuro between May 28, 2009 and June 7, 2009.[35]Yuya Matsushita portrayed Sebastian Michaelis, Shougo Sakamoto played Ciel Phantomhive and Uehara Takuya as Grell Sutcliff.[36]
Musical Black Butler: The Most Beautiful Death in The World – A Thousand Souls and The Fallen Grim Reaper (ミュージカル「黒執事」〜ザ・モースト・ビューティフル・デス・イン・ザ・ワールド〜千の魂と堕ちた死神Miūjikaru Kuroshitsuji – Za Mōsuto Byūtifuru Desu in za Wārudo – Sen no Tamashii to Ochita Shinigami),[37] the second musical adaptation of the manga, ran at Akasaka Act Theater (1300 seats) in Akasaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, between May 3 and May 23, 2010. Yuya Matsushita reprised his role as Sebastian Michaelis, Yukito Nishii played Ciel Phantomhive, and Uehara Takuya reprised his role as Grell Sutcliff. The other two main characters, Eric Slingby and Alan Humphries, were portrayed by Taisuke Saeki and Matsumoto Shinya, respectively. The musical was written by Mari Okada, directed by Sakurako Fukuyama, with music composed by Taku Iwasaki, and lyrics by Yukinojo Mori.
A second run of The Most Beautiful Death in the World was announced in December 2012. It ran between May 17 and June 9, 2013 in the Akasaka ACT Theater (Akasaka, Tokyo) again, and the Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka. It was announced in February 2013 that Yuya Matsushita, Uehara Takuya, and Shuhei Izumi would reprise their roles as Sebastian Michaelis, Grell Sutcliff, and the Undertaker, respectively. The rest of the roles were re-cast, with Taketo Tanaka replacing Yukito Nishii as Ciel Phantomhive, and Shinji Rachi and Masataka Nakagauchi replacing Taisuke Saeki and Matsumoto Shinya in the roles of Eric Slingby and Alan Humphries.[38]
A third musical Lycoris that Blazes the Earth (地に燃えるリコリスChi ni Moeru Lycoris) was performed in September 2014. Most of the cast reprised their roles from the re-run of The Most Beautiful Death in the World although Fukuzaki Nayuta replaced Taketo Tanaka as Ciel Phantomhive and Yuka Terasaki replaced Saki Matsuda as Mey-Rin. Akane Liv was introduced as Madam Red, Yuusuke Hirose as Charles Phipps, Oota Motohiro as Charles Grey and Araki Hirofumi as Lau.[39]
A re-run of the third Black Butler musical 'Lycoris that Blazes the Earth' was scheduled to perform in November–December 2015.[40] It will premiere in Osaka in November 7 then travel to Miyagi, Tokyo and Fukuoka.[41] The new run of the third musical will also make its first oversea tour in China (Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen) in December 2015.[41] Yuta Furukawa is replacing Yuya Matsushita as Sebastian Michaelis, who had been playing Sebastian since the first musical.[40] Meanwhile, most of the cast from the third musical reprise their roles.
A fourth Black Butler musical, based on the Noah's Ark Circus arc of the manga, ran between November–December 2016. Yuta Furukawa reprised his role as Sebastian Michaelis, with Reo Uchikawa replacing Nayuta Fukuzaki as Ciel. Miura Ryosuke was introduced as Joker, Tano Asami as Beast and Tamaki Yuki as Snake, among others. Notably, Izumi Shuuhei reprised his role as the Undertaker again, making him the only original cast member still performing.[42]
A fifth Black Butler musical, Tango on the Campania, which was based on the Luxury Liner arc in the manga, ran between December of 2017 to February of 2018. Yuta Furukawa reprised his role as Sebastian Michaelis, with Reo Uchikawa also reprising his role as Ciel Phantomhive. Mikata Ryosuke was introduced as Ronald Knox, Okazaki Momoko as Elizabeth Midford, and others. Other actors from previous performers also reprised their roles, such as Uehara Takuya as Grell Sutcliff, Izumi Shuuhei as the Undertaker, and Sasaki Yoshihide as Viscount Druitt.
Video game[edit]
A video game for Nintendo DS, called Kuroshitsuji Phantom & Ghost was developed by Square Enix and was released on March 19, 2009.[43] The game is sold in two versions, a limited first-press edition with a higher price and numerous extra goods, and a regular edition.
Print[edit]
On February 27, 2009, the Black Butler Character Book 'That Butler, Assembles' (黒執事 キャラクターガイド「その執事、集合」Kuroshitsuji Character Guide 'Sono Shitsuji, Shūgō') was released.[44] The TV Animation Black Butler Black Record (TVアニメーション「黒執事」 Black Record) was released on March 27, 2009.[45] An official comics anthology Rainbow Butler (虹執事Nijishitsuji) was also released on that date.[46]
Films[edit]
It was announced in January 18, 2013 that the manga would be made into a live-action film starring Ayame Goriki as Genpou Shiori, Hiro Mizushima as Sebastian Michaelis. Filming began in April 2013 and the film was released on January 18, 2014.[47] However, upon its release, it was met with negative reviews.
![Black butler characters Black butler characters](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125658307/230076793.jpg)
On October 10, 2015, it was announced an animated film for the series has been green-lit, and the original anime cast will return to reprise their roles.[6] On February 17, 2016, the film, now titled Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic, was confirmed to be an animated adaptation of the Luxury Liner (豪華客船Gōka Kyakusen) arc from the original manga. It was released in Japan on January 21, 2017.[7] On April 1, 2017, Funimation announced that they have licensed the animated film and would screen it in a limited theatrical release in North America later in the year.[48] Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic, which was based on Chapters 51-66 in the manga, premiered in Japan on January 21st, 2017, and in North America on the selected dates of June 12th and 14th, 2017.
Reception[edit]
Black Butler has sold over 24 million copies worldwide, 6 million outside Japan.[49] Individual volumes alone have done well in weekly polls in Japan, taking several high spots.[50][51][52][53] Black Butler has a large fan base that is very supportive. Some fans say Ciel Phantomhive is the Archangel Azrael partly because 'Azur' was one of the names Yana was going to use for Ciel, and the shows relation to death, as revealed by prophet Lord Kalki Ravi, with all the grim reapers, ghosts, and murder. The main themes in Black Butler reflect that. In addition to the volumes, the comics anthology Rainbow Butler ranked seventeenth during the week of March 31 to April 6 selling 41,083 copies after ranking thirty-third the previous week.[54] The fourth and fifth volumes ranked thirty-third and thirty-ninth of the top-selling manga in Japan during 2008, selling 529,210 copies and 468,550 copies respectively.[55] The sixth volume ranked thirteenth of the top-selling manga in Japan during the first half of 2009, selling 619,501 copies.[56] The series itself was ranked tenth of the top-selling manga series in Japan during 2009, selling a total of 1,603,197 estimated copies. The series is also quite popular in other countries.[57]
The Japanese music distributor Recochoku has created an annual survey of which anime characters that people would like to marry. Sebastian Michaelis ranked ninth in the category 'The Character I Want to Be My Groom'.[58]
By 2 February, the film had grossed ¥479,554,245 (US$4,687,163) at the Japanese box office.[59]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Cadorniga, Carlos (May 29, 2015). 'Black Butler's 10th Anniversary Celebrates with New Goodies'. Anime News Network. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ^'Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji) Season 1 Collection (Blu-Ray)'. Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 16, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
- ^'Black Butler: Book of Circus 30-Second Commercial Streamed'. Anime News Network. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
- ^'Black Butler Gets 'Book of Murder' Arc Video Anime'. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
- ^ ab'Black Butler: Book of Murder Original Video Anime Previewed in TV Spot'. animenewsnetwork. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
- ^ ab'Black Butler Manga Gets Anime Film With Returning Cast'. Anime News Network. October 10, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ ab'Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic Anime Film Streams 3 Short Clips'. Anime News Network. February 9, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^':::: GFantasy Website :::: -月刊Gファンタジーオフィシャルサイト' (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
- ^黒執事(23) (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^'Kuroshitsuji Manga Begins English Run in Yen Plus Mag (Updated)'. Anime News Network. July 12, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
- ^'Served up on a Silver Platter!'. Yen Press. July 14, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
- ^'Black Butler Volume 2'. Yen Press. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
- ^'Black Butler Tome 1' (in French). Kana. November 6, 2009. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
- ^'Black Butler 1' (in Italian). Panini Comics. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
- ^Melmothia (January 6, 2012). 'Kuroshitsuji tom 2'. Tanuki.pl (in Polish). Małgorzata Kaczarowska. 2318. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
- ^'Descubre… Black Butler' [Discover ... Black Butler] (in Spanish). Norma Editorial. November 4, 2011.
- ^'ドラマCD 黒執事: イメージ・アルバム, セバスチャン・ミカエリス(森川智之), シエル・ファントムハイヴ(沢城みゆき), タナカ(麦人), バルド(小山力也), メイリン(折笠富美子), フィニ(高城元気), エリザベス(斎藤千和), アズーロ(平田広明), クラウス(染田清之), マダム・レッド(勝生真沙子), 森川智之, 沢城みゆき, 勝生真沙子, 遊佐浩二, 麦人: 音楽' (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^'黒執事 華麗なるドラマCD: ドラマ, 小野大輔, 福山潤, 坂本真綾: 音楽' (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved November 17, 2008.
- ^'Kuroshitsuji Anime Confirmed to Premiere this Fall'. Anime News Network. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^'TVアニメーション 黒執事' (in Japanese). Aniplex. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
- ^Butler' site – スタッフ (Staff) (2008). '黒執事 :: 作品紹介 :: A-1 Pictures'. kuroshitsuji.tv (in Japanese). A-1 Pictures. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
- ^'黒執事 I 【完全生産限定版】: 篠原俊哉, 小野大輔, 坂本真綾: Amazon.co.jp: DVD' (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved November 17, 2008.
- ^'Second Season of Kuroshitsuji confirmed'. Anime News Network. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^'Second Season'. Junichi Suwabe Official Blog. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^'Kuroshitsuji II to Debut in July with New Butler, Master'. Anime News Network. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
- ^'Funimation Adds Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji TV Anime'. Anime News Network. March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^'Funi Adds Live Action Moyashimon Live Action, More'. Anime News Network. July 2, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
- ^'FUNimation Week 7 of 2011'. Archived from the original on February 6, 2011.
- ^Kelly, Rai (May 7, 2017). 'Funimation: Black Butler Season 1 to 'Leave Funimation For Good''. Anime News Network. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^Ressler, Karen (November 16, 2018). 'Aniplex USA to Release Black Butler Season 1 on Blu-ray in January'. Anime News Network. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^'New Black Butler Anime Series Green-Lit'. Anime News Network. January 16, 2014.
- ^'Black Butler Gets 'Book of Murder' Video Anime'. Anime News Network. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- ^'Funimation Adds Barakamon, Sengoku Basara Judge End, Black Butler: Book of Circus'. Anime News Network. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ ab'Funimation Reveals Black Butler: Book of Circus & Book of Murder Anime's Casts, Release Dates'. Anime News Network. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
- ^'Archived copy' 音楽舞闘会 黒執事 〜その執事、友好〜 (in Japanese). Entertainment Plus Inc. Archived from the original on June 16, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^'Cast & Staff' (in Japanese). Entertainment Plus Inc. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
- ^『ミュージカル「黒執事」-千の魂と堕ちた死神-』. kuroshitsuji-stage.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved February 4, 2012.
- ^ミュージカル黒執事 (in Japanese). Retrieved February 5, 2013.
- ^ミュージカル黒執事 (in Japanese). Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ ab'Black Butler Musical's New Sebastian Pictured in Costume'. Anime News Network. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
- ^ ab'Schedule'. Musical Kuroshitsuji. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
- ^{http://www.namashitsuji.jp/}[permanent dead link]
- ^'黒執事 Phantom & Ghost' (in Japanese). Square Enix. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
- ^黒執事 キャラクターガイド その執事、集合: スクウェア・エニックス: 本 (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. ASIN4757525052.
- ^TVアニメーション「黒執事」 Black Record: スクウェア・エニックス: 本 (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. ASIN4757525354.
- ^黒執事アンソロジーコミック 虹執事 (Gファンタジーコミックス): スクウェア・エニックス: 本 (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. ASIN4757525303.
- ^'Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) To Get Live-Action Adaptation'. Japanverse. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
- ^'Funimation Licenses Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic Film for Screenings in Theaters This Year'. Anime News Network. April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
- ^'Businesses'. Square Enix. July 21, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
- ^'Japanese Comic Ranking, December 18–24'. Anime News Network. December 27, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
- ^'Japanese Comic Ranking, June 3–9'. Anime News Network. June 12, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
- ^'Japanese Comic Ranking, September 16–22'. Anime News Network. September 24, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
- ^'Japanese Comic Ranking, September 23–29'. Anime News Network. October 1, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
- ^'Japanese Comic Ranking, March 31 – April 6'. Anime News Network. April 8, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
- ^'2008's Top-Selling Manga in Japan, #26–50'. Anime News Network. December 21, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
- ^'Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Volume: 1st Half of 2009 (Updated)'. Anime News Network. June 15, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
- ^'Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Series: 1st Half of 2009 (Updated)'. Anime News Network. June 15, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
- ^'Survey: K-ON's Mio, Reborn's Hibari are #1 Bride, Groom'. Anime News Network. June 12, 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
- ^'Japanese Box Office, February 1–2'. Anime News Network. February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Black Butler. |
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Black Butler |
- Official website at Square Enix (in Japanese)
- Anime official website(in Japanese)
- Film official website(in Japanese)
- Black Butler at Funimation
- Black Butler (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Black Butler at the Internet Movie Database
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Black_Butler&oldid=915613756'