What's Up With the Black Butler Anime?

The Black Butler anime is kind of all over the place. And with the new season coming out, now seems like the perfect time to recount the time line of the anime, and what is canon. Alternatively, everything you NEED to know before watching Black Butler season 4.

[@breadsticks5128]

I watched season 1 and 2 and then watched book of circus, and I was supper confused about ciel not being a demon anymore, and then I learned that season 2 wasn’t canon.

[@PocketLeaves]

That seems to be what most people experienced!! I had a friend in choir who read the manga, and she told me about how season 2 never happened, two years before Book of Circus came out. It was shocking back then too!

[@Mailed-Knight]

Season 1 isn't canon to the 'Book of' series either.

[@tajtraders190]

​@@PocketLeavesif you know can you pls tell me on which website i can watch black butler i can't find it😢

[@TheHalloweenSpirit]

​@@Mailed-Knight Yes, just after the Madame Red death episode (end of the Jack the Ripper plot) the rest is simple fan-fiction from the TV producers... and the full Season 2 is even worse

[@Mailed-Knight]

@@TheHalloweenSpirit I like both Season 1 and 2. Personally I think Season 2 is better for the villains alone.

[@barbararab6390]

This manga needs a brotherhood treatment

[@Sayu277]

They are basically doing this but only starting with Book of Circus and going story arc by story arc.

[@alexander_yoko]

A lot of the Black Butler anime is basically animated fanfiction. 🤭 P.S. Ronald, keep quiet with your land mower!

[@KieraLynnMusic]

i’ve never been more excited for a new season of anything, the school arc is my FAVORITE in the manga, it was such a good choice; seeing ciel in a school setting was so much fun, and i am so excited to see how they adapt this arc for tv!!!!

[@PocketLeaves]

Weston is alsoy favorite arc, so I'm really excited to see it animated!!

[@VampireA1056]

I still love the Black Butler anime for what it is.

[@PocketLeaves]

Despite it all, it's iconic ahsgagdgsgs

[@musicgirl3668]

Listen I’ve fallen back into my phase and I love this so much because I need anything I can get

[@PocketLeaves]

ajshagsgs there has got to be something in the air because we're all falling back into this phase

[@mikkaribbe6200]

"It's an experience" nice way to say "wth was that???" It's interesting how the Anime/OVA/Movies ignore all the non canon stuff😅. Even some reveals. Maybe for the better, but it has to be so confusing for a lot if people. Everytime I ask someone that recognices Black butler they say: "yeah, I watched the anime season one and two."....how do I Tell them that nearly everything they know is non canon???? I will wait for the OVA Video! That sounds like a cool idea. And I hope you will not need this much paperXD.

[@PocketLeaves]

aksgsgdgs some people like season 2, and I can't ignore the part of me that enjoyed it when I watched it. But it's nothing compared to the manga! I actually LOVE telling people who've only season season 1 or 1 and 2 that most everything they saw was noncanon. ajsgagsgs the shock and disbelief is so funny to me. And it also opens the conversation up for infodumping on the manga plot

[@mikkaribbe6200]

@@PocketLeaves everyone has Something they like, even when Others say that it is weired or stupid. And thats great! Everyone should like what they want. I read and watched a lot of stuff that was Trash, but i still love it for my own reason. Sometimes I'm the one in shock, because I speak to someone that cosplays a character from the Series and they didn't read the Manga. But they tell you all this stuff and you know that it isn't canon. I don't know, it hurts to tell them... wow, I'm to soft.

[@chrome5614]

please NEVER stop with these videos they’re so informative!’

[@nullbirdbones]

THANK YOUU this video shalt be a torch in the dark for the new fans that just staggered in. Also the season 2 part 💀💀 felt that so much

[@PocketLeaves]

Wishing all the new comers good luck because any anime that requires a watch order or list of episodes to disregard is a wild and confusing anime experience.

[@bia5141]

I was lucky enough to read manga after there were it only two seasons so I wasn’t that confused when they announced Book of circus and later other books lol. I mean if you want better experience going to original naterial is almost always the best option (thats why BB manga is my favourite manga out of all) but I understand that someone who prefers anime or watching to reading in general had to be pretty confused back in 2015 lol (its still kind of funny to me)

[@PocketLeaves]

Yeah! I actually got caught up on the manga early in the summer of 2014, so I was in the know by the time I found out about the Book of Circus anime was coming out. Which, imo, is the best way to have experienced the anime series and manga.

[@happilyevernever4289]

Same. I saw the first two seasons and then read the manga and the was outraged by what they did with the adaptations.😂😂 Then I saw the book of circus and murder and then Atlantic.

[@viktoriakovacheva2110]

I am SO excited for the new season but at the same time I......... am doupting the new style. Of course I am not saying it's ugly because it's not, but having Sebastian's image burned in my brain and then seeing him drawn so differently gives me trust issues

[@PocketLeaves]

That's fair! I was a little apprehensive at first, but the more I see it, the more used to it I get. I heard that someone in the original anime team has passed away, so some of the crew making it is different, which will cause some things to look or feel a bit different than what we're used to. I also just really like the memes people are making about Sebastian ovulating or transitioning due to the new art style.

[@ayasreviewsandtoycolection7148]

@victoriakavacheva2110, Don't worry, you aren't the only one. A-1pictures initially did all the animation which was really well done. However with this "new" company cloverworks I feel they're making him (Sebastian) too human/tame looking. But this is supposed to be the Weston Arc which follows from the BOA arc. Here's hoping they don't disappoint.

[@barbararab6390]

The new style is way better, just the fact that i wont be seeing Sebastian's long ass nose is already a plus

[@happilyevernever4289]

Nah sis, Sebastian looks way too babygirl this season. And not in a good way. His eyes used to be so edgy, but now it's rounder like Ciel's.

[@banshreddedcheese]

Only thing missing from this video was some red string on the wall and a few empty coffee cups strewn about 😂

[@PocketLeaves]

aksgagsgs I thought about taping red yarn,but it didn't stick very well.

[@eva_theoeasley8971]

I've been looking for someone who has done deep dives into all of kuroshitsuji, so I'm really grateful to have found you! Now I have two new playlists to spend my nights watchin :3

[@Mailed-Knight]

The Thread's of a Spider or whatever it's called is about the entire House Trancy, Claude doesn't get any real focus until the end when we get a scene that perfectly mirrors the end of episode 1 of Book of Circus. A piracy advocate? Didn't think of you as a hardened criminal! It was fun video.

[@PocketLeaves]

Ooh okay! Thanks for the info! I really don't know why I remembered at least something about every other OVA but that one. asdfasd I grew up during the days of watching pirated anime on youtube in 3 parts, I remember when Crunchyroll WAS a pirating site. If there is a way to watch the anime legally, I'm all for it. But I'm not going to purchase 6 different streaming subscriptions, and I'm sure not going to get multiple subscriptions just to watch one series, and I make up for it with DVD and merch purchases. asdfasdfasd. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@gracem67e77]

When I was younger, even then, I could tell most of it was non canon and season 2 was and still is something my brain acknowledges as a fever dream I wish to forget.

[@althaearatliffthereligion]

So glad I got Book of Murder on dvd when I got the chance, best 22$ I’ve spent.

[@althaearatliffthereligion]

Also, I accidentally watched book of murder before season 3, was confused on who snake was obviously.

[@PocketLeaves]

Ooh nice!!! I only have season 1 on dvd, but am hoping to collect the rest so I no longer have to play a scavenger hunt to watch the anime ajsgagsfsfs

[@khadijakhalid4719]

I was so confused, thank you for this!

[@Damned_afterall]

Thank you for this vid I completely forgot why I stopped watching black butler in the first place haha. I was about to do a rewatch and this saved me some confused pain

[@agent6bell]

The MOST I'm confused is, about Ciel and Sebastian relationship. Cause in season 1,their contract should have been finished and fulfilled so why Ciel's soul didn't get eaten and..whatnot Edit: so thank you for doing this I understand the timeline better now

[@PocketLeaves]

Yeah, the continuity in regards to the contract in between seasons 1 and 2 is so weird. I know they try to explain it but it still makes no sense. And I can see how that'd be extra confusing going from season 2 to the rest of the anime.

[@lizar7623]

Just so were all clear there was no season 2. IT NEVER EXISTED. we skipped to season 3 :)

[@PocketLeaves]

wym? Book of Circus is just where the anime starts asdfasdfasd I remember there was a campaign to not even call Book of Circus season 3, just to keep from tying it to season 2.

[@La-Spooky]

Hell yeah! Thank you so much! I’m 24 now and recently dove head first back into this old flame of a special interest . I literally used to make Kuroshitsuji AMVs on this channel when I was 13. Still haven’t changed the profile pic 😂 I remember seeing myself as Ciel with Sebastian, now I’m writing fic of my self insert OC x Sebastian and teaching myself digital art just to draw Sebastian NSFW. It is truly a beautiful time we are living in. I’m gonna force all my friends to watch Book of Atlantic with me and read my fanfic 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@teammystic4life38]

How did your friends like the movie?

[@L3ft_Angle]

IM SO HAPPY ITS COMING BACK!!! And i love hearing your analyisis on it and input! Its really fun watching these videos, also werent there 2ish movies? like the book of murder which is 2 parts but like 50 mins? I dont think it was canon or anything just for fun I believe. Anyway im sure this video will help a lot of people know what is important to watch 😭 something i reccomend for many is to find a site for watching anime that tells you what is filler and what isnt (thats how i was able to differenciate atleast!) anyway big thank you and love your videos! ❤

[@PocketLeaves]

Book of Murder was split into two 50 minute OVAs! They are canon though! That's straight from the manga asdfasd

[@L3ft_Angle]

@@PocketLeaves Oh now thats really interesting to hear i never knew that! the more you know. I never really caught up too much with the manga so i ordered it not long ago so hopefully ill be able to tell what was important and what not :D

[@PocketLeaves]

@@L3ft_Angle Ooh, I hope you enjoy reading the manga!

[@i_Estrella0]

Last year was the last time I watched Season 2 of Black Butler and I still don't understand shit that happened 💀

[@PocketLeaves]

Yeah, it's a bit all over the place. I've seen people say there was a reason the last episode was a pop quiz on what happened, because it was so unclear when it happened.

[@i_Estrella0]

@@PocketLeaves Yep, and I'm too lazy to rewatch it all over again lol

[@VampireA1056]

I kinda did but it's costs a lot of Brain power to do so.

[@i_Estrella0]

@@VampireA1056 Yea lol

[@happilyevernever4289]

It's coz the writers didn't put much effort into the storyline. They just hurled discount Ciel and discount Sebastian and discount Phantomhive servants at the main cast without much thought. They were in it for the bucks.

[@lovelydreamingtime9563]

I thought OVA stood for Original Video Animation

[@PocketLeaves]

Yes! Is that not what I said? adfad that's what I meant at least!

[@Lisa-mu6kf]

I love listening to u talk

[@natgemu]

I needed this, thank you so much 🩵

[@Gurlkimmy]

I am I got currently guy reading three of the volumes in the manga and I watched the first season of three of the episodes this year for the time being I sure wrap the series entirely in 2022 because I thought I didn’t not the series was good but re-watching it again I will continue watching it

[@bluskieye1296]

I am not familiar with the anime at all (nor the franchise) but I think I’ll start watching it xD

[@PocketLeaves]

oof, well I hope you enjoy it! Whether that be through the sheer absurdity of early seasons, or the nuggets of good story telling that are present in the anime! I will say if you DO like the anime, then you'll LOVE the manga.

[@Mailed-Knight]

Welcome aboard, happy to have you.

[@RinPhantomhive1001]

i am i have black butler dvd s 1-3 along with book of murder and book of alantic i am planning on creating a anime fanfic of the black butler anime canon material

[@PocketLeaves]

Ooh nice! Good luck with your fic!

[@RinPhantomhive1001]

@@PocketLeaves thank you it going to be a ciel little sister fanfic call eri phantomhive

[@plains7000]

I don't know if I'll be skipping episodes 7-12 of season 1

[@PocketLeaves]

That's fair. I've recently rewatched season 1, and the original content is actually pretty fun!

[@ElectraTechna55]

Luckily I got in knowing a lot of the EPs wasn't canon. But I watched everything anyways and then went back to the manga and have been up today ever since. I do remember screaming at school when I found out the movie was coming out 😂

[@pablo8524]

Black butler season 2 scarred and confused me so much in middle school

[@matcha_zuki5597]

As a mega weeb I checked about if Season 2 was canon right after I watched it because I hated it 😭

[@PocketLeaves]

That's fair. I watched season 2, enjoyed it, but was confused? I think I was neutral about the ending tbh. But a few months later, a kid in one of my classes had the Black Butler manga at school, and that's when I learned season 2 was not canon ahsgahdgs

[@matcha_zuki5597]

@@PocketLeaves oh wow what was your reaction to finding out about the manga? My high school had a Japanese class I was in and weekly manga club so I was aware of the manga before hand, just didn’t get to it.

[@PocketLeaves]

@@matcha_zuki5597 I was really confused! After she told me that season 2 wasn't canon, I did go home and look it up online. This was when the Weston Arc was currently publishing, so I saw the latest chapter was named something related to school, and I got even more confused. And decided to just drop it. This was before Black Butler became a special interest actually. It took me another year and a half before I finally broke down and just read the manga. That's when I got HOOKED

[@sunnysong9122]

Growing up is realising that the first 2 seasons were awfull and the only reason Black Butler is my favourite ANIME is the fact that It's sonething related to the manga

[@happilyevernever4289]

Exactly 😂😂

[@ThisShouldNotBeMyName]

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@vixencomicdubs]

Do you have any recommendations on a website to read the manga Black Butler

[@PocketLeaves]

I currently don't know any sites that are THE place to go? A lot of the places I used to read it on don't exist anymore, or were fans posting the chapters on tumblr or discord. I think anything that comes up when you google it should be fine? Just use an ad blocker and your best judgment, and you should be fine. Although most of the earlier chapters are fan translated, and a little rough around the edges. I couldn't seem to find any other scans for those early chapters, even as recently as this year. But those rough translations should still be okay? They're not super inaccurate, and better than nothing if you can't afford to purchase the manga, or digital releases of the chapters.

[@YuukuZx]

So is 2024 worth watching or its about the past only

[@PocketLeaves]

The new anime is going to be essential for understanding future anime if they keep adapting the manga. It's not a flashback arc.

[@bunbungabriel]

I have only watched the anime material but through timeline osmosis I kinda got a feel for what's canon and what isn't so now I'm majorly confused on hearing that book of atlantic is mostly non-canon 🥲

[@PocketLeaves]

Book of Atlantic is canon!! It's the most important canon for the new season!

[@bunbungabriel]

@@PocketLeaves oh then I probably misheard 😅 thanks for clarifying!

[@sunnysong9122]

I was so comfused now cuz my mind went: what do you mean It's not cannon, It's one of the only xanon parts that we have

[@happilyevernever4289]

Who the eff told u book of Atlantic isn't canon?! Let me at em!!

[@bunbungabriel]

@@happilyevernever4289 ... I already clarified, I misheard it in the video

[@bloodsucker5485]

Ranboo plush :3!

[@PocketLeaves]

YES!!!! love being a boober

[@Bohemian.rhapsody1973]

It’s so sad I watched black butler when I was 9 or something and now I don’t really remember anything about it and I can’t watch it anywhere :( I’m still confused about the Alice in wonderland episode … and I have no idea about the manga and the ciel has a twin stuff help ;(

[@PocketLeaves]

Hi! So depending on where you live in the world, Black Butler anime is split across various streaming platforms. Piracy will be your best bet for watching the anime, especially since Book of Murder OVA isn't on any streaming platform. As for the actual story, I'm actually working on a deep dive series that goes through the manga! I only have 4 videos up for that so far, but it covers everything from the start to the circus arc. You can find that here . kzbin.info/aero/PL32Gnbljx7cixQ5AHRLrcM7_NcGKpQm3G

[@plains7000]

I was never fond of Alois Trancy here.

[@kimbre01]

Book of Atlanta is not the only movie. There is a live action adaptation.

[@PocketLeaves]

I'm aware! This was speaking just about anime adaptations.

[@happilyevernever4289]

​​@@PocketLeaves live action movie is a separate category. Also, it is not a faithful adaptation. So there's still one movie of kuroshitsuji.

[@natemjonesd6264]

Please marry me 😂

[@TheGamer2001]

Thank you for the video! I have read the manga, so, I wasn't confused because of the Book of Circus, and I would say I am pretty caught up (minus small details). I must admit that I haven't watched any musicals and any non-anime films though. I am very glad that the series is coming back! Having said that, Sebastian... has a look, and I am sure you have already heard it a million times. XD He isn't ugly by any means, but he turned from a sexy and dangerous demon into a cute billionaire f-boy, and I feel unsure about this. I know I will get used to this design, I disliked Book of Circus Sebastian quite a lot (I prefer Season 2 Sebastian to this day), and I got acclimated to it after some time. I do hope he gets his signature red eyes though, they are a must!

[@PocketLeaves]

Sebastian looks a lot more feminine to me in the new teaser. It's really different from how he's looked in the anime before for sure. I've seen some people say that was the animation team trying to match the current manga style, since Yana Toboso's art has changed a lot since the last anime.

[@TheGamer2001]

@@PocketLeaves Yeah, he does look more like Sebastian from the latest chapters, you are right! He looks more boyish and youthful as well. A great look for a character in general, a questionable choice for this particular character though, in my personal biased opinion. I still hope they give him red eyes though! I would also love for them to replicate the demonic eyes he had in the first season, where his pupils would become cat-like and it looked like something was swimming deep inside them. Scarlet demonic eyes of later seasons are cool, but a bit lazy, me thinks.