Black Butler

Black Butler

2008 | 5 seasons | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Solid across the board without standing out anywhere. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, anyone who wants a laugh and sci-fi fans. If you loved Moonlighting or Hazbin Hotel, start here.
The mood: Darkly funny, tense.
The pace: 5 seasons: a few months of evenings, short, snackable episodes, about 28 hours in all.
What might put you off: Rated TV-MA: expect violence.
It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

In Victorian London, 12-year-old business magnate Ciel Phantomhive thwarts dangers to the queen as he's watched over by his demon butler, Sebastian.

How it earned its rating

CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
AudiencesSolid
7.8 out of 10
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 5 seasons and reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 211K people sought it out in the past year

Season by season

The show overall is a Sunday Safe Bet. Here's how each season stacks up; Emerald Witch Arc is the high point.

Season 12008 · 24 episodes · 7.1 out of 10
Sunday
Black Butler II2010 · 12 episodes · 7.0 out of 10
Sunday
Book of Circus2014 · 10 episodes · 6.2 out of 10
Monday
Public School Arc2024 · 11 episodes · 6.9 out of 10
Weeknight
Emerald Witch Arc2025 · 13 episodes · 7.4 out of 10
Sunday

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Daisuke OnoSebastian Michaelis (voice)
Maaya SakamotoCiel Phantomhive (voice)