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[bitteraristocrat]

Japanese fans caught this scene from the latest released anime BTS!

Ciel in the bowler hat is from Kuroshitsuji chapter 85, the interlude right between the end of Weston arc and the beginning of Green Witch arc. Will we get a teaser of what’s to come? At any rate, I think this chapter could take up a full episode by itself, with enjoyable moments from the Phantomhive servants, Prince Soma and Agni!

And also, the anime storyboard came from the scene with one of the major name drops for the main plot. Spoilers under the cut.

Re-reading the manga, it made me realized that the public school arc is shorter than I thought, only chapters 67-84.

We also skipped over the Easter interlude in chapter 66. A shame because not only was everyone super cute, but we actually got a glimpse into Lizzie’s confusion about Ciel’s past!?! What a missed opportunity!

[bitteraristocrat]

Idea by Anon from this post🌹

[bitteraristocrat]

I presented on eroticism in Kuro at an academic conference recently, and I was surprised to see a few people in the audience were familiar with the series. As a result, I did receive one question about whether or not it's okay to consume media that seems to be "promoting" erotic themes that involve underage characters, and if the author (Yana) is intentionally writing eroticism about underage characters. And while I think OP's point is definitely valuable, it's also valuable to understand why that "discomfort" from Western audiences is also important. If we engage in discourse and analysis that solely focuses on Japanese media ethics and readership, we lose a lot of potential ground for some fascinating explorations in Western literary theory and what Kuroshitsuji is accomplishing as a text in English-speaking markets.

My answer to the question from the conference was, in essence, similar to what OP said. That it's not about being "intentional" or not, but rather how the reader perceives it and what they decide to do with the information given to them. What I do think is intentional is what is plainly written in the manga, which is an unsettling, "problematic" relationship between two characters, something that Western fiction in the 21st Century seems to have a phobia of. And that phobia inhibits some readers from being able to see the romance within that relationship, and why it matters to the plot.

I've seen a lot of people reference Game of Thrones as an example of breaking barriers (through blatantly heteronormative and oftentimes reductive ways) within Western media, but I think Kuro does this in a much more covert way. I would liken it more to the way that Studio Ghibli films subvert from Western narratives and cause "discomfort" in some of its audiences because it does not follow storytelling formulas that American audiences are familiar with.

As for Kuro, if Western fans can look beyond their discomfort with the use of Ciel as a subject of desire, then they might be able to understand the deeper criticisms about Victorian-British culture that could be at play, whether intentional or not. Rather than trying to force Western readers into consuming the story in a way that it was originally written (which is, culturally, very unlikely and appropriative), I think we should sit in that "discomfort" and explore it! In other words, it's okay to localize your reading of fiction and figure out how it relates to you culturally, ethically, and apply your own biases to it. And it's also a fascinating point to perhaps look at what it means for a Japanese author to write about those criticisms; perhaps it is coincidental, but as a Western reader, I think it's fascinating to see what happens when you place the relationship dynamics commonly found in this subgenre of manga in the setting of a neo-Victorian Britain, and how acutely it criticizes the very social structures it romanticizes.

Which is where I personally disagree with OP's statement on defining SebaCiel as resolutely "positive." I think it sits within a really gorgeous ambiguity that conflates comfort with codependence (both ways) and romance with violence. And to define it as positive or negative distracts from the consistent theme of Black Butler which is that nothing is black and white, good or bad. And Sebastian and Ciel's relationship is the ultimate culmination of that ambiguity.

If there is one thing I know about Yana Toboso, it's that we really don't know anything about her process, and I don't think she does either. I believe that she is incredibly intentional with her writing and storytelling, as hints about the twins were revealed even in the very early volumes of the series. At the same time, she has openly stated that she often does things by accident, or doesn't know much about what she's writing about but has a deep fascination with it either way. So, to claim that she is completely unaware of what she is writing is just as unfair as saying that she is completely aware of it. Ultimately, the readers have a lot of agency in interpreting the story, and that's simply the nature of fiction. Also, while the intended audience was once Japanese, it would be remiss to deny that Kuro has since gained international recognition that Yana is very aware of. And I think the increase in historical research that goes into this story, and arguably sets it apart from other Neo-Victorian manga, plays heavily in its Western media influence.

TL;DR, this is not all to say that we should enable antis to "cancel" Black Butler, but I don't think it's a bad thing to acknowledge that discomfort. I think the discomfort is a good thing, that propagates further investigations that makes our readership, and the conversations about Kuro, more robust.

Something that antis who "analyze BB as media that is meant to 'cause discomfort' by displaying shotacon themes" forget is that creative texts (be they in visual, textual, or audial form) are highly psychological in the sense that you can't perfectly measure out every bit of the emotional reaction you will get from your audience.

Yes, there are writers who will specifically want to make their reader question certain moral dogmas, concepts, and ideas. There are also writers who end up writing particular concepts into their story by sheer accident.

In case of BB, though, one can't say that Yana is trying to "make her audience uncomfortable" by showing Sebaciel dynamics because nothing about it is uncomfortable. She definitely wrote it in on purpose, but claiming that it is supposed to cause some sort of a deep discussion on how Sebastian is a Bad Guy is laughable; because S/C relationship is a positive one.

Sebastian is presented - directly, indirectly, symbolically - as Ciel's only source of comfort and protection. Yes, it is a tainted liaison because it's the Devil's sacrament. It's erotic, sensual, intimate - and it's utterly comfortable.

Sebastian is the only person whose touch is comfortable to Ciel. He's among the few adults he trusts being in his vicinity. He's comfortable being alone with him. Ciel heals through his sickened bond with Sebastian. Yes, Sebastian craves him in the flesh-based, primal way. Whether you view it as erotic, beastly, or morbid does not matter: Sebastian craves Ciel. And Ciel is comfortable with that.

Yana did not fucking write it for nearly two decades to have some goddamn idiot who knows nothing about PTSD come in and say that Sebaciel is meant to be a "gross thing causing people discomfort". Sebaciel is a part of the story in the sense, "Sebastian and Ciel have A Relationship: whether it's predatory, romantic, sexual, or anything along the lines doesn't matter, but it's ultimately positive."

[bitteraristocrat]

The Black Butler revival will, of course, in this day and age, be the complete embodiment of pro-ship vs. anti-ship discourse, given the subject matter.

But for those of you who are watching this for the first time in 2024 (which includes myself!), there are certain things about the show you simply must understand, for the sake of media literacy.

The first is that Black Butler is supernatural gothic romanticism at its core. This genre alone should tell you that the relationships integral to the plot will be complex, messy, and toxic, by default. That is not only a huge part of this genre’s appeal, but very much the point of the story.

The themes are dark, the terrible things that happen to the main characters are dark, and therefore the relationships at the forefront (and in the background) will reflect that.

The gothic genre has been alluringly popular for over a century (longer, if you know your history) because audiences are entranced by the macabre, the tainted antiheroes, the monsters who live inside us all. It’s popular for a reason.

That being said, understand that whether you, the viewer, ship Sebastian and Ciel or not is irrelevant. Their bond doesn’t need to be understood as romantic or sexual, but it sure as hell isn’t normal. It isn’t healthy. And the audience knows that. That’s the draw. It’s what makes them compelling to watch.

Ciel and Sebastian’s relationship mirrors many gothic novels, poems, and penny dreadfuls written in the Victorian Era (the very same time period in which Kuroshitsuji takes place). The Victorian folks who read these tales for the first time ate that shit up, because it was tantalizing. It was shocking. It was inappropriate, and monstrous, and violent, and erotic, and went against societal norms. But that was the point.

A huge part of gothic romanticism is the blatant sexualization of the relationship between the “monstrous” characters and their human counterparts in the story. Sex itself doesn’t need to take place for their bond to be sexually charged. The forbidden nature of their relationship—which typically involves layers of social taboos, moral ambiguity, or simple infatuation—is what makes their interactions erotic. Sexual contact rarely ever actually happens in these stories. It’s the taboo nature of their bond that creates the tension.

One of the many reasons audiences love this genre is the constant question of morality in its themes. Who, between them, is the real monster? Could the human character have ever been saved? This genre is often associated with tragedy, because the bond forged between the characters in these stories are destined to end in death and destruction. The reader knows it can’t end any other way. How can it?

But an integral element of these gothic tales is the catharsis that comes with this tragedy. The corrupted human often gets what they want in the end, even if it’s at the cost of their own life. Whether they regret their choice to foster this monstrous relationship varies on the story, but it doesn’t change the trajectory of their descent.

Sebastian and Ciel’s relationship is the whole plot of Black Butler. Their closeness bears a grotesque ick factor, but it is deliberate. It is a constant reminder of how unnatrual their bond truly is. Rationalizing or watering down how abnormal they are about each other misses the point entirely. They will never have a normal, healthy relationship, and that’s what moves the plot forward.

That’s why you’re watching it.

[bitteraristocrat]

Notes on the Weston Arc English dub (as someone who primarily watches the Japanese version):

Brina Palencia, welcome back Queen 👑

One of my complaints about the Japanese cast was that Clayton's voice was too deep and I wanted him to have a stupid nerdy voice and THESE MOTHERFUCKERS DID NOT DISAPPOINT. 👏👏👏 Clayton is my new favourite character holy shit I think it's so funny.

McMillan is Scottish!! 🥹 cutie

Agares' "pardonmepardonmepardonme" doesn't translate well in English imo. I also don't like his voice in general.

Redmond's VA is next level (the tongue click????!!!) Honestly so well done. I love seeing more of the new "style" of anime voice acting where they sound more organic and natural.

Greenhill should be German or something idk. Spice it up, guys.

I'm not a fan of Tatum in general, but the "Indeed, my Lord" was such a stupid fucking choice.

Overall, I was happily surprised and will probably watch more of the English dub as it comes out. But the Japanese version is still my preference.

[bitteraristocrat]

The dub didn’t mess up; Sebastian was just reminding Ciel he’s applying for a new job.

[bitteraristocrat]

💙🖤

[bitteraristocrat]

the inherent homoeroticism of "no one gets to kill you but me"

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[bitteraristocrat]

Lycoris that Blazes the Earth 💋

I recently (FINALLY) got a copy of Kuromyu 2015 and have been watching the behind the scenes extras. Lycoris is such an important musical to me, even though Ciel and Sebastian aren't the focal point of its story which follows the Red Butler arc. I had to sketch something to put all my Big Emotions somewhere.

It was unintentional, but I ended up with going for a "tango of rejected intimacy" vibe, with Ciel almost pushing away (despite having given Sebastian a kiss), and Sebastian leaning fully into the smallest inclination of intimacy and capturing it. I also learned into the idea of Ciel falling away from his familial ties into a deeper corruption with the devil that we see at the end of the arc.

Anyway, this was a very lazy sketch. But I love them. ❤️

[bitteraristocrat]

so....even tumblr recognized sexual undertones...

[bitteraristocrat]

That butler and his little master

[bitteraristocrat]

that butler, sick of his shit

[bitteraristocrat]

this is an idiot. if you made lungs for yourself that actually function, that's on you.

[bitteraristocrat]

"choices made in anger cannot be undone" well i have regrets and nothing to lose. so we'll just see about that.

[bitteraristocrat]

Minors: AO3 is disgusting.

Adults: Okay, then don’t read properly tagged explicit or dark fics. Or perhaps don’t lie to the website that you are 18 or over and are mature enough to view that content when you’re clearly not.

Minor: Nah, AO3 is disgusting and needs to go.

[bitteraristocrat]

Something I've been saying repeatedly over the past two weeks is that the Weston anime feels like a Big Fat Love Letter to the veterans of the fandom, many of whom are SebaCiel shippers or just lovers of Sebastian and Ciel. From the beautiful attention to every detail (quite literally down to the way strands of hair fall!) to the continual manga-accuracy; from the late-manga cameos of the opening song to the undeniable romance of the ending song, it just feels so full of life and a clear homage to Kuro's fanbase who has stuck with it despite long periods of waiting and many (many) different iterations.

I'm never going to shut up about them.