#Black butler chapter 191

[messytoybox]

The case for Ronthello

Ever since Chapter 191 came out, I have been particularly fascinated with how Yana has structured this panel.

This is the first panel and drawing we have gotten in a long time of all the Grim Reapers somewhat together. The way Yana has every set up in the composition reminds me of a family tree. We have Ronald in the middle, being our beautiful 'golden child' (that is a joke). Then, we have William and Grelle set above him, almost like a mom and dad would continue off on the metaphor. Then we have Sascha, Ludger, Alan, and Eric almost being put off to the side like weird aunts and uncles. ( Cousins?) But who is off to Ronald's right-hand side? It's Othello.

Now where I am getting off to this is for the longest time, Ronald really hasn't had a "partner" in Black Butler canon. And based on the Will The Reaper OVA we know the first time reapers do when they graduate is they get paired off. And it seems we continue on the theme of pairing off when it comes to Reaper, with Alan and Eric being introduced and Sascha and Ludger being introduced together too. This also continues as Yana heavily implies that Grelliam is somewhat canon. So where does that leave our precious blonde boy?

Often when he has been depicted with the group he's often like weirdly to the side while the others are grouped together. (IE the most beautiful death poster and the cafeteria drawing)

So going back to the earlier picture from chapter 191 and Ronald and Othello being close to one another in this way could hint at there maybe being a future brotherly or something more than that when it comes to their relationship in the future.

Anyway, I hope that makes sense. I'm out of practice when it comes to writing like this. I have a TikTok where I talk about it briefly under the same username. Feel free to put your two cents on it. This is all just my very ...messy opinion.

[shinigamer-136649]

The Reapers' Backstories

I'm sure that most know that the reapers' backstories are HIGHLY anticipated (at least on here), but I've always wondered how that would come into play. And... I've had an idea, but I'm not sure how much I like it. I don't know if anyone has talked about this before (sorry if you have), but the way I think the reaper's backstories will be revealed is...

Cinematic Records.

Which obviously comes with some alarming prospects considering just how one is able to view these records (unless there is a library of them like in the anime) - by getting injured, or, to view the complete record, killed.

The reapers have already shown themselves to be heavily involved with the plot of Black Butler, whether it be the need to subdue the demon walking around with no consequences or the threat of the dispatch deserter running free and obscuring the line between life and death. There's no chance that they all get out of this unscathed with the desperate strings of the web of conflict ensnaring everyone.

Here's my drawing of part of said web in ms paint which I feel may have ruined the vibe of this post but it's fine

I'm also not sure why some of the reapers would, in the story, want / need to share their backstory. I could maybe see if Sascha were to share theirs, and Othello's and Undertaker's will likely be revealed, but why would people such as Grell, Ronald, or William share theirs? I don't think they're going to be going around sharing the details of their suicide to everyone unless the situation really demands it - or if their sharing is unwilling.

Black Butler is not light on violence, and there's not many characters unwilling to resort to it. Undertaker will do pretty much anything to protect the Phantomhives, one of whom just so happens to be a Bizarre Doll, who aren't exactly welcomed by the Shinigami. However, Sebastian also finds it his duty to fight the Undertaker and Real Ciel, making the reapers either a potential ally, or, as we've seen twice before, a nuisance.

Although they may be forced to team up (considering the only hit Undertaker has ever taken in the series was from Grell and Sebastian working together, and even that barely made contact), the reapers and Sebastian have shown a mutual distrust toward each other. Once they get rid of their prime threat, they're going to go after each other. And where does that leave us? Where we started, with reapers getting injured and records spilling, possibly even before Undertaker is defeated.

(Plus, I find it unlikely Undertaker is the main villain of the whole series. Maybe all three of these forces will have to align, or they might even need a god's power if their foe is an angel or other supernatural entity... but that's a post for another day.)

Essentially, we can safely assume that reapers are going to get injured, and since there have been some very entertaining "hooks" so to speak about their backstories (Chapter 105 Sascha my beloved)... I wouldn't be surprised if, in a few years, we're going to be in Book of Flashbacks part 2

Even the possibility of non-shinigami using death-scythes isn't out of the question - they don't seem to be only physically able to be used by reapers, since we've seen Sebastian and Layla wield them. In fact, speaking of Layla, in chapter 191, we see this:

Layla has a death-scythe, or at least something so similar to one that it shares the same properties. I wouldn't be surprised if this metal ends up more widely distributed over the course of the series - it provides a huge advantage to whoever has it.

In conclusion (listen what else am i supposed to say to finish this)

Reapers such as Will, Grell, and Ronald likely wouldn't have an in-story reason to share their backstories as this would likely be. not a good experience for them

However, we have gotten a few "hooks" dropped about them.

One way to put these into the story would be the Cinematic Records of the shinigami.

This makes sense because there is already a lot of conflict between Undertaker, Sebastian, and the reapers which will almost certainly lead to bloodshed at some point

We also know that death-scythes are becoming more widely distributed, so even if, say, the Undertaker is defeated by Sebastian and the reapers, it's not implausible that Sebastian could get his hands on a death scythe.

Not gonna lie I hope I'm wrong on this one I'm going to cry if any of the reapers end up dying.

[ruby-roses-world]

After reading chapter 191, here are some of my theories:

- Layla has a split personality and Al is her alter ego (Layla -> Alyal);

- Layla is Vega; the room shown in Chapter 117 belonged to a child and had one bed (why not two?!) with two pillows, two plushies, and two dressing tables; Undertaker also said in chapter 151 that Vega is currently busy collecting R!Ciel's food;

- Layla is Baron Heathfield's daughter;

- in this chapter 'Al' said that she did something to the old woman, it's most likely Layla's mother.

[kuroi-neko]

Chapter 191 is out! This time 18 pages of tasteful food and interesting things 😊🤤

[seekers-who-are-lovers]

“Gotcha!” Ronald Knox graces Yana Toboso’s latest website header. ( x )

[plague-of-insomnia]

Ch 191: Rigorous Investigation - Highlights

Note: have not read the entire chapter to translate as I just do not have the spoons/time this month. I’m sorry.

But I will give some basic highlights/key points. Please remember I’m human and I may not always get things right.

The chapter picks up straight from where ch 190 left off and is 17 pages. In it, we get Rob’s POV for the entire chapter, and learn more about why he was sent to the sanatorium and witness his fight with Layla.

Ron is surprised that Layla is the bizarre doll—he’s genuinely shocked (and maybe suspected Ada instead? I’m not entirely sure from the way he phrases it). It suggests that he wasn’t there to reap Bard or anyone else but to find out who the bizarre doll might be.

He’s grateful to Bard for “helping him find the bizarre doll”:

(Yep he was watching the whole time and saw Bard get stabbed.)

Despite coming face to face with one of UT’s new dolls, Ron is still amazed that a being “without a soul” can exist like she does.

But he doesn’t have long to ponder this, because while Layla may look like a helpless little girl, she’s anything but.

She puts up quite a fight and surprises Ron yet again when she attacks him with a pair of scissors that are able to jam his death scythe lawn mower.

Normally, nothing but another death scythe can cut one, so he’s surprised. Then he realizes, in horror—is it possible that her weapon was a death scythe??

(If so, it’s possible that all of UT’s upper level BD’s may be armed with death scythes of their own, in which case they pose a very real threat not only to the reaper organization but Sebastian.)

Layla nearly does Bard v 2 to Ron (she is about to stab him in the back with the other half of her scissors) when Will shows up and saves his bacon by capturing Layla with his own death scythe. (Sure took him a long time to get back from Germany, huh? 😂)

That’s the end of the chapter. So it’s possible Ch 192 may be more reaper content. Perhaps they’ll bring Layla back to their HQ for investigation. I’m very curious to see what unfolds next.

~#~

Do not use my translations or SS without credit, please.

[thedarkestcrow]

Black Butler Chapter 191

Ronald Knox reveals his true intentions! Will his work wrap up fast enough to avoid overtime?

The official English translation for the new chapter is now available here.

[anewp0tat0]

obviously I'm late but better than never for my semi monthly chapter review hii~

Chapter 191

firstly i do want to half heartedly apologize for how much I am obsessing over this tiny cameo, but we haven't gotten art of her since the hotel promo and idc if she's the second reaper we most commonly seen it's just been so~ long. and also I didn't hear anyone complain -v-

also just because I didn't see anyone post about it before(I probably haven't scrolled enough), I'm pretty sure that's Eric and Alan(because of the hair and everyone in this panel is a reaper we know), in the corner, just dangling their existence over us as always. i just find it a little funny when yana decides to play God at what she wants to include in her canon universe.

I think this cover's pretty cool! it's the first time we canonically get to see other side reapers, and I was very excited!!

I gotta be brutally honest though, as someone who takes the visuals to heart, I was a little disappointed to see that the the reapers behind Ronald are mirrors/copies of each other. I personally get pretty dishearted when potential to create a great product gets wasted due to laziness or any other lacking that is within our control.(and also specifically applying to this, Im a sucker for character design and get bummed when i keep seeing the same jawless pretty boi face design everywhere).

however, I won't hold it against her for 2 reasons. 1, despite my whining I'm aware that there's nothing yana can if she's too busy for herself or anyone in her art team to draw so much. secondly though, the explanation that I'm gonna prefer to go with cause she will never confirm or deny this I'm sure: this was a purposeful decision to show how all the reapers- besides their hair- are meant to be soulless carbon copies of each other. except for Ronald, cause he's cool(and I think we have a mentor to blame for that😌)

-----

alright now I should actually mention the contents of the chapter

I am very excited about this Brass😀 I don't trust my memory anymore so I may be wrong, but I don't think the higher ups... or higher than higher ups👀👆🙏 have ever been referred to as the "brass" before. which I love. I have no clue what that means but it's cool. and personally I love when stories with religious contexts diverge from the traditional lore. which should be weird cause I'm kinda religious. but ya boi gets bored.

like, the almighty brass is not like the God in traditional religion, cause so and so bla bla created the planet or big bang or smth I forgot. this, these, beings seemed to have appeared. before humanity or after I'm not sure. but dude isn't it so cool and kinda creepy?? right? can't ya gurl just obsess over something that doesn't matter at ALL???

also I gotta say, I'm a little shocked that reapers can't see souls, cause I had assumed that in this universe the cinematic records themselves were the souls, or representations of them. but nope, two separate things.

dude if this series ends with the Brass literally destroying the universe cause these reapers and demons and maybe humans found out and meddled too much in the unmeddleable I don't know how my brain would work.

also real quick what if the reapers don't even work for god. what if the demons aren't even based around him and we shouldn't be assuming them to be based around Christianity in yana's universe.

LOL anyway.

I found this interesting because it's true, bizarre dolls were not the reapers(or the Brass' :O) business before. they were not known or classified as a wide threat, and they didn't have be involved. but now they have to be.

it also makes me wonder how many other reapers are involved with this case now. I mean, others have the be right?? why would they just keep sending people who are associated with grelle. there should be others off screen. it seems like this may escalate to a nation wide threat soon.

-----

also, I'm 70% certain someone mentioned this in a theory blog prior, but it's nice to see now that it's confirmed the very real symbolism of Lord Vega's 2 personalities in the 2 ribbons.

finally. in case it's my bad memory, does anyone mind reminding me who the "old woman" is? if we don't know yet then that's something I'll just have to think about more later.

----

have a great day!! till next time :,D maybe in November we'll get to see finny and snake?

also, I know I go on like 4 different tangents here. I thought keeping them all to one post would be more organized, but should I actually be separating these thoughts? dunno. maybe I'll give it a shot next time.

[crimson-violets]

A GLIMPSE OF GRELLYBEAN 😍😍😍😍

[ace-aro-taku]

Black Butler 191 Spoilers

Heavy Ronald chapter, which is 👌

Layla is a bitch (tm)

Buy one get one Free Bizarre doll

^^2 souls in 1 body

Who the fuck is Al?

RIP Ronald's Scythe, but why???

Sexy reaper has returned, William I've missed you so much!!! 😍😍

Please support official release

Black Butler #191 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9Q182QP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_C262S3J9QK4853R6QY4S

Bonus Theory

If Layla keeps saying 'Al' and has death scythe scissors, then could that mean that Undertaker Used Alan's (the one reaper from the play) old soul/memories and combined them with Layla?

[madraleen]

Black Butler - Yana Toboso Volume 24 - Chapter 191: “AAAAAAHHHH!!!” a commentary.

-Hmm, idk man, Blavat reminds me of the Undertaker.

-What is happening! A second idol group of our very own?!

-Edward’s surprisingly good at being an idol, huh?

-Whoa, Soma just leveled up fifty times over.

-The panel of Agni and Soma when Agni locks him in the room to keep him safe, shut up.

-Rip, Agni. Unfortunately, I had accidentally seen a spoiler of this moment and this moment only, so I’m missing the shock factor.

-Sebastian holding Agni though, shut upppp.

-What?! What is in the picture?! Sebastian lying about what?!

-Finny senses it! Finny senses there’s something off! But how is somebody being Ciel?

-If you say Ciel has a twin, I might get enraged.

-Are you kidding me. Twins. Twins?!

-Ciel has adopted TwinCiel’s memories. Right. Fine. I feel like I’m standing in the middle of a room that’s on fire.

-Wait wait, is the Blue Star TwinCiel?

-Ngl, this pairs nicely with Ciel’s fright crisis in witchville. Still though… twins? It just feels a little too… random, after all this time? Too “IT WAS THE EVIL TWIN ALL ALONG!” Literally everyone knew the Phantomhives, and not ONE person has ever mentioned a twin? Plot conveniences I guess.

-I assume Lizzie isn’t coming back because she knows she was with the wrong Ciel?

-NICE ART, Sebastian’s demon form looks horrific!

-That’s actually good motivation for Ciel to become Ciel, ngl.

-Ciel: *is literally an impostor*. Me: I actually like him even more now. It’s the depth of character, y’all!

-TwinCiel was literally sacrificed body and soul, why is he here

-I have to say, the art of the contract story is no joke, man, it’s topnotch.

-Ciel’s purported intelligence and strategy actually in action, I’m liking it.

-Oh Ciel, baby, what other contractee, you’re a full-time job.

-TwinCiel gives me creepy vibes, I’m kinda scared of him.

-The hell is Undertaker doing now?!?!

-My biggest thing rn is how the estate fam will react. I’m really looking forward to that, ‘cause I really really want them to be on Ciel’s side.

-I’m not vibing with the revelation of a twin brother in itself, but I’m very much okay with the repercussions and the events surrounding it.

-Ngl, this is pretty addicting. I’m like, ‘Then what? And then what?’

-Yes, Finny, that’s my boy.

-Lizzie’s POV never disappoints.

-Yesss, the estate fam doesn’t disappoint!

-The estate fam picking up Sebastian and Ciel, ugh, I cry.

-Is it Lau. Is it fucking Lau, these shoes are Lau, I-

-Yay, go, Ciel, go! Trash it all! Crush them!

-Soma’s down a dark path, ugh, the characterizations in this arc, I love them.

-Honestly, the best art, the best consequences, the best character development, the best so many things - all stemming from a premise that I don’t vibe with. Fascinating.

-Although ngl, I’d like to see a bit more of TwinCiel’s POV? Like, yes, he enjoys the rivalry, but why? What changed? Why does that once caring brother orchestrate Ciel’s arrest? Tell me more.

-Yes, TwinCiel, turns out it took quite a while to cure death, you see, grumble grumble.

-Aunt Francis doesn’t look convinced.

-Ooh! Oooohhh who’s Polaris then?

-Man, these backstories are INTENSE. I legit have to take breaks.

-I’m caught up! I can’t believe it, I’m all caught up! Ha!

-... … … Now what O_O.

[anewp0tat0]

*slamming table* YEA LORE LORE LORE LORE BRAAAAAASSSS