Manga Review: Black Butler, Volume 28, by Yana Toboso

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: October 2019

Volumes: 29+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 27. 29.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The truth of what happened three years ago comes to light, as the past Ciel sought to erase is thrust back into his face. The revelations shake the Phantomhive manor to its foundations, and even Sebastian, the resident devil, can only look on in admiration at the consummate gamesmanship at play. The Phantomhive blood, it would seem, runs thick with the thirst for vengeance...

Review:

This was kind of a crazy volume to read.

We get to the end of the back story, and then the rest of the reveals happen. We find out how this “real” Ciel is here, what happened that our Ciel doesn't know, and what he's been doing behind the scenes to ruin things for our Ciel. Some of it, I think, is supposed to make sense but kind of just feels convenient. And then there's this moment with Elizabeth that I just hate. I truly love her, and I love her and Ciel together, and I do not like this new stance of hers. I'm not okay with any of this.

Everything is turned over on Ciel's head and twisted to make him seem terrible, and it's honestly one of the few times we get to see him truly shaken. He can't protest to much of this, and he doesn't even really know how to react at first. It takes a bit for it to really hit him and for him to decide what to do about it.

I will admit that I think some of this plot has lost its momentum at this point. I was behind it at first, but now it's lost me a little bit. I'm still going to stick with it, and I want to know where it's going next, but I'm not as behind all of this as I was previously.

Manga Review: Black Butler, Volume 27, by Yana Toboso

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: January 2019

Volumes: 28+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 26. 28.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Three years prior, on his tenth birthday, Earl Ciel Phantomhive lost everything...but he was not alone. From the attack on the Phantomhive manor to the moment the contract with a certain devil was made, Ciel starkly recounts all that has come to pass...leaving all who bear witness breathless!

Review:

We finally get the full story in this volume. We see what happened that killed the other Phantomhives, what happened to Ciel's twin, and how he was led to create the agreement with Sebastian, the devil.

It's an interesting new look at Sebastian and Ciel's characters. Ciel was just a child, and he was put through unspeakable things, to the point where he would do anything to survive, and was put in a situation that makes survival the only option. Sebastian has always been a rather upstanding butler, with only glimpses of his real power and the real devil inside him. We get to see quite a bit more of that in this volume. We see his formless demonic self, in pieces, and we get to see him negotiate terms with Ciel. While he usually seems to be on Ciel's side, he is also a smart, manipulative demon.

This still leaves the present quite a mystery. While we know what happened on Ciel's side up to this point, it doesn't answer how his twin is currently alive and back at the mansion.

While I know that this plot could be too much, too cliché or whatever, it doesn't bother me. I think the depth put into it, the dark reasoning and everything combined with how it's shown, works. At least for me. I'm still very much into this series, and look forward to the next volume.

Manga Review: Black Butler, Volume 26, by Yana Toboso

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: August 2018

Volumes: 27+

Spoilers?: Yes.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 25. 27.

Goodreads Synopsis:

While Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his indomitable butler, Sebastian, are away on the trail of Blavat and the Blue Star Cult, the sound of gunshots echoes through the halls of their London townhouse. What chaos awaits master and servant upon their return home? And why is the young earl shaken to his core by the message left behind by the invader?

Review:

I'm conflicted about this.

So, we conclude the cliffhanger from last time, and it's honestly awful. I didn't really want to believe that's how it would end, and it is really sad. I feel so bad for Soma.

During the aftermath of this, it's clear that something is bothering Ciel. Something is haunting him, and he's asking odd questions... All of this leading to a truly surprising reveal, to discovering that our Ciel is actually not Ciel at all.

I don't know how to feel about this. On one hand, it's so overused to throw in a secret twin. And it's rather unbelievable. It makes me distend my belief a bit too much. But on the other hand, it's pulled off rather well, and the backstory we get regarding it is very interesting. I'm interested to see how it all leads to Ciel being where he is when we start the series. It also makes me wonder about his deal with Sebastian—does him pretending to be someone else complicate their contract?

I'm conflicted over this turn of events. But I'm also very interested to see where that cliffhanger goes. What bad things happen next? What led to Ciel being where he was, and making a deal with devil?

Manga Review: Black Butler, Volume 25, by Yana Toboso

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: January 2018

Volumes: 26+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 24. 26.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sphere Music Hall, with its elaborate entertainments, has the denizens of London under its spell and at the mercy of its resident cult's nefarious motives. To snap the populace out of the trance, Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his unparalleled butler Sebastian get down to business...literally! The young earl takes the fight right to the enemy's door by opening a music hall of his own. But as a new kind of battle gets under way on the stage, Othello, a fresh face from the Grim Reaper Dispatch, begins snooping around behind the curtains for reasons unknown...

Review:

We get to see the real reason behind Ciel making the boy band, which always felt like a diversion—both for the plot line, and to prolong the plot line. It makes sense, though, and I do enjoy seeing what Ciel has really made and succeeded in doing. His sneak attack leads to some quick decisions from the psychic leader of the other team, and Ciel and Sebastian are getting further in their search.

There are some underlying themes, some tension, between Ciel and Soma. While Ciel holds everyone at a distance, and acts like he doesn't like Soma, it's never rang true to me. Here, that's tested a little bit, and whether Soma needs to stay there any longer.

And then that cliffhanger. Oh man, it's cruel! Not to mention that we still have no idea where Elizabeth is, what she's doing and why. We get some discussion of her, but still don't get to see her.

I'm starting to lose patient with this plot line enough that I'm considering reading the single chapters. I really dislike buying single chapters, and reading manga on my phone, but I might just be annoyed and anxious enough to start—especially given how long it'll be till the next one.

Manga Review: Black Butler, Volume 24, by Yana Toboso

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: October 2017

Volumes: 26+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 23. 25.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A mysterious cult mesmerises legions of spectators with glorious rituals of song and dance. But the unbridled passion it inspires in its followers gives Queen Victoria cause for concern, and she urges Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his expert butler, Sebastian, to do some digging. Ciel has his own reasons for taking this lot to task, but the discovery of the cult's penchant for blood means the Queen's watchdog must make an immediate move. And when Sebastian goes probing behind the stages and into the shadows, he's met by a girl standing in his way, her sword ready to meet him head on...

Review:

Both this plot line is taking forever, and it's longer between volumes. It's very frustrating, when I so badly need to know what's happening to Lizzie! I need to know she's going to be safe. Urgh, it's frustrating!

So, in this volume, we find out some of what the organization is actually doing with people. What they're experimenting on and what they've discovered. Ciel and Sebastian make some discoveries and Ciel makes some business decisions regarding it. I do think his decision is fun, but it also feels like we're prolonging this plot line.

While we make some discoveries, and we even get to see Lizzie for a short period, it feels like very little happened. It makes sense, though, because these little steps will lead to bigger things and that's important.

Just frustrating! I need to know more.

Manga Review: Black Butler, Volume 23, by Yana Toboso

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: November 2016

Volumes: 24+

Spoilers?: Some.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 22. 24.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the heart of London stands Sphere Music Hall, a venue that enjoys immense popularity amongst the populace. However, the fervour with which its visitors return causes consternation in the mind of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, who suspects the organisation of cult practices and sends Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his impeccable butler, Sebastian, to infiltrate the hall. They are met with none other than the disgraced erstwhile prefects of Weston College and an otherworldly fortuneteller called Blavat, who takes one look at Sebastian and divines his true nature without faltering...!

Review:

There's a suspicious party going on downtown. Normally this wouldn't cause concern, but people from all over are attending all the time, and once they start, they don't stop. And now people are going missing.

Ciel and Sebastian go to investigate, and meet a fortune teller, who can immediately tell that something is wrong with Sebastian and kicks him out. Ciel is playing at being a poor kid, and stays around to investigate what's actually going on.

One of my favorite scenes in this was when Sebastian gets kicked out and meets some women at a bar. And before that, he finds a cat. The biggest problem regarding the party and the fortune teller, though, is that Lizzy was going and is now missing, either from being taken or “running away”. It's awful.

This volume was a lot of fun. A nice mystery going, with some good humor mixed in. We get a pop culture element, as we meet an idol group, which is odd in the setting. Mostly I'm worried about Lizzy, though, because I love her and don't like the glimpses we've seen regarding her. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Manga Review: Black Butler, Volume 22, by Yana Toboso

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: May 2016

Volumes: 24+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 21. 23.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Revealing themselves to be wolves in sheep's clothing, the villagers of Wolfsschlucht nip ferociously at the heels of Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his entire household--indomitable butler Sebastian included. With aid coming from surprising corners, the company makes a quick getaway with the Emerald Witch in tow. But even as preparations are made and wounds rested for the passage to England and the inevitable meeting with the queen, word of the Undertaker stubbornly hangs over the proceedings...

Review:

Lady Sullivan gets introduced to modern life in England in this volume. After being saved from her crazy village, she has to learn how to be a real lady; how to eat and talk and sit. For half of this volume, there's a lot of easy, relaxed moments. Lady Sullivan gets new clothes, she gets training. Elizabeth visits for a while, and she's delightful even as she almost kills Ciel. We see a few other favorite side characters.

Then there are all of the serious underlying moments. We see the Undertaker again, and he hints at a possible plot thread to be explored later, something that Ciel will surely look into. The reapers also show up for a small scene, so we know they're doing something in the background at all times.

This series is both hilarious and delightful, and so dark at the same time. It's nice to see Ciel taking an adult role over Lady Sullivan, since he already knows how to act like an adult when he needs to, and she hadn't needed to calm down and handle things before. And, of course, Elizabeth. Love her.

Manga Review: Black Butler, Volume 21, by Yana Toboso

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: November 2015

Volumes: 23+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 20. 22.

Goodreads Synopsis:

With the helpful hand of his distinguished butler, Sebastian, Earl Ciel Phantomhive, once again with his wits about him, discovers the reality of both the Emerald Witch and the curse of the Wolfman that haunts a small village in the forests of Germany. On the orders of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, master and servant escort the young sheltered Emerald Witch, Lady Sullivan, beyond the doors of the Emerald Castle and into the outside world...only to find themselves right in the path of an oncoming German special forces attack?!

Review:

The big showdown! Ciel and his gang agree to help Lady Sullivan get away. The village isn’t so keen on letting her get away, though, and so there’s fighting. Thankfully, this means we get to see the servants in action. I just love seeing them get serious and dirty. We even get a little extra about Finn and his training at the mansion. I just love him, honestly.

We also get Ciel in a dress. And Sebastian getting violent and pulling out his devilish tricks of destruction. A friend of Ciel’s father shows up, too, to help him out. I’m unsure what this is leading to, but it did give us a memory of when Ciel was little and his father was around. I definitely want more of that.

The ending, though, is what really hurts. It makes me sad for Lady Sullivan, and it’s rather mean after everything she’s been through.

I can’t wait for the next one, to see what happens next.

Manga Review: Black Butler, Volume 20, by Yana Toboso

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: July 21, 2015

Volumes: 22+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 19. 21.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the wilds of Germany, the servants of the Phantomhive house are at a loss when their master, Earl Ciel Phantomhive, is both mentally and physically debilitated by the curse of the Wolfman that roams the Werewolves' Forest. Ciel, his demeanour changed, casts aside his unfinished duties as Queen Victoria's royal watchdog and orders his consummate butler, Sebastian, to pack up for London at once! But as the household ponders the situation, none other than Her Majesty's man John Brown drops in on Sebastian bearing a royal letter. What new orders could the missive hold?

Review:

God I love this series.

So we get to see Ciel’s inner struggles here. He’s locked in his mind, and he can’t get out. Meanwhile Sebastian and the servants are trying to figure out how to deal with the witches and wolves situation. Finally, Sebastian grows tired of Ciel, and he decides to deal with it. It’s much more intense than I expected, but I like Ciel’s reaction when he finally wakes up.

Ciel has to act like an adult in most situations, with most people. And he’s definitely mature for his age, having gone through what he has. But he’s still a kid, and it’s nice to see that.

After that, Ciel knows what to do with the wolves and witches. And they get down to business. And poor Lady Sullivan learns the truth behind everything, that they were all using her. The cliffhanger has me excited, intrigued to see what Ciel plans to do with Lady Sullivan.

I just love this series. I can’t wait for the next one.