Kuroshitsuji

Kuroshitsuji (黒執事クロシツジ, Black Butler) or Black Butler is a manga written and illustrated by Yana Toboso.
The manga has been adapted into an animated television series (i.e. anime), musicals, OVAs, and a video game.
==Synopsis==
Kuroshitsuji follows the adventures of Earl Ciel Phantomhive as he, with his faithful demon servant Sebastian Michaelis, carries out missions under the banner of the Queen's Watchdog, all the while seeking revenge on those who destroyed his family and made him suffer — at the cost of his soul.
==Media==
===Manga===
Written and drawn by Yana Toboso, the chapters of Kuroshitsuji have been serialized in Square Enix' shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy since its debut on September 16, 2006.Gangan Fantasy The chapters are also published in collected Volumes by Square Enix. The first volume was released on February 27, 2007.
The series has been licensed for an English release by Yen Press and will be published in Yen Plus August 2009 issue.
===Anime===
In July 2008, it was announced that an anime adaption, directed by Shinohara Toshiya, was expected. It premiered in October 2008 and broadcasts on the Tokyo Broadcasting System as well as the Mainichi Broadcasting System.Kuroshitsuji Anime Confirmed to Premiere this FallKuroshitsuji TV The episodes are directed by Toshiya Shinohara and are produced by A-1 pictures.Kuroshitsuji TV On January 1, 2009, a limited edition DVD containing the first episode was released by Aniplex.Amazon The next three episodes were released on another DVD on February 25, 2009.Amazon
At the "Black Butler, That Butler, The Final Chapter ~One Last Dinner With You~" (黒執事、その執事、終章　～最後の晩餐を貴方と共に～, Kuroshitsuji, Sono Shitsuji, Shūshō ~Saigo no Bansan wo Anata to Tomoni~) event on June 14, 2009, it was announced that the anime will be returning for a second series. Undertaker's seiyū Junichi Suwabe confirmed this news on his official blog later that day.Kuroshitsuji Anime's Second Season Green-Lit
On January 16, 2014, the cover of the February issue of Square Enix's Monthly G Fantasy magazine announced that production on a new anime series for Kuroshitsuji has been green-lit.Anime News Network: New Black Butler Anime Series Green-Lit
===Video game===
A video game for Nintendo DS, called Kuroshitsuji: Phantom & Ghost, was released on March 19, 2009.Square Enix The game is sold in two versions, a limited first-press edition with a higher price and numerous extra goods, and a regular edition.
===Books===
The first supplemental book, the guidebook Kuroshitsuji Character Guide: His Butler, Assembles, was released on February 27, 2009.Amazon (in Japanese) It contains character sketches, character information, interviews with the characters through Yana Toboso, an interview with Toboso herself, an encyclopedia, quizzes, and more.
TV Animation Kuroshitsuji: Black Record was released on March 27, 2009.Amazon It contains illustrations, cast, and staff interviews and more. On the same date, an official comic anthology, Rainbow Butler, was released.Amazon (in Japanese) It is a collection of one-shot chapters drawn by other artists in a variety of styles, and was followed on August 27, 2010, by the sequel anthology Rainbow Butler 2.
In October 2009, a book of manners entitled TV Animation: Kuroshitsuji: Sebastian's Loved Young Lady's Manners was released, teaching fans the etiquette of a young aristocratic lady in the Kuroshitsuji universe, and including explanatory illustrations in subjects like tea making and table manners.
TV Animation: Kuroshitsuji II Black Tabloid was released on June 18, 2010, and serves as a supplementary guidebook to Kuroshitsuji II, containing anime-exclusive character information, an original short story, and more. On October 18, 2010, the Kuroshitsuji II guidebook, TV Animation Kuroshitsuji II Final Record, was released, consisting of illustrations, cast and staff comments, and design information, as well as a message from Toboso.
On December 27, 2014, two books were released as supplements to the Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus anime. TV Animation Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus Official Record is a guidebook containing studio artwork, staff interviews, and information on the anime design process. The Framian is a collection of original lineart, sketches, and drafts for the anime. The sole artbook for the film Kuroshitsuji: Book of the Atlantic, Kuroshitsuji: Book of the Atlantic Original Picture Collection, was released on May 17, 2017. Like The Framian, it is a collection of lineart, drafts, and setting materials. 
The first of four artbooks, Yana Toboso Artworks: Black Butler 1, was released on January 18, 2014. It was followed by Yana Toboso Artworks: Black Butler 2 in May 2015, Yana Toboso Artworks: Black Butler 3 on September 27, 2021, as part of the series' 15th anniversary celebration, and Yana Toboso Artworks: Black Butler 4 on July 27, 2022. Each collection contains more than 100 illustrations from the manga, bonuses, and promotional materials.
===Drama CDs===
On August 10, 2007, a drama CD was released by Frontier Works. It featured many of the characters appearing in Volume 1 and 2.Amazon (in Japanese) A second drama CD was released on November 26, 2008 under the Aniplex label.Amazon (in Japanese)
===Musicals===
That Butler, Friendship (その執事、友好, Sono Shitsuji, Yūkō) is a musical adaptation of the manga that was featured at the Sunshine Theater in Ikebukuro between May 29, 2009, and June 7, 2009.Entertainment Plus, Inc. (in Japanese)
: See article The Most Beautiful DEATH in the World
: See article Lycoris that Blazes the Earth
: See article Noah's Ark Circus
: See article Tango on the Campania
==Reception==
During the week of December 18, 2007, the third volume placed third on a ranking of the manga sales in Japan that week.Japanese Comic Rating December 18-24 Later, during the week of June 3, 2008, the fourth volume ranked ninth.Japanese Comic Rating May 29-June 4 During the week of February 16, 2009, the sixth volume placed nine on a ranking of the manga sales in Japan that week.Japanese Comic Rating February 10-16 During the week of June 22 to 28, the seventh volume ranked third selling 167,692 copies and remained third during the following week of June 29 to July 5, selling an additional 256.164 copies.Japanese Comic Rating June 22-28
The series itself was ranked tenth of the top-selling manga series in Japan during 2009, selling a total of 1,603,197 estimated copies.Top-Selling Manga in Japan
The Japanese music distributor Recochoku has created an annual survey of which anime characters that people would like to marry. Sebastian Michaelis ranked ninth in the category "The Character I Want to Be My Groom."Survey: K-ON's Mio, Reborn's Hibari are #1 Bride, Groom
==Trivia==
*Kuroshitsuji was originally supposed to end after the fourth chapter. However, its unexpected popularity allowed Yana Toboso to continue the story for many more arcs and years.Downstairs with Kuroshitsuji, Volume 6http://akumadeenglish.tumblr.com/post/155999260366/the-originally-planned-ending-of-kuroshitsuji
*Yana Toboso's editor, Mr. K, gave Kuroshitsuji its name.Downstairs with Kuroshitsuji, Volume 2
**Before they settled on "Kuroshitsuji," Mr. K also suggested naming the manga "Butler = Slave," "Reduced to Butlerdom," "A Vile Worm of a Butler," "The Outcast Butler," "The Self-Destructive Butler," and "Lord Butler."
==References==
==External links==
*Manga official website (in Japanese)
*Anime official website (in Japanese)
Category:Kuroshitsuji