I watched Kuro after the convention in July, after Karina went back to Norway, because I'd discovered through her that it was filled with coolness. So I had to. The Basics Episodes: 24Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Shounen, SupernaturalAired: October 2, 2008 to March 26, 2009Directed by: Toshiya ShinoharaProducers: A-1 Pictures, FUNimation Entertainment, Square EnixOpening Theme: Monochrome no Kiss by SIDClosing Theme: I'm Alive! by BECCA / Lacrimosa by Kalafina The Review The Story: Kuroshitsuji revolves around the life of 12-year-old Ciel Phantomhive, “guard dog” of the queen of England. Unlike most pre-teens, Ciel is an earl. Also unlike most pre-teens (even the ones who are earls) he has a butler who happens to be more than a butler. Sebastian Michaelis happens to be a demon; he and Ciel have a deal that once Sebastian has helped the boy take revenge against those who killed his parents, he gets to devour his soul...which will apparently be delicious because it's so full of hate. Of course, as is Sebastian's tagline, he is one hell of a butler. Basically, Ciel investigates whatever the queen tells him to—things ranging from Jack the Ripper to a mysterious demonic dog. While there are episodic incidents, there's also a large overwhelming plot which makes itself quite clear midway through the series. Ciel wants to know who killed his parents and tortured him, and he's willing to go as far as it takes. The Characters: If I could wish a single complete anime cast into existence, it would be the cast of Kuroshitsuji. In a heartbeat. Then I would kill a few of them. But for the most part, this series has awesome characters. Ciel and Sebastian are the two primary characters of course. The younger is a little brat, selfish, but intelligent, and what's amusing is that while he acts so powerful, he'd really be helpless without Sebastian—as is seen quite clearly in a few episodes late in the series. And then there's Sebastian...if there's such a thing as perfection, it's probably Sebastian. He's physically gorgeous, very capable, and he helps in providing all of the fanservice a fangirl could ever want. As for the other characters...there are Ciel's other servants, who spend most of the series coming across as major idiots, but later on they get their chance in the spotlight. There's Grelle Sutcliffe, a flamboyant shinigami who wants to have Sebastian's babies, and really just a plethora of side characters, most of whom are completely awesome. With exceptions...like Ciel's fiancee, Elizabeth. I know it's probably bad manners to strangle a pre-teen girl, but it's hard not to want to when it comes to her. My favourite though? Undertaker all the way: The Period: Kuroshitsuji takes place in Victorian-period England, it it's not screwing around with that. The setting looks precisely how it should that time and place, and everything. But what's about that era, in my opinion, is the clothing. I don't really have much to say about it, but I do think they did a very nice job at dressing the characters for the period. And fancy menswear is highly—and I do mean highly—appealing. Conclusion?: This series is one hell of a thing. The characters are memorable (even if some of them really need a good punch in the face), the setting works out perfectly, the plot isn't excessively complicated but it does work out. If nothing else, it's worth watching because Daisuke Ono has a really nice voice in this one. And sings. And also this: <object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UmY5Cn0z09Q?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UmY5Cn0z09Q?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> The only thing I questioned was why on earth they felt the need to have '-san' and whatnot in use. I get that the creators are Japanese. But everything else stuck with the setting, and they most certainly didn't use Japanese honourifics in Victorian England. Oh, but also I have to link to what is one of the most beautiful, depressing pieces of music I have ever heard, Si Deus Me Relinquit: <object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SMLrGCfFOgk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SMLrGCfFOgk?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> My rating: 8/10. I loved the series to death within two minutes. And then...then there were a few chunks that made me rage against the series itself and it lost a few points. But I am utterly in love with it. No doubt. Watch it. Yes, this was a lazy review. Know what? It's my birthday. I reserve the right to not thinking.
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