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Kuroshitsuji: Kishuku Gakkou-hen Anime Review: Better Than Hogwarts.

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Title: Kuroshitsuji: Kishuku Gakkou-hen (Black Butler: Public School Arc)

Episodes: 11

Genres: Historical, Fantasy, Mystery, Shounen

Studio: CloverWorks

Year: 2024

Source: Manga

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In the year of some guy's lord, 2024, we are getting another Black Butler installment. Look, I'm not gonna lie, I know it's a masterpiece to a lot of people... but I was never a huge Black Butler fan. Yeah, I know that makes me a huge hypocrite (considering I had Black Butler poster and have seen everything pre-Book of Murder). It's just that it feels like it was a much more passing phase as I had and still have an interest in gothic art, media, and aesthetics. Even after all this, I cannot deny the crashing wave of nostalgia that appeared from some hidden depths when I sat down to watch the Public School Arc.  

The Good

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So, I did not realize that I missed Ciel's true snarky, horrible little personality in contrast with his faux politeness and courtesy in the public eye. I also forgot about Sebastian's aloof smugness and one hell of a dumb one-liner. Some classics just can't be beaten, you know? It was good to be back. 

P.S. He is an educator now. Teaching the art of fucking people over.

To me, the highlight of Black Butler has always been the Book of Circus which terrified me, depressed me, and was an overall peak in the story. So, while I can't say that the Public School Arc lives up by any means, there are still elements that are present within the new series that have been built up way back when. 

Maybe this is pussy shit but I actually felt a chill when Derrick Arden was said to be alive, the pan to the creaking door, and his emergence as if nothing was wrong. It was soon ruined by his jump scare attack on Greenhill but nevertheless. The entire idea that these corpses are powered only by their past or their possible future, moving as lifeless drones, was spooky!

Ciel's hot dad appeared, too, that was nice. Honestly, the two-parter of the cricket match was the most fun I have ever had watching cricket.

The Bad

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Sadly, the season had a lot of let downs. Unfortunately it was the mysteries of Weston that failed to live up to expectations. To me the issue was that certain scenes lacked foreshadowing while others had so much, that is gave the game away completely. The headmaster was a supernatural being, that was obvious, and it was also totally clear that it was a character we knew. Though I think this was not as important to keep secret in the grand scheme of the season. Similarly, the fact that the missing students were still at Weston was also made too obvious, Ciel would bring up that they must have run off or how Sebastian couldn't see them at the Violet house was a little bit much. I think stronger and more convincing red herrings would have really upped the investigative part of the show.

P.S. Question is, was he getting it on with Ciel's grandma? 

However, the greatest secret of them all, was that the prefects were actually just cold-blooded murderers who killed in the name of tradition. This one was both out of the blue and predictable (what? pick one!). Let me explain. It was always clear that the prefects were somehow involved in the disappearances and were not red herrings. The season also illustrated that their loyalty to the headmaster never wavered which hinted that they may be unwilling or willing participants of some kind of plot. Still, when they witness Derrick's crimes and decide to punish him by murder it seemed pretty drastic considering this is the first time we see them actually become manic about their principles (with the tiniest hint only minutes before the revelation, when Ciel notes that years of indoctrination cannot be undone in moments). Their actual belief in tradition and their willingness to do something horrific wasn't hinted at well, which is why I found the actual revelation disappointing.

The Rest

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P.S. Baldroy is still my favourite character... I think. Oh my god, I can't remember anything...

I can't say I'm too excited to see the future arc that should be coming next year and I'm not really curious to read the manga. Still, Black Butler is a staple like no other and for what it does do I appreciate it. 

The Score

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Story: B. The mystery elements were fun but also a little too obvious. I haven't read the manga and still found the secrets of Weston a little bland and predictable.

Characters: B. Honestly, it is a little weird that I have seen almost everything Black Butler that has been animated despite finding practically none of the characters likeable or really interesting. Ciel was even more of a little shit somehow in this one which I appreciated. 

Style: A-. The setting of Weston, very minute details such as desserts and tea cups were very appealing and made me want to drink tea even in the most hell-hot summer that I have yet to experience. Some fun designs, such as the prefects, especially of the violet house, were also appreciated. However, I don't know why but I do not like how faces are in this anime at all with the exception of close-ups of Sebastian or something. I can't resist the gothic style.

Pacing: A. The build-up of the narrative may have been obvious but it was totally well-paced. There is no filler, gag scenes are short and sweet, and episode cliff-hangers really make you impatient to see how the characters are going to take the new information.

Animation: C. Nothing stand-out amazing, in fact most of it was pretty boring and a lot of scenes that could have used more action were incredibly toned down.

Music: A-. Both the song and the visuals of the ED left me with a kind of nostalgia I didn't think I was even capable of. The OP has many cool animations and has a great beginning but falls pretty flat the rest of the way. The rest of the tracks are pretty forgettable but I think I just don't want care for music from the period.

Final Score: B. Though I think this arc is pretty great, it does not come near the Book of Circus.

More Reading... 

Kuroshitsuji Anime Review [xx/xx/xx].

Kuroshitsuji II Review [xx/xx/xx].

Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus Review [xx/xx/xx].

Kuroshitsuji: Book of Murder Review [xx/xx/xx].

Kuroshitsuji: Book of the Atlantic Review [xx/xx/xx].

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Labels: anime2020s, anime2024, animefantasy, animehistorical, animemystery, animereview, animeshounen, Black Butler, CloverWorks, Kuroshitsuji, manga adaptation