Shinigami + Chainsaw = Win

Let it be known, that I knew I was going to like Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) the moment I saw the description. It has everything in a show that I love from handsome men, to ditzy maids and staff, to a mature bossy 12 or however old he is Lord of the house. And just to top the cake, Greil (Madam Red’s Butler) is voiced by Jun Fukuyama. Which all on its own is all sorts of win. I love that man. *cough*

But most of all, my favorite storylines are ones that involve loyal servants. I love stories that feature Knights/Samurai defending their lords and Butlers fall along the same lines. In this case, it’s a little different as it’s yet to be seen what Sebastian’s true motives/feelings toward Ciel really are, but the fact he will be a loyal servant to the end has become very clear.

And his OCD tendancies towards cleaning and getting dinner served on time while killing gangsters with forks helps a little two. But that’s the stuff that fed my need for fanservice (gorgeous butler serving his lord faithfully) and humor (Episode 4. Watch it.). The only thing Kuroshitsuji was missing, was that almost-tear jerking moving scene that connected me to the cast and guaranteed I’ll be watching the episodes as they’re released.

Episodes 5 and 6 have fufilled that purpose. And because I’ll be discussing them in a bit of detail, spoilers below the cut. :) I recommend you watch them first. Though! I did throw some screen caps at the end of the post if you just want to skip the text and see those and come back to read later after you’ve watched. ^^

I want her Coat.

Episodes 5 and 6 wrap up what is essentialy the “Jack the Ripper” arc. As you warned ahead of time about spoilers, I feel no qualms with saying that Madam Red & Greil Sutcliffe together make one of the best Jack the Ripper’s to appear in fiction. A jealous woman in red and a shinigami who fell for that color were a marvelous combination.

But what made this arc the most interesting was not the Shinigami who was bored and fell for a woman who dressed herself not only in Red clothes but in the blood of another – after all, Shingami gone mad is a common theme, – but Madam Red’s motivations for becoming a serial killer and how they connected it to the original Jack the Ripper killings (the cutting out of the Uterus).

What it gave us, was a story line that made sense – it didn’t excuse her actions by any means, but you still felt for her and there was a sympathy. She was a woman who was pushed to the edge and shattered by doing her job. I can’t even begin to imagine the emotional heartbreak and devastation that would be caused by performing abortions for women whose pregnancies are unwanted when you yourself lost your child (ironically due to an abortion performed, while to save her life, without her consent) and no longer have the capability to have children. With all the controversy about abortion and a woman’s right to do so, it’s nice to see a story from the other side – the woman who can’t get pregnant and her view.

It’s hard not to be moved by her losses from the loss of her love, her sister, her husband and child. Sadly though, Madam Red fell down a dark path and was forced to face the consequences of her actions. I’m only glad that in her last moments the regret shown through and she managed to stop herself from killing her nephew, Ciel.

And of course, when Ciel came to her funeral Red Dress in hand to drape over her body and rose petals floating in the air – when he leant down to whisper the same words that her love, Ciel’s father, had told her once upon a time – ah. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a beautiful and moving funeral on screen. So full of love and precious last moments.

Sebastian Has the Best Imagination

And of course, the episode ended with a nice wrap up and a reinforcement of Sebastian’s loyalty to Ciel. The imagery of the chess board and Ciel as the king worked well to transition into the rest of the series. I’m glad to say I’ll be along for the ride.