The social politics of school has always been difficult to navigate… but Black Butler takes it to another level.
Black Butler: Public School Arc reunites Ciel Phantomhive (Brina Palencia) and his demonic servant, Sebastian (Michael Tatum) as they infiltrate Weston College, Great Britain’s most prestigious public school. Tasked with uncovering why multiple students—including the son of the Queen’s cousin—have stopped corresponding with home, Ciel attempts to crack the school’s highly regulated social structure. In the process, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the lives of the students and the school itself.
With the release of Public School Arc, Black Butler has a solid script that create a complex mystery. Unravelling over the course of the (half) season, Public School Arc is surprisingly engaging. Whether its delving into the mystery of missing students or the neo-politics of the four houses, there is much for Ciel and Sebastian to uncover together and the series keeps the story engaging. (Admittedly, it could be argued that the setting seems reminiscent of the Harry Potter franchise with its competing houses and spiritual setting, but the series absolutely stands on its own.)
After all, like the very best of franchises, Black Butler is built around strong relationships. Even if it is the strange other-worldly set-up of a boy and his demon, the bond between Sebastian and Ciel is nothing short of compelling. Whereas Ciel is creative and cunning, his demon remains steadfast and caring. Together, their unlikely partnership just… works. Whether its planning their inquest into the inner workings of the school hierarchy or developing a plan of attack for a cricket match, the two would do anything for one another.
But this is where Butler gets particularly interesting. Having grown up with horrifying trauma, Ciel’s journey is haunted by (literal) demons. But his relationship with Sebastian isn’t one of toxicity. Instead, it’s one of subservienceThrough Sebastian, Ciel’s broken spirit is countered by an atmosphere of support.
In Sebastian, he trusts.
Despite the darkness of their agreement, Sebastian is a demon who is willing to work for him as opposed to against. There’s a genuine sense that, while Ciel’s traumatic past follows him, he has found a way to use it to his advantage. Trauma is a part of his story… but, through Sebastian, he has (somewhat) mastered it. While each season provides a different arc, this relationship becomes the throughline by which the show finds its success. There is good within the way that Ciel and Sebastian work together for a common goal, regardless of how they first began their partnership.
In the end, Black Butler: Public School Arc manages to balance the intensity of its conspiracy with genuine heart and humour. Ciel and Sebastian create a fascinating dynamic that anchors the series, even as things begin to spiral out of control. After all, Public School can be a life or death situation.
All episodes of Black Butler are available on CrunchyRoll now.
