The premiere of Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc has arrived, captivating fans with its dark mysteries and intriguing characters. This fifth season of the anime, based on Yana Toboso’s manga, promises to be a thrilling addition to the Black Butler series.
A Return to Darkness
After a nearly decade-long hiatus, Black Butler made a comeback in 2024 with its fourth season, adapting the Public School Arc. Now, Black Butler continues its momentum with the Emerald Witch Arc. The recently released trailer paints a foreboding picture, hinting at the dark secrets and supernatural elements that await Ciel and Sebastian in the haunted forests of Germany.
Story
Ciel Phantomhive and his demonic butler, Sebastian Michaelis, are summoned by Queen Victoria to investigate a series of mysterious deaths in a secluded German village. Rumors swirl of a cursed forest and the enigmatic figure known as the Emerald Witch. As the duo unearths the village’s dark secrets, they encounter Sieglinde Sullivan, a young girl revered as the Emerald Witch, alongside her stoic butler, Wolfram.
The Emerald Witch Arc is the eighth storyline in the manga and one of the most beloved among longtime fans. The series has always been known for its intriguingly dark mysteries. Ciel Phantomhive’s newest sleuthing job from Queen Victoria is to investigate a string of odd deaths in Southern Germany, where he is met with far more than he bargained for.
Curses, werewolves, and witches—it all might sound like some fairy tale, but Black Butler is not known for giving happily-ever-afters. In a world where demons, grim reapers, and zombies exist, one can only expect something more sinister for Ciel to discover.
Plot Summary
In 19th-century England, Sebastian Michaelis, the butler of the prestigious aristocratic Phantomhive family, and his 13-year-old master Ciel Phantomhive, the Queen’s Watchdog, undertake dirty jobs in the underworld. On the Queen’s order, Sebastian and Ciel head to Germany to investigate a series of mysterious deaths. While they search for the truth about the Werewolves’ Forest, where anyone who sets foot inside it is cursed to death, a horrifying curse falls on Sebastian and Ciel.
The first scene in the debut episode of Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc takes place in Southern Germany, where two young men pursue a fox during a hunting game, only to lose it when it disappears into what they referred to as the “Haunted Woods.” Against their better judgment, they proceed further to stay on the fox’s tail. However, instead of finding the fox, they end up happening upon a monstrous wolf-like figure, the sight of which sends both men high-tailing it back to their manor. They appear to have escaped safely, but the Haunted Woods caught up to them, regardless. Both men end up collapsing with bloody noses. This is not the first time deaths have occurred in this manner. Because of this, Queen Victoria sends Ciel Phantomhive and his butler to investigate since no reply has come from the German government.
According to the locals that were questioned, every person who had died with similar symptoms had all previously visited the same forest. This forest, referred to as the “Werewolves’ Forest” by locals, is said to be cursed. For this reason, people have surmised that the mysterious deaths are all caused by the witches, who live within the forest.
Setting the Stage
As a series, Yana Toboso’s Black Butler has never shied away from various elements of 19th-century European culture; in fact, that’s a cornerstone of the plot, even if it isn’t always particularly accurate. But the shift in setting to Germany, where Ciel and his entourage have been sent by a Queen Victoria worried about her nephew, allows the plot to delve more into folklore, and given what Sebastian truly is, that’s a very good fit. Demons are one thing, but can the Phantomhive crew also handle witches and werewolves? At this point, it’s worth questioning if Ciel can even handle one precocious eleven-year-old.
This marks the first time in the story that Ciel’s work for the Queen has taken him so far from Great Britain, and the young earl isn’t too keen on leaving his base of operations. Alas, he determines he must, and he sets out for Germany with Sebastian and his servants in tow.
Themes
Black Butler is an anime series set in Victorian-era England, revolving around Ciel Phantomhive, a young nobleman, and his enigmatic butler, Sebastian Michaelis. Sebastian, who is more than he seems, aids Ciel in seeking revenge on those who wronged his family. The series combines elements of dark fantasy, mystery, and supernatural themes, portraying their complex relationship and the lengths they will go to achieve their goals.
The Characters
The Emerald Witch Arc introduces new characters and expands upon the roles of familiar faces.
Main Characters:
- Ciel Phantomhive: The young head of the Phantomhive family, bound by a contract with the demon Sebastian. Voiced by Maaya Sakamoto.
- Sebastian Michaelis: Ciel’s demon butler, skilled in combat and devoted to serving his master. Voiced by Daisuke Ono.
- Sieglinde Sullivan: A young girl known as the Emerald Witch, who rules over the Werewolves’ Forest. Voiced by Rie Kugimiya.
- Wolfram Gelzer: Sieglinde’s loyal butler and protector. Voiced by Chikahiro Kobayashi.
Supporting Characters:
- Finnian: One of the Phantomhive household servants. Voiced by Yûki Kaji.
- Mey-Rin: Another of the Phantomhive household servants. Voiced by Emiri Katou.
- Baldroy: Also a member of the Phantomhive household servants. Voiced by Hiroki Tōchi.
- Tanaka: The elderly steward of the Phantomhive household. Voiced by Mugihito.
- Snake: A mysterious character who joins Ciel and Sebastian on their adventures. Voiced by Takuma Terashima.
- Queen Victoria: The Queen of England, who tasks Ciel with investigating the strange deaths in Germany. Voiced by Hiromi Seta.
- Diedrich: A prominent figure in Ciel’s life, inherited from his father. Voiced by Kenji Hamada.
New Faces
Sieglinde, the Emerald Witch of the title, isn’t like anyone he’s had to deal with before, and that’s really saying something. Ciel may spend his time running around with his eccentric staff at the behest of the queen, but he’s also a well-bred young gentleman. And nothing in that upbringing has prepared him for the realization that his hostess eats like a feral warthog and expects that Ciel and Sebastian have come to unlock her “secret room.” By the time both Ciel and I had figured out that was her euphemism for her vagina, Sebastian was already struggling manfully against dissolving into hysterical laughter, which may be the most “human” we’ve ever seen him.
She may live in a castle straight out of a dark fairy tale, but she’s also unable to leave it. The opulence of her surroundings belies its truth as a prison. It’s that idea of a trap that stands out the most in these episodes. Sieglinde may seem fine with her state, as do the women, but Wolfram, Sieglinde’s butler-cum-bodyguard, wants to make sure that the doors open to get the Phantomhive group out of there.
Production
The Emerald Witch Arc is produced by CloverWorks, with Kenjiro Okada returning to direct the new season. Hiroyuki Yoshino is handling series composition, Yumi Shimizu is designing the characters, and Ryo Kawasaki is composing the music.
Release
The Emerald Witch Arc premiered on April 5, 2025, airing on Tokyo MX, BS11, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV, and streaming internationally on Crunchyroll. New episodes air on Saturdays, with episode 3 set to be released on April 19, 2025.
Reception
The premiere of Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc has been met with excitement from fans, who are eager to see the adaptation of one of the manga’s most beloved storylines. Critics have praised the series for its dark atmosphere, intriguing characters, and faithfulness to the source material.
A Dark and Twisted Tale
Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc promises to be a thrilling and captivating addition to the Black Butler anime series. With its dark mysteries, compelling characters, and supernatural elements, this season is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.