After a 10-month hiatus, Yana Toboso’s popular manga series, Black Butler, is set to resume serialization on April 18, 2025. Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the next installment of the dark fantasy series, which went on hiatus in June 2024 to allow Toboso to conduct research and prepare for the manga’s climax. The return will be in the May 2025 issue of Square Enix’s Monthly G Fantasy magazine.
Awaited Return: Black Butler Resumes Serialization in G Fantasy
The official website of Square Enix’s Monthly G Fantasy magazine confirmed the return of Black Butler on March 18, 2025. The May 2025 issue, hitting stands on April 18, 2025, will mark the resumption of Yana Toboso’s manga after a 10-month break. According to the magazine’s website, the next issue will feature Ciel Phantomhive and Michaelis Sebastian on the cover and include a special supplement and a B3 poster to celebrate the manga’s return.
The Hiatus Explained: Preparing for the Climax
In June 2024, Yana Toboso announced that Black Butler would be going on an indefinite hiatus. This break was necessary for her to dedicate time to research and meticulously plan the manga’s final stages. Toboso, who has been working on the series since 2006, expressed her gratitude to the fans for their ongoing support and understanding.
A Decade and a Half of Dark Fantasy: Black Butler’s Legacy
Black Butler, written and illustrated by Yana Toboso, first appeared in Square Enix’s Monthly GFantasy magazine on September 16, 2006. The manga follows the story of Ciel Phantomhive, a young earl who has made a deal with a demon, Sebastian Michaelis, to avenge his parents’ death.
Manga’s Success and Availability
Square Enix has compiled the chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. As of April 26, 2024, thirty-four volumes had been released. Yen Press has licensed the series for an English-language release, publishing the manga in Yen Plus from August 2009 to July 2010. As of June 18, 2024, 33 volumes have been released in English. By March 2024, the Black Butler manga had over 35 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series.
Adaptations and New Anime Series
The series has spawned multiple anime adaptations, including:
- Black Butler (2008)
- Black Butler II (2010)
- Black Butler: Book of Circus (2014)
- Black Butler: Public School Arc (2024)
- Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc (2025)
The newest television anime adaptation, Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc, is set to premiere in April 2025, further exciting fans of the series.
Fan Excitement and Anticipation
The announcement of Black Butler‘s return has generated considerable excitement among fans. Social media platforms and online forums are buzzing with anticipation as fans eagerly await the release of the May 2025 issue of G Fantasy. Many express their joy and relief that the series is finally resuming, while others speculate on the direction the story will take as it approaches its climax.
