Get ready to plunge into the shadowy depths of Victorian-era Germany! Black Butler has returned with its highly anticipated fifth season, Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc. Premiering in April 2025, this new season promises a chilling blend of mystery, the supernatural, and the series’ signature dark humor. Here’s everything you need to know about Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis’s latest assignment.
A Long-Awaited Return
After a successful run with the Public School Arc in 2024, Black Butler is maintaining its momentum with the Emerald Witch Arc. For fans of Yana Toboso’s manga, this arc is particularly exciting, as it delves into some of the manga’s most compelling storylines and character development.
The Plot Thickens: A Cursed Investigation
Ciel Phantomhive, the Queen’s Watchdog, and his demonic butler, Sebastian Michaelis, are summoned by Queen Victoria to investigate a series of bizarre deaths in a secluded German village. Rumors of a cursed forest and a mysterious figure known as the “Emerald Witch” swirl among the fearful villagers.
According to Anime News Network, the series synopsis is: Sebastian and Ciel head to Germany, as the queen orders them to investigate mysterious death occurrences there. A terrifying curse falls on Sebastian and Ciel, as they search for the truth about the Werewolf Forest, where anyone who steps in it is cursed to death.
As Ciel and Sebastian delve deeper into the case, they encounter Sieglinde Sullivan, a brilliant young girl revered as the Emerald Witch, and her stoic butler, Wolfram Gelzer. Sieglinde, despite her youth, holds immense power and knowledge, but she is also trapped by the secrets of her village and the forest’s curse.
Setting the Scene: Episode 1
The premiere episode plunges viewers straight into the eerie atmosphere of Southern Germany. Two noblemen hunting a fox venture into the haunted Werewolves’ Forest, a place locals whisper is cursed. Dismissing the warnings, they soon encounter a monstrous wolf-like figure. While they escape, they quickly succumb to a gruesome curse marked by nosebleeds and horrific swelling. This is not an isolated incident, which prompts Queen Victoria to call upon Ciel Phantomhive to investigate, given the German government’s silence.
The Mystery of Wolfsschlucht
Ciel, Sebastian, and the Phantomhive household arrive in Wolfsschlucht, a village deep within the forest comprised almost entirely of women. They soon meet Sieglinde Sullivan and her butler, Wolfram Gelzer. Sieglinde, curious about the outside world, invites them to stay, and a friendship forms between her and Ciel. However, the forest holds dark secrets, and Ciel and Sebastian find themselves ambushed by a werewolf, setting off a chain of events that will test their skills and resolve.
Characters Old and New
Returning Favorites:
- Ciel Phantomhive: The young Earl of Phantomhive, still serving as the Queen’s Watchdog. Ciel’s sharp intellect and determination are tested as he confronts the mysteries of the Emerald Witch Arc.
- Sebastian Michaelis: Ciel’s devoted and extraordinarily capable demonic butler. Sebastian’s abilities are pushed to their limits as he protects Ciel and unravels the secrets of the cursed forest.
- Finnian: One of Ciel’s loyal servants, known for his immense strength and gentle nature.
- Mey-Rin: The clumsy but dedicated maid of the Phantomhive household.
- Baldroy: The Phantomhive’s cook, known for his explosive culinary experiments.
- Tanaka: The elderly house steward, often seen in his chibi form.
- Queen Victoria: The monarch who commissions Ciel and Sebastian.
New Additions:
- Sieglinde Sullivan: A prodigious young girl known as the Emerald Witch, who rules over Wolfsschlucht. She has spent her entire life isolated from the outside world and possesses a vast knowledge of chemistry and curses. Voiced by Rie Kugimiya.
- Wolfram Gelzer: Sieglinde’s loyal and stoic butler, fiercely protective of his young mistress. Voiced by Chikahiro Kobayashi.
- Diedrich: An old friend of Ciel’s father, Vincent Phantomhive, who possesses valuable information about Germany and the forest.
- Hilde Dickhaut: Voiced by Akeno Watanabe.
Production Team
The Emerald Witch Arc is brought to life by a talented team:
- Director: Kenjiro Okada
- Series Composition: Hiroyuki Yoshino
- Character Design: Yumi Shimizu
- Music: Ryo Kawasaki
- Animation Studio: CloverWorks
Where to Watch
Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc is streaming on Crunchyroll. New episodes are released on Saturdays.
Episode Release Schedule
- Episode 1: April 5, 2025 – Out Now!
- Episode 2: April 12, 2025 – Out Now!
- Episode 3: April 19, 2025
- Subsequent episodes will air weekly
Manga Hiatus and Return
Adding to the excitement, Yana Toboso’s Black Butler manga, which had been on hiatus since June 2024, resumed on April 18, 2025.
A Darker Turn?
The Emerald Witch Arc is known as one of the manga’s darkest storylines. Prepare for a season filled with suspense, gruesome discoveries, and emotional challenges for Ciel and Sebastian. The idyllic scenery of the German countryside hides sinister secrets, and the closer they get to the truth, the more danger they face.