With Funimation losing the rights to the first two Black Butler seasons a couple of years ago and Aniplex USA picking them up because of the Aniplex Japan connection, the expected twist has come. With Aniplex USA and Funimation being cousin-companies under Sony after Sony purchased Funimation, the first two seasons now join the already streaming third season of the series on Funimation’s service. This move didn’t make any noise or dialogue about home video releases, which Aniplex USA worked on last year.
The property comes from the manga Kuroshitsuji that began back in 2006 from Yana Toboso. The series is still ongoing with the twenty-seven volumes out so far. Yen Press releases the series domestically while FUNimation has handled the anime localizations.
Plot Concept: 19th Century Great Britain
A “butler” was always alongside a boy known as “the Aristocrat of Evil.”
In the latter half of the 19th century, Sebastian is a butler for the aristocratic Phantomhive household. He is intelligent, refined, dignified, and specializes in cooking and martial arts–a perfect servant in all respects. Dressed to the nines in a jet black tailcoat, Sebastian magnificently performs his duties, effortlessly dealing with his selfish 12-year-old master, Ciel.
