First Reading: 2014-12-27
First off, I thank my friend, for lending me volumes 3-17. Without her, it may have taken me years to find each volume to satisfy my obsession with Sebastian and Ciel Phantomhive. After seeing 3 seasons of the Anime, I really looked forward to reading the manga.
There are several reasons I read this series. One, of course, is that I really liked the characters. Most of the characters were well drawn out, with individual quirks and mannerisms. Only a few of the background characters came out a little flat and bland.
The artwork, as I brought up in some of my previous reviews, was exquisite, down to some tiny details that flavored the humor and the horror.
The majority of the various story arcs that ran through the 17 volumes were interesting. The background stories of the characters were intriguing and it was fun to see those stories interspersed throughout each story arc.
One of the other reasons, I read through the series was more from a writer's point of view. This is a very popular series, and fans (including me) *love* the Earl of Phantomhive, his Butler Sebastian, and a few of the other side characters. On the surface, these characters are not really nice. The Earl of Phantomhive is bent on revenge for what was done to his family, his family's name, and to him. Sebastian Michaelis is a Demon turned Butler for the Earl, for the sole purpose of cultivating the boy's soul to devour when the boy dies. Yet, we fans cheer them on, looking forward to seeing them conquer all odds -- and that sentiment also includes the grim reapers and a few other characters.
This ability to turn characters, that would normally be considered the antagonists, in a story, into the protagonist is a notable skill. Toboso has created a morose child that the fans hope will obtain his vengeance. The author has created a Demon Butler that fans wish was their butler, even though the cost is rather high. The author has found a way to give enough positive characteristics to what would be normally unlikable characters, to cause readers to feel empathy and to care about these characters -- and has been able to do so in comic book form.
Second Reading 2015-09-23
I don't think I can add any more to this review than what I've written last year. I've re-read this in preparation to reading volumes 18, 19, and 20 -- and because I *love* Sebby's and Ciel's world!