The dog also walks and hits an anime. No.26] "Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic" - Panic Horror on a Luxury Liner! The graceful butler's all-out battle!

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The movie version of "Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic" has been in theaters nationwide since January 21, 2017, the latest in a popular series set in 19th century England in which a perfect, graceful, and condescending demon butler and a lone, vengeful boy count squire take on mysterious and difficult cases at the behest of the queen.

The popular episodes from the original story have been made into superb entertainment for the theater screen, and this is a good film for both traditional fans and those who can enjoy the essence of "Black Butler" just by watching this one episode.

The author, who has been watching this work since the TV series broadcast in 2008, will introduce the charm of this work.

An elegant dance of beauty, laughter, and horror action

It was more interesting than I expected. This is the story of this theatrical version of Black Butler.

The episode is the "Luxury Cruise Ship Arc," popular in the original story, a continuation of the TV series "Black Butler Book of Circus" (2014) and the OVA "Black Butler Book of Murder" (2015), with many characters who continue to show their faces.

The catchphrase for the film version is "The Butler Sets Sail. Almost the entire film takes place on the sea.
A luxury cruise ship" and "Rise of the Dead. Yes, this is a story about "zombies" going on a rampage on the "Titanic. The original author, Yana Tsururuno, drew this episode with the intention of "doing a theater version using manga" (according to the theater version pamphlet), and it is indeed an episode that looks great on the screen.

Black Butler" combines the glamorous high society and British culture of English aristocrats and butlers with occult elements such as demon-summoning rituals. In this stage, both the beautiful and dark aspects of the story come to life to the fullest.

Although I was not expecting any particular horror, I thought to myself, "Wow, zombies are good! I thought.

What is good about it?　The dead who have come back to life don't have individual faces. So we can spend less time on the drama of the enemies and more time on the heroes. And yet, they are outnumbered, and there is no end in sight. The heroes are caught up in a crisis that never ends, no matter whether they defeat them or not. Sebastian and the other reapers perform spectacular actions against their backdrop. The moving dead are the back dancers, so to speak.

Although this theatrical version is a horror action film, there are comical and cynical laughs throughout, as is typical of this work, and it is a lot of fun. While enjoying the beautiful characters and good-looking voices, admiring the lovely and beautiful boys and girls, watching the moving crowd of the dead, and enjoying the panic on the luxury cruise ship, the audience will be able to enjoy the film.

The structure is packed with fun, but it is easy to understand and enjoyable even for newcomers to this work. And yet, of course, for those who have enjoyed the previous animated series, there is plenty of drama and material that fans of the series have been waiting for.

It is difficult to get into a long-running series if you start in the middle, but "Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic" can be confidently recommended to anyone who wants to experience the world of "Black Butler" for the first time.

Enjoy the dynamic action of the theatrical version of the film.

In some episodes, "Black Butler" spends a lot of time solving mysteries and engaging in dialogue. This time, however, the action starts early on, with more and more commotion and action. When seen on a movie theater screen, it looks great!　The music of the theatrical version, which was created to match the scenes, also dynamically and pleasantly enhances the action.

In the setting of a luxury liner, Sebastian, the "devil and butler," accompanied by a group of back-up dancers, is undisturbed in his black butler's uniform and uses his physical skills more brilliant than those of a gold medalist athlete to swiftly and mercilessly defeat his enemies. His main weapon is silverware.

Sebastian's rival, the "Grim Reaper," uses the "Grim Reaper's Scythe," the Death Scythe, as his weapon. Ronald Knox's Death Scythe, which appears from the beginning of the film, is a "lawnmower" type, and Grell Sutcliffe's Death Scythe, a popular character, is a "chainsaw" type. The Deathsize of Grell Sutcliffe, a popular character in the film, is a "chainsaw" type. The "silverware vs. lawnmower" is a "lawnmower" type of item.

The "silverware vs. lawnmower vs. chainsaw" action is intense, impossible, and hot. It has a touch of irony and is really worth seeing.

One of the highlights of the film version is the action of the Undertaker, an informant in the underworld. The Undertaker, who has been a familiar yet mysterious figure to Ciel and his friends, reveals his true identity, which he has not revealed until now. Sebastian also shows off some surprising action. Here, too, an unexpected weapon makes an appearance, so those who are about to see it should look forward to it.

Speaking of action, the pretty, pretty girl Elizabeth also has some unexpected and super cool highlights. Elizabeth's maidenly desire to be a pretty girl in front of Ciel, whom she loves, will make anyone swoon and fall even more in love with her.

Sebastian and Ciel's encounter as projected by Cinematic Records

Fans who have been following "Black Butler" through the anime will be pleased to know that Sebastian and Ciel's encounter is shown in the form of Sebastian's recollections.

Ciel, who was captured and sold for the murder of his parents and sacrificed in a dubious ritual, has experienced despair and vows to take revenge on those who have wronged him and his family with a desire that makes him vomit blood. How did Sebastian, the devil, meet Ciel when he was summoned to this world, and what did he feel at that time? The monologue is precious.

Ciel is a small child who hates the world and tries to make a contract with the devil in exchange for power. Sebastian takes an interest in Ciel and makes a contract with him to serve as his butler until the end of Ciel's life, which is only a short time for him as a demon.

When Ciel makes a contract with Sebastian, he has three wishes. Among them, the most impressive is "to never tell a lie.

Lying is not always a bad thing. Some lies are just a way to get along, and some are innocent lies to make the other person feel good for a while. But Ciel asked the devil to "never lie to himself. This is the loneliness and painful wish of Ciel, who does not allow himself to be forgiven by others.

It is also interesting to note that the super butler Sebastian, who does his job perfectly, had some trial-and-error experiences when he first met Ciel, which are comically depicted in the film. Sebastian's growth as a butler is also quite fresh.

The Devil and the Butler" - a unique and absolute relationship based on a contract

Because of his contract and promises, Sebastian always does what he says so that what he says is not a lie, and he obeys Ciel and never betrays him.

Ciel also knows that Sebastian will carry out his orders, no matter how impossible they may seem, and he trusts that Sebastian will never betray him.

What exists between them is not warm love or loyalty. Ciel is the arrogant and selfish master, while Sebastian is the condescending butler who maintains a calm and collected demeanor. They look at each other in a cool way, and their daily, seemingly calm exchanges are laced with sarcasm and verbal barbs.

But, depending on how you look at it, this is a relationship of deep trust, a form of bond that can never be broken. Sweet romance and love may one day fade away, but two people who know each other well and are bound by contract are absolutely unique and irreplaceable to each other.

The relationship between the two main characters is one of the charms of this film version. This is also the reason why I recommend this film to those who are new to this series.

Usually, Sebastian's style is to fight overwhelmingly, aloofly, and without breaking a sweat. In this episode, however, the appearance of a powerful enemy and a series of battles make it a high point to see Sebastian fighting with blood spilled and hair in disarray. The cause that makes him do so is still the crisis of his master, Ciel.

Thinking of the Black Butler and the 10 years since "Boy" was born

The original comic series of "Black Butler" began in the fall of 2006. Ten years have passed since then.

It was right around the time "Kuroshitsuji" first appeared in serial form that the term "butler," which refers to a butler, a senior servant in England, first became a topic of conversation as an object of moe (moe) interest. In contrast to the male-oriented maid cafes, the female-oriented "Butler Café Swallowtail" opened in Ikebukuro in March 2006.

The "Luxury Liner Arc," which was made into an anime this time, is an episode that corresponds to volumes 11-14 of the original comic series, which is currently in its 24th volume. The first TV series had many original elements, but they expanded the worldview and made the series a favorite among fans. If it were possible, I would like to enjoy the episodes of the original story that have not yet been adapted into an anime.

For those who became interested in "Black Butler" through this movie, I recommend going back and watching "Black Butler: Book of Circus" and "Black Butler: Book of Murder," which are connected to each other.

They have attractive voices, flashy action, and standout drama. ...... Black Butler" is even more enjoyable in anime form.

Sebastian is a droll butler, but that is also because of the demon's perspective of looking down on, laughing at, and being interested in humans. It is a story-like setup that seems to have been born from a play on words, "I'm only a butler," but this theater version, which delves a little deeper into Sebastian, once again makes me feel the charm of the story of the super butler and the "little boy.

(Text by Yama Yu)

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