Ciel Phantomhive is the primary character at the forefront of the Kuroshitsuji series and the head of the Phantomhive house.
Inheriting the mantle of leadership from his parents, Vincent Phantomhive and Rachel Dalles, he presides over the Phantomhive aristocratic lineage. Additionally, he is the driving force behind the Funtom Company and holds the esteemed position of the Queen’s Watchdog.
Delving deeper into the “Black Butler” world, Ciel Phantomhive emerges as a character brimming with complexities.
Ciel Phantomhive (Black Butler)
This series captured attention with its elegant demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, and his twelve-year-old master, Ciel Phantomhive.
Driven by a thirst for revenge against those responsible for his parents’ deaths, Ciel forges a contract with Sebastian, binding him in service.
As you delve deeper into the narrative, the intricacies of the young master become evident. Let’s dive into ten surprising facts about Ciel Phantomhive, the enigmatic young master and Queen’s Guarddog.
He Likes To Read Mystery Novels
During the Victorian era, amidst the ornate grandeur and gas-lit streets, what better pastime could one indulge in than immersing oneself in a captivating novel within the cozy confines of one’s home?
Taking this sentiment to heart, Ciel Phantomhive not only indulges in reading for pleasure but also finds himself pouring over countless documents out of necessity for his job.
His literary preferences span a range of authors, with a particular fondness for mystery. He’s delved into the works of Edgar Allen Poe and even Arthur Conan Doyle, who, interestingly, wasn’t as renowned during that time as he is today. This tidbit of information becomes especially pertinent in the Phantomhive Manor Murders Arc, underscoring the importance of Ciel’s eclectic reading habits.
He Has A Twin Brother
“Ciel” looks exactly like his twin brother, Ciel Phantomhive, in appearance: Standing as a slender teenager of modest height, he sports a mix of grey and blue-black hair complemented by striking peacock-blue eyes. But there’s a distinguishing feature – while Ciel bears a Faustian contract seal on his right eye, his twin doesn’t.
Additionally, their hair parts differently; “Ciel’s” bangs curl to the left, contrasting to Ciel’s rightward sweep. As befits his aristocratic status, he consistently dons fashionable and lavish attire, reflecting the grandeur of his lineage.
Ciel is Self-Assured
Ciel carries himself with unmistakable confidence, articulating his thoughts clearly and insightfully. Even when facing harsh allegations, he maintains his composure. His adeptness at influencing others to align with his desires and shifting circumstances to his favor is noteworthy.
In his younger years, “Ciel” radiated joy and vivacity. He often indulged in playful times with Elizabeth Midford and readily mingled at social gatherings without hesitation.
As a devoted sibling, he ensured Ciel was never alone during his bouts of sickness, providing solace with warm milk during cold nights and sneaking him soothing cough drops.
He Hates Spicy Food
Despite shouldering the weighty responsibilities as the head of the Phantomhive household and spearheading the thriving Funtom Corporation, at his core, Ciel remains a child.
His youthfulness and innocence are palpable, no matter how engrossed he becomes in his work. Flashbacks offer glimpses of a time before the heart-wrenching tragedy befell his family, revealing Ciel as quite the picky eater, especially during moments of relaxation.
His palate leans distinctly towards the sweeter side. Spicy condiments like mustard and wasabi rank low on his favorites list, often causing him to scrunch his nose in distaste.
Yet, his culinary preferences aren’t absolute. This became evident during the Indian Butler Arc. Upon meeting Agni and Soma and tasting the curry bread they presented, Ciel’s eyes lit up with delight, suggesting an unexpected appreciation for the spicy delicacy.
He Has Asthma
From an early age, doctors diagnosed Ciel with asthma, a condition he inherited from his late mother, Rachel Phantomhive. Due to her frailty and limited strength, Rachel couldn’t engage in active play with Ciel or Elizabeth.
Throughout the series, Ciel’s less-than-impressive stamina becomes evident. Sebastian often has to carry him when danger looms or when he runs out of breath. During the Circus Arc, after Doll doused him with cold water, Ciel suffered an asthma attack.
Appearance In The Forces of Grim
Ciel dons a black outfit reminiscent of his noble attire, complete with black knee socks and long black heel boots that mirror those of Sebastian Michaelis in his demon form.
Like all demons, his nails are pitch black. Since Sebastian is presumed dead in “The Forces of Grim,” Ciel’s Faustian contract with him is broken, turning the contract’s color from purple to gray. In Chapter 7 of “The Forces of Grim,” Ciel refers to this change as a scar.
He Can Speak French
Sebastian doesn’t merely excel as a flawless butler who can execute any command and shines as an outstanding yet stern tutor.
As the Earl and the brains behind the Funtom Corporation, Ciel often discusses with various business personalities, some of whom might not be English speakers.
In the Phantomhive Manor Murders Arc, Ciel impressively converses in fluent French with some party attendees. While he comprehends Latin, his proficiency truly stands out in French.
He Use To Be Religious
Ciel’s childhood wasn’t filled with sunshine and roses. Though born into affluence, surrounded by a loving family, and enjoying playtimes with his dog, he remained untouched by the hardships of life.
However, the murder of his parents and a subsequent kidnapping by a cult shattered his innocence. It’s understandable that such trauma led him to question his faith.
Driven by intense hatred, he summoned a demon. While in captivity, he clung to the hope that God would rescue him, only to face a harsh twist of fate.
Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis
This is the most central relationship in the “Black Butler” series. Ciel and Sebastian share a Faustian contract.
After witnessing the death of his parents and enduring torment at the hands of his kidnappers, Ciel summoned Sebastian, a demon, and they formed a contract. Sebastian would help Ciel get his revenge in exchange for consuming Ciel’s soul once the revenge was complete.
Their relationship is complex, with Sebastian being protective and dutiful (as per their contract), while Ciel is determined and trusts Sebastian’s capabilities but is aware of the eventual price he must pay.
Other Relationships
- Ciel Phantomhive and Mika Sato
As of my last update, Mika Sato is not a character I recognize in relation to “Black Butler” or Ciel Phantomhive. It’s possible that she might be from another series or perhaps a newer character introduced after 2021.
- Ciel Phantomhive and Madeline Darke
Similar to Mika Sato, as of 2021, Madeline Darke isn’t a recognized character in the “Black Butler” series. If she is a character from another series or a recent introduction, I wouldn’t have information on the relationship with Ciel.
- Ciel and Shinjiro Aragaki
Shinjiro Aragaki is a character from the “Persona” video game series. To my knowledge, there is no crossover or relationship between Ciel and Shinjiro, as they belong to entirely different franchises and mediums.
Black Butler: The Manga
Yana Toboso both wrote and illustrated “Black Butler,” which debuted in Square Enix’s shōnen manga magazine, Monthly GFantasy, on September 16, 2006. Square Enix has since compiled the chapters into individual tankōbon volumes, with the first volume making its appearance on February 27, 2007. By July 27, 2023, they have released thirty-three volumes.
Yen Press acquired the rights for an English translation of the series and introduced the manga in the August 2009 issue of Yen Plus to celebrate the magazine’s first anniversary. They rolled out the first English volume on January 26, 2010. As of August 24, 2021, readers have seen the release of thirty volumes.
Black Butler: Anime
In July 2008, news broke of an anime adaptation of Black Butler. Toshiya Shinohara directed it, while A-1 Pictures produced it. The premiere came in October 2008, with broadcasts on both MBS and TBS.
Aniplex launched a limited edition DVD featuring the first episode on January 1, 2009. They followed this with another DVD, showcasing the next three episodes, on February 25, 2009. The announcement came during an event on June 14, 2009, that the anime would see a second series.
Later that day, Japanese voice actor Junichi Suwabe validated this news on his official blog. The second series, “Black Butler II,” began in July and introduced viewers to a butler, Claude Faustus, and his master, Alois Trancy, alongside familiar faces Sebastian and Ciel.
Toboso designed both new characters. Aniplex finalized the series by releasing the complete Blu-ray and DVD set on May 7, 2014.
Black Butler Season 4
At Anime Expo 2023, Crunchyroll revealed they are producing a fourth season. The title is “Black Butler: Public School Arc.” Kenjirou Okada will direct it, CloverWorks will produce it, and Hiroyuki Yoshino will oversee the series composition.
Yumi Shimizu is in charge of character design, while Ryo Kawasaki will craft the music. Fans can anticipate the series premiere in 2024.