It would be fair to say that my regard for Kuroshitsuji has grown over the years. Part of it is simply that the manga generally gets better as it progresses (it does). But it’s also the consistency and self-assuredness of it – you won’t find many series so confident and self-aware of their strengths. And the adaptation just keeps delivering on every level. The waits between seasons may have been too long at times (though not so much anymore), but the product as delivered by A-1/CloverWorks has always been stellar.
I will admit, a recap of almost three minutes is somewhat out of character (and unwelcome). Given past performance that seems very likely to be a pacing consideration rather than a budgetary (time or money) one. Once that’s done, the episode itself doesn’t disappoint. With Sebastian shedding tears you know things are not normal. Once he realizes he’s showing signs of the rumored curse, he races back to the castle to check on his Bochan. And his concerns are well-founded – Ciel is fully symptomatic too. And unlike Sebby, unable to metaphorically “physician, heal thyself”.
Realizing he possesses no power to help Ciel, Sebastian goes to the Emerald Witch for help. She declares that the 15 minutes elapsed since they saw the werewolf is an ominously long time, and orders Wolf to prepare the “cauldron room“. There she will perform the secret purification ritual on the pair of them, and the fact that it’s something of a melange of witch trial tortures is surely no coincidence. Ciel must be purified both inside and out, and it’s not a pleasant experience. In fact he flashes back to a dark time in his past, one hinted at many times in Black Butler but still largely shrouded in mystery.
The aftermath of this treatment finds Ciel first unconscious, then delirious and terrified. And, as it turns out, blind. He refuses all contact – Sebastian most hysterically. With one exception – he clings to Finny the gardener. In the dark place he’s currently in, a memory of clinging to an older boy for comfort takes hold. And yes, a certain theory roars back into prominence here. Finny is a child himself, still, and that seems to draw Ciel to him in his terrified state. If one didn’t know better, they could almost swear Sebby seems hurt – but surely that’s not possible, is it…
I think the question of Sebastian’s feelings for Ciel is always the elephant in the room with Kuroshitsuji, but it’s moments like this that really shine a light on it. Cynically, he’s protecting an investment here. And what an investment – that alone could be enough to cause such fervor in a demon like him. Sebastian is, effectively, an alien. Anything seemingly human about him is surely an illusion. But we don’t truly know what sort of creature he is, in the end. What he’s capable of feeling, and what he isn’t. Maybe we will when this series finally enters its final act, but we don’t now. What I’d assert, though, is that at the absolute least Sebby is capable of admiration – and that he admires Ciel’s strength of will. Of that I have no doubt whatsoever.
In crisis mode, Sebastian does what he has to do. He begs Sieglinde’s assistance, whatever the price for it. Sieglinde (who’s more and more coming off as a bit obsessed with carnal matters) declares that he shall be her butler. And “hold her hand and teach her” all manner of things about the world (though ultimately Ciel is more to her taste in one particular course of study, to be sure). She even orders Wolf to learn from Sebby (much the better cook), to Wolf’s limitless irritation. Sebastian (after deciding that enough time has passed and that he can restore his appearance) immediately takes command of the household, delegating tasks. The most important of which falls to Finny, though he clearly feels overwhelmed by the responsibility.
One gets the overwhelming sense that we’re creeping closer to the core of Kuroshitsuji here, Ciel’s mysterious past. Perhaps closer than ever before. And too that Germany, with its connections to his father, is an important part of that mystery. Wolf’s comment about werewolves “not wanting to curse every human they see” feels telling. Further evidence that the monsters in Midori no Majo-hen may not be who they appear to be.
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