Scan barcode
dannothedino's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
almirareads's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
This volume is one of my favorite plots in the anime, sooooo this volume was such a fun and nostalgic read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia and Abortion
armand's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
edited this bc i wrote it during work lmao:
idk why i’ve decided to read this now as a former fan of the anime back in middle school, but i for sure think of it differently now as an adult. let’s say, i find it abhorrent to know i watched the anime so young… this is a “morally gray” series at its core, sometimes to its detriment. our child protagonist ciel is forced to act like an adult as the earl and heir of the phantomhive family, thus taking on several noble duties such as political & social meetings and business affairs. but he’s not the average 12 yr old boy (and this is heavily implied to be because of past trauma). and so, how does a 12 yr old boy successfully achieves what he wants in a desolate and cruel world? well, he uses his main weakness as a strategy move: his age. he tends to put himself in vulnerable positions, like “letting” himself get kidnapped by the mafia or “choosing” to go with the predatory viscount knowing he’s a pedophile, because he thinks it’s the ultimate manipulation tactic or whatever… he relies on the fact that sebastian (the demon that does Not care about his wellbeing at all) will save him… thus creating a feeling of tension and unease. ciel believes he has the “upper hand” (more quotation marks bc well… it’s complicated) thanks to his cunning and intelligence. and of course, the demon butler (a being that is constantly acting predatory towards him as well). while it’s an interesting concept to explore, i do think that this manga is irresponsible with some of the topics that deserve a bit more sensibility. i know people tend to blame the out-dated pedophilia jokes on the time period but come on… yana toboso could’ve Not included them because they’re extremely unnecessary. the concept of a manipulative, ambitious child and his demon predatory butler is very scary and tense and it would’ve worked better if she handled the topics sensibly and with more nuance rather than with immature “jokes”. maybe this will be redeemed in future chapters/volumes.
idk why i’ve decided to read this now as a former fan of the anime back in middle school, but i for sure think of it differently now as an adult. let’s say, i find it abhorrent to know i watched the anime so young… this is a “morally gray” series at its core, sometimes to its detriment. our child protagonist ciel is forced to act like an adult as the earl and heir of the phantomhive family, thus taking on several noble duties such as political & social meetings and business affairs. but he’s not the average 12 yr old boy (and this is heavily implied to be because of past trauma). and so, how does a 12 yr old boy successfully achieves what he wants in a desolate and cruel world? well, he uses his main weakness as a strategy move: his age. he tends to put himself in vulnerable positions, like “letting” himself get kidnapped by the mafia or “choosing” to go with the predatory viscount knowing he’s a pedophile, because he thinks it’s the ultimate manipulation tactic or whatever… he relies on the fact that sebastian (the demon that does Not care about his wellbeing at all) will save him… thus creating a feeling of tension and unease. ciel believes he has the “upper hand” (more quotation marks bc well… it’s complicated) thanks to his cunning and intelligence. and of course, the demon butler (a being that is constantly acting predatory towards him as well). while it’s an interesting concept to explore, i do think that this manga is irresponsible with some of the topics that deserve a bit more sensibility. i know people tend to blame the out-dated pedophilia jokes on the time period but come on… yana toboso could’ve Not included them because they’re extremely unnecessary. the concept of a manipulative, ambitious child and his demon predatory butler is very scary and tense and it would’ve worked better if she handled the topics sensibly and with more nuance rather than with immature “jokes”. maybe this will be redeemed in future chapters/volumes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
More...