Supernatural, Doctor Who, Elementary, Teen Wolf, Hannibal, and The Walking Dead. Spanning from a love of TV & film to literature, art, music, and the like.
Kuroshitsuji Chapter 62 Review As expected, this was indeed a flashback chapter- and it was brilliant. The amount of characterization we see was phenomenal. We’ve been given a few small answers about Ciel’s past, but more importantly we take a very interesting look into Sebastian’s mind. We’re reminded that, in a nutshell, Sebastian is a demon and has a diabolical nature. I have to admit I was completely shocked by how menacing Sebastian was when he treated Ciel so roughly in the bath- (hough, I admit, I would’ve been angry too at his behavior!) in essence, Sebastian’s comments and overall demeanor in this chapter makes his somewhat frightening, but we see that he is quite obviously flawed. As if in response to all of the fans who said Sebastian is ‘too perfect,’ Toboso shows us that he did not become a Phantomhive butler overnight at all.
I found the milk and honey motif very cute, by the way. It’s nice to see this childish remnants of Ciel and that scene tied into a previous mention nicely- if you recall when Madame Red was murdered, Sebastian stroked Ciel’s cheek and promised him a cup of milk with honey once they returned home. Not only do I applaud Toboso for clearly having depth behind even the smallest of things, I admit that it makes that moment a good deal sweeter. Now, I suspect Yana will either continue with another flashback, leading to a change in perspective on Sebastian’s part, or a glimpse back into what Ciel is dealing with- and I admit, I’d personally love it if we could get a glimpse into both minds. Being able to hear what Ciel is thinking as Undertaker attacked Sebastian would be priceless, no doubt. In essence, a wonderful chapter this week that has left me completely in need of a follow-up! Please do hurry up and become November! <3
Now, what made this chapter shine for me was all the subtleties about it. I was shocked by the stark difference between their relationship then and now, whereas each instant of physical contact, every side comment or shared often sinsiter! smile between the two, more so the moments where Ciel has clung onto Sebastian, have a whole different sort of depth. As some have already noticed, this chapter does mention that milk and honey was a sort of comfort food of Ciel’s, which makes the notion of Sebastian offering it after Madame Red’s death a touch kinder.
Are you serious? A Kuroshitsuji/Card Captor Sakura cross-over drawing? Yana Toboso, you know just what to do to make me love you more and more with each drawing you make, don’t you? (I am assuming she drew this, despite it not being her style, since she posted it on her blog. This may be the work of someone else, as I cannot read what was written on her blog.
Ciel as….Sakura. This is too much. I suppose Sebastian is Kero, now, hmm?
He's calling me in the mist of sadness and anger, confusion and despair. The cursed words are spat out. Summoning me.
Alois: Why do you struggle, Ciel? Why can’t you be satisfied? Aren’t you happy? Even Claude is rushing around to save you.
Alois may have been a demented, sadistic and promiscuous boy, but the OVA and a few sad moments like this really proves that, in reality, he’s just a battered and bruised child. Clinging onto someone, desperately, despite knowing they only want you for your soul. Relying on them totally, for all the love and support you never had, though they don’t supply you with it, and then to watch them, that last string of hope, being whisked away by someone who’s suffered your same fate but is everything you’re not- To me, he truly was a victim, to the end. His acts were inexcusable, but his pain was substantial.
Yup. I’m probably the only nerd out there that psycho-analyzes fictional characters, much less ones from anime or manga.
“In between the hazy sky and the sea.”
So in regards to chapter 60, it seems like things are taking their roll down after the climax onto the falling action. Essentially, it’s revealed to us that Undertaker has long-since abandoned his duties as a Shinigami in order to delve into the forbidden practice of altering cinematic records, which does explain why Yana Toboso would allow the anime production team to say that he is, in the anime’s universe, a great and infamous shinigami.
So, it’s revealed that he’s been toying with people all along and that, now, he’s set on a rather sadistic path to use his living corpses as weapons. This, of course, spurs on a fight in which the chapter ends with, between Grell, Ronald, Sebastian and the Undertaker- and, as expected, he seems very chill about this.
My predictions lie in the Undertaker pulling a fast one on all of them. He’s already claimed that the Shinigami don’t have the means to harm him- to me, that will imply that Sebastian will, essentially, have to be the one to bring him down. So, I expect Sebastian to be torn between the offensive and his duty to protect Ciel, which I am certain Undertaker will use to his advantage- the added affect of this sudden betrayal and his old ties with Ciel’s father will probably lead to Ciel being rather saddened and definitely bring about more revelations in regards to the Phantomhives. I also get the feeling that William may end up having to show up to aid Grell and Ronald (begrudgingly, of course). Whelp, that’s my two cents- Now to entertain myself with AoEx and No. 6 until next month!
Kuroshitsuji Challenge: Day 19. Your thoughts on the ending of season 2.
(Haven’t done this “20-day” challenge in forever”) I thought this picture would be the most appropriate to showcase the ending of season 2. I actually really, really hated the ending of season 2. I didn’t like the ending for the first much because it saddened me, but it was much more fitting than the second season’s ending. The entire attitude that Ciel adapted was so irritating to me, and completely unnecessary- you’re gonna tell me that Sebastian spent years with you for absolutely nothing? Worser still, you’re going to act like the biggest jerk in the world and rub it in his face? Granted, he did want to devour your soul. But even so, there were instances in which he did things out of care for your well-being (hence, the last two episodes of season 1).
I can’t say I love the anime all that much because of the changes in the storyline. Otherwise, the animation and artwork is wonderful and enjoyable. But when the anime went askew from what Yana Toboso has been doing in her work, I find that the story’s quality begins to diminish a tad.
