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黒執事 [Kuroshitsuji] #4
Black Butler, Vol. 4
London - the capital of the Great Empire - is once again under siege, as a string of bizarre attacks on British citizens returned from India sends rumours flying and casts a pall upon Queen Victoria's rule. Sent in by Her Majesty, young Earl Phantomhive and his most capable butler, Sebastian, follow a trail that collides head-on with an Indian youth who claims to be a prince. And this prince possesses an extraordinary butler of his own! As an intense rivalry between the two butlers begins to form, will the kitchen be the dueling duo's final battleground?!
194 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2008
154 people are currently reading
5174 people want to read
About the author
Yana Toboso
219 books2,384 followersYana Toboso (枢 やな Toboso Yana) is a female Japanese manga artist born in Warabi, Saitama Prefecture, Japan and currently resides in Yokohama. She is best known for Black Butler (黒執事 Kuroshitsuji), a popular shonen manga series.
She has also written yaoi under the pen name Yanao Rock (簗緒ろく).
Appearance
Yana Toboso draws herself as a devil with a black body and horns, a white head, and a pointed tail. She has never uploaded a picture of herself, so her actual appearance is unknown.
She has also written yaoi under the pen name Yanao Rock (簗緒ろく).
Appearance
Yana Toboso draws herself as a devil with a black body and horns, a white head, and a pointed tail. She has never uploaded a picture of herself, so her actual appearance is unknown.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
July 17, 2015
WARNING:
This is more of a rant/observation than a review directly linked to this volume.
I've read a lot of Black Butler reviews and they seem to be split in two:
a) the Fangirls, who squeal and coo at Ciel and Sebastian (and every male character really, but particularly the aforementioned). They are the ones that usually "ship" the devil and the child and seem to think it's super adorable or something.
b) is the group that, like the Fangirls; look way too deeply into Ciel and Sebastian's interaction with each-other but, unlike the Fangirls; they find it repulsive and disturbing.
I would like to point out that although I enjoy Black Butler for many reasons (especially the food and historical elements) - I am not a so-called Fangirl and would loathe to be categorised as one - but I am not one of the b-group either. I don't seem to notice the pervertedness of Black Butler described by group-b (apart from the really obvious bits, such as Grell's obsession with Sebastian, which even Sebastian protests against. And the situation with Viscount Druit: he is clearly a crook and meant to be), or find Ciel and Sebastian's relationship disturbing. I suppose that's because as far as I'm concerned there is nothing remotely romantic about Ciel's mastery over Sebastian - or his devotion to him *points to the latter then the former*. Nor do I think there is anything more to it than your average business partnership, if you will, in the sense that they are both using (note how I don't call it helping) each-other for their own goals and all things said and done are just stepping-stones towards that goal. You follow?
Furthermore, as the title of this series suggests; Sebastian is Ciel's butler so it's only natural that he should attend to his every need (seeing as there're no other legal guardians around to do that job) and make sure he is in the best of health and care. People are inclined to decode this attentiveness as paedophilic, yet I can't help but feel that if he has any emotions at all towards Ciel it would be that of a paternal nature.
I have watched the anime and I must admit it made me cringe at the borderline yaoiness. But I didn't notice anything quite like that in the Manga. So either I'm just very unobservant, or there really is nothing to it except what the reader invents in their own mind.
By the way, I do not ship Ciel and Sebastian, or anyone else with any other, including myself. No matter how cool they might be, at the end of the day they're just images and they don't have an opinion or an ounce of intelligence more than what they're given by their creators. There's something terribly unattractive about this fact so if anything, it's the authors/illustrators that ought to be shipped.
I've read a lot of Black Butler reviews and they seem to be split in two:
a) the Fangirls, who squeal and coo at Ciel and Sebastian (and every male character really, but particularly the aforementioned). They are the ones that usually "ship" the devil and the child and seem to think it's super adorable or something.
b) is the group that, like the Fangirls; look way too deeply into Ciel and Sebastian's interaction with each-other but, unlike the Fangirls; they find it repulsive and disturbing.
I would like to point out that although I enjoy Black Butler for many reasons (especially the food and historical elements) - I am not a so-called Fangirl and would loathe to be categorised as one - but I am not one of the b-group either. I don't seem to notice the pervertedness of Black Butler described by group-b (apart from the really obvious bits, such as Grell's obsession with Sebastian, which even Sebastian protests against. And the situation with Viscount Druit: he is clearly a crook and meant to be), or find Ciel and Sebastian's relationship disturbing. I suppose that's because as far as I'm concerned there is nothing remotely romantic about Ciel's mastery over Sebastian - or his devotion to him *points to the latter then the former*. Nor do I think there is anything more to it than your average business partnership, if you will, in the sense that they are both using (note how I don't call it helping) each-other for their own goals and all things said and done are just stepping-stones towards that goal. You follow?
Furthermore, as the title of this series suggests; Sebastian is Ciel's butler so it's only natural that he should attend to his every need (seeing as there're no other legal guardians around to do that job) and make sure he is in the best of health and care. People are inclined to decode this attentiveness as paedophilic, yet I can't help but feel that if he has any emotions at all towards Ciel it would be that of a paternal nature.
I have watched the anime and I must admit it made me cringe at the borderline yaoiness. But I didn't notice anything quite like that in the Manga. So either I'm just very unobservant, or there really is nothing to it except what the reader invents in their own mind.
By the way, I do not ship Ciel and Sebastian, or anyone else with any other, including myself. No matter how cool they might be, at the end of the day they're just images and they don't have an opinion or an ounce of intelligence more than what they're given by their creators. There's something terribly unattractive about this fact so if anything, it's the authors/illustrators that ought to be shipped.
April 18, 2017
Okay... so seriously, is it a requirement that all the men in this series be ultra sexy? Because I'm failing to find one that isn't. Haha!
I really love the many different faces this series has. One minute its super hilarious, the next super serious, the next super mysterious. I love it! I love the story, the art, the characters and the silliness.
Here is a hilarious part that I laughed for about ten years at:
And no review would be complete without a sexy shot of ♥ Sebastian ♥
I really love the many different faces this series has. One minute its super hilarious, the next super serious, the next super mysterious. I love it! I love the story, the art, the characters and the silliness.
Here is a hilarious part that I laughed for about ten years at:
And no review would be complete without a sexy shot of ♥ Sebastian ♥
March 14, 2016
I love Black Butler! But I found the supporting characters in this issue annoying. A prince from India and his servant - please, leave! I am interested in the curry competition, though.
July 9, 2022
Sinopsis: Sin comerlo ni beberlo, el joven conde Phantomhive traba amistad con uno de los exóticos príncipes de Bengala, que ha viajado hasta Londres en busca de una de sus doncellas. Pero Ciel (y Sebastian, por supuesto) también están investigando unos misteriosos ataques que se producen contra ciudadanos relacionados con la India… ¿Es posible que Soma esté implicado...?
La verdad es que me ha decepcionado hacia donde ha evolucionado este volumen pensaba que habría algún enfrentamiento interesante entre los mayordomos y no!!
5/10
La verdad es que me ha decepcionado hacia donde ha evolucionado este volumen pensaba que habría algún enfrentamiento interesante entre los mayordomos y no!!
5/10
July 5, 2025
They lost me at "curry competition."
March 17, 2017
Though I've really been loving Black Butler. The art is amazing, the characters are consistent and aren't only what they appear. There are definitely going to be more intense volumes with a thrilling and engaging plot. This volume, however, wasn't one of them. I'm ot a big fan of Prince Soma or his butler. They feel like filler. I've noticed this trend with manga. There always seem to be a few volumes here and there that function as filler. It's kind of annoying to go from the last two amazing volumes to this one. It just fell flat for me. And good lord, there's going to be more in the next volume. I'm not excited
January 17, 2015
I hate this portion of the story, the prince is such a boring character, ugh.
December 26, 2020
This arc has a taste of Shokugeki no Soma with brand new gorgeous characters. I cannot fangirl enough over the character designing.
March 16, 2019
Este tomo es el comienzo de un nuevo arco argumental dentro de la saga. Y la verdad es que me ha gustado bastante, pero no tanto como los anteriores. Se introducen nuevos personajes y se plantea un nuevo caso para el conde de Phanthonhive. Casi todo el tomo es introduciendo a los personajes y el caso por lo que apenas avanza la trama. Pero sí que se da información importante acerca del pasado de Ciel. Además de otros temas también interesantes.
March 17, 2020
Siempre es un placer y una gran distracción leer Kuroshitsuji.
Me gusta la forma de presentar a los personajes que tiene Yana Toboso, solo te deja ver ciertos aspectos hasta que avanza la historia y vas profundizando en ellos.
En este volumen conocemos al príncipe indio junto a su mayordomo Agni, es bastante introductorio en ese aspecto.
Dejó vislumbrar también otra pista en torno al pasado de Ciel. Para mí es un condimento que vaya dejando camino de migas en torno a esto, así seguís leyendo la historia.
Y como era de esperarse no pudo faltar el humor que caracteriza a esta historia.
Mí queja sin duda podría ser ese final abrupto o repentino mejor dicho. En cuanto al dilema de los ataques a los indios que se enfrenta puede que se esperaba otra resolución pero para mí sigue siendo bastante creativa.
La verdad hablando positivamente si me gusta este arco.
Me gusta la forma de presentar a los personajes que tiene Yana Toboso, solo te deja ver ciertos aspectos hasta que avanza la historia y vas profundizando en ellos.
En este volumen conocemos al príncipe indio junto a su mayordomo Agni, es bastante introductorio en ese aspecto.
Dejó vislumbrar también otra pista en torno al pasado de Ciel. Para mí es un condimento que vaya dejando camino de migas en torno a esto, así seguís leyendo la historia.
Y como era de esperarse no pudo faltar el humor que caracteriza a esta historia.
Mí queja sin duda podría ser ese final abrupto o repentino mejor dicho. En cuanto al dilema de los ataques a los indios que se enfrenta puede que se esperaba otra resolución pero para mí sigue siendo bastante creativa.
La verdad hablando positivamente si me gusta este arco.
September 15, 2022
Sebuś jak zwykle stanowi gwarant dobrej zabawy
August 16, 2021
اپدیت ۲۳ مرداد ۴۰۰-
من این ارک رو دوست دارم واقعا. تمام اون چیزی که شیل میتونست باشه و نیست رو توی شاهزاده بهمون نشون میده و این سوال که چقدر فکر کردن به اینکه اگر چیزی اتفاق نمیافتاد زندگی بهتری وجود داشت، درسته.
سوالی که به نظرم هسته اصلی مانگاست و جرقه اش با مرگ مادام رد خورد اما این جلد شکل گرفت. واقعا شیل ترجیح میداد هنوز در کنار خانوادهاش میبود؟ و این عامدانه جواب ندادن به این سوال مورد پسندمه. چون به نظرم در نهایت چنین سوالهایی بدون هیچ جوابین، حتی برای خود اون فرد.
من این ارک رو دوست دارم واقعا. تمام اون چیزی که شیل میتونست باشه و نیست رو توی شاهزاده بهمون نشون میده و این سوال که چقدر فکر کردن به اینکه اگر چیزی اتفاق نمیافتاد زندگی بهتری وجود داشت، درسته.
سوالی که به نظرم هسته اصلی مانگاست و جرقه اش با مرگ مادام رد خورد اما این جلد شکل گرفت. واقعا شیل ترجیح میداد هنوز در کنار خانوادهاش میبود؟ و این عامدانه جواب ندادن به این سوال مورد پسندمه. چون به نظرم در نهایت چنین سوالهایی بدون هیچ جوابین، حتی برای خود اون فرد.
February 2, 2019
4.5/5 stars
This one was hilarious! Volume 4 is a very nice reprieve from the gruesome fighting scenes of London underbelly.
We are introduced to two new characters - Indian Prince Soma, who is a spoiled brat, but such a hottie! And his butler - Agni. The tension that ensues between Soma and Ciel is so, so funny. It's like watching a dog trying to become best friends with a cat.
Highly enjoyed this one.
My WEBSITE
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My WORDPRESS BLOG
This one was hilarious! Volume 4 is a very nice reprieve from the gruesome fighting scenes of London underbelly.
We are introduced to two new characters - Indian Prince Soma, who is a spoiled brat, but such a hottie! And his butler - Agni. The tension that ensues between Soma and Ciel is so, so funny. It's like watching a dog trying to become best friends with a cat.
Highly enjoyed this one.
My WEBSITE
My INSTAGRAM
My WORDPRESS BLOG
June 25, 2017
Pues me gustó mucho pero necesitaba un poco más de gore y trama. En general ha estado bastante gracioso por eso se gana 3 estrellas.
September 22, 2019
3.75 stars. This book was kinda..... weird. Nevertheless, it was still quite enjoyable :)
July 5, 2023
Not the most interesting arc... Hopefully it picks up with the curry competition in the next one.
October 4, 2024
То є любов. Навіки ❤
July 13, 2024
Not gonna lie we are back to mid land. It starts with Ciel looking into a bunch of public murders but quickly evolves into a silly goofy prince and his butler chilling at the Phantomhive manor. And ends with a curry competition like huh? This entire thing just felt like filler, nothing really happened.
I truly have no interest in this prince or his storyline so I was incredibly bored the entire time. Sure he was beautiful but it was so wacky all that was happening at the manor.
I think this series and setting DOES have potential, especially after the last volume was so good. I wish it took itself more seriously tbh like everything feels so moody and dramatic but then it's all ruined every other page when a background character turns into chibi and makes a dumb joke.
It's like Ciel and Sebastian are dead serious about everything but then in the background we got three idiot servants slipping on banana peels.🙄
I will continue to read because I am invested but this arc does nothing for me and I would like to get back to anything actually interesting.
I truly have no interest in this prince or his storyline so I was incredibly bored the entire time. Sure he was beautiful but it was so wacky all that was happening at the manor.
I think this series and setting DOES have potential, especially after the last volume was so good. I wish it took itself more seriously tbh like everything feels so moody and dramatic but then it's all ruined every other page when a background character turns into chibi and makes a dumb joke.
It's like Ciel and Sebastian are dead serious about everything but then in the background we got three idiot servants slipping on banana peels.🙄
I will continue to read because I am invested but this arc does nothing for me and I would like to get back to anything actually interesting.
September 30, 2019
In this volume, we met two new characters, the Indian Prince and his butler, Agni. They are great characters and we got to see some characters development here, because the Prince would slowly grow in a real person, and not just a spoiled brat. And Ciel who interact with him is sweet, some times. And even if I love Sebastian, Agni is a great butler, who can help the better out of everyone, and I appreciated it a lot.
April 12, 2018
8,75 . Reconozco que comparado con los anteriores no ha estado tan interesante pero los capítulos finales ha hecho que le de 4 estrellas en vez de 3. Me ha gustado como nos muestra un poco de Ciel antes de hacer el contrato con Sebastian. Agni me encanta y el principito le daba un par de hostias , a vez si madura el niñato y es como Ciel en nivel de madurez.
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August 5, 2021An itibari ile bu cilt sonrası animeye başladım ve baş başa okuyup/izlemeyi düşünüyorum. İlk bölümleri öyle yapınca güzel oldu. Off ben daha çok Sebastian ve Ciel ilişkisi görmek istiyorum, geçmişlerini okumak istiyorum. Bu ciltte gelen yan karakterler evet ilginç ama beni bir tık sıktı.
March 4, 2018
3.5, Bad ending to what could've been a great volume
February 8, 2019
Die Geschichte wird von Band zu Band besser.
Fantasievoll, schlüssig, spannend und mit einer Prise Humor. Die Bände könnten ruhig doppelt so lang sein ;)
Fantasievoll, schlüssig, spannend und mit einer Prise Humor. Die Bände könnten ruhig doppelt so lang sein ;)
May 5, 2023
Plot - 5
Character - 5
Writing Style - 5
World Building - 5
Art - 5
Cover - 5
Overall - 5 / 5
Character - 5
Writing Style - 5
World Building - 5
Art - 5
Cover - 5
Overall - 5 / 5
June 27, 2024
Agni i Sebastian to naprawdę dobre duo
March 11, 2021
3.5 ⭐️
This is so far my least favorite in the series because I have no real feelings for the new characters that we saw at the very end of the last book. These characters had a weird energy and were pretty annoying. This book honestly felt like it was a filler because not much happens. And I don’t think this series needs especially with having over 20 volumes. The plot was good but it wasn’t anything great like the previous books.
This is so far my least favorite in the series because I have no real feelings for the new characters that we saw at the very end of the last book. These characters had a weird energy and were pretty annoying. This book honestly felt like it was a filler because not much happens. And I don’t think this series needs especially with having over 20 volumes. The plot was good but it wasn’t anything great like the previous books.
April 25, 2011
Five stars for story, um. Maybe like 2.5 for Yen Press's translation. The scans are translated much better, which I think is kind of rare in the wide world of manga. But I still buy the volumes to support Yana Toboso, so here we are.
I know it seems to be a popular thing not to like the curry arc, but it's actually one of my favorites. ... of course I don't have an arc I don't like, but I think the brilliant bits of this arc are the subtle things below the surface. At first glance it seems a bit frivolous – Ciel being a brat about his bizarre house guests and the whole thing culminating in a contest of who makes the best curry, of all things. But look a little closer and you've got a really great character study going on. Soma and Agni are really obviously foils of Ciel and Sebastian. Soma is what Ciel would be without the added trauma in his early life (that gets addressed in chapter 19), and Sebastian, despite being one hell of a butler, will never be as good as Agni. Ciel also recognizes the part of himself in Soma and bestows mercy on him; Sebastian's in the middle of completely ripping apart the poor kid's psyche and Ciel steps in to stop it, which shows that Ciel is capable of a compassion that Sebastian, as a demon, never will be.
What I think is great about Soma and Agni's existence is that instead of competing with them – with the exception of the fencing scene, where Ciel is defeated for being a cheat – Ciel and Sebastian more or less just accept them. Sebastian sees that Agni is superior and yields to that fact; unlike a human character, who might end up at odds with him. He even says that Agni has a power he will never be able to defeat: the loyalty and love for his master that has given him the power of god. This is something that Sebastian and Ciel, their contract being formed from evil and hatred, will never be able to overcome. It's all really interesting and unexpected stuff, which I love.
I also don't think this is racist at all. In fact I think from a historical standpoint, Ciel's acceptance of Soma and Agni is almost too progressive for the time. (Having read literature written in the Victorian era, some of the stuff that comes up about the East is kind of shocking to me in its blatant narrow-mindedness.) But then again, given what Ciel's been through, I think stuff like race and class matters less to him; he's mad at Soma for being a mooch, not for being Indian. Of course Sebastian doesn't care because he's not even human. I like that approach to the subject matter, honestly. The Victorians did have a fascination with India and all that stuff about the Anglo-Indians really happened. Yana Toboso does her research and I'm always delighted with what she does with it in the context of the story.
I know it seems to be a popular thing not to like the curry arc, but it's actually one of my favorites. ... of course I don't have an arc I don't like, but I think the brilliant bits of this arc are the subtle things below the surface. At first glance it seems a bit frivolous – Ciel being a brat about his bizarre house guests and the whole thing culminating in a contest of who makes the best curry, of all things. But look a little closer and you've got a really great character study going on. Soma and Agni are really obviously foils of Ciel and Sebastian. Soma is what Ciel would be without the added trauma in his early life (that gets addressed in chapter 19), and Sebastian, despite being one hell of a butler, will never be as good as Agni. Ciel also recognizes the part of himself in Soma and bestows mercy on him; Sebastian's in the middle of completely ripping apart the poor kid's psyche and Ciel steps in to stop it, which shows that Ciel is capable of a compassion that Sebastian, as a demon, never will be.
What I think is great about Soma and Agni's existence is that instead of competing with them – with the exception of the fencing scene, where Ciel is defeated for being a cheat – Ciel and Sebastian more or less just accept them. Sebastian sees that Agni is superior and yields to that fact; unlike a human character, who might end up at odds with him. He even says that Agni has a power he will never be able to defeat: the loyalty and love for his master that has given him the power of god. This is something that Sebastian and Ciel, their contract being formed from evil and hatred, will never be able to overcome. It's all really interesting and unexpected stuff, which I love.
I also don't think this is racist at all. In fact I think from a historical standpoint, Ciel's acceptance of Soma and Agni is almost too progressive for the time. (Having read literature written in the Victorian era, some of the stuff that comes up about the East is kind of shocking to me in its blatant narrow-mindedness.) But then again, given what Ciel's been through, I think stuff like race and class matters less to him; he's mad at Soma for being a mooch, not for being Indian. Of course Sebastian doesn't care because he's not even human. I like that approach to the subject matter, honestly. The Victorians did have a fascination with India and all that stuff about the Anglo-Indians really happened. Yana Toboso does her research and I'm always delighted with what she does with it in the context of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2023
I loved prince soma and agni, they were so funny. I also loved the art in this volume, and there were a couple great double spreads
January 5, 2013
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!
How do I put this? This volume was PERFECTION! It kept me entertained with only one fighting scenes! First I would like to praise Yana for staying in character and writing to the atmosphere. It really feels like the air around this series has this "British feel" to it. She crafts this by creating posh dialogues but without the feeling of forcing or faking. And I neglected to mention this random thing: I ADORE THE FASHION! *drools* Gosh, Yana's art skills are impeccable! The aristocratic fashion she creates...ME GUSTA! I totally want them all! Okay, let's go back to this volume.
First thing I want to mention, THE COVER! NOSE FUCKING BLEEEEED! I mean, Sebastian, why do you tease me like this? Ahem, right Ashley, get a hold on yourself. Okay. I am good.
This volume starts the new arc about "Anglo-Indians". It begins this very interesting, yet silly arc. We meet Prince Soma Asman Kadar and Agni, both of them, GORGEOUS. ♥A♥ Both of them are interesting characters. Agni is very similar to Sebastian; he is a servant and is very talented. He is like Sebastian 2.0, so how can I not fall in love with him?! And as for the prince, he is not like Ciel. Ciel is calm, cold and serious. The prince can be very goofy.
The events that happened in this volume are definitely fun to read. I was never bored with anything. From Agni getting the servants under control to fencing to finding out some secrets, everything was super enjoyable.
This volume also had emotional parts to it. You get to see the relationship between Agni and the prince. The bond they share, the faith Agni has and his beliefs. Everything was beautiful. And I mean Agni' shy smile is ADORABLE!
Oh yes, in this volume we saw a little bit of Ciel's disturbing past. O__________o Um...I don't know how to interpret it, I guess you can read it many different ways, especially when not much info was given. Yeah...ahem...anyway, this volume was a WIN!
How do I put this? This volume was PERFECTION! It kept me entertained with only one fighting scenes! First I would like to praise Yana for staying in character and writing to the atmosphere. It really feels like the air around this series has this "British feel" to it. She crafts this by creating posh dialogues but without the feeling of forcing or faking. And I neglected to mention this random thing: I ADORE THE FASHION! *drools* Gosh, Yana's art skills are impeccable! The aristocratic fashion she creates...ME GUSTA! I totally want them all! Okay, let's go back to this volume.
First thing I want to mention, THE COVER! NOSE FUCKING BLEEEEED! I mean, Sebastian, why do you tease me like this? Ahem, right Ashley, get a hold on yourself. Okay. I am good.
This volume starts the new arc about "Anglo-Indians". It begins this very interesting, yet silly arc. We meet Prince Soma Asman Kadar and Agni, both of them, GORGEOUS. ♥A♥ Both of them are interesting characters. Agni is very similar to Sebastian; he is a servant and is very talented. He is like Sebastian 2.0, so how can I not fall in love with him?! And as for the prince, he is not like Ciel. Ciel is calm, cold and serious. The prince can be very goofy.
The events that happened in this volume are definitely fun to read. I was never bored with anything. From Agni getting the servants under control to fencing to finding out some secrets, everything was super enjoyable.
This volume also had emotional parts to it. You get to see the relationship between Agni and the prince. The bond they share, the faith Agni has and his beliefs. Everything was beautiful. And I mean Agni' shy smile is ADORABLE!
Oh yes, in this volume we saw a little bit of Ciel's disturbing past. O__________o Um...I don't know how to interpret it, I guess you can read it many different ways, especially when not much info was given. Yeah...ahem...anyway, this volume was a WIN!
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