The result is a clumsy narrative that is mired by the untimely implementation of exposition and flashbacks that often slows the pace. Conversely, Kei’ichi Sato, who helmed the action anime Tiger & Bunny should have been at home with this film but again appears out of his depth.
Having directed the film adaptation of the popular manga Nana director Kentarô Ohtani has form in this area yet somehow seems a little overwhelmed by trying his hand at something with action and a supernatural bent. However it is not as clever and one can figure out the identity of the mystery mastermind almost immediately, although our deduction methods are different and less contrived than those of Sebastian. It’s almost Bond-esque in its structure with multiple threads punctuated by bursts of action and twisting developments. It may be a bold choice but the writers have chosen to eschew the plots from the manga to create their own which, in some ways, is understandable as this film is akin to an “origin” story. Amidst the huge clumps of verbal exposition to explain the relationship between Kiyohara and Sebastian we are treated to a demonstration of Seb’s fighting skills, as he wipes out twelve gun toting heavies with just a dinner knife! It transpires the gang leader was involved with owner of an exclusive night club for the rich, Shinpei Kuzo (Misato Ibu) and his accomplice Shinozaki (Ichirota Miyagawa), where noted party goers are given dangerous drugs which are related to the Devil’s Curse deaths. The central storyline of the mummified corpses is interlinked with a human trafficking case our heroes were working on at the start of the film. Also absent is extravagant red clad grim reaper Grell while his erstwhile employer, Ciel’s aunt Madame Red has been rechristened Hanae Wakatsuki (Yuka) with her own silent butler Akashi (Tomomi Maruyama). The powerhouse gardener, excitable hound and lousy cook may be missing but Lin – originally Mei Rin – still falls over although this gag just doesn’t work with live actors.
BLACK BUTLER MOVIES DRIVER
The staff at the Genpo household has been heavily streamlined for this film to just Sebastian, ditzy maid Lin (Mizuki Yamamoto) and tacit driver Tanaka (Taro Shigaki). This remains here but Ciel is now 17 year-old Shiori, who has disguised herself as a boy and renamed Kiyohara in order to inherit the family wealth and business Funtom. In Toboso’s manga Sebastian serves 12 year-old orphan Ciel Phantomhive, who made a pact with Sebastian to give him his soul once they’ve exacted revenge for Ciel’s parents’ murder. The modern(ish) day setting, as opposed to Victorian London, was apparently a call by the producers in order to have a Japanese cast, which didn’t seem to be a problem for two prior stage musicals! The Queen has ordered her watchdogs Kiyohara Genpo (Ayame Gôriki) and her loyal demonic butler Sebastian Michaelis (Hiro Mizushima) to investigate and put an end to the murders.įans of the anime/manga are probably aghast after reading that summary, specifically at how the male lead is now female! This particular alteration is explained – albeit rather clumsily – while others are given no explanation. A string of mysterious murders known as the Devil’s Curse have occurred in which the bodies have been left mummified. The year is 2020 and the world has been separated into East and West with the Queen ruling the East. The latest anime to receive this treatment is the popular supernatural gothic comedy thriller Black Butler, originally created by mangaka Yana Toboso. Japan’s incredibly fertile anime and manga industry has produced a number of great titles which film producers have seen fit to capitalise on, the success rate proving variable. Translating popular animations to the live action medium is one of the biggest risks a filmmaker can undertake, especially if the original has a rabid and loyal following. Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji) Live Action Film Japan (2014) Dirs.
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