Kuroshitsuji: Book of Murder
Summary: At the behest of the Queen, Earl Ciel Phantomhive hosts a lavish dinner party attended by several of the finest members of polite society—as well as struggling author, Arthur. But as the party reaches its high, a terrible murder takes place and none other than the Earl himself is suspected of the crime.
As a violent storm rages on outside, the death count continues to climb. The Phantomhive household and their eminent guests find they must cooperate in order to solve this mystery before they too fall prey to the mysterious murderer. However, it seems that not even the perfect butler, Sebastian Michaelis, is safe from this horror.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
At the behest of the Queen, Earl Ciel Phantomhive hosts a lavish dinner party attended by several of the finest members of polite society—as well as struggling author, Arthur. But as the party reaches its high, a terrible murder takes place and none other than the Earl himself is suspected of the crime.
As a violent storm rages on outside, the death count continues to climb. The Phantomhive household and their eminent guests find they must cooperate in order to solve this mystery before they too fall prey to the mysterious murderer. However, it seems that not even the perfect butler, Sebastian Michaelis, is safe from this horror.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Kuroshitsuji: Book of Murder Review
Kuroshitsuji: Book of Murder — At the behest of the Queen, Earl Ciel Phantomhive hosts a lavish dinner party attended by several of the finest members of polite society—as well as struggling author, Arthur. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Action, Mystery, Supernatural conventions as a OVA work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.04). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Kuroshitsuji: Book of Murder offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Action, Mystery, Supernatural, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Arthur
Main
Asanuma, Shintaro
Japanese
Arthur
Main
Jaffe, Taliesin
English
Arthur
Main
Dawn-Claude, René
German
Arthur
Main
Solis, Adrien
French
Grey, Charles
Main
Kimura, Ryouhei
Japanese
Grey, Charles
Main
Chapin, Clifford
English
Grey, Charles
Main
Strobl, Amadeus
German
Grey, Charles
Main
Méyère, Bruno
French
Michaelis, Sebastian
Main
Ono, Daisuke
Japanese
Michaelis, Sebastian
Main
Tatum, J. Michael
English
Michaelis, Sebastian
Main
Montalto, Jean-Marco
French
Michaelis, Sebastian
Main
Völger, Bernhard
German
Phantomhive, Ciel
Main
Sakamoto, Maaya
Japanese
Phantomhive, Ciel
Main
Palencia, Brina
English
Phantomhive, Ciel
Main
Bienaimé, Nathalie
French
Phantomhive, Ciel
Main
Fitzner, Sebastian
German
Agni
Supporting
Yasumoto, Hiroki
Japanese
Agni
Supporting
Seitz, Patrick
English
Agni
Supporting
Löwenberg, Jaron
German
Agni
Supporting
Casanova, Pascal
French
Staff
Cook, Justin
Producer
Abe, Noriyuki
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Andou, Ken
Episode Director
Kosaka, Harume
Episode Director
Kouno, Ayako
Episode Director
Noshitani, Mitsutaka
Episode Director
Yoshino, Hiroyuki
Script, Series Composition
Mizuno, Kazunori
Storyboard
Nishimoto, Yukio
Storyboard
Tanaka, Takayuki
Storyboard
Tokoro, Tomokazu
Storyboard
Emori, Mariko
Animation Director
Fukunaga, Gen
Executive Producer
Fukuyo, Manami
Animation Director
Furuzumi, Chiaki
Animation Director
Gotou, Masahiro
Editing
Hokari, Kanako
Color Design
Inoguchi, Mio
Animation Director
Itou, Tomoko
Animation Director
Kawaguchi, Chisato
Chief Animation Director, Character Design