With any anime, popular or not, the studios or creators will often try to push a sequel, prequel or any new addition to the franchise that continues the story or otherwise retells the story completely. Some anime sequels never make it overseas due to poor viewing figures of the first season while the ones that do are met with negative criticism and considered highly inferior to the original. It is very rare to find an anime sequel that doesn’t suck. But this week, I’ll be looking at one of the rare good ones. And it just so happens to be a continuation of one the most popular anime titles of all time. For this review, Black Butler: Book of Circus!

Taking place sometime during the last half of the first season, the story follows Ciel and Sebastian as they are sent by orders of the Queen to investigate the ever popular Noah’s Ark circus and uncover its connection to the mysterious disappearances of children that occur in whatever area they arrive in. Sebastian soon comes to the conclusion, much to Ciel’s annoyance, that only by joining the act will they be able to look deeper into what’s really going on behind the scenes. And what’s slowly uncovered is a horrible truth almost as sick and sinister as the man behind it all.

Naturally the animation is real slick with melancholic colors and shades. The shadows, dark colors, and unique framing give the series an extra layer of darkness and suspense. This mainly applies to the series’ only big fight scene. It takes place at night as opposed to during the daytime, which makes all the action much more impressive and gives off a higher level of intensity. It’s obvious that the animators paid the series a great deal of attention, which is shown through the Gothic and Victorian costume designs that represents their character all the while establishing the time period.

The music is also fitting of the time period; lots of strings and horns and, at times, features some heavy and brooding choir pieces. There’s not much to say about the music other than the opening song. The opening song is called “Enamel” and it’s by Sid. Unlike the main score, it’s dark emo/goth metal. But it fits the series perfectly.

This chapter in the Black Butler series has not been dubbed yet, but that might change some time this year. I will confess that it sounds just as good in Japanese, if not better.

The series is currently being broadcasted on FUNimation’s YouTube channel. The first two series are available on DVD and on Blu-Ray. The original manga by Yana Toboso is available from Yen Press. I can say that this new addition to the Black Butler series is definitely worth watching over and over and over again.