Black Butler II

The manga series "Black Butler" by Yana Toboso, currently serialized in Monthly GFantasy, was adapted into a TV anime in October 2008. However, since the manga was not yet complete at that time, the first season ended with an ambiguous conclusion. "Black Butler II," set to premiere this summer, appears to be a sequel based on its title, but it is not a continuation of the first TV season. Instead, it unfolds as an entirely new chapter centered around a new butler, Claude, and a new young master, Alois. The voice actors for this new pair are top stars from the industry: Nana Mizuki and Takahiro Sakurai. In contrast to the highly praised dynamic between Maaya Sakamoto and Daisuke Ono in the first season, this new pairing is equally dazzling. Notably, it is rare for Mizuki to voice a boy character, so this male-voiced role by a female seiyuu is expected to add another bright highlight to her career. The production team for the new chapter largely retains the staff from the first season, with the exception of the director; instead of Toshiya Shinohara, Hiromi Kuraoka, who handled storyboard and direction for several episodes in the first season, takes over as director. Although the second season is an original anime, given the consistent production team, the style of the first season should be well maintained. The popular Japanese visual kei band the GazettE will perform the theme song for "Black Butler II." This marks their first single after moving to a new agency, titled "SHIVER," scheduled for release on July 21. Two versions will be available: a regular edition including a DVD with "SHIVER," and a limited Black Butler edition featuring a CD along with a DVD containing the Black Butler opening footage and Black Butler cards.