Black Butler # 1 First Yen Press Edition 2010 NM-

Black Butler # 1  (Japanese title: Kuroshitsuji) is the opening volume of the dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Yana Toboso. It introduces the sinister and mysterious world of Victorian-era London through the eyes of a young aristocrat and his seemingly perfect butler. 

Story Synopsis: "The Black Butler Arc" 

The first volume establishes the unique dynamic between the two main characters and their hidden supernatural secrets. 

• The Master: Twelve-year-old Ciel Phantomhive is the orphaned head of the wealthy Phantomhive family and a major figure in the candy and toy industry. He serves as the "Queen's Watchdog," investigating London's criminal underworld to solve cases the police cannot handle.
• The Butler: Sebastian Michaelis is Ciel’s immaculate butler, who handles every task with supernatural perfection. It is revealed in this volume that Sebastian is actually a demon.
• The Contract: Ciel and Sebastian are bound by a "Faustian contract." In exchange for Sebastian’s protection and help in seeking revenge against those who murdered his parents, Ciel has promised the demon his soul once the task is complete.
• Initial Conflict: The volume features the first major story arc where Ciel investigates a drug smuggling case. He is kidnapped by a mafia group led by Azzurro Vanel, but Sebastian easily dispatches the criminals using unconventional weapons like silverware to rescue his master. 
• The Phantomhive Servants: Baldroy (cook), Finnian (gardener), and Mey-Rin (maid), who initially provide comic relief with their incompetence, requiring Sebastian to constantly fix their mistakes.
• Elizabeth Midford: Ciel’s young and enthusiastic fiancée, who appears to bring some levity to his otherwise dark life.
• Tanaka: The elderly former house steward who often appears in a "super-deformed" miniature state. 

• Original Run: The series debuted in Japan on September 16, 2006.
• English Release: Published by Yen Press, with Volume 1 originally released in North America on January 26, 2010.
• Current Status: As of late 2025, the manga remains ongoing with 35 volumes released in Japan. After a brief hiatus, the series resumed serialization in April 2025 as it moves toward its climax.