Spring 2025 Preview: Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 17 years since the Black Butler anime began, and though it has come and gone in the years since, its continuation by CloverWorks is no less exciting. The Emerald Witch Arc sees Sebastian and Ciel sent to Germany by order of the Queen on a mission to investigate a series of mysterious deaths in the cursed “Werewolves’ Forest.”

Compared to A-1 Pictures’ already beloved adaptation of Yana Toboso’s 2006 manga series, the revival from director Kenjiro Okada seems to have a more consistent output. The Public School Arc premiered just one year ago and picked up the story right where the 2017’s Book of Atlantic left off, and fans are already being treated to the newest arc this spring.

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The Mystery of the Witch’s Curse

The Emerald Witch Arc is the eighth storyline in the manga and one of the most beloved among longtime fans. It begins much the same as its announcement trailer from last year at the tail end of the previous season. Two noblemen hunting a fox venture into the woods that are rumored to be cursed and – brushing off these rumors – they find themselves faced with what seems to be a werewolf. They flee only to fall victim to the curse as they begin to bleed and swell.

Enter Ciel Phantomhive and his dutiful butler, Sebastian Michaelis, who receive a request at Phantomhive Manor to investigate these strange deaths. This marks the first time in the story that Ciel’s work for the Queen has taken him so far from Great Britain, discounting the Luxury Liner Arc, and the young jarl isn’t too keen on leaving his base of operations. Alas, he determines he must, and he sets out for Germany with Sebastian and his servants in tow.

What Makes This Arc Special?

This arc sees the introduction of two fan-favorite characters: Sieglinde Sullivan, the titular “Emerald Witch” of the story, and her butler, Wolfram Gelzer. Ciel’s investigation takes him and his companions to Wolfsschlucht, a town comprised of all women, save for Wolfram, and run by young Sieglinde. With the help of this “witch” and her butler, they try to get to the bottom of the curse plaguing the forest.

It doesn’t take long to see why this arc is so beloved, from how it expands the world to its many exciting character moments that utilize the ever-expanding supporting cast more than ever. Most excitingly, though, the early events of the arc put Ciel in some rather perilous positions that test his resolve, which naturally evoke some fascinating moments between him and Sebastian.

The Staff Behind The Emerald Witch Arc

Director Okada’s resume stands out considerably for their time working with Studio Shaft. He has been an episode director and animator across the Monogatari Series, from Nekomonogatari in 2012 to Zoku Owarimonogatari in 2019. Perhaps most notably, he was the series director for March Comes in Like a Lion, one of Shaft’s most acclaimed dramas.

Shaft is a studio that tends to attract/produce directors with strong visual storytelling, and that aesthetic sensibility is key for a series like Black Butler. The Emerald Witch Arc is being penned by Hioryuki Yoshino, who has written the screenplay for Black Butler since the very beginning back in 2008, save for the much-divisive Season 2, which was written by Mari Okada. Yoshino also wrote for the adaptations of Magi, World Trigger, Guilty Crown, and Seikon no Qwaser.

The Animation and Art

There are five artists credited as animation directors for this new season, all of whom are returning from the last season. Yumi Shimizu is both an AD and – like with the previous arc – the character designer. Shimizu served as an assistant AD on 2021’s Revue Starlight: The Movie, and she’s worked on March Comes in Like a Lion, Monogatari, Horimiya, and more. Akira Takata, our second AD, is also credited with some character art and has worked on Blue Exorcist, Durarara, and Yozakura Quartet.

Next up, Mio Inoguchi is another prolific animator/ AD whose work can be seen across not only Black Butler but also Sword Art Online, Tsuritama, Blue Exorcist, and Black Lagoon. Then there’s Yuusuke Shimizu, an animator whose recent work includes Jujutsu Kaisen, Great Pretender, Vinland Saga, and Chainsaw Man. Finally, there’s Ayumi Samukawa, who began as an in-between animator on works like Samurai Champloo and has since worked on Fate, Psycho-Pass, Akame ga Kill, and more.

The Music of the Emerald Witch Arc

Of all the changes to the Black Butler anime since the studio change, perhaps the most exciting has been its composer. Ryo Kawasaki’s soundtrack for To Your Eternity alone is a powerful display of his command of sound and its ability to elevate a story. It’s no wonder Wit Studio tapped him to compose their upcoming Netflix Original, Moonrise. Kawasaki’s sound blended with Black Butler’s dark Victorian aesthetic should be a match made in heaven.

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