I love Kuroshitsuji (anime, I almost never read any manga) and when I saw a Kuroshitsuji poster when I was out, I literally stopped mid-track and let out a shriek.
Fu was all concerned going, “What? What???”, which immediately turned to a cheh-face when I told him the source of my excitement T_T
But upon closer examination, I can’t say I’m excited about the casting choices, specifically the butler.
This is the manga/anime version:
Ciel Phantomhive (the young boy) is head of a noble family and he is served by his butler, Sebastian Michaelis who is in fact a demon. Ciel has formed a demonic contract with Sebastian, and when Sebastian has helped Ciel finish all of his tasks, including avenging his parents’ deaths, Sebastian will be allowed to consume Ciel’s soul.
I first watched the anime in 2008 I think, and I am rather attached to Sebastian. He is confident, smug, highly skilled, ruthless and manipulative, yet fiercely devoted, loyal to the death, not to mention extremely smexy :3
Let’s take a look at who they casted for the movie:
Ayame Gouriki actually gives off a decent Ciel vibe, so not much complaints there.
However, Sebestian.
The movie IS called the Black Butler, so it’s quite superfluous to say that the butler is the pivotal role in the series. But looking at the poster, I am not inspired in the least.
Don’t get me wrong. I like Hiro Mizushima, and loved him when he played the butler in Mei-chan no Shitsuji (Mei-chan’s butler):
But Mizushima as Sebestian? This is one butler he is not suited to play.
Sure, he looks the demon part all right. But that’s about it. From what I see in the trailer, he’s too effeminate for my tastes. I also don’t feel the overawing sense of power in the fight scenes. Nothing hooks my attention and leave me with bated breath.
He lacks the mysterious, dangerous aura. That certain charisma and power that Sebestian commands. That overflowing feeling of smexiness that Sebestian radiates.
I’m one very disappointed fan :(
If I were to cast, I think Gackt would make a very good Sebestian indeed. At the very least he would look the part.
Wouldn’t you agree? Even if you know nuts about Kuroshitsuji, WOULDN’T YOU AGREE this guy here would make a good demonic butler???
-sigh-
Well, back to the movie. The official website can be found here and the trailer, as follows:
The movie opens today (Jan 18), but I probably won’t be catching this in the theatres. I don’t even know if I will be ever watching it…
I know right! But I think that Matsushita Yuya would make a pretty good Sebastian too! After all he was pretty good in the musical.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks so!!!
Ooh, Yuya! I love his voice! I didn’t watch the musical, but he definitely looks more the Sebastian part than our male lead above! He has traces of a boy to me though, probably due in part to his age… do you think so?
I think Hiro’s come back as the Black Butler is quite too much for him. but in my honest opinion he did just fine as Sebastian, there must be something missing on his character but you cant deny how damn smexy and devilish that gorgeous refreshing smile turned out to be on that movie.. over all I would still highly suggest everyone to watch his movies.. especially this one. ^_^
Hi Trisha!
Thanks for chiming in about the movie!
I don’t disagree that Hiro looks like a smexy demonic butler, that’s for sure! Haha. Just that he doesn’t feel like Sebestian to me, ya know?
While watching him during the trailer, I’m mentally going “No, that’s not how Sebestian would do it… Nope, that’s completely un-Sebestian… Uggg, Sebestian would never do that…” In short, those anal-type people that is not-quite-so-accepting of creative deviations of a character :P