How to Watch 'Black Butler' in Order (Including the OVAs & Movie), Explained

Black Butler is an anime series about a mysterious boy and his charismatic bodyguard. Set in 19th-century England, the title follows the young earl Ciel Phantomhive and his demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis.

Now, let's discuss what the Black Butler universe consists of and the correct order in which to watch the anime.

What Does 'Black Butler' Consist Of?

Black Butler began as a manga written by Japanese author Yana Toboso and published in the Monthly GFantasy magazine. The manga has been in print since 2006 and currently contains 35 volumes.

The first season of the anime was released in 2008 and was produced by A-1 Pictures, a Japanese animation studio known for works such as The Seven Deadly Sins, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, and others. The title consists of five seasons, numerous OVAs, and a movie.

However, the final two seasons were released much later than the others. These were produced by CloverWorks, an animation studio known for Spy x Family and The Promised Neverland.

List of All Seasons of 'Black Butler'

Black Butler consists of five seasons:

• Season 1 – consists of 24 episodes (2008–2009);

• Season 2 – consists of 12 episodes (2010);

• Season 3 titled "Book of Circus" – consists of 10 episodes (2014);

• Season 4 titled "Public School Arc" – consists of 11 episodes (2024);

• Season 5 titled "Emerald Witch Arc" – consists of 13 episodes (2025).

List of All 'Black Butler' Special Episodes & Movies

Eight additional episodes and one movie have been released in the Black Butler universe over the years:

• OVA: "His Butler, On Stage" (2010);

• OVA: "Ciel in Wonderland" Part 1 (2010);

• OVA: "Welcome to the Phantomhive's" (2010);

• OVA: "The Making of Black Butler 2" (2011);

• OVA: "Ciel in Wonderland" Part 2 (2011);

• OVA: "The Threads of the Spider's Story" (2011);

• OVA: "The Story of Will the Reaper" (2011);

• OVA: "Black Butler: Book of Murder" (2014);

• "Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic" (2017).

What Is the Best Order to Watch 'Black Butler' In?

If you just want to watch the anime without any hassle, feel free to watch all the seasons in chronological order. And don't forget about the specials, OVAs, and the movie.

However, if you're a fan of the Black Butler manga and want to enjoy its anime adaptation, the viewing order will be more complicated:

• The first season of the Black Butler anime consists of the first 15 episodes – they follow the original manga. The remaining episodes of the season deviate from the source material;

• The second season is skipped because it does not follow the manga at all;

• OVA: "His Butler, On Stage";

• Black Butler OVAs: "Ciel in Wonderland" Part 1, "Welcome to the Phantomhive's," "The Making of Black Butler 2," "Ciel in Wonderland" Part 2, "The Threads of the Spider's Story," and "The Story of Will the Reaper";

• "Black Butler: Book of Murder", 10 episodes – all canon except for the first episode;

• "Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic";

• Season 4 "Public School Arc";

• Season 5 "Emerald Witch Arc".