Kuroshitsuji: Sono Shitsuji, Kougyou

Earl Ciel Phantomhive's Funtom Corporation is sponsoring a charity performance of Hamlet to be shown to a group of poor children as a celebration of its third anniversary. However, when the theater company hired for the stage play is suddenly delayed and won't make it in time for the scheduled performance, the company is faced with a dilemma. With the promise of plenty of press coverage, Ciel must find a way to rectify the situation and commands his butler, Sebastian Michaelis, to ensure the success of the play.

But with a haphazard ensemble of amateur actors—including Ciel, his fiancée Elizabeth Midford, his servants, and many others—how can they possibly put on the show in time?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Michaelis, Sebastian Main

Ono, Daisuke Japanese

Phantomhive, Ciel Main

Sakamoto, Maaya Japanese

Sutcliff, Grell Supporting

Fukuyama, Jun Japanese

Undertaker Supporting

Suwabe, Junichi Japanese

Finnian Supporting

Kaji, Yuuki Japanese

Mey-Rin Supporting

Katou, Emiri Japanese

Midford, Elizabeth Supporting

Tamura, Yukari Japanese

Spears, William T. Supporting

Sugiyama, Noriaki Japanese

Kadar, Soma Asman Supporting

Tachibana, Shinnosuke Japanese

Tanaka Supporting

Fujimura, Shunji Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Ichimura, Tetsuo Episode Director

Kalafina Theme Song Performance

SID Theme Song Composition, Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Arrangement

Reviews

Jul 5, 2010

-Naami-

Recommended

To watch or not to watch, that is the question of this review for Kuroshitsuji’s Hamlet.

And so begins the production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” in the Phantomhive household. Master Ciel had intended to put on a play for the disadvantaged children as a means to gain publicity for his company by coming off as a philanthropist. But what’s this – a sudden mishap had occurred meaning his professional actors won’t be able to make it?! Whatever shall they do? Well, his faithful and most competent butler, Sebastian has an idea: cast themselves in the play!

The OVA is a nice little side story that quenches the ... viewer’s thirst to see some more screen time of their objects of affection. In other words, it is for fans. Nevertheless it is genuinely an entertaining piece to watch with much comic relief and yet another glimpse of an insight to Ciel’s troubled character. The first half is about preparation for the play whereas the second half is the play itself. The play does not quite follow the original version as Ciel had intended to do (forgetting lines does sometimes have that effect on a play) but somehow ends up revolving around Ciel’s own situation since the resemblance to his and Hamlet’s quest for revenge is almost uncanny.

The whole cast of Kuroshitsuji returns in this little OVA; from the bona fide gay shinigami, Grell to the ostentatious and somewhat lecherous Viscount. You get the feeling that it is a little hectic but at the same time sets the mood of the bustling OVA.

Art is as gorgeous as ever, especially with the costumes. Ciel is criminally adorable (I’m starting to feel like a paedophile here) in his play get up and Sebastian is actually out of his butler attire! The second OP is used for this special, and is probably the best piece you will hear during the 20 minutes as all other themes aren’t even worth mentioning in this. It’s not that they were particularly bad as they serve their purpose of entertaining for that moment, but afterwards you won’t even remember that there was music being played.

For a side story, Kuroshitsuji’s OVA provides decent character development for Ciel and shows off Sebastian mischievous side to the maximum. It is both comical and serious, and ultimately enjoyable. To be honest, it was more of a pleasurable experience than the actual series. So to answer that question at the beginning: I think the first option is the most adequate.

After all, where would the Phantomhive household be if Sebastian could not even pull off a play?

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jan 23, 2010

HungerGamer

Recommended

The OVA was very fun to watch.

First of all the idea was very nice. And it ended well done. It had the regular Kuroshitsuji's climat and humor, the OST was fitting and seyius did a great job. Nothing to be mad about.

Though it wasn't a perfection. I'd like to see more practicing before the actual 'Hamlet' play. The OVA could've been done better than that but still it was a real fun to watch.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Apr 24, 2010

JusticeUndone

Recommended

Now I wasn't expecting that I would love this equally to the main show's episodes.
I watched it after I finished the whole anime and I recommend you to do the same. Watching it like this, it felt like a last "farewell" to all the characters in a very enjoyable kind of way!
The OVA had all those elements that the anime holds, even in just this one episode.
I found it both entertaining and emotional.
I gave a 10 to all aspects as it still has top notch quality in story, art, sound and character's design and interaction. The opening and ending theme are the same as in ... the anime and as I wrote on my review about the main anime I love this songs so much, both SID's opening and Kalafina's ending.
Overall a certain 10 from me!

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Jan 1, 2019 5:11 AM by Sakana-san | Discuss (3 comments)

	Poll: Kuroshitsuji OVA Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 ) tsubasalover - Oct 6, 2009	74 replies	by NoviSun »» Jun 5, 2:15 AM
	Watch it here! Yay :) Yonatay - Nov 20, 2009	5 replies	by GloriaTheWeeb »» May 29, 2016 9:47 AM
	Kuroshitsuji OVA English Softsub asinankurus - Dec 31, 2009	2 replies	by asinankurus »» Jan 16, 2010 6:17 AM
	Subbed version doorotka - Oct 28, 2009	12 replies	by Shuidee »» Dec 4, 2009 5:00 AM