In “Boarding School Edition,” 13-year-old Ciel Phantomhive and his butler Sebastian Michaelis infiltrate Weston School, one of Britain’s most prestigious boarding schools, where a strange incident has occurred.
Animate Times interviewed Maaya Sakamoto, who plays the role of the main character, Ciel Phantomhive. We asked Ciel about her new expression in “Boarding School Edition” and about her bond with Daisuke Ono, who plays Sebastian.
–“Black Butler”, who has been with you for a long time as Ciel. How did you feel when you heard that a new TV anime series had been decided?
Maaya Sakamoto (hereinafter referred to as Sakamoto) who plays Ciel Phantomhive: I think the last time I voiced Ciel in a video was in the 2017 movie version of Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic. The original work continues, and since it’s a popular work, I was hoping that there would be another movie version, but I never expected that there would be a new TV series. To be honest, it was a surprise, so I was both surprised and happy when I heard the announcement. I think there were a lot of people who were looking forward to it, so I hope everyone was happy.
――What impression do you have of the story of “Boarding School Edition”?
Sakamoto: A suspenseful story in which small mysteries are scattered throughout the pursuit of a single mystery. And I felt that there was a sense of exhilaration in solving that problem. Although it’s a Black Butler'' story, I think it's a story that even people who don't know the world of the work can enjoy, as if they were watching an extra edition. However, once you watch it to the end, there are dark elements that are typical of Black Butler,” and you are immediately drawn back to the story, saying, This is Black Butler” after all.” I thought it was interesting that there was a difference between the comical elements and the dark parts.
–The TV anime series was first broadcast in 2008. More than 15 years have passed since then. Children born at that time are now middle school students, and some may know Black Butler from the “boarding school edition.”
Sakamoto: Before you know it, it may have become a work that can be watched by families across generations. Many of the people who play the new characters, including the P4 (Prefect Four), who are the central characters in “Boarding School Arc,” are from the generation that has seen the original work and anime of “Black Butler.” I realized once again that this is a work that many people know about. I hope that this work will serve as an opportunity for even more people to step into the world of Black Butler.
–How was it playing Ciel for the first time in a while?
Sakamoto: I vividly remember how difficult it was when I first played Ciel in the anime. This was because at that time I had never played many boy roles, and it was very difficult for me to act only in a low register. I reflected on myself every time I did the dubbing. Even now, when I play Ciel, I feel the same tension from back then. However, the moment I talked to Daisuke Ono (who plays Sebastian) in the first episode of the “Boarding School Arc,” I thought, “Ah, this is Black Butler,” and it just clicked with me. It’s been a while since I last saw them, but I was able to confirm right away, “This is Sebastian and Ciel.” I was able to record smoothly without any discomfort.
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