🧭 Watch order guide
Black Butler watch order
How to watch
Season 1 follows the manga for roughly its first half and then tells an anime-original story; Season 2 continues that anime-only plot, so skip it. The manga-faithful route after Season 1 is Book of Circus (2014), Book of Murder (OVA), the film Book of the Atlantic, then Public School Arc (2024) and Emerald Witch Arc (2025).
1
core entries
0
movies to include
2
recaps / alt versions to skip
9h 36m
total core runtime
Recommended order
- 1
- 2
Side storyoptionalBlack Butler SpecialSpecial · 2009 · 1 ep · 26m
Side story / OVA – optional but adds context.
- 3
Side storyoptionalKuroshitsuji Picture DramaSpecial · 2010 · 1 ep · 17m
Side story / OVA – optional but adds context.
- 4
Side storyoptionalBlack Butler II SpecialsSpecial · 2010 · 6 ep · 2h 30m
Side story / OVA – optional but adds context.
Safe to skip
Recap compilations and alternative cuts that retell episodes you will already have seen.
Release order
- 1Black Butler2008-10
- 2Kuroshitsuji Recap2009-01
- 3Black Butler Special2009-09
- 4Kuroshitsuji Picture Drama2010-01
- 5Black Butler II2010-07
- 6Black Butler II Specials2010-10
Black Butler watch order FAQ
What order should I watch Black Butler in?
Season 1 follows the manga for roughly its first half and then tells an anime-original story; Season 2 continues that anime-only plot, so skip it. The manga-faithful route after Season 1 is Book of Circus (2014), Book of Murder (OVA), the film Book of the Atlantic, then Public School Arc (2024) and Emerald Witch Arc (2025).
How long does it take to watch all of Black Butler?
The core story and movies run about 9h 36m. At two hours a day that is roughly 5 days.
Can I skip the recaps?
Yes. Kuroshitsuji Recap, Black Butler II retell events you have already seen and can be skipped.
Where does this order come from?
It is built automatically from the sequel, prequel, side-story and spin-off links in the Kitsu database and refreshed daily, so new seasons appear without manual edits.