Sebastian Michaelis

"I am simply one hell of a butler."

- Sebastian Michaelis

Sebastian Michaelis is the antihero in the anime series Kuroshitsuji. He is the butler of the Phantomhive household and acts as Ciel's bodyguard, two jobs he is completely devoted to.

Background
Sebastian often describes himself through the phrase "Because I am one hell of a butler" (わたしはあくまで執事ですから, Watashi wa akumade shitsuji desu kara). The phrase plays on the word "demon" (あくま, akuma) and the phrase "to the end" (あくまで, akumade). It can also translate to "I am a demon and a butler". He is highly skilled in any area and handles every task, no matter how impossible it is as well as any problem that arises from the errors of the other staff with ease, stating it is only natural as the butler to the Phantomhive family. This is due to the fact he is a demon bound by a Faustian contract to abide by Ciel's will. A sign similar to the one marking Ciel's right eye can be found on Sebastian's left hand, which has been used on one occasion to twist the arm of a kidnapper without touching him.

The name Sebastian is in fact a temporary name given to him by Ciel and was previously held by Ciel's dog. He bears a striking resemblance to Ciel's father. In the anime adaption, Sebastian can take the form of a crow. Sebastian's true demonic form has not been fully revealed. However, a depiction of sharper teeth, high-heeled boots, and elongated nails have been given. In the manga adaptation, Sebastian appears to Ciel in his true form, while in the anime version, he appears as a crow. His name is similar to that of Father Sebastien Michaelis, who compiled a hierarchy of demons in Hell.

It was later found that the type of soul Sebastian wishes to consume is one which forsakes the future, sacrifices its dreams, eludes the past, fights reality, while being stained with deep despair, and never relinquishes its nobility. Ciel Phantomhive matched all of these attributes.

Appearance
Sebastian takes on the appearance of a tall, handsome, youthful male adult with black hair, red eyes, and pale skin that has a grayish tint. He typically dresses in an outfit that consists of black trousers, a six button double-breasted tailcoat, and a grey vest. He has the Phantomhive crest on his shirt cuffs and tie. He also sports a pocket watch with a chain and chained silver lapel pin bearing the Phantomhive crest, traditionally worn by the house's head butler.

His white gloves conceal the mark of his Faustian contract with Ciel Phantomhive on his left hand. He occasionally removes these, revealing black fingernails. Sebastian's demonic form has never been fully shown. Details of this form include high-heeled stiletto boots, sharp claws, glowing fuchsia irises, slitted pupils, and longer, sharper teeth, with dark black wings. Prior to transforming, Sebastian said several times that his form is unpleasant to look at. Just looking at it drove Ash Landers to hysterics.

Personality
Sebastian is a dedicated butler to Ciel Phantomhive; he upholds a strong sense of duty to his master and household. He follows and completes each order faithfully while always ensuring that the Phantomhive house runs smoothly. He does not sleep, for demons view it as a form of luxury, and thus frequently performs tasks for Ciel at night.[6] The manner in which he responds to Ciel's demands is quite notable; he says, "Yes, my Lord."

Despite his appearance as a courteous and excellent servant, Sebastian is actually a heartless and sadistic demon. He expresses these traits in a very passive and sarcastic manner. He is ruthless when attacking others on Ciel's orders, such as when he kicks Grell Sutcliff's face because it is the thing he most cherishes. His diabolic nature is also shown through his dark humor and inability to see good in much of anyone. At times Sebastian can be indifferent, and he deliberately delays ensuring Ciel's well-being to tease him. Sebastian has also put Ciel's life in mild danger for his own amusement. He calls Ciel a "brat" who treats his workers rudely. However, despite all the troubles he goes through on a daily basis, he says that he does not dislike the butler lifestyle. He is also very polite.

Sebastian views money as "rubbish" or "materialistic," and is more than willing to give out generous amounts of pocket money given to him. He is fluent in French and Latin, enough to teach the latter. He is also knowledgeable and proficient in Deutsch (German)and East Franconian, a dialect in Southern Germany. Sebastian has a strong and mutual distaste for Grim Reapers. He greatly favors cats, and keeps at least thirteen hidden in his closet to prevent Ciel from finding out.

Sebastian often contemplates the behaviors and attitudes of human beings. He finds humans in general to be "difficult creatures," but he adds that their struggles and lofty goals make them interesting. He is also intrigued about how insatiable they are, as they are willing to "drag others down to get what they want, even in death."

History
Sebastian's real home is in an alternate world that is quite different from the human world. In particular, he mentioned that the creatures kept as pets there are in no way comparable to cats. Sebastian had briefly remarked that he met an ancient Egyptian mummy when it was alive, identified by Sebastian as Smenkhkare who reigned about three thousand years ago. He was also a guest at the Schönbrunn Palace from time to time.[22] He also claimed to be responsible for the spread of the Black Death that occurred five hundred years prior. In short, he mused that Ciel Phantomhive's life in comparison would feel like an instant.

Sebastian stated that, in the past, he engaged in "messily sampling every dish available," and has since resorted to only consuming "high-quality" souls. As a result, he has been apparently starving, but he declared that the "dinner" will be much better the hungrier he is.

Three years ago, he was summoned to Ciel Phantomhive when the latter was about to be sacrificed in an occult ritual. After forming the contract with Ciel and placing the seal on his right eye, Ciel ordered him to slay his abductors. Sebastian decided to adopt a "role that is best fit to serve an Earl"; therefore taking a form of a butler, until Ciel completes his personal mission of revenge—that is the substance of their contract. In return, Sebastian will receive Ciel's soul. He was then given the name "Sebastian" by Ciel, which used to be his dog's name, for the duration of his duties as Ciel's butler.

Once he was finished annihilating the cultists, they went to the Royal London Hospital to meet with Ciel's aunt, Angelina Dalles. There, Tanaka gave him a watch that had been passed down from one Phantomhive butler to the next. After that, Angelina arranged for a carriage to bring them to the ruins of the Phantomhive manor. While Ciel was mourning the deaths of his parents, Sebastian reconstructed the manor.

Ciel and Sebastian then began daily life. He taught Ciel the fundamentals of an being an earl, while he learned from his new master how to be a butler fit for the Phantomhive household. He later attended Ciel's coronation as the Earl of Phantomhive, but did not observe at a close distance because he saw himself as a mere butler, not family. While they were walking, Sebastian asked Ciel if he was happy with how things were and, at Ciel's hesitation, attempted to devour him. He was stopped, however, when Ciel suddenly turned around and stated that he was determined to attain his revenge. He commanded Sebastian to be his sword and shield and bring him victory. Sebastian complied, as he was sure that Ciel's soul would be extremely delicious.

Trivia
Sebastian's grave Sebastian was named after Ciel's previous dog.
 * Sebastian's name is similar to Father Sebastien Michaelis, who wrote a classification of demons in Hell.
 * Sebastian is the first demon to appear in Kuroshitsuji and the only one in the manga.
 * In Kuroshitsuji II, Ciel's soul was able to be stolen in the brief period when Sebastian's left arm was gone, the hand in which his contract seal lies.
 * On Sebastian's grave, beneath the inscription 'To The Memory of Sebastian Michaelis. Died March 1889," there is a line which says "May ye be in heaven an hour before the devil knows you're dead."
 * In the extras of Volume 1, Yana Toboso said that his age is a secret.
 * In the Victorian era, butlers were called by their last name. So Sebastian should technically be called Michaelis by Ciel and Mr. Michaelis by the other servants.
 * When Sebastian was summoned in the manga, he appeared in his true demon form, while in the anime, he appeared as a crow or raven accompanied by a rain of feathers.
 * Sebastian got his last name from the Japanese word mikairi meaning "repayment."