This article is part of a directory: Spring 2024 Anime – Episode Reviews, Lore Discussions, & Recommendations

Table of contents

Highlights

Ciel faces strict rules and hazing while investigating student disappearances at Weston College.
The Prefect 4 play a crucial role in aiding Ciel's investigation into the mysterious incidents.
The Public School Arc promises new challenges, mysteries, and dark secrets at Weston College for Ciel and Sebastian.

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Black Butler: Public School Arc Episode 1, "His Butler, at School", now streaming on Crunchyroll.

In season 4, episode 1 of His Butler, at School, the Queen's watchdog and young Earl of the Phantomhive estate, Ciel Phantomhive, makes a dramatic return after nearly a decade of silence, accompanied by his loyal demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis. This new arc of Black Butler thrusts Ciel into an unfamiliar scenario as he finds himself enrolled as a student at one of England’s most prestigious schools - Weston College.

The episode introduces viewers to a host of new characters, a fresh setting, and novel challenges for Ciel to navigate. As he delves into the dynamics of student life, he must grapple with the rigors of academia, the nuances of social hierarchy, and the mysteries lurking within the school's walls.

Black Butler: Who are the Prefect 4?

The Prefect 4 will play a crucial role in aiding Ciel Phantomhive's investigation into the mysterious disappearances at Weston College.

His Butler, at School

In His Butler, at School,Ciel faces strict rules and hazing at Weston College while investigating the disappearance of students, strategizing to get closer to Clayton, a student with valuable information.

Meeting the Prefect 4

In Season 4, Episode 1, Ciel arrives late at Weston College, rushing to class when he inadvertently steps on the grass, a strict violation of the rules. Surrounded by shocked students, he's reminded by a fellow McMillan housemate that only prefects are permitted on the grass. He's soon approached by the Prefects, each overseeing a different house: Edgar Redmond of The Scarlet Fox House, Prefect Lawrence Bluewer of Sapphire Owl House, Prefect Herman Greenhill of Green Lion, and Prefect Gregory Violet of Violet Wolf.

While scolded by his own house's Prefect, Bluewer, Redmond shows leniency. Ciel then faces hazing from the other boys of Sapphire Owl House, orchestrated by Clayton, a student assigned duties by Bluewer. Each Prefect has a student handling such tasks. Ciel's demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, now serving as Sapphire Owl's housemaster, intervenes before Ciel is seriously injured.

Spring 2024 Preview: Black Butler Public School Arc

What can fans expect with the return of Ciel Phantomhive, the Queen's watchdog, and his demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis?

Still the Queen’s Watchdog

Ciel's mission emerges—students, including the queen's nephew, have gone missing, including Derrick Arden, the son of the queen's cousin, Duke Clemens. Despite public schools like Weston being independent, Ciel is determined to investigate. He opts to infiltrate Weston as himself, tasking Sebastian to find his own way in.

As Ciel interacts with other students, he observes Weston's strict environment, lacking in camaraderie. Seeking Arden in the Violet Wolf house, he faces hostility and physical aggression. After a meeting with Vice Headmaster Johann Agares and the Prefects, Ciel expresses a desire to meet the headmaster for more information, only to be informed that the headmaster's schedule permits meetings only with prefects.

Future Plans

Ciel at Weston — **©Yana Toboso/SQUARE ENIX,Project Black Butler**

Assigned the task of cleaning the dining hall by Clayton, Ciel delegates it to Sebastian, who impresses Clayton with his diligence. Realizing he needs to cozy up to the Prefects for answers, Ciel determines that getting closer to Clayton is what he must do next. His Butler, at School, serves as a captivating reintroduction to the dynamic duo of Ciel and Sebastian. Ciel, known for his assertiveness and leadership, finds himself stepping into a new realm at a public school, where he must navigate unfamiliar rules and traditions.

The Public School Arc promises to be a refreshing return to the world of Black Butler, with Ciel encountering a host of new challenges and mysteries. While humor and sarcasm are still abundant, the narrative takes on a darker tone as the ominous secrets surrounding the students and Weston College unfold. Weston College itself emerges as a character shrouded in mystery, with its own intricate set of rules and power dynamics that Ciel is only beginning to grasp. The significance of the Prefect 4, each with their own distinct personality, adds an intriguing layer of complexity to the story, foreshadowing that their importance will emerge as the plot unfolds. Although Sebastian takes a more subdued role in this episode, his presence hints at a deeper involvement as the mystery deepens. Overall, the episode marks a promising start to a new chapter in the tale of a demon butler and his master.