Highlights
- Houses at Weston College each represent distinct attributes; Scarlet Fox is for high birth, Sapphire Owl for academics, Green Lion for sports, and Violet Wolf for artists.
- Prefects like Edgar Redmond, Lawrence Bluewer, Herman Greenhill, and Gregory Violet oversee house discipline and uphold specific standards.
- Ciel faces the challenging task of navigating the strict segregation at Weston College while earning the favor of the Prefect 4 for his investigation.
In the Public School Arc of Black Butler, Ciel Phantomhive, the Queen's watchdog, and his demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, are tasked with a unique mission: attending public school. Students have gone missing, including the son of Queen Victoria's cousin, Derrick Arden. To investigate, Ciel enrolls at Weston College, Great Britain's most prestigious public school, while Sebastian joins as Sapphire Owl's new housemaster.
As they navigate the school's closed-off environment, they encounter the Prefect 4; influential student leaders responsible for maintaining order and enforcing rules, also known as the P4. Ciel must curry favor with them to succeed in his mission to uncover the truth. But, what makes them so important?
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The Houses of Weston
At Weston, students are sorted into different houses, each represented by a distinct color symbolizing their respective attributes. Prefects, entrusted with maintaining order and fostering community within their houses, oversee the diverse criteria of each.
The Scarlet Fox House and Prefect Edgar Redmond
Distinguished by the color red, the Scarlet Fox House houses students of "exceptionally high birth" under Prefect Edgar Redmond's guidance. Edgar exudes a friendly and amiable demeanor, often encouraging others, like Ciel Phantomhive, to adhere to the school's rules. As a member of the Scarlet Fox, he takes pride in his appearance and is quick to correct others' attire for presentation. Despite his affiliation with the Scarlet Fox, Edgar displays leniency towards rules, often adopting a laid-back attitude, lounging on sofas, or even napping at the Swan Gazebo. While he garners attention from the opposite sex, Edgar maintains his independence, preferring not to commit to a fixed partner. Overall, his personality is characterized by friendliness, independence, and a relaxed demeanor.
The Sapphire Owl House and Prefect Lawrence Bluewer
Represented by blue, the Sapphire Owl House's students are those who excel academically. The prefect of this house is Prefect Lawrence Bluewer. Lawrence is a serious and dedicated individual, deeply committed to academic excellence and meticulous in his approach to problem-solving. His proficiency in making precise calculations and crafting detailed schemes highlights his analytical prowess. Lawrence takes pride in upholding regulations and propriety, often reprimanding those who fail to meet his standards, such as when he admonishes Ciel Phantomhive for crossing the lawn and corrects Edgar Redmond for addressing him informally. Additionally, his support for traditional values underscores his belief in the importance of upholding established norms and principles. Overall, Lawrence's personality is marked by his seriousness, dedication to academic achievement, and unwavering adherence to traditional ideals.
The Green Lion House and Prefect Herman Greenhill
The Green Lion House is for students proficient in martial arts and sports. It is represented by green, and its prefect is Prefect Herman Greenhill. Herman showcases a sense of dignity and strength, excelling in sports and dedicating his free time to enhancing his physical prowess through weightlifting. He upholds strict standards for himself and those under his authority, expecting them to speak confidently and assertively. Despite his stern demeanor, Herman demonstrates a level of trust in his subordinates. However, he also exhibits a humorous and easily flustered side, particularly in situations involving women displaying their legs. Overall, Herman's personality is characterized by a combination of discipline, strength, trust in his colleagues, and moments of light-heartedness.
The Violet Wolf House and Prefect Gregory Violet
The Violet Wolf House serves as a haven for artistic individuals, offering a nurturing environment for creativity, overseen by Prefect Gregory Violet and distinguished by purple. Gregory is a reserved individual with a penchant for solitude, preferring to avoid sunlight and activities like dancing. Despite his quiet demeanor, he possesses exceptional talent in the arts, displaying creativity and skill. His eccentricities, such as making peculiar requests and mixing drinks, add layers to his personality, hinting at a unique and unconventional mindset. Gregory's dissatisfaction with his previous position as Prefect of the Purple House suggests a desire for autonomy and a distaste for conflict, showcasing his introspective nature.
Why are they So Important?
Tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearances of students, Ciel navigates the school's traditional and disciplined environment. As an independent institution, the school is shielded from government intervention, making Ciel's role as the Queen's watchdog crucial in this endeavor. Recognizing the Prefect 4's significant influence over both students and the Head Master, Ciel understands the importance of earning their favor to glean vital information for his investigation.
The Influence of the Prefect 4
In Weston College's intricate hierarchy, the Prefect 4 wield significant influence over both the student body and the Head Master. As key figures in maintaining order and enforcing rules, they possess valuable insights and connections that can prove instrumental in Ciel's investigation. By earning their favor, Ciel gains access to a network of information and resources that could help unravel the mysteries surrounding the missing students. Whether through direct assistance or subtle guidance, the Prefect 4 hold the keys to unlocking crucial details that may shed light on the dark secrets hidden within the school's walls.
The Barrier of Segregation
Weston College's strict segregation of houses presents a formidable obstacle to Ciel's investigation. With house members forbidden from interacting with each other, communication channels are severely limited. Breaking through these barriers requires navigating a complex web of social norms and protocols. However, by strategically leveraging his interactions with the Prefect 4, Ciel may find avenues to circumvent these restrictions. The Prefect 4's influence transcends house boundaries, offering Ciel a potential means to bridge the divide and gather information from sources otherwise inaccessible. Thus, while segregation may pose a challenge, the Prefect 4's assistance holds the promise of overcoming this barrier and uncovering the truth hidden within Weston College.
In future developments of the Public School Arc in Black Butler, the Prefect 4 will play a crucial role in aiding Ciel Phantomhive's investigation into the mysterious disappearances at Weston College. Their significant influence over both the student body and the Head Master provides Ciel with valuable insights and connections that could unravel the dark secrets hidden within the school's walls. By earning their favor, Ciel gains access to a network of information and resources that may hold the key to solving the case. Furthermore, the Prefect 4's assistance in navigating the school's rigid hierarchy and breaking through social barriers will be essential in overcoming obstacles and uncovering the truth.
Black Butler: Public School Arc is set to release on April 13, 2024 on Crunchyroll.
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