London Underworld

Victorian London's dark underbelly where a young Earl seeks vengeance with a demon butler.

The London Underworld serves as the dark backdrop for the adventures of Ciel Phantomhive, the 12-year-old Earl of Phantomhive. Operating within Victorian-era London, this realm is where Ciel fulfills his role as the Queen's Watchdog, tasked with solving crimes that threaten England. The series follows his journey alongside Sebastian Michaelis, a demon disguised as his butler. Together, they navigate this criminal landscape to exact revenge on those who tortured Ciel and murdered his parents. In exchange for these services, Sebastian will eventually consume Ciel's soul upon the completion of their contract.

Quick Facts

Primary location: Victorian-era London
Key figure (watchdog): Ciel Phantomhive
Notable ally/agent: Sebastian Michaelis
Core function: Solving crimes in the underworld and seeking revenge for Ciel's family
Relationship to queen victoria: Tasked with investigating cases deemed threatening by the Queen

Lore & Background

The criminal underworld of Victorian-era London is the primary setting for the Queen's Watchdog's investigations. Ciel Phantomhive, having survived an attack on his manor on December 14, 1885, was taken by a sadistic, demon-worshiping cult where he endured physical and mental abuse before summoning Sebastian Michaelis to kill his captors. The contract formed here requires the demon to help Ciel achieve revenge against those who destroyed the House of Phantomhive. As Ciel assumes his father's position, he utilizes this underworld to investigate cases deemed threatening by Queen Victoria herself. Notable threats within this sphere include the "Aurora Society," a secret organization performing experiments on reanimated corpses led by Undertaker, a grim reaper with ties to the family.

Reader's Guide

To navigate this world, one must understand that Ciel Phantomhive acts as the central authority figure, solving crimes in the underworld under Queen Victoria's orders. His primary agent is Sebastian Michaelis, who recruits a team including Mey-Rin, Baldroy, and Finnian to assist at the Phantomhive estate. The guide to surviving or understanding this setting involves recognizing the specific arcs: the investigation into the "Aurora Society" and the truth behind the twin brothers. Key turning points include the attack on the manor on December 14, 1885, the sacrificial ceremony at which Sebastian was summoned, the recruitment of the household staff, and Undertaker's revelation about Ciel and his twin brother. The underworld is a place where contracts are binding, and revenge is the ultimate currency.

Did You Know?

The contract symbol formed by the pact is placed on Ciel's right eye.
The real Ciel Phantomhive was sacrificed during a ritual to summon Sebastian, allowing his twin brother to assume his identity.