Circus Arc
Beneath the glittering tents lies a terrifying truth about humans who chose family over societal rejection.
The Circus Arc, the manga's "Noah's Ark Circus" arc, sends Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis to investigate the connection between a travelling circus and the disappearance of children. The Queen orders the investigation because children have vanished from every town the circus has visited. The arc was adapted as the anime series Black Butler: Book of Circus, broadcast between July and September 2014.
Lore & Background
Sebastian finds that the circus performers wear prosthetic limbs made by the troupe's doctor, and impresses the ringleader Joker into recruiting him; Ciel passes the entrance test the next morning with Sebastian's help from the sidelines. Inside they find the Grim Reaper William T. Spears working undercover as well, because a huge number of souls are soon to be collected at the circus. Searching the first-string members' tents, Ciel finds photographs of a philanthropist whose hallmark is on Beast's prosthetic and a letter mentioning his own name, and Sebastian seduces Beast into revealing the name Baron Kelvin.
Reader's Guide
At Kelvin's mansion the Baron has untrained, brainwashed children perform circus tricks that end in their deaths, and shows Ciel a room recreating the place where he was used as a sacrifice; Ciel shoots him. The doctor reveals that the performers' artificial limbs were made from the bones of the kidnapped children, and Ciel orders Sebastian to kill him and burn down the manor with the captive children inside. Meanwhile the performers sent to capture Ciel at his manor are defeated by Finnian, Mey-Rin, Baldroy and Tanaka. Joker dies of blood loss after Sebastian cuts off his arm, and the workhouse he believed he was protecting turns out to be empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the Circus members possess magical abilities?
No, the performers are human; many wear prosthetic limbs made by the circus's doctor. They grew up together on the streets of London's East End before Baron Kelvin took them in.
Who leads the Circus Troupe?
Joker is the ringleader, but the circus serves Baron Kelvin, whom the first-string performers call "Father".
How does the story conclude for the troupe members?
Most of the first-string performers are killed by the Phantomhive servants when they attack Ciel's manor, and Baron Kelvin's mansion is burned down. Joker dies of blood loss after Sebastian cuts off his arm.
More in Story Arcs & Timeline
Elsewhere in Black Butler
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced