Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report

Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 21

Black Butler has been growing in popularity ever since it began its serialization in Monthly GFantasy in 2006. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the debut of the series’ author Yana Toboso, a special exhibit titled “Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso,” which features her early artwork for the series, was held in the Seibu Gallery on the second floor of the extension of the Seibu Ikebukuro flagship department store in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. The exhibit ran from Jan. 15-22.

The manga follows Ciel, who despite being a young boy is the head of the noble Phantomhive family, and his super butler Sebastian as they solve various mysteries. Though he has a cute outward appearance, Ciel is cool and arrogant and Sebastian, in addition to being knowledgeable and cultured, is a master of cooking and fighting with a devilish appeal. The mysterious relationship between these two has captured the hearts of fans.

As of 2014, The manga has been translated and released in over 42 countries and regions, and by becoming a transmedia franchise with animation, stage, film and other adaptations, the amount of fans continues to grow.

In this report, we’ll take a look at the exhibit, which featured the treasured original artwork of the Black Butler franchise, as well as a wealth of special collaborative merchandise.



The Black Butler space housed over 150 pieces of rough drafts, original manga drawings, and colored title page illustrations published in Monthly GFantasy.

An early draft of a scene in which Ciel gives Sebastian an order. A highlight of the series is Sebastian’s line “Yes, My Lord” spoken on one knee.

The Yana Toboso Studio area displayed detailed design plans, rough sketches, and actual tools used by the artist.


Some past Black Butler merchandise, including a rabbit stuffed animal (Funtom’s Bitter Rabbit), a cup and saucer, and a tote bag. The space to the right featured the artist’s beloved round-pen, G-pen, and other tools. On the wall were detailed designs of the costumes from the anime.

Items that are believed to have inspired the artist while writing the boarding school chapters, including a rapier and a cricket bat. The goggles toward the front of the round table with the blue table cloth are Cook Baldo’s. Each piece belongs to the artist.
Design plans from the circus chapters and the luxury ship chapters. The display not only showed the layout of each circus tent, but also included detailed plans of the inside furnishings, even down to the shape of the key for the animal cage, and allowed fans to see the extent of Yana Toboso’s attention to detail and the depth of the universe she created.

The area for the musical production of Black Butler displayed the actual props and costumes used on stage, as well as the book and other items. Visuals and scripts from the upcoming live action film of Black Butler were also displayed.

Several of the faithfully adapted costumes that appeared in the musical, which enjoyed a second run last year. From the left are Sebastian, Ciel, and Grell.

A display of the masks used in the masquerade ball scene.

Illustrations by Yana Toboso that included the new characters in Musical Black Butler: The Most Beautiful Death in the World - A Thousand Souls and the Fallen Grim Reaper were also displayed.

The anime and film Black Butler corner displayed numerous valuable materials developed for a variety of media.

An illustration from the anime DVD packaging

Appropriate for the 10th anniversary of her debut, a display of original artwork from Yana Toboso’s earlier work Rust Blaster made for an invaluable look at the path of her career up until now.

Among the numerous valuable pieces on display, drawing an exceptional amount of attention were three illustrations produced by Yana Toboso specifically for this exhibit.


Displayed beside the illustration used as the main visual for the event was a Ciel doll in a faithful reproduction of the outfit worn in the image. The doll uses a ball-jointed Unoa Quluts base and was produced in full partnership with well-known doll enthusiasts FREIE and Mugendou.

A rough sketch of the outfit by Yana Toboso on the wall beside the dolls. The small details of the outfit like the high collar and riveting were reproduced splendidly.

Photos of the dolls were displayed nearby.

The dolls were not the only collaboration; the event also included a special collaboration with YOSHiKO CREATiON, who designed 300 limited edition Black Butler “Tasse Earl Grey” necklaces to be sold exclusively at the event.

Black tea in a teacup, a common image in the series. Swarovski crystals were used for the tea.

Alongside the necklaces, the souvenir shop offered numerous illustrated prints particularly of the official image for the event. A wide array of merchandise exclusive to the exhibit was also available, including tote bags, microfiber cloths, plastic mirrors, and an iPhone 5/5s cover designed by Yana Toboso herself. Other items that were very appropriate for Black Butler also stood out, such as chocolate-flavored tea.



Booklets for the exhibit included featured illustrations as well as numerous other things worth viewing, such as the collaborative dolls, details of the necklace, and a look at the making of the series with comments from Yana Toboso.

With merchandise, designs and other materials, not to mention illustrations, the exhibit offered a wonderful look into the universe of the ever-fascinating Black Butler.

[Upcoming Exhibit Schedule]
Fukuoka Venue
Tues., April 1 - Tues., April 15, 2014
Hakata Hankyu 8th Floor Event Space
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
(Entrance allowed up to 30 minutes before closing. Closing will be at 5:00 p.m. on the final day.)

Osaka Venue
Wed., April 23 - Mon., May 12, 2014
Daimaru Shinsaibashi North Building 14th Floor Event Hall
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
(Entrance allowed up to 30 minutes before closing. Closing will be at 6:00 p.m. on the final day.)

Entrance Fee (Same for both Fukuoka and Osaka locations):
General - 700 yen 
College/High School Student - 500 yen
Middle School Student - 300 yen (Elementary students and younger are free)

10th Anniversary of her Debut - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso

TV anime Black Butler Official Site

© Yana Toboso / Square Enix

This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article written by Megumi Higashiashidani and translated by Sarah Johnston.

Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 1
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 2
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 3
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 4
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 5
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 6
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 7
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 8
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 9
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 10
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 11
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 12
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 13
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 14
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 15
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 16
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 17
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 18
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 19
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 20
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 21
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 22
Welcome to the Splendid World of Black Butler - Black Butler Original Artwork Exhibit: The World of Yana Toboso Report 23

You belong in the TOM Fan Club. Don't keep TOM Senpai waiting: https://otakumode.com/fb/8iz