Black Butler season 4 ending explained- Does a new threat await Ciel and Sebastian?

Black Butler season 4 concluded on June 22, 2024, after airing 11 episodes. The finale saw Ciel and his butler, Sebastian, shop for items for the Phantomhive servants. Additionally, they accepted a special invitation to Funtom's Company, to inspect their latest product.

After airing 10 episodes based on the Public School Arc, the series shifted its focus from Weston College to the Phantomhive manor in the final episode, depicting the lives of Ciel, Sebastian, and the servants. However, that's not all the episode had to offer.

Towards the end, the episode shifted to Germany, focusing on a puzzling case involving a cursed forest and a werewolf, hinting at a new threat awaiting Ciel and Sebastian. This mysterious ending of Black Butler season 4 has sparked discussion in the fandom, prompting fans to wonder whether Ciel and Sebastian would embark on a new journey, and if so, what kind of journey it would be.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Black Butler manga.

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Black Butler season 4 ending hints at the continuation of Ciel and Sebastian's journey in the Emerald Witch Arc

The finale of Black Butler season 4 served not only as an aftermath to the Public School Arc's case, but also as an inception of a more sinister mission surrounding curses, werewolves, and witches. Although the majority of the episode highlighted Ciel and Sebastian's slice-of-life moments, the ending sparked interesting discussions.

Fans are curious about whether Ciel Phantomhive and his butler, Sebastian Michaelis' journey will continue. Those who have read the manga know that the story is far from over, as the Public School Arc is followed by the Emerald Witch Arc. In other words, Black Butler season 4's ending teased the Emerald Witch Arc.

The final moments of Black Butler season 4 saw a pair of nobles riding on horseback, attempting to hunt a fox with their hunter dogs in Germany. Unfortunately, the fox escapes into the forest, prompting the nobles to decide whether or not they should venture inside.

The nobles as seen in the finale (Image via Cloverworks)

One of them brings up a rumor surrounding the forest, stating that it's cursed. However, they eventually decide to chase the fox. After riding for a while, the nobles bump into an old woman wearing an amulet. She warns them about a curse and begs them to run away.

Instead of paying heed to her words, the hunters venture deeper into the woods. Eventually, they find the hounds that they sent after the fox. However, the nobles then observe that those dogs are barking at something.

The werewolf as seen in the episode (Image via Cloverworks)

At that moment, Black Butler season 4 episode 12 shows a creature resembling a werewolf emerging from the forest. The episode ends with the menacing creature turning its head toward the nobles.

While Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian don't appear in this ending segment, there's no doubt that they will play a crucial role in this case.

Fans now wonder what the cryptic ending of Black Butler season 4 implies. It is interesting to note that the ending scene adapted chapter 86 from Yana Toboso's manga, teasing the beginning of the Emerald Witch Arc, i.e., the next arc of the series after the Public School Arc.

Ciel and Sebastian as seen in season 4 (Image via CloverWorks)

According to the manga, this arc revolves around Ciel Phantomhive, Sebastian Michaelis, and the Phantomhive servants investigating a series of mysterious deaths in Germany.

Ciel receives a letter from Queen Victoria, where her Majesty informed him about several strange deaths in Southern Germany, with the victims suddenly becoming "grotesquely deformed," only to die afterward.

Unable to refuse the Queen's order, Ciel embarks on the mission, and reaches a village, where he discovers from the locals that the victims have died from "the witch's curse."

Eventually, Ciel Phantomhive meets Sieglinde Sullivan and her butler, Wolfram, who play significant roles in the arc. The narrative of this arc follows Ciel and Sebastian trying their best to solve the puzzling case and unravel shocking truths along the way.

Now, the question is, will the Emerald Witch Arc be adapted into anime soon? Unfortunately, the official staff behind the anime hasn't green-lit the sequel as of this writing. That said, the cryptic ending of Black Butler season 4 has surely piqued fans' curiosity about the title.

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