Ask John: Is Butler Anime a New Trend?

Question:
Do you think that the Kuroshitsuji anime signifies a trend toward making “butler” anime for female otaku?

Answer:
I don’t think it’s inaccurate or inappropriate to stereotype Japanese culture as traditionally one with an affinity toward the formal structure of gentility. Unlike American society, which was founded on a spirit of independence, individuality, and self-determination, Japanese culture bears similarities to Western European traditions of class and social etiquette. However, unlike European social strata based on birthright and social class – mandates which also apply within Japanese society – Japanese tradition is also influenced by a sociological desire for structure and uniformity. The Western concept of the butler as a profession is obviously a newer introduction to Japanese society dating back roughly 200 years, although the roles of servant and master have existed in Japanese society for centuries. Both roles are intuitive to native Japanese residents because both roles are defined by rigid, consistent formality.

From a subconscious perspective, there’s little difference between serving and being served because both actions consist of a repetitive, constant routine. The route performance of a duty offers comforting psychological stability and practical social efficiency. Knowing one’s duty, and performing an established set of tasks consistently, and to perfection, exists as a satisfying, calming routine that appeals to the congenital psyche of many Japanese people. Americans typically find formalized routine stifling and even demeaning. Japanese psychology typically perceives formalized routine reassuring and even satisfying, when performed well. The relationship of indentured servant to master is an inherent inequality and an outdated notion. The relationship of a butler (or maid) and master represents a greater conscious lifestyle and professional choice, and a mutual relationship. The master is only a master because he is served; the servant has no profession without a master to serve.

The earliest significant butler in anime that I can recall (although he may not be the first) is Bruno from the 1987 Dirty Pair motion picture. Other prominent anime butlers include Norman Burg of 1999’s The Big O; Jii from 2000’s Miami Guns; Seiran Shinano from 2007’s Suteki Tantei Labyrinth; Hayate Ayasaki from the 2007 Hayate no Gotoku television series; Ren Uesugi, the Colonel, Chiharu Kiyohara, and Kojuro Takeda from 2008’s Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de, and Sebastian Michaelis, Tanaka, and Grell from the current Kuroshitsuji television series. It’s worth noting that Swallowtail, Japan’s first “shitsuji kissa,” butler cafe, opened in March 2006 while the occurrence of anime with prominent butlers began in early 2007.

There’s been a noticeable shift in tone between veteran anime butler characters and recent ones. Technically titles from Dirty Pair and Miami Guns to Suteki Tantei Labyrinth and Kuroshitsuji are all anime for male viewers, but the masculine, middle-aged and elderly butlers like Bruno, Jii, and Norman have recently taken a back seat to younger bishonen butlers. That status is literally evident in both “KimiAru” and Kuroshitsuji in which the elder butler plays a supporting role to the younger (or younger looking, in the case of Sebastian) bishonen manservants. Series including Suteki Tantei Labyrinth and Kuroshitsuji seem obviously intended to attract the same female audience that frequents “shitsuji kissa,” young women that adore the fairy tale foppish extravagance of the elegant butler setting.

Not enough of 2009’s upcoming anime productions have been announced yet for anyone to determine whether butler anime are destined to become a rival to the maid anime genre. With only a handful of examples at present, I’m uncertain on whether contemporary butler anime should be considered in isolation or considered a minor or emerging trend. However, I do think that the concept of the butler strikes a chord within the psyche of Japanese citizens, and I do think we’ll see future anime productions that feature prominent butler characters.