OVA
Description
Tanaka is the house steward and former butler of the Phantomhive household. He once served as head butler under Vincent Phantomhive until gravely wounded in the 1885 manor raid that claimed Ciel Phantomhive’s parents. As the sole surviving staff member, Tanaka sustained a stab wound while urging young Ciel to flee. After recuperating at the Royal London Hospital, he reunited with Ciel and bestowed the Phantomhive butler’s symbolic pocket watch upon Sebastian Michaelis.
Presenting as an elderly man with gray hair, a mustache, and monocle, Tanaka is frequently depicted holding tea in a diminutive, stylized form. He reverts to his full stature in combat or emergencies. Despite age and injury-related limitations, he retains sharp perception, dignity, and fierce loyalty to the Phantomhive family. Tanaka counsels Ciel on upholding the household head’s composure and openly rebukes any perceived weakness.
His exceptional combat prowess includes Baritsu mastery—effortlessly flipping assailants targeting Ciel—and katana skills precise enough to slice bullets mid-flight. Though Sebastian assigns him minimal duties with the phrase "the usual will be fine," Tanaka primarily handles light stewardship and advisory tasks. He steps in as acting head butler during Sebastian’s absences.
In the *Book of Murder* arc, Tanaka assumes full butler responsibilities after Sebastian’s presumed death. He commands staff, coordinates crisis management, and physically shields Ciel by neutralizing Karl Woodley’s attack with Baritsu. Upon Sebastian’s return, he relinquishes the role, declaring a Phantomhive butler must not perish before his master.
Elsewhere, Tanaka aids household security by comforting Elizabeth Midford during a circus troupe invasion, distracting her from violence. He accompanies the Phantomhive group to Germany in the *Emerald Witch Arc*, facing hostile villagers. His duties span ceremonial support, including bearing Sebastian’s coffin at a staged funeral and participating in Ciel’s birthday festivities and cricket matches.
Presenting as an elderly man with gray hair, a mustache, and monocle, Tanaka is frequently depicted holding tea in a diminutive, stylized form. He reverts to his full stature in combat or emergencies. Despite age and injury-related limitations, he retains sharp perception, dignity, and fierce loyalty to the Phantomhive family. Tanaka counsels Ciel on upholding the household head’s composure and openly rebukes any perceived weakness.
His exceptional combat prowess includes Baritsu mastery—effortlessly flipping assailants targeting Ciel—and katana skills precise enough to slice bullets mid-flight. Though Sebastian assigns him minimal duties with the phrase "the usual will be fine," Tanaka primarily handles light stewardship and advisory tasks. He steps in as acting head butler during Sebastian’s absences.
In the *Book of Murder* arc, Tanaka assumes full butler responsibilities after Sebastian’s presumed death. He commands staff, coordinates crisis management, and physically shields Ciel by neutralizing Karl Woodley’s attack with Baritsu. Upon Sebastian’s return, he relinquishes the role, declaring a Phantomhive butler must not perish before his master.
Elsewhere, Tanaka aids household security by comforting Elizabeth Midford during a circus troupe invasion, distracting her from violence. He accompanies the Phantomhive group to Germany in the *Emerald Witch Arc*, facing hostile villagers. His duties span ceremonial support, including bearing Sebastian’s coffin at a staged funeral and participating in Ciel’s birthday festivities and cricket matches.