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Ronald Knox

Ronald Knox (ロナルド・ノックス, Ronarudo Nokkusu) is a Grim Reaper in the anime and manga series Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji). A member of the Retrieval Division of the Grim Reaper Dispatch, Ronald is known for his easygoing personality and sharp wit. Despite his laid-back demeanor, he is highly efficient in carrying out his duties, balancing his charm with the precision expected of a Grim Reaper.

Appearance

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Appearance in Manga

Ronald Knox is a young Grim Reaper characterized by his distinctive, two-tone hair. His short blonde hair is complemented by black-dyed underside, with a prominent cowlick on the right side. Like other Grim Reapers, he possesses chartreuse phosphorescent eyes, a trademark of their otherworldly nature.

Ronald’s fashion style aligns with the formality typical of his position, as he is often seen wearing a suit with a tie, gloves, and dress shoes. His accessories include thick-framed pentagon-shaped glasses and a watch on his right wrist. Occasionally, he wears a hat to complete his ensemble.

His Death Scythe is notably modified to resemble a lawnmower, designed to minimize his work and avoid overtime, a reflection of his easygoing, perhaps lazy nature. This unique weapon is composed of two wheels, four circular blades (with two straight horizontal blades), a handle, and a cord that activates the scythe. The words “Death Scythe” are engraved on the front, emphasizing its function and symbolism. This humorous take on a traditional Grim Reaper’s tool underscores Ronald’s less serious, more laid-back personality compared to his colleagues.

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Personality

Ronald Knox is known for his laid-back, carefree nature. He tends to be easygoing and doesn’t take life too seriously, which is reflected in his frequent tardiness and aversion to overtime. Ronald dislikes working longer than necessary, and he openly expresses envy toward his colleagues William T. Spears and Grelle Sutcliff, believing their jobs are “easier.” Despite this, when the situation calls for it, Ronald is more than capable of putting in the necessary effort to get the job done.

Sociable by nature, Ronald enjoys socializing and frequently seeks opportunities to mingle. He has a fondness for parties and was once seen excited to finish his job quickly so he could attend one. He doesn’t shy away from interacting with people, as demonstrated when he socialized with third-class passengers on the Campania. His charming demeanor allows him to connect easily with others, and he has even used his suave personality to charm a receptionist at the Grim Reaper Dispatch into assisting him with modifying his Death Scythe. Additionally, Ronald showed his affable side when he offered to treat Mey-Rin to a drink during their first encounter.

While he may not always appear the most serious, Ronald is competent and capable of executing his duties when required. His amiable and relaxed nature contrasts with the more rigid and disciplined personalities of other Grim Reapers, making him a memorable and endearing character.

Plot

Circus Arc
Ronald Knox plays a significant role in the Circus Arc, where he is tasked with assisting William T. Spears in collecting the souls of individuals killed in Baron Kelvin’s manor. His first appearance in this arc is marked by his tardiness, as he casually strolls in and expresses his discontent with the workload, mentioning that he would prefer not to work overtime. He is often seen focusing on the next event in his life such as attending a party and doesn’t shy away from mentioning it.

Despite his casual attitude toward his duties, he is still committed to his task. Ronald modifies his Death Scythe to make it more efficient, a lawnmower-style scythe to avoid unnecessary delays. He is even willing to assist in removing the Bizarre Dolls that plague the manor. He assists Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis when they are engaged with a Bizarre Doll named Margaret Connor, revealing that she had been a soulless corpse for some time. He provides some crucial information about the Bizarre Dolls but also finds himself in a fight with Sebastian, showing that he does not take kindly to demons interfering in his work.

Throughout the arc, Ronald shows his distinctive personality traits: his sociability, disdain for overtime, and his frustration with the heavy workload. These aspects provide a sharp contrast to the more serious and methodical approaches of characters like William and Grelle.

Luxury Liner Arc
In the Luxury Liner Arc, Ronald is once again tasked with collecting souls, this time aboard the luxury ship Campania. His nonchalant attitude is displayed early on as he rushes to board the ship in time, eager to avoid being late. He enjoys mingling with passengers, drinking, and socializing, showing a carefree and flirtatious side of his personality.

However, his responsibilities as a Grim Reaper quickly catch up with him as he is involved in the investigation of Bizarre Dolls aboard the ship. When the ship crashes into an iceberg, he and Grelle Sutcliff are dispatched to deal with the aftermath. He demonstrates his usual charm when speaking to Mey-Rin but is also focused on his duty, collecting souls and investigating the cause of the Bizarre Dolls. As the investigation deepens, Ronald reveals more about his knowledge of the Bizarre Dolls and engages in battles, first with Sebastian, then with Grelle, as they uncover the truth behind the dolls’ origins.

Ronald and Grelle work together to gather information about the Bizarre Dolls, and their investigations reveal a connection between Undertaker and the creation of the dolls. Their efforts lead them to confront Undertaker, a former Grim Reaper who has been manipulating souls. A battle ensues, with Ronald and Grelle fighting against Undertaker and Sebastian. Despite being injured during the confrontation, Ronald remains focused on his task and works alongside his colleagues to resolve the situation.

Final Acts in the Arc
The Luxury Liner Arc reaches its climax with the sinking of the Campania. During the chaos, Ronald and Grelle are thrown into the ocean, where William T. Spears rescues them. He demands that they continue their duties despite their injuries, highlighting his no-nonsense approach to the job. The arc concludes with the realization that Undertaker has smuggled out his Death Scythe, and the threat of his rebellion continues.

In both arcs, Ronald’s laid-back personality and preference for quick work contrast with the more serious and methodical nature of the other Grim Reapers. His interactions with Sebastian, Ciel, and Grelle provide both humor and action, balancing the darker elements of the story with light-hearted moments.

Role in the Story

As part of the Retrieval Division, Ronald is tasked with collecting souls and maintaining the natural balance between life and death. His fieldwork often involves assessing and dispatching souls with precision and care.

While Ronald’s role typically keeps him neutral, he occasionally crosses paths with Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis during his missions. His friendly nature contrasts with the darker and more serious tones of the series.

Ronald often works alongside Grelle Sutcliff and other Grim Reapers. His interactions with Grelle provide comic relief, as he navigates her dramatic tendencies with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Relationships

Grelle Sutcliff
Ronald frequently partners with Grelle during fieldwork. While he respects her skills, he often teases her flamboyant behavior, creating humorous dynamics between them.

William T. Spears
As a subordinate, Ronald acknowledges William’s authority but often finds his strict demeanor overbearing. Despite this, he respects William’s professionalism and expertise.

Sebastian Michaelis
Ronald occasionally interacts with Sebastian during investigations. Their encounters are marked by mutual acknowledgment of each other’s abilities, though Ronald maintains a neutral stance regarding the demon’s actions.

Etymology

“Ronald” is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Scandinavian name Ragnvaldr. The name is composed of two elements: regin meaning “advice” or “counsel,” and valdr meaning “power” or “ruler.” This gives the meaning of “ruler’s counsel” or “wise ruler.”

“Knox” is a surname of Scottish origin, possibly derived from the Scots Gaelic word cnoc, which means “hillock” or “hump,” referring to a small hill, or from the Old English cnocc, which means “round-topped hill.” It could have originally referred to someone who lived near a prominent hill or knoll.

Additionally, Ronald Knox shares his name with a notable theologian and author of crime stories, who is known for creating the “Ten Commandments” of Detective Fiction, a set of rules that defined the genre during the early 20th century. This historical reference adds a layer of depth to the character’s name, particularly given Ronald Knox’s own association with rules and structure in his role as a Grim Reaper.

Trivia

    • Ronald’s Death Scythe, modified into a lawnmower, reflects his efficiency and creativity, allowing him to handle multiple souls at once during fieldwork.
    • His laid-back attitude and dislike of overtime are recurring comedic themes, highlighting his relatability compared to more disciplined Grim Reapers like William.
    • Ronald’s name and youthful demeanor may be inspired by the stereotypical “everyman,” contrasting with the more eccentric or serious characters in the series.