William T. Spears
William T. Spears |
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Kanji | ウィリアム・T・スピアーズ |
Rōmaji | Wiriamu T. Supiāzu |
Aliases | Suit (Noah’s Ark Circus) |
Statistics | |
Species | Grim Reaper |
Affiliation | Management Division of the Grim Reaper Dispatch |
Previous Affiliation | Noah’s Ark Circus |
Previous Occupation | Second-String Member of Noah’s Ark Circus |
Base of Operations | London |
Debut | |
Manga | Volume 3, Chapter 12 |
Anime | Season 1, Episode 6 |
Voice Actors | |
Japanese | Noriaki Sugiyama |
English | Barry Yandell |
William T. Spears (ウィリアム・T・スピアーズ, Wiriamu T. Supiāzu) is a Grim Reaper in the anime and manga series Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji). A member of the Management Division of the Grim Reaper Dispatch, William is known for his strict demeanor and unwavering adherence to rules. He briefly infiltrated the Noah’s Ark Circus under the stage name Suit (スーツ, Sūtsu), contributing to his role in monitoring and enforcing the Grim Reaper Dispatch’s regulations.
Appearance
William T. Spears engrossed in a book, reflecting his disciplined and studious nature as a Grim Reaper
William T. Spears is a Grim Reaper characterized by his tall stature and well-groomed appearance. His dark-brown hair is kept short and neatly combed, contributing to his professional and refined demeanor. As with other Grim Reapers, William has striking chartreuse phosphorescent eyes, a signature feature of his kind.
He wears rectangular glasses with four decorative lines etched onto each temple, adding a touch of sophistication to his otherwise formal attire. His typical outfit includes a dark suit, tie, black gloves, and dress shoes, all of which align with his no-nonsense, disciplined nature. William’s appearance reflects his personality as a methodical and diligent individual, always maintaining an impeccable standard of propriety.
Personality
William T. Spears is an aloof and dignified Grim Reaper who adheres to rules and formalities with great precision, and he expects the same level of professionalism from others. He carries out his duties with meticulous diligence and impartiality, maintaining a detached attitude toward the emotional aspects of his work. William has little patience for troublemakers, particularly those whose actions force him to go out of his way or work overtime to resolve the issues they cause.
While he is calm and collected in most situations, William has no hesitation in resorting to physical force when necessary. He is known for his brutal actions, such as when he jumped off a roof to land on Grelle Sutcliff’s head or attacked Sebastian Michaelis with his Death Scythe. His violent tendencies are not limited to just enemies, and he does not hesitate to act when he deems it appropriate.
William has a deep distaste for demons, referring to them as “disgusting creatures.” He frequently calls Sebastian derogatory names like “devilish fiend,” “leech,” “hound,” and “vermin.” Despite his aversion, William is disciplined enough to maintain a certain level of decorum. This is shown when he once apologized to Sebastian on behalf of Grelle after she violated the Grim Reaper code of neutrality, demonstrating that his sense of duty and propriety outweigh his personal disdain for demons.
Plot
Red Butler Arc
William T. Spears first appears when Grelle Sutcliff is in danger, stepping in to prevent Sebastian Michaelis from killing her. He arrives with a dramatic leap, landing on Grelle’s head, and immediately starts listing off the numerous rules she has broken as a Grim Reaper. Despite his distaste for demons, William acknowledges Sebastian’s contract with Ciel Phantomhive and begrudgingly gives him some credit. After retrieving Grelle, he refuses to accept any apologies for her actions and continues to drag her away, dismissing Sebastian’s pros with minimal acknowledgment.
Circus Arc
In the Noah’s Ark Circus arc, William arrives as a special case Grim Reaper, tasked with inspecting souls in the circus. Initially, William is unimpressed by Sebastian and makes no secret of his disdain for demons. His aloofness is made clear when he refuses to be around Sebastian and even threatens him with his Death Scythe. Despite this, he is paired with Sebastian for a circus performance, much to both of their mutual annoyance. William refuses to work with Sebastian directly, only reluctantly cooperating when forced into a situation, and continuously prevents him from moving freely during the night due to his mistrust of demons.
During a performance when an accident occurs, William initially refuses to take part but ultimately cooperates for the act’s success. Throughout the arc, he constantly clashes with Sebastian over their differing natures, showing his distaste for Sebastian’s demonic qualities and the inevitable compromise they must make for the sake of completing their duties.
After the circus performance, William and Ronald Knox deal with the aftermath of the fire set by Sebastian and Ciel, finding that Sebastian’s influence might be behind the events, and preparing to clean up the mess by collecting the souls left behind.
Luxury Liner Arc
In the Luxury Liner Arc, William is dispatched by the Grim Reaper Dispatch to assist Grelle and Ronald with the case aboard the Campania luxury liner. After the ship sinks, William fishes out the injured Grelle and Ronald, continuing to show his cold, no-nonsense approach to his duties. Despite the severe conditions and injuries, William is relentless, ensuring that Grelle and Ronald immediately get back to their soul-hunting task. He even stomps on their unconscious bodies to wake them up, emphasizing that their duties come first. His dedication to the job and his stern demeanor are evident, and he urges them to continue working without regard for their injuries.
Role in the Story
As a senior member of the Management Division, William oversees the activities of other Grim Reapers, ensuring that the natural balance of life and death is maintained. His responsibilities include monitoring field agents and addressing breaches of protocol.
Under the alias Suit, William infiltrated the Noah’s Ark Circus to investigate the group’s suspicious activities. His involvement highlighted his ability to operate undercover while maintaining his professional demeanor.
William occasionally crosses paths with Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis, often as a neutral figure who strictly adheres to the rules of the Grim Reaper Dispatch. His disdain for Sebastian’s demonic nature frequently leads to tense yet humorous exchanges.
Relationships
Grelle Sutcliff
William serves as Grelle’s superior in the Grim Reaper Dispatch. He is frequently exasperated by Grelle’s dramatic and rebellious behavior, often reprimanding her for her lack of professionalism. Despite this, he tolerates Grelle to some extent, reflecting his sense of duty and patience.
Sebastian Michaelis
William views Sebastian with disdain due to his status as a demon, regarding him as a disruptor of the natural order. Their interactions are marked by mutual respect for each other’s abilities but underpinned by animosity.
Fellow Grim Reapers
William maintains professional relationships with other Grim Reapers, often taking on a mentor-like role for those under his supervision.
Etymology
The name “William” originates from the Germanic name Willahelm, which combines two elements, Wil meaning “will” or “desire,” Helm meaning “helmet” or “protection.”
Thus, William can be interpreted to mean “will to protect” or “desire for protection,” which is fitting for a character like William T. Spears, who upholds the strict code of the Grim Reapers and his duty to maintain order and protection in the world of death.
The surname “Spears” is derived from the occupational name Spear, which likely referred to a hunter or a maker of spears. This connection suggests that his family may have had a background in a warrior or soldier-like profession. Spear could also be a nickname for someone of a thin build, linking it to William’s lean and precise nature as a Grim Reaper who deals with souls with sharp efficiency. The surname also carries with it the connotation of being part of the Grim Reaper’s scythe, a weapon often associated with precision and finality.