“It’s the same good old outfit [OC] wore in the cover illustration of vol.6, but several details have been customised, so please compare them. (putting aside that my art style has changed in general…) -Toboso”
@akumadeenglish’s translation of Yana’s tweet
So we did just that and compared them.
Positioning: We look at R.Ciel directly, albeit slightly from above. We’re also much closer to him than O.Ciel. While O.Ciel demands authority, shown by how distant he is on the cover, R.Ciel sits comfortably and closer to the viewer, almost in a more inviting challenge.
Eyes: It’s obvious to see that R.Ciel looks directly at you, yet from below. On the other hand, O.Ciel looks down at you. You could say that this adds to the idea of symmetry between them, but at the same time, what if they were looking at each other?
Colours: While both boys are dressed in black, R.Ciel’s shirt and coat tails are black. This (as we discussed with @bittermaiden) can be alike to funeral/mourning attire. Then again, it could also be a nod to demon Ciel’s final outfit in Season 2, once again drawing a parallel.
The other colour difference is R.Ciel is coloured with blue and silver while O.Ciel is in purple and gold. Purple and gold are obvious colours that signify nobility, so you could say V6′s cover shows him trying to assert his authority as the new heir. R.Ciel’s colouring adds a colder, possibly sorrowful, look, making him appear more distant. The cold silver of his buttons (though still black) also adds to the theme of stars as well. In addition to that, blue is actually the colour that we associate with the Phantomhives so you could argue that it shows him as the “true heir”.
Lapel decoration: Their lapel pins are switched in mirror image. O.Ciel’s accesories are worn the right way - lapel pins must always be on your left side. This adds to the idea that he is trying to become the real noble. It’s also a mark of gentlemanly style as well. However, the fact that R.Ciel’s pin is on his right side, rather than just meaning symmetry, shows insincerity and the fact that he has now become the fake, a mere imitation at life. This alone embodies the principal of things appearing as they are, the “doesn’t really matter” idea that both Undertaker and Sebastian have said, yet still things remain off.
Hands: R.Ciel tips his hat to us, a sign of respect. This adds to the charismatic idea we see of him, the twin that was stronger and able to talk to everyone. O.Ciel on the other hand holds a riding crop, demanding discipline and respect from us.
These are literally 9 years and 21 volumes apart. By looking at both covers, you can clearly argue that this is a battle for dominance as the true earl of Phantomhive.
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