The latest chapters are all about Casca. A few members of the group have entered her mind to find the shattered fragments of her psyche and work out what happened to her. So, it's looking like she may make somewhat of a return fairly soon. (On the Kentaro scale that is.)
You have to admit, this style did come with its advantages. Because there is little to no animation and the lack of a budget is obvious, time and care had to go into other things, such as plot, character development, and the placement of certain scenes. That way, when the animation does appear, it has more impact overall.
My reasoning for why griffith bed the princess after guts left is the same reason that a spoiled child breaks a toy that got a scratch on it. His dream got stopped, his reality of being the best got shattered, and he lashed out at his own future and ruined his chances instead of dealing with it and moving forward. Just like a spoiled child that breaks an arm off his action figure and gets so upset that he smashes the rest of it... the face he makes immediately after is full of regret and awareness... same as a kid looking at a smashed toy going "I shouldn't have done that". Because he's a narcissistic, sociopath and that's how they act when they don't get their way.
THANK YOU for pointing this out. I had looked online and was starting to think I was in some kind of silent minority that saw Griffith as an idiot for this part of the story. A "master" strategist that can plan for anything in advance yet one big hicup in his "flawless" overall plan and he suddenly turns into the brother of Daenerys Targaryen of game of thrones. Someone who cannot adapt to a flaw in their vision never had a chance to begin with.
PiecesMissing stop trying to give psycho analysis, he isn't anywhere near a narcissist. Although you did get his child like behavior correct just not in the right context.
PiecesMissing i agree which raises an interesting thought; while Guts leaving greatly crippled his chances to succeed his plans you could argue that there were in fact still chances. But he flipped and actively sealed his fate by doing the biggest, dumbest no-no anyone in his situation could've done. Like a champion chess player making a rookie mistake and then completely loose his cool and flip the table! It's actually kind of funny if not for the fact that *it absolutely totally very much wasn't!!!* XD
I think there's much more complexity to Grifith than him simply being a self serving but charismatic sociopath. He genuinely does care about the people and his men. He just takes a much more pragmatic approach to them than we can consider morally acceptable. In the actual Manga, you do find that Griffith is trying to save as many people as he can. And I think its safe to argue that the events of the eclipse are much more about his personal pain and feelings of betrayal than simply achieving a goal. But he didn't just want Guts as his property, even though that's how he presents the relationship. He was clearly confused about why he cared so much for him, never outright addressing it. But he puts his life and his goal on the line on more than one occasion to save him. Think Zodd and the Hundred men incident. That's why Guts' leaving effected him so much, he lost his closest friend and didn't have the tools at his disposal to either deal with that or express why it mattered to him. Or even acknowledge it.
@@animechic420 we all knew it was going down that way. Even with assistance, drawing those densely packed panels was time consuming, and that’s when he was well enough to draw them. It took thirty years to get where he did. We’re talking Golgo 13, Hajime no Ippo, JoJo. Not a lot out there lasts this long, let alone anything like as visually detailed.
The man liked Shoujo Manga (it's kind of why Berserk has such character depth: he wanted to make a story that had as much character focus -if not, more than the action it had) is a well documented fan of Idolm@ster, and said in one review that his favorite film at the time was Star Wars.
I personally disagree with that approach. Seeing the Behelit in the hands of the snake demon helps to mystify it later on and adds an aura of impending doom to the rest of the series once you see it around Griffith's neck. It heightens of tension of every battle, every royal scheme and strange encounter to know that sooner or later the story of the Band of the Hawk is destined to end in blood and horror. It's essentially the opposite of plot armor.
While I think that the first five should've been the full Black Swordsman arc in order to better get the idea that Golden Age is a flashback and better create the curiosity of "Why is he the way he is," I still think it's better to start off with episode one because it's the foundation of what the story becomes, as the other episodes are still a flashback. This would be better explained by having Puck be there, as it can be taken many ways as to why the flashback is there. He could be thinking back to remember why he fights, trying to soothe himself by remembering better days, or even just explaining to Puck as to why he's fighting. Plus, I feel that having episode one be the final episode, as it is now, is made pointless by the same issue that people have with the start of the series but in reverse. I know that most people watch Black Swordsman last because of a perceived better flow of conscience, but you'd essentially finish off the story with that flashback to where you started; just making the same problem you had at the beginning be given a different issue with the same result.
The brooding, cold character with a big sword is an archetype that Guts' created which inspired Clouds. Also keep in mind this was a tv series back in 1997 and the manga is still running. There is quality in this traditional hand drawn series vs its ugh.....current version.... Last note: The creator WANTS you to know Griffith is evil. He just wants you to discover why
Agreed. I already knew all about the eclipse before I read the manga. Because I knew the anime cut things. And I thought griffith always planned to sacrifice the band of the hawk to become a Demon. I had no idea he was basically fucked if he didn't do it. So it added a lot more to my opinion of him
btw Griffith is one son of a bitch and all you wanna say but he is now one of my favorite anime/manga villains of all time, we need MORE series where the villain's motivations and story are explored, it hurts MORE if you related to them till the end, THAT PAIN HELPS MAKES THE SERIES MORE EPIC!
Would've been great if the animators laid off the CG a bit more. Used once or twice is okay, but after a while it was an eyesore. The three movies were okay visually. At least they balanced it well enough. But then TV seasons come around, "Hey guys, know what'll make our seasons look more spectacular? MORE CG & LESS HAND DRAWN! .......Oh Hell No!
The '97 anime is all it needed to be if you ask me. Nothing can possibly match the manga, so '97 anime it is. Gave me everything I needed, and prepared me for a deep dive into the manga for added details and continuation.
I didn't get into/ know about Anime until 10th grade. My friend Chelsea introduced me to it. And I found out about Berserk from Hbi2K's Berserk Abridged. I love the ost Berserk Forces, by Susumu Hirasawa.
Susumu Hirasawa singlehandedly made the anime indispensable despite the poor production quality. One of the best anime/manga out there, no doubt! It's always nice to revisit Berserk. Great analysis, Sage!
If you thought the anime was dark, you won't be prepared for the manga. There was a lot of fucked up shit in the manga that was omitted from the anime.
Hate to be a critic, but Im kind of amazed that you completely glossed over the epic speech that Griffith gives to Charlotte about who he would consider a "true friend" . The speech itself along with Guts overhearing is maybe the most important part of the arc, its literally the reason Guts decides to leave. You worded it like Guts got bored/disenfranchised and decided to leave, thats not really the case. Its important for many reasons but one of my favorite aspects of this decision is that Guts really thinks he is doing the right thing, and his intention is to become someone that Griffith calls a true friend, and as the saying goes, good intentions pave the road to hell, or in this case an eclipse.
I think that Griffith did see Guts as his equal and a true friend. I think they both just misunderstood each other. Guts thinking that Griffith didn't see him as a "true friend" or equal. Griffith depended on Guts to carry out multiple behind the scenes schemes and keep it a secret from the rest of the band of the hawk. You wouldn't tell a friend a secret or ask them to do you a favor let alone depend on them in times of need but a true friend and confidant is someone you can trust completely. This is how Griffith in my opinion saw Guts; however, Guts didn't realize that. The conversation with Charlotte led to Guts misunderstanding and at the same time Griffith didn't acknowlwedge Guts as a true friend at this point. He had everything a man could ever want yet that one mishap caused his downfall. For these reasons this is why I believe they both fell short of realizing they both already had what they desired. The irony is that Griffith lost all of that over the course of one night after years of climbing to the top. I think Griffith realized it more than Guts his pride just wouldn't let him say what he truly felt so he thought he would subdue Guts like he did in the past. I think Guts may have possibly stayed if Griffith would have said I can't let you go because I see you as a equal, a true friend. Then again Guts may have left anyway. I love this anime it is incredible.
You watch the first episode, you think "that's neat, but where are they going to go from here"? The second episode, you're like "Sure, I'll give it a chance". The body of Berserk is half all right. But the ending... has you screaming "I Want MORE!!!".
@@InvertedWIng I agree. While you don’t need to read every manga the anime is based on if it’s unfinished, if you claim you love it, then it seems weird.
funny enough, when they released movies without intro establishing supernatural things we had most of new viewers bashing series for "randomly turning into some high fantasy crap". And that's exactly the purpose of first story arc in manga and first episode in old anime - establish that this story is going to turn into high fantasy and than cut to low fantasy with slow build.
The genealogy of Berserk’s influences is very interesting and incredibly varied, including Fist of the North Star, Devilman, and shojo manga like Rose of Versailles. I even found an interview where Miura cites an old BL manga as an influence for the Golden Age arc.
The anime was produced in 1997, not the 2000s. The manga was started in 80s. Guts was the inspiration for Cloud, including that massive Buster Sword. Naruto and One Piece were not contemporaneous.
8 minutes in and I wonder why you're not discussing the problems with the production of the first series. All the criticism you give to English dubbed anime makes me wonder why you bother watching dubs instead of subs.
What this show lacks in hight budget animation it pretty much makes up for it in everything alse. It focuses more on the emotions of the characters and why they are fighting and the stakes involved. It doesnt have the best looking/choreographed scenes but it doesnt have because they "feel" so hype. You the characters are of flesh and bone and as fragile as anyone. They could die a brutal death at any moment with the cut of an artery. Also the world itself seems so cruel and unforgiving. Everything has a consequence and nothing trivial so the setting is so impactful. The music takes the show over the edge giving even more emotion to everyscene and isnt pretentious sounding just very raw and stricking. They focused on the characters which is what really mattered. Guts is a perfect blend of really competent and strong but not to strong to where you desperation when he is hurt and roughed up. Casca is amazing and griffith so perfect but so flawed for guts. Theh make a pwrfect love triangle. The anime cut back on the gore and sexual violence just enough to not make it about that and rather "hinted" lots of things for the sake of a more streamlined story telling. The main characters look very well drawn and human like. The show changed me.
I appreciate the consideration of spoilers, I honestly and truly do. Now if only everybody else in the anime community had had the same courtesy and consideration. But thank you for it regardless! :D
I mean it depends what you mean by techniques because all the basic cuts (fendenti/sottani/mezzani or oberhauen/unterhauen/mittelhauen) are all doable even with a greatsword, not to mention thrusts. Yeah maybe some German stuff would be hard to do but a lot of the fundamentals are the same for a sword that has two sharp edges that is held in two hands.
I thought Guts wanted to become Griffith's equal because he wanted to truly become Griffith's friend. Guts and Casca overhear Griffith talking to princess Charlotte and Griffith says that only those who are his equals are his friends. This helps Guts motivate himself into becoming an equal worthy enough to stand by Griffith's side. Unfortunately, the act of Guts leaving leads to the downfall of Griffith and his Band of the Hawks. It shows that, in actuality, Griffith truly does care about Guts as a friend. His bond with Guts is probably the closest thing Griffith has ever had to feeling an emotional connection with someone, I'd even go as far as to say it is the closest thing he has ever felt to love. But Griffith himself does not realise this. This is because Griffith suppresses everything and does not try to form emotional attachments to other people, but he is distraught when Guts leaves and he himself does not understand why he feels this way because he has never felt this before. He feels he has lost control and that's why he goes to sleep with Charlotte, to regain some form of control. Guts leaves to become Griffith's equal and become his true friend, when in actuality he was Griffith's true friend already. Both of them never realised it and it leads to tragedy.
Griffith is in love with guts but guts is straight (especially after his childhood IE raised by women at young age all pain and hardship that he experienced was by men (raped injured almost killed) which continued well into his teenage years). Guts cares for casca as he can respect/relate to her personally as well as the kindness and the fact that he is attracted to her. Casca idolizes and is in love with griffith which angers guts as she repeatedly throws herself at griffith only for him to turn her away as again griffith is gay. Guts left as with no more battles to fight he has no way to become equal with griffith as violence is all guts has ever known and he needs to find himself as his own person rather then languishing with no purpose in somewhere where he feels he does not belong. Griffith trying to fill the hole that losing guts has caused in him accelerates his plan to sleep with the princess resulting in his capture and torture. griffith probably knew guts was not attracted to him in that way which is why he kept him close being satisfied that guts is nearby as long as guts wasn't with someone else. You could even theorize that what set him off might have been him somehow finding out about guts and cascas relationship thus some of the events of the eclipse.
bookcoda I personally don't view Griffith as gay, but if the theory was true and he did indeed care for Guts in a romantic way then I would be okay with that. I just think that his emotional attachment to Guts is the most emotion he has ever felt about anyone ever. Two guys can love each other as friends, it doesn't have to be romantic. He just has so little experience with it that he doesn't know what it is and how to act on it. Plus, he feels that emotional attachments could make himself seem weak. Which is why he never lets his anger or disgust show when he whored himself out to that gross lord. The cracks in his facade showed a little, but ultimately he suppressed it like he does everything else. Love comes in many forms, it isn't always romantic, I can see the logic that Griffith might be in love with Guts, but personally I think Guts is the person Griffith let come closest to him. A true friend he never realised he already had and destroyed that bond himself.
I dont think grifith would see guts as an equal unless he left. grifith said is equal would be some one who fights for the own dream sake not any one elses. as long as guts was fighting for grifith he wouldnt be able to fight for his own dream, or even fidn it.
Orsonfoe A very good point. Griffith likes being depended on, he likes being the leader and he likes being the source of admiration for people. The thought of one of his own soldiers leaving him to peruse their own dreams is inconceivable to him. Guts leaving him is probably the first time he has ever been rejected. That, coupled with the fact that he unknowingly cares for Guts and doesn’t want him to leave, sends Griffith into a downward spiral. Because his soldiers “belong” to him, none of them could be his equal. If they tried to be then he would not allow himself to be rejected. Guts is the only one to ever do so.
MsAbixxx. I think it's more to do with guts than an ordinary soldiers. But guts did flat out beat him to move on. Grifith is not usr to losing and he already by ghost as huged stress to win non stop.
I got hooked into this anime since the vert first episode. And since then, I have checked everything possible Berserk wise (including the entire manga, the animated movies, season 2016-17, video games and others such as all 5 Souls games). And if you ask me, I think episode one is the best and always find myself rewatching, I freakin love it as it showcases the best things in Berserk: Guts killing monsters and revealing his dark past. But I guess I should also state that I found "The Black Swordsman" arc as the most badass part of the entire series. (And I also love "The Golden Arc Age")
You have to read the manga. That’s kind of the point. The manga is literally a work of art. This anime is not the most faithful adaptation, they left many important characters out of it like skull knight.
Unless that female Humpty Dumpty gets herself back together again, of something finally slices up that potato and fries her in oil with a side of ketchup I can't say why she's "hella important". What's worse than another hiatus? A hiatus in the middle of a Casca arc...
Dream The Endless dude im loving the current arc. Casca is such a great character im so hype to see her come back. If she doesnt and stays crazy after this i cant follow the series anymore and will just gobble it up if/when it finishes. Too nihilistic imo
I like this anime adaptation a lot more than the one that came out in 2016. Say what you will about the "painting" bits, but the animation seemed to fit more naturally here. The 2016 version had too much ugly-as-all-hell CGI.
I say this to everyone Berserk is one of those shows that needs to be fleshed out and fully told ... like one piece u would hate it if it was cut short before they got deep into the story.. my advice is to read the berserk manga and appreciate the animation of the show .. the manga is way better and depper
I think Bennetts second observation is the most likely option on why Griffith did what he did with the Princess, not caring about the consequences because of his headspace. He wanted to regain some sort of misguided manhood, almost in the way that people will act differently to "compensate" after losing someone in their life that is no longer there for various reasons. Hell even by the way he first reacts it's immediately clear he didn't know just the gravity of the situation he was in. RIP Miura, you're a legend that is gone but never will be forgotten.
Honestly, this is probably my second favorite anime ever. And the dub is absolutely wonderful, in both its goofiness and its actually better than decent script in the parts that matter.
I had the same experience. Found the discs at the rental store and have been hooked ever since. I loved the original show, enjoyed the new show that just completed its run along with the recap movies, and the Manga is the first I ever started collecting. The ride never ends!
Hey Sage, If you want to experience the complete Journey/Story of Berserk then check out the manga and NOT THE SHITTY CG ANIMATED 2016 SERIES The manga is AWESOME and even if you don't read Manga you at least should read Berserk
correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the latest bit of the manga (I've sadly never read it) where they just make it to that city with Casca in tow. (I'm trying to avoid spoilers but you know the one Gutts thinks will help)
Sage says it's his personal favorite anime,but he never even brings up the manga,not even to say that the story continues there.Does he even have an opinion on the manga and it's post-eclipse stuff?it's kinda hard to believe that you are a Berserk fan ,but completely ignore the manga.
Asahamana I know that,buthe should really change that with Berserk.It had that issue of having many volumes with many of them out of print and pricey,but they all have recently been digitally released.
nintendoluigi you can like it, but without reading the manga, you can't call yourself a Berserk fan. The manga is a masterpiece that the anime* can't really* compare to. *Edited for typos.
I hate the 'you're not a *real* fan unless you've watched *and* read it' argument. Why can't someone just prefer to only watch/read, and still be considered a big fan?
I just gotta say it; if you're interested, please do yourself a favour and read the manga. I think the golden age trilogy was fine, but no adaptations really do it justice. Miura's art seemingly cannot be successfully grafted well onto any other medium. That and well, like 90% of the manga isn't adapted anyways, so you don't really have a choice.
Guts is great tactically while Griffith is great strategically. Griffith draws out the sum of the whole. Guts just helped accelerate the Band's progress.
I was introduced to Berserk when Death battle released the Guts vs Nightmare. When they explained who Guts was, I was so fascinated by it that I searched up Berserk, and immediately became a fan. Plus, that Death Battle episode has nostalgic value to me, and it's one of my favorites, and Guts became one of my favorite characters ever. I remember one Saturday afternoon in April, when I came home from my Extra Curiculum English classes, I was playing Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Generations on my tablet that I received as a gift for Easter. That's when I bumped into a video by THE AnimeHERO when he counted down the manliest anime theme songs, and that's when I heard "Forces" by Susumu Hirasawa. Not only was that song badass and amazing, but it's quite possibly my favorite song of all time.
The thing about berserk is, I like the fact that it shows how a character can become a certain way. It pretty much tells you that yes "Guts is this way." but it also tells you how guts became that way in the first place. the fact that they didn't animate the fake fairies arc isn't something I blame them for.
It should be noted that the anime(the one being reviewed) covered the Golden Age arc, which came after the Blackswordsman arc. So the first episode covers the adventure Guts has just before we get to the Golden Age arc.
I actually think the animation works in the shows favour. The berserk manga is very "painting" like and it's some of the best manga art I've ever seen. I feel that no amount of animation could live up to that so the very detailed stills in the show are the best way to showcase the art and style of the series.
Couldn't click fast enough. Although I'm not a "true fan" since I was introduced to this through the three chi movies, but I love how this connects or is referenced to dark souls
ugh yeah i couldn't even watch the three movies just made me cringe found berserk in kinda same was as ben being bored and looking for something different and stumbling upon it.
Darksouls references this not the other way around the manga began in the early 1980s. The movies came after i had already watched the show im saying i really didn't like them because of the art style and it being shortened and lacking the music i liked. if you liked it and got introduced to the series through it then good for you.
SO thrilled to finally see this review! I didn't watch it for the longest time because I'd long been planning to watch Berserk, and it's so gratifying to see now that I finally have. I thought you were going to rag on it a fair bit because of the animation and whatnot, but I'm happy to see you have such a love for it and see all the good things and more that I saw. Even as a very new fan this series has already earned a place in my heart. By any chance, have you talked publicly about your thoughts on the movies at all? I like them quite a bit (my first introduction to Berserk was seeing the first movie on Netflix, then I went and finished the anime before seeing the next two movies) but I'm curious what you'd think as someone who's so fond of the anime.
i was looking for a clip from the movie Clerks where Olaf sings "Berserker" and I saw an image of Guts in his early mercenary helmet and that image has stuck with me ever since as you can see... oh and it made me look it up and that's how I got into Berserk
I dont think the first episode was a mistake at all since you are really curious how he became to the black swordsman also I can't help but want more of black swordsman arc and if they might plan to do more seasons of it, it was just a great cliffhanger which just wants you to have more what will happen next etc. Also the animation was alright for the time but at least you understood whats important in the series and still recommend it.
guts goes through nothing but pain and death ever since he was an infant, raped as a kid, betrayed by his own best friend, his only love damaged in the head and even battling the demon within himself and yet he still goes on living, anyone else would've killed themselves or died in battle.
Berserk 2016 trailer: Noting will be wong.
Berserk 2017: To rate, is to rate.
17 improved i feel like just as 16 was at its worse at the beginning
*too
Rest In Peace Mr.Kentaro Miura you’ve were truly an extraordinary artist and storyteller.
A True Seinen Visionary.
Rest easy Miyura, you've earned it.
I just wish Kentaro would finish the manga before 2050.
There's this joke stating we'd all be dead by the time Berserk ends...
or just get back to what happens with casca i could wait longer if i knew casca would finally make a mental return
The latest chapters are all about Casca. A few members of the group have entered her mind to find the shattered fragments of her psyche and work out what happened to her.
So, it's looking like she may make somewhat of a return fairly soon. (On the Kentaro scale that is.)
Kaiman so, he’ll finish it in 2049
bookcoda
SHe did a mental return 3 chapters ago.
HAAAAAIIIIIII-YAAA-FOOOOOORCES!
HAAAAAIIIIIII-YAAA-FOOOOOORCES!
ComiXProvider FTW_02
HIIII-AAAAA-TUUUUUUS
Missed the second iiiiii.
How that wasn't the show's opening is one of anime's greatest mysteries.
@@ZeldaEd123 I know, Right?
Guts aka Butch Deadlift. God I wish the current run of Berserk was animated in this style instead of the crappy 3-d style they got today.
This barely-animated, practically non-existent style?
You have to admit, this style did come with its advantages. Because there is little to no animation and the lack of a budget is obvious, time and care had to go into other things, such as plot, character development, and the placement of certain scenes. That way, when the animation does appear, it has more impact overall.
ikr :(
Damien Suluai You are so naive.
That's what this Berserk did. The new one's direction.....I can't even follow it.
"Hell of an ending..." heh, heh, heh! I see what you did there!
Literally a hell of one. I didn't see the ending coming when I watched it. Screw that necklace.
My new favorate passtime is watching millennials react to ep 25 and mentally breaking.
@@TheZephyrsWind Femto
My reasoning for why griffith bed the princess after guts left is the same reason that a spoiled child breaks a toy that got a scratch on it. His dream got stopped, his reality of being the best got shattered, and he lashed out at his own future and ruined his chances instead of dealing with it and moving forward. Just like a spoiled child that breaks an arm off his action figure and gets so upset that he smashes the rest of it... the face he makes immediately after is full of regret and awareness... same as a kid looking at a smashed toy going "I shouldn't have done that". Because he's a narcissistic, sociopath and that's how they act when they don't get their way.
THANK YOU for pointing this out. I had looked online and was starting to think I was in some kind of silent minority that saw Griffith as an idiot for this part of the story. A "master" strategist that can plan for anything in advance yet one big hicup in his "flawless" overall plan and he suddenly turns into the brother of Daenerys Targaryen of game of thrones. Someone who cannot adapt to a flaw in their vision never had a chance to begin with.
Maui Caui kek
PiecesMissing well, a sociopath wouldn't even realize that
PiecesMissing stop trying to give psycho analysis, he isn't anywhere near a narcissist. Although you did get his child like behavior correct just not in the right context.
PiecesMissing i agree which raises an interesting thought; while Guts leaving greatly crippled his chances to succeed his plans you could argue that there were in fact still chances. But he flipped and actively sealed his fate by doing the biggest, dumbest no-no anyone in his situation could've done. Like a champion chess player making a rookie mistake and then completely loose his cool and flip the table! It's actually kind of funny if not for the fact that *it absolutely totally very much wasn't!!!* XD
I think there's much more complexity to Grifith than him simply being a self serving but charismatic sociopath. He genuinely does care about the people and his men. He just takes a much more pragmatic approach to them than we can consider morally acceptable.
In the actual Manga, you do find that Griffith is trying to save as many people as he can. And I think its safe to argue that the events of the eclipse are much more about his personal pain and feelings of betrayal than simply achieving a goal.
But he didn't just want Guts as his property, even though that's how he presents the relationship. He was clearly confused about why he cared so much for him, never outright addressing it. But he puts his life and his goal on the line on more than one occasion to save him. Think Zodd and the Hundred men incident. That's why Guts' leaving effected him so much, he lost his closest friend and didn't have the tools at his disposal to either deal with that or express why it mattered to him. Or even acknowledge it.
I saw berserk and I clicked on it so mf fast
I'm distracted by Elana's icon. All I'm thinking is "Danger Dolan" XD
For the love of God, Please Read The Manga Ben!!!!
My love for you is like a truck. BERSERRRRRKERRRRR!!
11:07 Hi Eggman from Sonic X, never expected you to be here in Berserk?
'member book stores?
Oh! I member! Member Shonen Jump?
'member originality?
Oh I member!
Member FYE?!
MJ Red
『 Ｐｅｐｐｅｒｉｄｇｅ Ｆａｒｍ Ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒｓ．．．』
I member!
Irony: the author of Berserk is a big fan of "moe".
Not really, but Kentaro Miura is a huge fan of Shoujo mangas, Because he said that he grew up with it as a kid
@@brayanargandonaflorentino548 and then he made one of the most manly manga series ever.
@@zacharypreval3186 and then he died before finishing his manga.
@@animechic420 we all knew it was going down that way. Even with assistance, drawing those densely packed panels was time consuming, and that’s when he was well enough to draw them. It took thirty years to get where he did. We’re talking Golgo 13, Hajime no Ippo, JoJo. Not a lot out there lasts this long, let alone anything like as visually detailed.
The man liked Shoujo Manga (it's kind of why Berserk has such character depth: he wanted to make a story that had as much character focus -if not, more than the action it had) is a well documented fan of Idolm@ster, and said in one review that his favorite film at the time was Star Wars.
WHY AM I GETTING THIS RECOMMANED??!? AFTER YEARS...
I told my friend to watch it starting from episode 2 and finish with episode 1. She loved it.
I personally disagree with that approach. Seeing the Behelit in the hands of the snake demon helps to mystify it later on and adds an aura of impending doom to the rest of the series once you see it around Griffith's neck. It heightens of tension of every battle, every royal scheme and strange encounter to know that sooner or later the story of the Band of the Hawk is destined to end in blood and horror. It's essentially the opposite of plot armor.
While I think that the first five should've been the full Black Swordsman arc in order to better get the idea that Golden Age is a flashback and better create the curiosity of "Why is he the way he is," I still think it's better to start off with episode one because it's the foundation of what the story becomes, as the other episodes are still a flashback. This would be better explained by having Puck be there, as it can be taken many ways as to why the flashback is there. He could be thinking back to remember why he fights, trying to soothe himself by remembering better days, or even just explaining to Puck as to why he's fighting.
Plus, I feel that having episode one be the final episode, as it is now, is made pointless by the same issue that people have with the start of the series but in reverse. I know that most people watch Black Swordsman last because of a perceived better flow of conscience, but you'd essentially finish off the story with that flashback to where you started; just making the same problem you had at the beginning be given a different issue with the same result.
The brooding, cold character with a big sword is an archetype that Guts' created which inspired Clouds.
Also keep in mind this was a tv series back in 1997 and the manga is still running. There is quality in this traditional hand drawn series vs its ugh.....current version....
Last note:
The creator WANTS you to know Griffith is evil. He just wants you to discover why
Agreed. I already knew all about the eclipse before I read the manga. Because I knew the anime cut things. And I thought griffith always planned to sacrifice the band of the hawk to become a Demon. I had no idea he was basically fucked if he didn't do it. So it added a lot more to my opinion of him
Reading this comment made me sad in 2022..
btw Griffith is one son of a bitch and all you wanna say but he is now one of my favorite anime/manga villains of all time, we need MORE series where the villain's motivations and story are explored, it hurts MORE if you related to them till the end, THAT PAIN HELPS MAKES THE SERIES MORE EPIC!
I would love to know Sage's thought on Berserk 2016/17.
"They're Crap!"
Would've been great if the animators laid off the CG a bit more. Used once or twice is okay, but after a while it was an eyesore. The three movies were okay visually. At least they balanced it well enough. But then TV seasons come around, "Hey guys, know what'll make our seasons look more spectacular? MORE CG & LESS HAND DRAWN! .......Oh Hell No!
Let's just say the new Castlevania show is everything the new Berserk should have been.
Prime92 you already know hes gonna say its crap
Absolute garbage.
The '97 anime is all it needed to be if you ask me. Nothing can possibly match the manga, so '97 anime it is. Gave me everything I needed, and prepared me for a deep dive into the manga for added details and continuation.
I just read the manga. I don’t really plan to watch the Berserk anime
That is why u read the manga
If a person loves an anime and it doesn't finish, read the manga, period. Very important advice for many anime series.
Reading the manga won’t do anyone any good now….
I didn't get into/ know about Anime until 10th grade. My friend Chelsea introduced me to it. And I found out about Berserk from Hbi2K's Berserk Abridged. I love the ost Berserk Forces, by Susumu Hirasawa.
Berserk Abridged is one of the best Abridged Series. The ending is awesome.
That's how I got into Berserk as well. I still love how he handled the eclipse.
THE *TRUE* BLACK SWORDSMAN LADIES AND GENTLEMANS OF THE INTERNET, GET THAT SAO SHIT OUTTA HERE!
Can SAO Abridged stay?
bue OF COURSE, that show is brilliant!
Susumu Hirasawa singlehandedly made the anime indispensable despite the poor production quality. One of the best anime/manga out there, no doubt!
It's always nice to revisit Berserk. Great analysis, Sage!
Dare I say, like JoJo and Hunter X Hunter, Berserk seriously deserves a proper, modern remake.
RIP Kentro Miura
Finally, this is the episode I've been waiting for!
This anime traumatized me.
But I love it.
This anime made me a better man.
If you thought the anime was dark, you won't be prepared for the manga. There was a lot of fucked up shit in the manga that was omitted from the anime.
Hate to be a critic, but Im kind of amazed that you completely glossed over the epic speech that Griffith gives to Charlotte about who he would consider a "true friend" . The speech itself along with Guts overhearing is maybe the most important part of the arc, its literally the reason Guts decides to leave. You worded it like Guts got bored/disenfranchised and decided to leave, thats not really the case. Its important for many reasons but one of my favorite aspects of this decision is that Guts really thinks he is doing the right thing, and his intention is to become someone that Griffith calls a true friend, and as the saying goes, good intentions pave the road to hell, or in this case an eclipse.
The review is very poor.
This review mediocre
Griffith: Charisma 18, has a million 'friends', but doesn't really consider anyone a friend.
Guts: Charisma 8, just needs ONE FRIEND
Feels bad man.
First thing I thought when I watched this video
I think that Griffith did see Guts as his equal and a true friend. I think they both just misunderstood each other. Guts thinking that Griffith didn't see him as a "true friend" or equal. Griffith depended on Guts to carry out multiple behind the scenes schemes and keep it a secret from the rest of the band of the hawk. You wouldn't tell a friend a secret or ask them to do you a favor let alone depend on them in times of need but a true friend and confidant is someone you can trust completely. This is how Griffith in my opinion saw Guts; however, Guts didn't realize that. The conversation with Charlotte led to Guts misunderstanding and at the same time Griffith didn't acknowlwedge Guts as a true friend at this point. He had everything a man could ever want yet that one mishap caused his downfall. For these reasons this is why I believe they both fell short of realizing they both already had what they desired. The irony is that Griffith lost all of that over the course of one night after years of climbing to the top. I think Griffith realized it more than Guts his pride just wouldn't let him say what he truly felt so he thought he would subdue Guts like he did in the past. I think Guts may have possibly stayed if Griffith would have said I can't let you go because I see you as a equal, a true friend. Then again Guts may have left anyway. I love this anime it is incredible.
You watch the first episode, you think "that's neat, but where are they going to go from here"? The second episode, you're like "Sure, I'll give it a chance". The body of Berserk is half all right. But the ending... has you screaming "I Want MORE!!!".
And lets not forget the awesome and very funny outtakes from the dub on DVD. lol
The manga is better
Meh i really liked the music and voice which made it better then that part of the manga for me
No shit
I Disagree
its not just better its a masterpiece in manga storytelling
Yes and the sky is blue.
Wait, what? How is Berserk your favorite anime since 2005 but you haven't read the manga????
He said it himself he doesn’t have the patience to finish a long running manga, with few exceptions of course
Sadly that’s Bennett’s loss
Then he doesn't like it nearly as much as he claims then.
@@InvertedWIng I agree. While you don’t need to read every manga the anime is based on if it’s unfinished, if you claim you love it, then it seems weird.
funny enough, when they released movies without intro establishing supernatural things we had most of new viewers bashing series for "randomly turning into some high fantasy crap". And that's exactly the purpose of first story arc in manga and first episode in old anime - establish that this story is going to turn into high fantasy and than cut to low fantasy with slow build.
That's a brilliant point you make
The genealogy of Berserk’s influences is very interesting and incredibly varied, including Fist of the North Star, Devilman, and shojo manga like Rose of Versailles. I even found an interview where Miura cites an old BL manga as an influence for the Golden Age arc.
The anime was produced in 1997, not the 2000s. The manga was started in 80s. Guts was the inspiration for Cloud, including that massive Buster Sword. Naruto and One Piece were not contemporaneous.
8 minutes in and I wonder why you're not discussing the problems with the production of the first series. All the criticism you give to English dubbed anime makes me wonder why you bother watching dubs instead of subs.
Oh man.. as someone who discovered you in 2022 this was a joy to watch but I always have this undertone of sadness... hard sadness..
What this show lacks in hight budget animation it pretty much makes up for it in everything alse. It focuses more on the emotions of the characters and why they are fighting and the stakes involved. It doesnt have the best looking/choreographed scenes but it doesnt have because they "feel" so hype. You the characters are of flesh and bone and as fragile as anyone. They could die a brutal death at any moment with the cut of an artery. Also the world itself seems so cruel and unforgiving. Everything has a consequence and nothing trivial so the setting is so impactful. The music takes the show over the edge giving even more emotion to everyscene and isnt pretentious sounding just very raw and stricking. They focused on the characters which is what really mattered. Guts is a perfect blend of really competent and strong but not to strong to where you desperation when he is hurt and roughed up. Casca is amazing and griffith so perfect but so flawed for guts. Theh make a pwrfect love triangle. The anime cut back on the gore and sexual violence just enough to not make it about that and rather "hinted" lots of things for the sake of a more streamlined story telling. The main characters look very well drawn and human like. The show changed me.
Griffith did everything wrong, and more.
He didn't feed the goldfish.
He kept playing despasito every other song on the radio station.
@@ashenknight4023 He didn't flush the toilet after using it.
I appreciate the consideration of spoilers, I honestly and truly do. Now if only everybody else in the anime community had had the same courtesy and consideration. But thank you for it regardless! :D
let's all pray for a david productions adaptation in the future
"It's like if the story started with Walter White in his cabin"
I'm assuming this was made before Better Call Saul
"claymore" It's a greatsword. You can't use normal longsword techniques with it, not even GUTS can use longsword techniques with it.
I mean it depends what you mean by techniques because all the basic cuts (fendenti/sottani/mezzani or oberhauen/unterhauen/mittelhauen) are all doable even with a greatsword, not to mention thrusts. Yeah maybe some German stuff would be hard to do but a lot of the fundamentals are the same for a sword that has two sharp edges that is held in two hands.
I thought Guts wanted to become Griffith's equal because he wanted to truly become Griffith's friend.
Guts and Casca overhear Griffith talking to princess Charlotte and Griffith says that only those who are his equals are his friends.
This helps Guts motivate himself into becoming an equal worthy enough to stand by Griffith's side. Unfortunately, the act of Guts leaving leads to the downfall of Griffith and his Band of the Hawks. It shows that, in actuality, Griffith truly does care about Guts as a friend. His bond with Guts is probably the closest thing Griffith has ever had to feeling an emotional connection with someone, I'd even go as far as to say it is the closest thing he has ever felt to love.
But Griffith himself does not realise this. This is because Griffith suppresses everything and does not try to form emotional attachments to other people, but he is distraught when Guts leaves and he himself does not understand why he feels this way because he has never felt this before.
He feels he has lost control and that's why he goes to sleep with Charlotte, to regain some form of control.
Guts leaves to become Griffith's equal and become his true friend, when in actuality he was Griffith's true friend already. Both of them never realised it and it leads to tragedy.
Griffith is in love with guts but guts is straight (especially after his childhood IE raised by women at young age all pain and hardship that he experienced was by men (raped injured almost killed) which continued well into his teenage years). Guts cares for casca as he can respect/relate to her personally as well as the kindness and the fact that he is attracted to her. Casca idolizes and is in love with griffith which angers guts as she repeatedly throws herself at griffith only for him to turn her away as again griffith is gay. Guts left as with no more battles to fight he has no way to become equal with griffith as violence is all guts has ever known and he needs to find himself as his own person rather then languishing with no purpose in somewhere where he feels he does not belong. Griffith trying to fill the hole that losing guts has caused in him accelerates his plan to sleep with the princess resulting in his capture and torture. griffith probably knew guts was not attracted to him in that way which is why he kept him close being satisfied that guts is nearby as long as guts wasn't with someone else.
You could even theorize that what set him off might have been him somehow finding out about guts and cascas relationship thus some of the events of the eclipse.
bookcoda
I personally don't view Griffith as gay, but if the theory was true and he did indeed care for Guts in a romantic way then I would be okay with that.
I just think that his emotional attachment to Guts is the most emotion he has ever felt about anyone ever. Two guys can love each other as friends, it doesn't have to be romantic. He just has so little experience with it that he doesn't know what it is and how to act on it. Plus, he feels that emotional attachments could make himself seem weak. Which is why he never lets his anger or disgust show when he whored himself out to that gross lord. The cracks in his facade showed a little, but ultimately he suppressed it like he does everything else.
Love comes in many forms, it isn't always romantic, I can see the logic that Griffith might be in love with Guts, but personally I think Guts is the person Griffith let come closest to him. A true friend he never realised he already had and destroyed that bond himself.
I dont think grifith would see guts as an equal unless he left. grifith said is equal would be some one who fights for the own dream sake not any one elses. as long as guts was fighting for grifith he wouldnt be able to fight for his own dream, or even fidn it.
Orsonfoe
A very good point.
Griffith likes being depended on, he likes being the leader and he likes being the source of admiration for people. The thought of one of his own soldiers leaving him to peruse their own dreams is inconceivable to him.
Guts leaving him is probably the first time he has ever been rejected. That, coupled with the fact that he unknowingly cares for Guts and doesn’t want him to leave, sends Griffith into a downward spiral.
Because his soldiers “belong” to him, none of them could be his equal. If they tried to be then he would not allow himself to be rejected.
Guts is the only one to ever do so.
MsAbixxx. I think it's more to do with guts than an ordinary soldiers. But guts did flat out beat him to move on. Grifith is not usr to losing and he already by ghost as huged stress to win non stop.
I got hooked into this anime since the vert first episode. And since then, I have checked everything possible Berserk wise (including the entire manga, the animated movies, season 2016-17, video games and others such as all 5 Souls games). And if you ask me, I think episode one is the best and always find myself rewatching, I freakin love it as it showcases the best things in Berserk: Guts killing monsters and revealing his dark past. But I guess I should also state that I found "The Black Swordsman" arc as the most badass part of the entire series. (And I also love "The Golden Arc Age")
This is awesome! Thanks for the reupload!
This is my favorite anime reviewer channel reviewer guy opening. Thank you for bringing anime to india.
You have to read the manga. That’s kind of the point. The manga is literally a work of art. This anime is not the most faithful adaptation, they left many important characters out of it like skull knight.
Ugh, I'm a little salty that he barely talked about Casca who's HELLA important to the series. 😒
I think he wanted to talk about the series overall and not to focus too much on the characters unless it was needed
Unless that female Humpty Dumpty gets herself back together again, of something finally slices up that potato and fries her in oil with a side of ketchup I can't say why she's "hella important". What's worse than another hiatus? A hiatus in the middle of a Casca arc...
yes im stuck on the damn cliffhanger of what will happen in her mind
Dream The Endless she is a hella important character he might as well have been the only thing that kept guts from going crazy after the eclipse
Dream The Endless dude im loving the current arc. Casca is such a great character im so hype to see her come back. If she doesnt and stays crazy after this i cant follow the series anymore and will just gobble it up if/when it finishes. Too nihilistic imo
Griffith did everything wrong.
Tess Tesla *wong
Even when he put his ding dong in the princess?
That time with the princess was clearly with a strap-on.
Griffith had no choice's only illusions of them.
Griffith should have just beat off that fateful night
I like this anime adaptation a lot more than the one that came out in 2016. Say what you will about the "painting" bits, but the animation seemed to fit more naturally here. The 2016 version had too much ugly-as-all-hell CGI.
Thank you for putting this review back on your page and for all the other reviews on anime
The best way to watch the series is to start at Episode 2 and watch Episode 1 right after the ending. Perfectly circular and self contained.
Awesome, Sage! My favourite episode, so far.
the same people who did pokeman also did this
They both came out in 1997
*Pokemon
Finally!!! I was wondering where this review went, so I was really looking forward to seeing it back.
He had it on his website im assuming he cut some stuff from that version for this.
Oh yeah I knew that, it's just nice that it's back on youtube where it's more convenient for me to watch it
I didn't even know about this episode (or I don't remember) and this is easily my favourite one. Thanks Sage.
I say this to everyone
Berserk is one of those shows that needs to be fleshed out and fully told ... like one piece u would hate it if it was cut short before they got deep into the story.. my advice is to read the berserk manga and appreciate the animation of the show .. the manga is way better and depper
I always recommend to watch the first episode last when telling people about this series
22:23 you have cut off a bit of audio there. What were you going to say?
I think Bennetts second observation is the most likely option on why Griffith did what he did with the Princess, not caring about the consequences because of his headspace.
He wanted to regain some sort of misguided manhood, almost in the way that people will act differently to "compensate" after losing someone in their life that is no longer there for various reasons.
Hell even by the way he first reacts it's immediately clear he didn't know just the gravity of the situation he was in.
RIP Miura, you're a legend that is gone but never will be forgotten.
Griffith's motivation was "I need to get to the part of the plot where I am evil, lol"
"PUT YOUR GRASSES ON, NOTHING WILL BE WRONG!" Why must you lie to me intro!
Honestly, this is probably my second favorite anime ever. And the dub is absolutely wonderful, in both its goofiness and its actually better than decent script in the parts that matter.
I had the same experience. Found the discs at the rental store and have been hooked ever since. I loved the original show, enjoyed the new show that just completed its run along with the recap movies, and the Manga is the first I ever started collecting. The ride never ends!
Hey Sage, If you want to experience the complete Journey/Story of Berserk then check out the manga and NOT THE SHITTY CG ANIMATED 2016 SERIES The manga is AWESOME and even if you don't read Manga you at least should read Berserk
correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the latest bit of the manga (I've sadly never read it) where they just make it to that city with Casca in tow. (I'm trying to avoid spoilers but you know the one Gutts thinks will help)
More stuff came out a few months ago Now we're finally at the point were Casca might recover
Maui Caui
I tend to focus more on the story and NOT the horrible things that happen in the story
I agree you should read the Manga, however when you read it is debatable. Because once you catch up, you've got a lot of waiting to do.
I thought the CG was fine its a more comfortable if slightly worse way to experience the continuing berserk storyline.
Sage says it's his personal favorite anime,but he never even brings up the manga,not even to say that the story continues there.Does he even have an opinion on the manga and it's post-eclipse stuff?it's kinda hard to believe that you are a Berserk fan ,but completely ignore the manga.
Sage said that he doesn't really read that much manga except The Love Hina and Trigun.
Asahamana I know that,buthe should really change that with Berserk.It had that issue of having many volumes with many of them out of print and pricey,but they all have recently been digitally released.
I mean if you love the anime but haven't read the manga there is something wrong with you.
nintendoluigi you can like it, but without reading the manga, you can't call yourself a Berserk fan. The manga is a masterpiece that the anime* can't really* compare to.
*Edited for typos.
I hate the 'you're not a *real* fan unless you've watched *and* read it' argument. Why can't someone just prefer to only watch/read, and still be considered a big fan?
I just gotta say it; if you're interested, please do yourself a favour and read the manga. I think the golden age trilogy was fine, but no adaptations really do it justice. Miura's art seemingly cannot be successfully grafted well onto any other medium. That and well, like 90% of the manga isn't adapted anyways, so you don't really have a choice.
#prayforcasca
I prayed... and now she’s back!
Guts is great tactically while Griffith is great strategically. Griffith draws out the sum of the whole. Guts just helped accelerate the Band's progress.
RIP Kentaro
His current sword is named Dragon slayer. The manga is still running when season 1 of anime ended. Did you know that there is a new berserk anime.
I was introduced to Berserk when Death battle released the Guts vs Nightmare. When they explained who Guts was, I was so fascinated by it that I searched up Berserk, and immediately became a fan. Plus, that Death Battle episode has nostalgic value to me, and it's one of my favorites, and Guts became one of my favorite characters ever.
I remember one Saturday afternoon in April, when I came home from my Extra Curiculum English classes, I was playing Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Generations on my tablet that I received as a gift for Easter. That's when I bumped into a video by THE AnimeHERO when he counted down the manliest anime theme songs, and that's when I heard "Forces" by Susumu Hirasawa. Not only was that song badass and amazing, but it's quite possibly my favorite song of all time.
You should check out Beast in Black, their first album is basically a love letter to Berserk
This was a wonderful look into one of my fave shows--
WHAAAT! Robot Carnival?! I think that was one of the first anime I ever saw.
Thanks for introducing this to me, Bennett!
What gets me is how they followed it up with a new season that is COMPLETELY CGI. I was ticked when I saw how they animated that.
The thing about berserk is, I like the fact that it shows how a character can become a certain way. It pretty much tells you that yes "Guts is this way." but it also tells you how guts became that way in the first place. the fact that they didn't animate the fake fairies arc isn't something I blame them for.
berserk is solid 9/10 show with its only weakness being the budget and first episode lol...
After all these years the music still gives me goosebumps
i loved the first berserk series, it's why i started reading the manga
It should be noted that the anime(the one being reviewed) covered the Golden Age arc, which came after the Blackswordsman arc. So the first episode covers the adventure Guts has just before we get to the Golden Age arc.
Also this anime cut out a few things.
I would say that it is unnecessary in the adaptation, unless it has the whole black swordsman and the rest of the series.
In retrospect after the new CGI berserk it really makes me miss this older animation.
I actually think the animation works in the shows favour. The berserk manga is very "painting" like and it's some of the best manga art I've ever seen. I feel that no amount of animation could live up to that so the very detailed stills in the show are the best way to showcase the art and style of the series.
Couldn't click fast enough. Although I'm not a "true fan" since I was introduced to this through the three chi movies, but I love how this connects or is referenced to dark souls
Same
ugh yeah i couldn't even watch the three movies just made me cringe found berserk in kinda same was as ben being bored and looking for something different and stumbling upon it.
Must have mistyped.
I like the three part movie. I know it isn't a popular opinion
Darksouls references this not the other way around the manga began in the early 1980s.
The movies came after i had already watched the show im saying i really didn't like them because of the art style and it being shortened and lacking the music i liked.
if you liked it and got introduced to the series through it then good for you.
SO thrilled to finally see this review! I didn't watch it for the longest time because I'd long been planning to watch Berserk, and it's so gratifying to see now that I finally have. I thought you were going to rag on it a fair bit because of the animation and whatnot, but I'm happy to see you have such a love for it and see all the good things and more that I saw. Even as a very new fan this series has already earned a place in my heart.
By any chance, have you talked publicly about your thoughts on the movies at all? I like them quite a bit (my first introduction to Berserk was seeing the first movie on Netflix, then I went and finished the anime before seeing the next two movies) but I'm curious what you'd think as someone who's so fond of the anime.
Thank goodness this review is back again
You should do the jojo stardust crusade from the 1980s
I was waiting for this to come back!
The degree to which this anime aged well cannot be overstated.
i was looking for a clip from the movie Clerks where Olaf sings "Berserker" and I saw an image of Guts in his early mercenary helmet and that image has stuck with me ever since as you can see... oh and it made me look it up and that's how I got into Berserk
I dont think the first episode was a mistake at all since you are really curious how he became to the black swordsman also I can't help but want more of black swordsman arc and if they might plan to do more seasons of it, it was just a great cliffhanger which just wants you to have more what will happen next etc. Also the animation was alright for the time but at least you understood whats important in the series and still recommend it.
It took me like 3 months to recover from the last 5 episodes.
That’s how the manga starts. One volume of present time, then flashback for like, 6 volumes. Then back to present.
guts goes through nothing but pain and death ever since he was an infant, raped as a kid, betrayed by his own best friend, his only love damaged in the head and even battling the demon within himself and yet he still goes on living, anyone else would've killed themselves or died in battle.
Griffit looses his mind because Guts leaves him and you're calling that "subtext"?
the manga is a legitimate masterpiece.
I was waiting for this review to come back
sage thanks this how i first heard of the series and cant thank yea enough