Berserk

If you're looking to get into it, your options are either the 1997 anime or the manga.

From the Black Swordsman arc to the Conviction arc (whether you read in this order or chronologically), this manga is a solid 9/10. However, it falls off afterwards. The fights no longer have as much strategic depth, and there are too many side villains or conflicts that don't feel impactful and can become repetitive, especially when watching Guts defeat every enemy with the Berserker Armor. If you expected the quality of the first few arcs to remain throughout the 363+ chapters, you might be disappointed, but it's not bad by any means.

That being said, if you haven't read this manga yet and are looking for a good one to get into, Berserk is outstanding, especially at its high points, making it highly recommendable. The story delves into themes of betrayal, rage, perseverance, and more, featuring layered characters that complement these themes.

This series is nothing short of a masterpiece, and it's incredibly underrated, receiving little to no recognition from the community despite its high quality. This truly highlights the lack of intellectual engagement within the community.

Berserk surpasses series like One Piece, Hunter x Hunter, Dragon Ball, and others.

Berserk is a sophisticated series targeted towards individuals with higher intellect, such as myself.

The plot of Berserk is highly complex. It revolves around a man named Guts, who was born from his mother's corpse hanging in a tree. He was later found by a woman who is the wife of a warrior, and this warrior trains Guts. However, everyone who enters Guts' life either dies or betrays him, leading Guts to question his existence and find his purpose. This theme deeply ties into the core of the series, making it far more intriguing than simplistic plots like "I WANT TO BE THE PIRATE KING."

The Berserk manga boasts the best art style, and the fact that it was created in 1990 is astonishing. The art style is superior to any other manga produced up until today. No other manga can immerse you as deeply as Berserk does.

The main villain, Griffith, is arguably the best villain ever. His character is so intricately crafted that it would take too long to describe here, so I recommend reading it for yourself.

Overall, this series is highly enjoyable and underrated. You become so immersed in it, and it is a privilege to be able to read this manga.

This manga is in a league of its own! You can call me a fanboy, but this manga completely changed my perspective; it's perfect! It's incredibly badass, enjoyable, and everything about it—the story, the art, the characters—is nearly flawless! Thank you, Kentaro, for this incredible tale. The biggest disappointment is that this manga doesn't have a proper anime adaptation, and probably never will. However, you can check out the one made in 1997; forget about the others, they are trash! Oh, and to you, the reader of this review, please give it a try. You might not love it, but you can't deny it's special. REST IN PEACE KENTARO

Berserk is an incredibly impressive manga. How can it be that every aspect of it is of such high quality?

Story and Characters: The story is deep and surprisingly free of plot holes. Everything is well-argued, and the narrative is so good that understanding comes naturally without needing explanations. It utilizes all the expository elements graphic novels offer to tell its story, which is excellent. Almost all characters have a reason to exist and none are useless to the plot. Guts is one of the best protagonists I've ever appreciated. His evolution feels natural and is shaped by the circumstances of his world. The world-building is tremendous, and it doesn't even need a 500-page bible to understand how it works. This is especially evident in the Millennium Falcon arc and the Fantasy arc. If I had to mention something negative, it would be that Puck lost relevance and became more of a walking joke. Some people also dislike the tonal shift after Griffith's reincarnation, where Berserk's world becomes less dark. However, this makes sense within the context of the story; it would be absurd for the world to remain static when an albino like Griffith arrives in Midland and starts solving problems.

Art: The art is exceptionally good, among the best in terms of drawing in graphic novels. It's incredibly detailed and everything is meticulously crafted. The only minor critique is that the early drawings weren't as refined, and there are occasional proportion errors, but these are negligible.

I enjoyed this manga immensely. It's my favorite manga of all time and one of the best graphic novels overall. It stands as a titan of quality in every sense. However, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who can't handle intense scenes or to someone who is immaturely edgy.

"To me, a friend is something else. Someone who would never depend upon another's dream. Someone who wouldn't be compelled by anyone, but who would determine and pursue his own reason to live and should anyone trample that dream, he would oppose him body and soul...even if that threat were me myself. What I think a friend is, is one who is my equal." – Griffith

Words of wisdom and complete despair. Griffith’s speech at the top of the ballroom stairs is truly sublime and grotesque in nature. Many would agree with what is being said but only a few expected the horrors this speech would imply. Welcome everyone to my review of Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece, 'Berserk'.

Spoiler-Free Review (In the sense that I don’t discuss major details on plot or characters):

Every person and their mom know how much I love 'Berserk', to the point of obsession. It is the perfect blend of many genres and styles of literature. It borrows many concepts including: tragedies (e.g., Shakespearean tragedies, Death of a Salesman, etc.); literature classics that involve themes such as life experience (e.g., Siddhartha, The Catcher in the Rye, etc.); the Bible, organized religion, and philosophy (e.g., Plato and the realm of ideas); fantasy adventure classics (e.g., Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time, etc.); and many Western movie epics (e.g., Star Wars, Conan the Barbarian, etc.). The scope of this story is incredible, but the main problem some might point out is: do all these big themes and concepts mesh well together while at the same time keeping a cohesive pacing and plot? Yes, it does because all these big themes are separated by story arcs and sections where they each get their moment to shine while at the same time creating a perfect transition for the next part of the story. These shifts in themes also keep the story from becoming stale and/or boring. All the while, the word “berserk” is the overarching theme of the entire manga. The uniqueness of the story in 'Berserk' is also unrivaled. While it does take many aspects of traditional and modern literature such as the tragic hero (Golden Age Arc) and individual societal drama (Conviction Arc), Miura added his own twist to everything like his opinion on the moral values of the themes he presents (which are all great, might I add) and his own unique fantastical elements (Behelit, demons, God-Hand, etc.). Childhood rape is another topic that Miura delves into, and it is safe to say that he handles it with complete respect and understanding. It is not a topic he simply glosses over in order to shock the reader but is a full-on subject and consequence within the story. The subject is handled with great care, subtlety, and realism. Miura makes sure that every moment, theme, and action taken within the story is a build-up for the final act within the certain arc. 'Berserk' is not simply a bunch of ideas blended together but a mix of different puzzle pieces that are carefully fit in place in order to create a truly monumental achievement in storytelling.

All these different themes seem very good, but is the story any fun to read, or is it all just standing around and talking? Well, do not fear because there is action aplenty in this manga which is all very well detailed. The action in and of itself is brilliant, and character movements are all drawn and dictated with precise panel accuracy to the point of obsession. To add to how incredible the action is, 'Berserk' itself is probably the most beautifully drawn manga (this includes comics and graphic novels) of all time. This statement of it being the best could probably be debunked, but I have not yet come across a better artwork. The character proportions and details, the world and backgrounds, the fantasy creatures, etc., are all marvelous to look at. Do not be surprised if you start staring at the art for hours on end; it is that good. Kentaro Miura, in an interview, said that it took him about 24 hours to finish drawing just one panel and be satisfied with it. Goes to show how much he cares about detail.

The main character Guts is the very definition of a tragic hero. His character arc is beyond that of any other protagonist, and his emotional torments are unrivaled. To truly understand this man’s point of view is to go through hell itself and beyond. Every arc adds to his growth, redemption, and eventual becoming of a hero and mentor. It is truly beautiful and poetic in nature. His character complexity just continues to grow (the manga is still publishing), and eventually, he will become the definition of enlightened, or so we hope he will be? One of the many ways for a great protagonist to shine is through a great villain. Thankfully, Griffith is the very definition of a perfect villain. Taking on the classic tragic literature elements of the villain once being best friends with the protagonist, Griffith takes this idea and magnifies his betrayal to the point of complete horror. Imagine taking a man, forcing him to watch everything horrible in life and everything personally horrible to him. Griffith does exactly that, and the magnitude of his crime is unbelievable. This crime is all done in the name of his own goals and dreams. The starting top quote of the review spoken by Griffith is taken all the way to the extreme. Griffith was once a man who was in love, happy, childish, angry, intimidating, fearful, compassionate, heroic, etc. But he replaced all that in order to simply follow his dream. He became the very embodiment of the anti-Christ, a man who cares only about his own selfish ends, who looks majestic in nature but is a complete and utter villain, who schemes and fools the world into believing that he is the savior of mankind. As for Guts, he learned from this betrayal and became the very man Griffith should have been. He became the hero that everyone now looks up to. The last and only step he must now face is to defeat his inner rage, which has been building up since the beginning of the series. He must rid himself of this berserk instinct and darkness inside him. In doing so, he will turn into the true hero he is meant to become and defeat the anti-Christ known as Griffith once and for all.

The secondary characters are all incredible in their own right. Guts’ friends are divided into two groups. The first group of friends are the ones that gave him a family for the first time while at the same time each giving their own advice on how he should go on in life. They all have an interesting backstory and are quite well developed, some more than others. These friends feel like people, and each one of them is smart in their own way. However, things change with the second group of friends. Guts is introduced to a new family, but this time it is him that gives them advice and guidance thanks in part to the experience and knowledge he’s gained throughout his journey. This second group of friends is much more interesting than the first because, since they all have issues they need to overcome, each and every one of them has an incredibly well-handled character arc. Guts, through experience, learns to rely on his companions, and they all connect with each other in different ways. The fantastic thing about each and every character in 'Berserk' is just how natural and subtle their development is. Nothing ever feels forced or thrown in your face. It is all very well-paced and sometimes poetic in nature, which is either done through great dialogue or subtle character actions that are well detailed. Paying attention to the drawings and art is crucial not only in terms of beauty but character development as well. Character expressions are all taken into account and are very crucial to the story. Every interaction between the main and secondary characters has a purpose, and that includes the comic relief characters/moments. The amount of attention to detail is simply astounding.

The final subject that must be touched upon is the tone and violence of this manga. Many have complained that this series contains too much gore and nudity. If one is too delicate to look at grotesque and violent actions, then this manga can easily turn some people off. However, I assure the readers that the nudity and extreme violence all have a purpose. What does it mean to be human? Love, hatred, pain, pleasure, life, and death (readers of 'Berserk' know what moment I am referencing) are all taken to the complete extremes in order to find out that answer. Like I stated in the beginning of my review, 'Berserk' is the definition of sublime and grotesque. It is beautiful in both aspects of the extreme. This is the tone that is kept throughout each and every arc. That is why the story has that “epic” feel which no other manga has ever been able to replicate.

To call 'Berserk' perfect after all the praise I’ve given would still be a lie because the series is not over yet, and nothing is ever truly “perfect”. There are many ways in which Kentaro Miura can make a mistake in the later upcoming chapters. There is also one more minor companion among Guts’ group that has not had much backstory or development, something I’m hoping Miura will fix in the later chapters. Some people have criticized some certain parts of the manga like the first intro Black Swordsman Arc or the beginning of the newly started Fantasia Arc, but the nit-picking can easily be rebutted. The Black Swordsman Arc was meant to introduce the world of 'Berserk', which includes: the main protagonist and antagonist, the fantastical and medieval world they live in, the tone and intense action, and the overarching theme of the whole series, which is Guts’ inner “berserk”. It is a fantastic setup and gets the reader aware of what type of journey they are about to embark on. As for the beginning of Fantasia Arc, the same introduction argument can be used because the world and rules have changed drastically since the last arc. This is all really pointless to debate because this story arc has only just begun.

'Berserk' is by far the smartest, most diverse, and well-developed story I’ve ever seen and/or read. This includes comics, movies, novels, TV series, anime, etc. It is perhaps the greatest piece of literature of our generation, and Kentaro Miura deserves every single praise he gets. It is, in my opinion, the closest story to have reached perfection, and I feel truly privileged to be reading such a masterpiece. Thank you very much, Mr. Miura.

Story 10/10

The story follows an excellent pacing with a plot that backs the hardships of our protagonist, Guts. It starts strong and is approaching a strong conclusion. Each arc offers something very different; some are dark, while others are light, but you will find yourself resonating with certain arcs differently than others. There are times when it felt heavy to read and potentially a bit too sexually grotesque, but this is how the author portrays the wickedness of the world. With all of the intensity that the story brings, it has some fantastic comedic relief from the side cast. The world-building is very imaginative, blending elements of a medieval fairy tale. Overall, the story ties in well and leaves little in terms of plot holes.

Characters 9.5/10

The main focus is on Guts and Griffith, the two central pieces of the story. These characters are extremely compelling, with strong desires to cling to life and achieve things by their own means. Guts is so extremely well-rounded; he goes from being completely mad and almost evil to becoming a caring and strong father-like figure. It's amazing how the author took polarizing characteristics and rounded out the character so well. You feel for and care for Guts; as he struggles, you struggle. The weakest point in terms of characters was the fact that for the first 70% of the manga, we had very weak female cast/character development. I was so glad that eventually, Kentaro started making several of the female cast enjoyable (not just objects for rape). Every character becomes well-designed with some taking longer as the plot progresses.

Art 10/10

As everyone here knows, Berserk is famous for the extreme detail put into it. It does it all: detailed backgrounds, grotesquely unique monsters, comedic outlines of Puck and Isidro, and intense battles.

Overall, the series requires considerable commitment and is understandably tough to read at times, but it delivers a compelling journey with nothing held back. This is most definitely worth the ride and is a 10/10.

The harrowing tale of Guts, a tormented mercenary navigating a medieval world beset by demonic forces and human frailty. This narrative delves deeply into themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the complex tapestry of human relationships, poignantly examining the lasting pain of reflecting on life-changing decisions. Guts' journey, a raw blend of physical and emotional strife, unfolds amidst relentless battles and encounters with grotesque creatures, exploring the depths of the human condition with unwavering intensity. The manga transcends its genre, leaving an indelible mark on the anime landscape, a testament to its early success and its far-reaching influence across various media, from novels and video games to films and TV series. The narrative's exploration of dark themes, while potentially challenging for modern sensibilities, highlights its pioneering impact in shaping the broader cultural landscape.

I caught up with the series back in November. It was the eighth or ninth manga I'd read, as I've been transitioning from anime to manga recently. After reading other series and revisiting parts of Berserk, my overall perspective on it has only strengthened.

Berserk is my personal favorite manga so far, but I don't think it's beyond criticism. Here are some brief pros and cons. First off, ignore anyone who says the story falls off after the Golden Age arc. From a character, world-building, art, and meta-narrative perspective, I believe the Falcon of the Millennium Empire Arc surpasses the Golden Age arc. The main reason people rate the Golden Age arc higher might be due to nostalgia or distorted expectations from all the praise for that arc. While the Golden Age arc is excellent, it primarily serves as a foundation for the rest of the series.

Pros:
- The protagonist-antagonist dynamic, which drives the series. Guts and Griffith are fascinating characters, and their interactions are incredibly captivating. My favorite moment isn't a fight scene but a conversation between these two.
- The secondary and tertiary characters are surprisingly well-written. Characters like Casca, Judeau, Corkus, Farnese, Serpico, and Schierke may initially seem cliché but turn out to be surprisingly complex. Even characters that aren't particularly complex, such as Minister Foss, Pippin, and Roderick, are still enjoyable.
- The dark fantasy setting. This point is very personal to me. I love games like Dark Souls and The Witcher, and A Song of Ice and Fire is my favorite fictional book series.
- The art. There's no other series where I consistently feel the urge to save a panel and/or make it my wallpaper.

Cons:
- The first three volumes are somewhat slow and not particularly representative of the series. They're enjoyable, especially during a re-read, but they don't highlight the excellent character writing that earned Berserk much of its praise.
- The sexual violence (sometimes). As general plot points, the assaults in Berserk are handled well, and the impact on the characters is never downplayed. However, certain scenes are drawn similarly to hentai, and overtly eroticizing violent acts can come across as cheap and misogynistic.

Conclusion: If you've got the stomach for it, 100% give this a go. I love analyzing and re-reading this series, and it's definitely one of my personal favorite stories.