Berserk

When someone asks for recommendations for dark fantasy or horror manga, one series always stands out to me: Kentaro Miura's masterpiece, Berserk.

The series excels with its compelling narrative, intricately developed characters, and stunning artwork. Whether you're new to manga or a seasoned reader, Berserk is an extraordinary series that captures your attention from the very beginning.

It often feels as though Miura might have been immortal and superhuman, given the sheer brilliance of his work. He will forever be remembered as the genius who created what many, including myself, consider the greatest manga and piece of fiction ever made. It's safe to say that if any work deserves the title of "Greatest Manga of All Time," it would be Berserk.

R.I.P. KENTARO MIURA.

While I appreciate the art in Berserk, I find the characters and story somewhat overrated, reminiscent of dark fantasy books I used to read as a teenager.

Like many, I believe the Golden Age arc is the best part of the manga, and the quality declines after it ends. The backstory of Berserk, understanding why the characters think and feel the way they do, is far more intriguing than watching Guts and his companions go on an extended journey.

I don't think the mangaka cares much about finishing the series anymore, and I don't expect it to be completed, which is disappointing for all the long-term fans.

This manga is undoubtedly the best ever created and will likely remain so forever. It's in a league of its own, setting no standards because none can compare. With the best protagonist, antagonist, rivalry, character development, characters, world-building, and artwork, it has inspired countless manga, anime, video games, and other forms of literature. This masterpiece deserves to be preserved in a museum. Even without a proper ending due to the author's passing, it remains the greatest manga ever made. If you rate it anything below 10, you might need to reconsider your judgment. I won't insult you, but please respect its unparalleled quality.

11:09 PM 7/12/2021
At this moment, I have finished the final page of Berserk. This document is dedicated to expressing my thoughts on the entire journey of reading Berserk.

Berserk has always been a series I wanted to start ever since I got into anime. Honestly, I had intended to begin reading Berserk back in 2020, but I kept putting it off. Whether it was laziness or intimidation by the sheer number of chapters, I finally found the motivation and dedication to start in the middle of the summer of 2021. One significant push for me to read the series was the passing of Berserk's author, Kentaro Miura. After completing it, I can confidently say that I've never had such an amazing and unique manga reading experience as with Berserk. Kentaro Miura crafted an incredible dark fantasy world filled with the most varied, darkest, and nightmare-inducing monsters imaginable.

Let's start with the protagonist of Berserk, Guts. Guts has become one of the most badass characters in anime and manga history, in my opinion. No other character, in my view, has endured greater struggles than Guts. Just when you think he's hit rock bottom, things get even worse. Throughout the story, everything is taken away from him—his friends, relationships, and happiness. Yet, Guts never backs down, no matter the odds. He fights against monsters, terror, and mischief, standing up against all challenges life throws at him. Since his birth, life has tested Guts relentlessly, but he never gives up, even in the most impossible situations. As a reader, you find it fascinating and remarkable. Knowing how Guts never backed down from pain and suffering makes you feel like you shouldn't give up in your own life either. Another point to consider is that Berserk's story resonates with everyone who reads it. Initially, I thought it would be challenging to influence me, especially since I'm not very adept at interpreting deeper meanings in fiction. That's why I often rely on YouTube videos explaining the plot. However, Berserk did it on its own. At some point, you get into a state where you want to take action and improve yourself, knowing how much Guts has suffered yet continued moving forward on his journey.

Berserk made me feel a wide range of emotions during my reading. Before starting, I knew some spoilers because they're hard to avoid online, but as I read, I was hit with so many unexpected twists that blew my mind. There was a time when Berserk put me in a dark mental space. The Eclipse arc is brutal, and it can break even the toughest men out there. I reached a point where I considered stopping reading Berserk. A major reason I didn't was knowing about the author's passing; I didn't want to be left with an unfinished story, which would cause regret and overthinking about what might have been left untold. It honestly took me a whole day to overcome this mindset. Even though I knew I'd be left with an unfinished story, my mind settled with how much the story had already accomplished. While part of me felt sad looking at the last published page, another part was happy with what was given. Having the last volume feature Gut’s wife being brought back, even if still in a complicated past trauma status, made me feel happy and hit all the right emotional spots. In a story with so much detail and gore intertwined in dark fantasy, you truly cherish the emotional and sweet moments between the main characters throughout their journey. It shows the other side of this dark world.

I think calling Berserk a masterpiece is an understatement, considering how much more it offers its readers. Kentaro Miura poured a lot of passion and effort into weaving this incredible story. The art is something else entirely. With the amount of dedication and effort shown, even in the simplest panels, you won't find anything like it in any other manga. The journey of Guts resonates with the reader through its chapters and hardships. Of course, it's sad knowing the author died, leaving the story's future uncertain. But I have thoroughly loved and felt satisfied reading this up until the latest chapter. I just want to say thank you, Kentaro Miura, for creating this amazing story that inspired so many people. I hope more people pick up the story in the coming years and are positively influenced by it, as Kentaro intended. "The world is often unfair and cruel. It will traumatize you at best and leave you maimed at worst. Nothing will make it just like it was before. All you can do is keep moving forward, scars and all. Work to be the best version of yourself and try to live a good life. Look after the people you have, even though you will lose some along the way. You can always make new connections if you’re willing to let people in."

Once again, thank you, Kentaro Miura. Your struggle has come to an end. May you be the black swordsman of fate, brave struggler.

Berserk - The BEST in his dark fantasy genre but an Enigma!

Carrying a sword bigger than himself and wielding a mechanical arm, the mysterious Guts leaves a shower of blood and a trail of corpses wherever he goes. At his side, the little elf Puck watches in awe and terror as the Black Swordsman faces demons and evil spirits. With a cursed stigma on his neck that attracts all manner of darkness, Guts embarks on a relentless quest for revenge.

*The Experience of Reading Berserk: A Tribute to Medieval Europe*

Berserk is an enigma. As someone who didn’t know the details of the story beforehand (apart from its fame), reading the first volume was both captivating and unsettling. I was aware of its status as a cornerstone of dark fantasy, but nothing could have prepared me for the visceral tone and depth of the narrative. Much of this depth stems from Kentaro Miura's profound inspiration in medieval Europe. According to the Berserk Official Guide Book, Miura drew heavily from European architecture, the culture of the Middle Ages, and even Portuguese maritime history. From the intricate castles and gothic cathedrals to the detailed depiction of a Portuguese-style caravel (introduced in Volume 38 and central to the Fantasia Arc), Miura masterfully combines historical realism with dark fantasy to create a setting that feels authentic yet otherworldly. This meticulous attention to historical detail sets Berserk apart from other works in the genre, providing a rich cultural backdrop to the story's brutality and tragedy.

*Guts: A Nihilistic Anti-Hero with a Hidden Humanity*

Guts is introduced as a mysterious, almost nihilistic character. He kills demons with brutal efficiency, seemingly driven by hatred alone. Yet, as the story progresses, the layers beneath his cold exterior begin to unravel. The first three volumes masterfully hint at the burden of his cursed stigma, which bleeds whenever he nears evil beings disguised as humans. As the story expands from Volume 4 to Volume 13, we delve into Guts' harrowing past during the Golden Age Arc, a saga that defines his trauma and shapes his motivations. It is in these volumes that we learn about the Band of the Hawk, his deep bond with Griffith, and the catastrophic events that leave him both physically and emotionally scarred. This gradual revelation transforms Guts from a cold, almost unapproachable protagonist into a deeply complex and relatable character. His thirst for revenge is no longer a simple desire for retribution—it becomes a fight to reclaim his humanity and to make sense of the unimaginable losses he has endured.

*The Role of Puck and Guts' New Companions*

At Guts’ side is Puck, a tiny elf who serves as both comic relief and a moral counterweight to the protagonist's darkness. While Puck’s humor might feel out of place in such a grim story, it’s a quintessentially Japanese storytelling element. Through Puck's eyes, we see glimpses of Guts’ reluctant humanity. However, as the story progresses, Guts slowly rebuilds the sense of camaraderie he lost with the Band of the Hawk by surrounding himself with a new group of allies. This group includes Caska, his former comrade and lover; Isidro, an aspiring swordsman with reckless energy; Schierke, a young witch whose arcane knowledge complements Guts' brute force; Farnese, a noblewoman undergoing her own moral transformation; and Serpico, a skilled and loyal fighter. Together, this motley crew becomes both Guts' emotional anchor and a critical part of his journey toward redemption. This evolution highlights one of Berserk’s greatest strengths: its ability to explore the fragility of human connections in a world dominated by chaos and despair.

*Miura's Craft and the Legacy of Berserk*

Kentaro Miura’s artwork is breathtaking, even in the early stages of his career. The detailed action sequences, grotesque demon designs, and stark medieval landscapes evoke an overwhelming sense of dread and wonder. His ability to depict brutality without sacrificing emotional depth is unparalleled, setting a new standard for visual storytelling in manga. Yet, Miura’s perfectionism came at a cost. His painstaking attention to detail often resulted in long delays between chapters, sometimes publishing as few as two chapters a year. For Western readers accustomed to bingeing entire series, this rhythm felt almost unbearable. Tragically, Miura passed away in May 2021, leaving Berserk unfinished.

*Why Berserk Lives On: Kouji Mori and Studio Gaga*

After Miura’s passing, many feared that Berserk would remain incomplete. However, his lifelong friend and confidant, Kouji Mori, stepped in to continue the story. Mori, who had discussed the ending with Miura over the years, took on the responsibility of guiding Studio Gaga in completing the series. He described this decision as both a duty to Miura and a way to honor the countless fans who have supported Berserk for decades. Studio Gaga’s commitment to preserving Miura’s legacy is evident in the meticulous care taken to maintain the manga’s visual and narrative quality. The current chapters, which conclude the Fantasia Arc and transition into the final arc, reflect Miura’s original vision while allowing Mori and the team to bring closure to a story that has captivated readers worldwide.

*The Cultural Divide: Berserk in the West vs. Japan*

When Berserk was introduced to Western audiences, it carried the weight of its reputation. Its graphic violence and mature themes made it a standout title, but they also polarized readers. Some praised it as a masterpiece of dark fantasy, while others dismissed it as gratuitous or overly bleak. In Japan, however, Berserk is celebrated not just for its dark tone, but for its philosophical depth and cultural resonance. Miura’s storytelling reflects a uniquely Japanese approach to narrative, where themes of perseverance, sacrifice, and moral ambiguity are central. This cultural nuance is often lost in Western adaptations, where the emphasis tends to be on action and spectacle rather than introspection.

Story: 10 | Art: 9 | Character: 10 | Enjoyment: 10

Score: 10/10

For me, the first volume of Berserk encapsulates everything that makes this manga special. It lays the foundation for Miura’s vision, balancing horror, mystery, and existential dread. While later volumes delve into Guts’ backstory and the larger narrative, this opening chapter is a masterclass in creating intrigue and atmosphere. As a Western reader, experiencing this story in its original language and format added a layer of authenticity that is often missing in localized versions. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to appreciate a work like Berserk is to step outside your cultural comfort zone and embrace the story as it was meant to be told.

I believe everyone doesn't even know where to start describing this phenomenon, so I will give it a try.

1~ The Story: 9.2
The story is beautifully written with both great direct and ambiguous views, ways, and meanings. It doesn’t shove any details in your face nor does it keep you in the shadows, yet it isn't disorienting. This balance is truly beautiful because, as cliché as it sounds, it allows every reader to come up with their own speculations (not interpretations) from the raw material. That’s the good part.

It's not perfect by any means; I have personal issues with it (which may differ for you), but I won’t get into those now.

2~ The Art: 10
No amount of dictionaries can describe how good the art is and can become. The artist learns and grows over time (he has been creating since he was 10 years old, "Muiranger" being one of his early works). Just open any chapter and admire the scene presented before you.

3~ The Characters: 9.5
Ah, the phrase "character development"—I dislike using that term, especially for this work. The characters here don’t just make you feel vulnerable and weak; they teach and show you that first, it's not a problem, and second, if you see it as one, you can change either through help from others or by yourself. You can still grow, live, and be alive.

You are neither good nor evil; you are simply there.

4~ The Enjoyment: 9.3
The only reason I and many others don't fully enjoy this hellish ride is due to the "breaks" Kentaro takes. When I first read Berserk at age 6 (how I managed to sneak it past my cautious mom, I still don’t know), the Lost Children arc was just beginning (chapter 100 probably). Now, at 21, only a couple hundred chapters have been released in that timeframe. If you’re reading it after it’s finished and the world has gone cyberpunk, you'll likely fall in love with it. Otherwise, it’s a perfect 10.

5~ The Overall: It’s a 10
What a shocker, it’s the #1 manga of all time for a reason—not just its obvious influence on spiky-haired boys with oversized swords. But because it’s my second manga after Vinland Saga and the only one to affect me this deeply. If it’s too dark for you, I recommend starting with "the Golden Age arc," which avoids most of the dark fantasy (except maybe Zodd’s amazing fight) and see if you want to continue from there.

I’m writing this review for myself, my little brother if he ever decides to give it a try, and for anyone who might think this edgy dark horror fantasy deserves a chance.

First, a little about me. Berserk is a dark fantasy, and I absolutely love dark fantasy. Honestly, I find fantasies like Lord of the Rings rather boring. However, my love for Berserk isn't just because it's a dark fantasy; with such an epic story and some of the most memorable, coolest, and compelling characters ever, it's more than enough to keep me hooked.

I don't think Berserk is for everyone. It has great characters, narrative, plot, and emotion, but it's extremely violent. In fact, it's the most violent manga I've ever read. Kentaro Miura is a fantastic artist, but sometimes he draws truly messed up and scary stuff. Berserk features a lot of dismemberment and violent deaths, including children, and discusses rape frequently, even showing it explicitly. However, these elements are handled tastefully, illustrating how twisted the world of Berserk is and the suffering its victims endure. Berserk is one of the few works that includes a male rape victim as a character. For those who can handle this content, it significantly enhances the story.

The story itself is outstanding. Similar to Rurouni Kenshin, Berserk has a simple premise: a man seeks revenge against his former best friend while protecting the woman he loves and making new friends. When it's not about that, it's about a monstrous anti-Christ figure trying to conquer the world and the misadventures of his companions. It also delves into how the events of the manga came to be. There's no unnecessary politics or battle strategies; it's all about the characters' motivations and their journeys. Emotionally challenging conflicts often lead to either very sad or heartwarming encounters.

Guts is hands down one of the most complex, inspiring, and badass characters ever created. Watching Guts evolve from someone who only cared about swinging his sword to someone with bigger dreams, then to a cruel knight in black armor, and finally into a man with renewed purpose was a pleasure to read. What I admire most about him is his resilience. He endured immense suffering before turning 20, far more intense than most anime protagonists, yet he never gives up. He lives life for life itself, unlike Griffith, who sacrifices others to fulfill his own dreams and can never earn satisfaction through hard work.

The rest of the characters range from excellent to good. Griffith is a great villain, monstrously evil yet still complex and initially likable. Casca is a strong female lead both before and after the eclipse. Before it, she was a badass who warmed up to Guts and learned there was more to life outside her mercenary band. After the eclipse, she becomes Guts' reason to live, preventing him from becoming a villain.

Guts' companions like Farnese, Schierke, Serpico, Isidoro, and everyone's favorite, Puck, are also great, though Isidoro and Puck have been reduced to joke characters recently. They all undergo character development, and Puck serves as a moral anchor for Guts, much like Casca does post-eclipse. This is even referenced in the story.

The artwork is stunning. Almost every page looks like an Albrecht Dürer woodcut with its detail and expressions. It's beyond brilliant, though it takes a long time to release each chapter due to the level of detail.

Now for the negatives. Recently, Berserk has included a lot of comedy and jokes. While early volumes had hilarious moments like Guts playfully spanking Casca (her and Griffith's 'WTF' reactions always make me laugh) or Puck's 'chestnut mode,' recent comedic elements feel out of place. Characters like Isidoro acting like a monkey or Schierke becoming super-deformed detract from the serious story and look awkward. When was Berserk ever meant to be funny?

The 'Sea God arc' wasn't bad but didn't reach the usual Berserk quality. Captain Sharkrider was annoying and clichéd, and the mermaids were uninspired. Still, there were awesome moments, and Griffith's side of the story made up for it. The first two and a half volumes, until Guts meets and fights the Count, are somewhat bland. While cool, they're not well-written and essentially feature senseless violence. The art was average too.

Despite these flaws, they don't take away from the overall story or experience. In conclusion, Berserk is a well-done epic with some of the greatest and most memorable characters ever and an inspiring protagonist. I give it 9 out of 10. Why not a full 10? Yes, it's a masterpiece, but it's not finished yet, and only the future will tell how awesome the ending will be. If it ends up being as awesome or better than expected, I'll certainly bring it to a ten. Right now, Berserk deserves a 9 in my opinion.

Honestly, this is not a review I wanted to write so soon, but I feel a sense of duty to honor a work that has deeply touched my heart and stirred profound emotions within me.

Upon its creation, Berserk quickly became a leader in the dark fantasy genre and remains one of its most renowned and celebrated works across all media. Meticulously crafted and highly inspirational, it consistently ranks at the top of lists, earning accolades worldwide for its story, themes, art, and characters. Even on this site, Berserk has been the #1 manga by rating (by a significant margin) since the beginning, and there's a good reason for that.

Written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura, Berserk follows the story of Guts, the Black Swordsman, the Struggler. A man born with nothing who had to fight for his life from day one. A man who never got to fully enjoy what he had before it was repeatedly taken away: his parents, comrades, family, love, hope. A man traumatized yet striving to overcome his trauma despite the raging anger pushing him towards self-destruction. A man set on avenging himself against his arch-nemesis, Griffith.

Griffith, the shining falcon of light whose great ambition led to his downfall. An exceptional swordsman capable of rivaling Guts in sheer skill. A cunning strategist for whom no sacrifice was too great if it served his ambitions. The traitor who, in a fit of jealous rage, wronged Casca, who adored him deeply.

Casca, a comrade-in-arms to both Guts and Griffith. A skilled warrior and talented leader who came through when all seemed lost. A loyal friend betrayed and hurt so profoundly she became almost entirely helpless. An innocent person with a trauma that will never fully heal.

The premise sounds old-school; naturally, Berserk *is* old-school, proudly staying true to form: it portrays a world where decency and compassion are so rare they might as well be mistaken for deception or stupidity. It's an aggressive, tortured, broken place. This bleak backdrop expertly highlights the development of the characters, who evolve both despite and because of the hardships they endure. Their background informs their motivations, motivations give rise to feelings, feelings inspire actions, actions bring consequences—without fail. And they move forward. Chapter after chapter, arc after arc, the characters are subtly altered by their experiences; they feel regret and remorse, overcome their past, learn new things about the world and each other, and find out what their next step is, one step at a time.

The evolution of Guts' and Griffith's characters and their juxtaposition, in particular, have so much nuance they could fill an entire book—and in a sense, they have, with YouTubers like AlexEnterprises, Aleczandxr, Soul, Spirit of Fiction, and others creating numerous high-quality video essays on these and other topics related to Berserk. It's unfair and overly reductionist to call Berserk a revenge story, but if there ever was one to end all revenge stories, Berserk would be it.

Alas, that wasn't meant to be. On May 6, 2021, Miura's life was cut short by an acute vascular condition stemming from his long history of health problems. The most tragic part is that while sudden, it wasn't unexpected. He was known for being a perfectionist and an obsessive workaholic who couldn't leave Berserk, the work of his life, alone—let alone in the hands of someone he didn't trust. As a result, the manga suffered from increasingly longer publication hiatuses—to the point where only three or four chapters would be released each year, if any at all. But even during those breaks, day after day, year after year, despite his failing health, Miura kept working on every page until it looked like a masterpiece.

Everyone knew this wasn't sustainable, and at that rate, Miura would've needed at least 30–40 more years of continuous work. This simply wasn't realistic. So he created an art studio just to train assistants to a level he considered "acceptable" so that they could be trusted with illustrating Berserk—and even then, he kept most of the work to himself and had them work on his (not particularly remarkable) side projects, further prolonging the hiatuses of Berserk... Until Berserk finally took its toll on its creator and put him to rest in the only way it knew how.

As fans, we realized long ago this could happen and even made grim jokes about it. Still, it hit everyone like a gut punch. Now, looking back, by reading the little quips and comments Miura left behind in his publications, we can see just how much he sacrificed to continue Guts' story. It's such a cruel irony that to tell a believable tale about betrayal, ambition, and sacrifice in a dark fantasy world, its author turned his own life into a depressingly dark reality, sacrificing everything else for his ambition and ultimately betraying the call for closure. It seems there will be no closure to this story after all.

But... looking on the brighter side, Miura has already accomplished more than most could ever hope for. He brought inspiration and thrill to millions. He created one of the most intricate character studies in popular literature, let alone a specific genre. By all means, he is already a legend. Berserk is already a masterpiece and a monument to an incredible writer and illustrator. Nothing will ever change that.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

-- [ Berserk ] --

One line: "Highly detailed scenes. Very impressive and complex plot. Lively and varied characters. Berserk rules!"

- [ Story - 10 ] -

Berserk is about Guts, an exceptionally skilled swordsman, and his adventures with The Band of the Hawk, along with its leader, Griffith, and other characters like Caska. After a betrayal, Guts is branded as a sacrifice by the God Hand and loses all his friends and his love, set to be killed during The Eclipse. He fights like an insane person, becoming an Eclipse survivor. Following this, he is cursed and always attracts evil spirits and violence around him. He now devotes himself to fighting the God Hand, his betrayer, and all evil accumulating around him, even at the cost of whatever he came to cherish in life, accumulating scars after scars, and risking the loss of everything, including his life. All for revenge.

Berserk is a dark, violent series, definitely targeted to an adult audience. It also contains significant amounts of nudity and sex, even rape. Ok, now you are warned.

The plotline is extremely detailed and complex, going from the present to Guts' background story extensively before returning to the present and moving on. This makes for very good character development and background story elaboration. You are told about most of the characters, how they are related, and why they behave as they do in the present. I felt that no detail was lacking. Very well made!

The story is very captivating too. There is no humor since it's almost a tragic story about real suffering at the loss of loved ones and dear friends because of the betrayal of someone held in high esteem. A superb plotline, which views the classic "man fights demons" from a very different angle, as if you were inside the story. The problem is that there is no "good side" to balance the evil powers, so Guts is all alone in his fight for revenge, with no help at all. Berserk takes another look at religion and its concepts, at god and the foundation of faith, at friendship, love, and betrayal. Overall, Berserk packs an incredibly complex plot, which is definitely worth discovering.

- [ Art - 10 ] -

The first volumes have quite poor art, with simplistic toning as shading. Even the characters are sometimes weirdly drawn, with wrongly positioned facial features and some other things.

The artist, Kentaro Miura, shows his true skills as the story progresses. As the volumes go on, the level of detail, the quality of the drawings, and shading increase exponentially, making Berserk a true piece of art. It's definitely one of the best illustrated manga I've seen so far. The characters and especially environments are magnificently detailed. You will see pages dedicated to picturing the environment, on which you will maintain your stare!

Just give a glance at the armor of Griffith or even Guts. It's extremely detailed, down to the nearest mail. Plain impressive. The art is sometimes "heavy" with shading, but this weakness is compensated with detail and intricate shading.

Miura excels in depicting complex fight scenes, with Guts surrounded by enemies, and in great, gory detail. Those spread pages are a real pleasure for the eyes, especially when you get to see the environment too. Miura is definitely the details-man!

- [ Characters - 9 ] -

This manga takes character development to a whole new level. You are given every small detail about all the major characters and how they are related to all the other characters. The development is made at a great pace, not too fast, not too slow. You will be given details just when they are required. You won't be complaining about lack of details about characters in Berserk.

There is nothing very extraordinary about the characters. In fact, they all seem normal! Guts looks kind of evil and loveless at first glance, and Griffith seems to be kind-hearted. That's just at first glance though, because the characters have incredible depth. So much that the reader can almost feel the emotions of the characters. You will even pity Guts at times, telling yourself "poor guy."

The characters are driven by their emotions and ambitions. Guts wants revenge and channels all his anger and frustration into his fights, even hurting those he cares about in the process, literally becoming berserk. Griffith has ambition and will stop at nothing to reach his goals. The God Hand is pure evil, despite the word "god" often associated with good in their name. Such a lively and varied cast of characters makes Berserk great.

Interestingly, Berserk is one of the few series where the main character is not always present and hogging all the action. Sometimes, Guts is not even doing anything great, save for some talking. This gives other characters some role, which makes Berserk even more interesting, since you get to discover side characters. An example would be the Farnese/Serpico arc.

Then why 9 and not 10? Because, in my opinion, Griffith gets too much attention. It's just my opinion though!

- [ Enjoyment - 9 ] -

Berserk is not something you are going to enjoy, considering the violence and dark theme. You are going to appreciate it, if I may say. That, I did!

The detailed art, the non-lacking storyline, the varied cast of characters, and the plot twists make Berserk totally great, unsurpassed in its genre in my opinion. You will get to admire, hate, or even support the characters as Berserk progresses. As I said earlier, you will become part of Berserk.

Why 9 for enjoyment? Because I didn't like Guts getting trashed incessantly for nearly 25 volumes by overwhelming force and not getting any power-ups! It was plain unfair, especially considering all odds are against the guy.

- [ Overall - 9 ] -

If you can handle the violence, gore, fighting, and sex, you will want to see Berserk, simply because there is nothing better than Berserk when it comes to those themes!

I am not convinced about the re-read value yet. I find it difficult to go over all those dark plots again. It's going to be a once-off-love-it series, I guess. For me at least.