Berserk Deluxe Volume 1

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Bearer of a gigantic sword, an iron hand, and the scars of countless battles and tortures, his flesh is also indelibly marked with The Brand, an unholy symbol that draws the forces of darkness to him and dooms him as their sacrifice. A grimdark epic with compelling protagonists, stomach-churning horror, heartbreaking drama and a lovecraftian sense of metaphysical worldbuilding that's as fascinating as it is terrifying.

Although the animated series looked like it was done on a tiny budget and tight deadline (lots of shortcuts taken), considering that, it did an admirable job of telling the story (I think the recent animated films were too much like a summary and didn't get the power of the gradual changes in story) and the soundtrack by Susumu Hirasawa was very powerful and evocative. Guts defeats most of Adon's men while covering Casca's escape, eventually coming to a conclusion to leave the Hawk so find his own dream to become Griffith's true friend.The fantasy is visualised at a standard far above what most comic artists and companies are willing to attempt. Guts, the feared Black Swordsman, has saved the Band of the Hawk mercenaries from the army of Midland, but he must now descend into the dungeons of Windham Castle to liberate the Hawks' charismatic leader. The Band of the Hawk manage to fend off the Black Dog Knights, only to go through a ordeal when facing their sadistic commander Wyald. I think the battle in volumes 33-34 must be the most impressive one I've ever in seen in a visual narrative medium and it's unlikely for a film or a videogame to reach that kind of power and assurance.

Two years, following the battle with the Count, Guts and Puck find themselves facing Apostle spawn in the form of elves. I was curious about Berserk 8 years ago and I was put off by the number of volumes and had reservations about the art style but last year I found out what I was missing out on. A few characters prominently suffer from rape trauma and it is an important thing for the story to present better. The two resolve their issues and consummate their love, Guts telling Casca to leave with him after they save Griffith. Isidro attempts to save Casca, while the Great Goat is transformed into a monster by a mysterious observer.In a dream world where Berserk is shorter and sweeter and didn't have all the aforementioned annoyances, it would be a far bigger phenomenon than it is and it would be one of the greatest fantasy stories ever made. Since the late 2000s, the manga has been published irregularly, with frequent hiatuses until Miura's death in 2021. The Queen, Charlotte's stepmother and Julius's secret lover, hatches a scheme with Foss to poison Griffith during the banquet. After the Egg flees the Skull Knight with only a mortal wound inflicted on him, the Skull Knight takes Luca to safety as the living mounds of starved corpses rise up.