Long-time readers know I’m not usually much of a manga reader. I prefer to read prose. But I’ve been needing to expand my reading, so I jumped into the first deluxe edition of Berserk.
Berserk fans won’t be happy with me. I can summarize my reading of first volume in a word: meh.
It’s not a bad story for what it is, but I grew up on high-fantasy novels, so the beginning of the story feels pretty standard. Guts is a fairly standard unlikeable character: tormented by his inner demons, violently lashing out because of how bad his experiences had been, but yet still retains some softness which he wants to deny. He’s (so far) driven by revenge and a desire to be strong enough to get that revenge. His desire for strength makes him disdain those who lack what he deems as strength. And this, in turn, makes him look weak.
Again, pretty standard fare in the fantasy world.
The story is as violent as I thought it would be. Honestly, a few scenes I laughed at with how over-the-top it was. A single swing of a slab of steel cutting through an entire squad of armored knights struck me as ridiculous with its over-the-topness. The scene was straight out of a 1980’s hair metal music video. Sometimes, the action panels proved difficult for me to decipher with all their layers of action lines and details. The art of Berserk is interesting, however. And as I read, I learned to decipher the stuffed panels.
The first volume of the deluxe edition has a distinctive Clive Barker vibe to it, cenobites and all. I’m uncertain if Kentaro Miura had read the Barker’s novels or seen the film Hellraiser, but I wouldn’t be surprised. The art often takes on that sort of vibe and there’s a masochistic vibe to some of the villains. The elf character Puck also reminds me of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s Navi. The lightness of the character contrasts well with the darker tones surrounding Guts and the horrors he faces.
This brings me back to Guts. As I mentioned before, he strikes me as a standard fantasy, unlikeable character with a soft heart buried inside the violence. He comes off as a bit too edgy at times–like he’s trying too hard to be dark and brooding and violent. While this points to how he uses violence and hardness to shield his softener inner self, he feels angsty to me. A more terrifying person is one who can be soft and still murderous. While I can’t draw a conclusion from just reading a single volume of a 10 volume collection, I can see Guts learning to discover his humanity and learning to take are of his friends and show his soft side to them. Pretty standard fantasy and shonen fare.
The problem with how I grew up on fantasy novels–from Terry Brooks to Robert Jordan to Dragonlance–is how characters become predictable. Guts didn’t surprise me throughout my reading. Even when he uses a young girl as a shield and a distraction, I wasn’t surprised or shocked by it. Been there, seen that. In fact, I even did that tactic when I used to play fantasy game books. If Berserk is your first foray into dark fantasy, it will definitely shock you.
Now it sounds like I’m knocking the story (okay, maybe I am), but I did enjoy my fast read of it and found it interesting. Much of my gripes result from the hype I’ve heard surrounding the story. While I try my best not to let hype shade my reading, Berserk is one of those series where hype can’t be avoided. I understand how it can resonate with readers. When I was a kid or a teen reading the novels I did, I felt that way too. After all, Berserk was the first encounter many had with a character like Guts. While for me, reading it as an adult, I’ve seen characters like Guts enough to be tired of them. I’ve also read novels that have far more horrible violence–such as a character who murders his own wife and children in a fit of madness (and then creates a mountain in his despair because he’s that powerful) and who is reborn over-and-over again to keep witnessing the deaths of his loved ones throughout the ages.
Berserk isn’t a bad fantasy story at all. I’m just a jaded reader who allowed hype to get his hopes up for something different and unique. Granted, I can’t judge the series after reading just 1/10th of it, but reading the first deluxe book was like eating Hershey Special Dark chocolate. It’s good and hits the spot, but its not 90% dark chocolate (which may not be your thing!).
The format of the deluxe edition was great. It had heft and the larger-than-most-manga pages let me see more details. I can’t imagine how some of the complex panels and pages would look in the usual, smaller manga format. If I got lost deciphering the large format, the smaller format would devolve into a muddle of lines with my poor eyesight! The book has crisp darks that contrast well with the lighter pages. Miura’s ability to pace detailed, complex scenes with airy-white scenes works well in the large format. The book is well-bound with stitched pages too. With the heft it has, glued pages would break away with just a few reads.
I enjoyed my read-through of the first volume despite my gripes. The story is interesting, with strong Clive Barker vibes and visuals. I still feel meh about it. It doesn’t live up to the hype for me, but neither is it a bad story. Just middling. For a novel-reader like me, I would perhaps enjoy it more if I could imagine the violence and the scenes instead of seeing the artwork, as nice as the artwork is. But that is why I’ve never been an avid manga reader. My imagination is vivid. I enjoyed my time with Berserk, and I need to stretch my manga-reading muscles more often, perhaps with Kaguya-Sama or a revisit of Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess next.
Do you have any manga suggestions?
I felt the same way until I got to volume two and HAD to keep reading. Berserk became my favorite series( any medium) after reading these deluxe editions. Trust me volume one is barely a taste of what this story has to offer and oh my god the art improves so drastically—you would think Miura made a deal with the devil on how detailed his work is. This mangas influence is evident in a lot of different genres be it movies, video games, comics etc.. and it’s not hard to see why
I totally understand why you felt put off by the first volume. When I read it for the first time I also thought it was trying too hard to be edgy and dark, albeit with glimpses of something greater hidden in there.
It’s not until the *next* arc that things start to make sense, and the series really starts to come into its own. All the behaviors of Guts start to become clear after the story delves into his past. After reading the rest of the story it quickly became my favorite series. Strongly recommend you give reading the next volume or two a shot (or just read it online for free if you don’t feel like dropping more money on it).
And hey, if you don’t like that as well then that’s fine! Different strokes for different folks!
I usually find something to like in a work. I have the books on order through my library’s shipment system, but it might be a month or more before they arrive! High demand and low supply does that.
Reading just a droplet of it decades later is rather ridiculous. Then referencing how some characters “channel” recent media… Jesus, yes they are similar, they are inspirations if not direct alterations of Berserk.
Dark souls
Cloud strife from FF7 (a game that just had its Twenty five year anniversary)
Etc.
Were all directly inspired by Berserk. That’s like saying zelda2 doesn’t hold up to a link to the past. Or Zelda to ocarina of time. Like comparing the 70s spiderman b film to sam raimis trilogy in the 90s/00 vs current sony-mcu.
Thank you for pointing out how Berserk has influenced other media franchises. You are correct about my misuse of the word “channel”. I’ve corrected that sentence.
While I agree with most of your very valid points, pretending Lews Therin Telamon’s murder of his family was darker than anything in Berserk is kind of laighable
It’s a matter of perspective. I doubt anything in Berserk will compare to the history books I’ve read, such as Rape of Nanking and Hidden Horrors. What I liked about Lews Therin Telamon’s story is how much of it is left to your imagination. You can make it as horrifying and as emotionally anguished as you want.
Please don’t disrespect the God father of all anime..this surpasses them all..yes them all..
I have watch thousands of animes and read comics all my life..
This is the most epic story of them all.
This is the beginning of all the things that are great in the current anime Era.
I won’t spoil the story..my daughter who anime lover her favorite is attack on titans she is 11yr.. we will be attack on titan characters this Halloween together..she started watching beserk anime n she like omg dad I understand why this is your favorite..
I didn’t push her to watch it I bought her a poster n said hang this with the rest of your favorite n she looked at me like ok will see.
Well she’s watched I believe 3 episodes n she’s hooked with millions of questions of whats to come..as a good father I refuse to tell her.
I want her to experience this journey..
Please understand I had to wait 15yrs to see the next chapter..I couldn’t find the the final tape anywhere n grew up very poor.
I loved fist of north start ninja scroll Akira dragon ball the list goes on..but beserk is by far the greatest anime n magna..
My daughter bought me a beserk necklace for my birthday its a special symbol I won’t share that with you but one day you might understand that symbol n why it never will leave my neck again
I’m glad you found a story that resonates so well with you! And one that lets you connect closer with your daughter.
That’s awesome your daughter got you a necklace. I can only hope my baby’s will come to love what I do. I just decided to go the route of tattooing the rune on me. I’ve had it almost 15 years now. I want to incorporate a behilit somewhere but haven’t felt it yet.
How dare you write such blasphemy, Shuuunnnnnn. I’m kidding. Someone mentioned Vinland saga and I do recommend that. I got into berserk when I was a teen 22 years ago and I have read quite a bit of fantasy novels since and berserk is still my favorite. I will have to agree with you on berserk being one of my first dark fantasy series that has stuck with me ever since, so the nostalgia is always there. I can totally understand your review from just reading the first edition. I don’t know you and don’t know how you’ll feel about the rest. Even if you don’t find it amazing I can at least say you will thoroughly enjoy the read.
I will have to add Vinland Saga to my list. I haven’t watched the anime yet either.
You touch on what I find most amusing about the comments that flame me: I liked the story! I just didn’t get as hyped about it as they did. But I’m also not the type of person who feels hyped. If I enjoy a story, that’s enough for me.
I don’t get too hyped either. But when I was younger I did and berserk hyped me, lol. In my older age I don’t understand why people get so upset about other peoples opinions. Almost like they expect you to be just like them. You could have read the whole story and said that you didn’t like it and got the same reaction. I do know that the ones that are upset just really want you to read the whole story then write an article (ahem)……do it.
I own all the deluxe and individual manga of berserk and quite a bit of fantasy art. I absolutely love the story. So coming from an old school fan you did nothin wrong. If that means anything.
Thanks for the support! I’m uncertain if I will review each Berserk Deluxe book I read on their own or if I will read a number of them and then review the arc. Both methods have pros and cons.
Some of the comments are a little yikes lol.
As a fan of Berserk, at least in my opinion, the opening sections of the Black Swordsman Arc are definitely the weakest of the series. I believe Miura found his footing and the “soul” of Berserk as he worked through the Golden Age, the first large section of the series. What draws me in most is watching the character of Guts, his growth, regression, success, and failures.
As a side note, for a story that I highly recommend, consider Vinland Saga as a future manga to cover. A dark historical drama set in the late ‘900s to early 1000s, with the early parts focusing on locations like Iceland, Denmark, and England. The story has many themes that resonate with the best Berserk has to offer, but the author had a very clear idea of the story he planned to write so the launching point feels smoother.
Thanks for the Vinland Saga suggestion! It sounds interesting.
Yeah, I figured I’d get some yikes comments. Fandoms tend to be touchy about what they like, and if you don’t praise it to the moon, they get offended. It’s fine for people to not like something you like (which I did like what I read). Vitriolic comments says more about the commenter than the article’s writer. Could I have done a better job in writing the review? Sure! The problem I have with such touchy people in fandoms is how they drive away new and less-confident members of their community. I find the yikes comments amusing, if a little tiresome.
Phew what a hot take… by that I mean hot steaming mess.
Right? This pleb clearly does not know manga 🙄
I’m blocking japanpowered from my feed bc of this trash review
Looking forward to your continued reviews! As a massive fan of Berserk who never reads prose, I am incredibly excited to hear critiques from someone already versed in the dark fantasy novel genre. Concerning your impression that readers were drawn in as kids and teenagers to the edgy persona of Guts, (while I can’t speak for everyone) I feel the big draws that first hook people in come later rather than this early. After all, I hadn’t started reading until my late 20s, so novelty didn’t particularly factor into my experience.
I look forward to seeing the other aspects of Guts’ character. As a librarian, I mostly work with teens when it comes to manga–adults in my area are more drawn to anime for some reason than teens. So this does color my thinking.
Judging berserk after reading 1 volume is like judging lord of the rings after reading up to the Tom bombandil encounter. Or judging wheel of time by the eye of the world. If you do that it means the bar for being a reviewer is quite low.
You’re right. The review only focuses on the first deluxe collection and not the entirety of the series since I haven’t read the series yet. I will be reading more of the series. However, reviewers need to review books as they stand on their own as well. Winter’s Heart, for example, fits well in the Wheel of Time series (which is one of my favorite novel series), but as a book it isn’t good.
Berserk is one of the greatest manga ever written. I alr know how u look from ur description of berserk. fucking discord mod I bet ur fave anime is mha. This is what’s wrong w people today u don’t have the capacity to appreciate berserk and it’s deeper meaning. U prob like some lame ass manga where the whole story is revealed in a few chapters and u don’t have to think about what ur reading. Ur lack of comprehension and imagination is single handedly the downfall of modern society. Give up on manga and go back to wtv novels since u obviously can’t handle it.
Ad hominem attacks do little to support your point. In fact, such behavior sullies the name of Berserk because it marks the Berserk fan community in a negative way. Rather, you should answer questions like:
What makes Berserk resonate with you? What aspects of its story hit hard for you?
What deeper meanings do you see?
The trick with stories lies with how everyone interprets them differently.
agreed, with all of the above.
the Golden Age in it’s entirety is heavy stuff.
even the first half of the classic anime, the awfully animated revisit, and the more recent OVA trilogy anime are stuck with that tropey, sloshing start –
but felt like the story was building to something bigger
– and oh boy do things get wild …
I’m looking forward to continuing the story.
Thanks for all the suggestions to keep reading. I have deluxe volumes 2 and 3 on their way. Stay tuned!
Berserk fans won’t be offended, we know volume 1 is standard (it’s basically a demo), get through the Golden Age Arc and put up another review, as a high-novel fantasy reader I’m interested to know your take.
I originally hadn’t planned to continue the series, but thanks to all the comments, I decided to keep going so I can get into the meat of the story. So stay tuned for more reviews.
Oh man… i envy you so much, your first time reading Berserk! Begining is slow, real story begins with Golden Age arc. You are gonna love it! Throw review again after reading it!
(Non-english speaker here, sorry for bad grammar ).
I highly doubt people who are hyping berserk have done so without finishing the golden age arc (which I believe means you’d have to get through Deluxe Edition 5). Would be interested in seeing you continue the series.
I remember reading Berserk’s intro and finding it to be interesting. It’s only with the Golden Age Arc where you get to learn why Guts is the way he is that this story starts to become legendary.
I agree with the other poster. If you only read volume 1 you haven’t read berserk. The first arc or two (ie most of volume 1) is sometimes considered the worst part of the series. One thing that makes berserk fantastic is that it started as cliched edgy dark fantasy nonsense and grew into something more. Only near the very end of volume 1 does the golden age arc begin so if you dont read at least volume 2 you never really gave the series a shot. Think of volume 1 as more of a tv pilot – its craming every element into it without the meaning of later entries and is probably the single worst part of the whole series. You need to see a few more episodes to give it a fair shake.
I disagree but I understand, I would like to see your opinion when you finish the whole arc of the golden age