Oh man, where do I even start with this review?

 

Before I begin, Berserk is an Anime that has been recommended to me countless times over the years and it was always one that I had meant to watch.  However, what really caught my attention, especially as a Dark Fantasy writer, is how every person that sings of this Anime’s praises, hails it as the Darkest Anime in existence.  I set out to find out if these claims were valid.

 

This review deals with the Golden Age Arc plus the single Black Swordsman Arc Episode that is the Pilot Episode, and I daresay after seeing this show until its infamous conclusion that the critics are right on the money.  

 

After watching Berserk, I had to change my units of measurement of how I feel about dark fantasy because this story is truly genre defining. With a plot that has few to no holes combined with an absolutely well constructed cast of characters, Berserk left me spellbound and out of breath in every episode.

 

Before I continue, a couple things.  While I will be doing my best to avoid spoilers, talking about Berserk without mentioning major plot points is difficult.  Also, as this story has been in existence for more than 20 years now, some of the most famous plot points are late arrival spoilers in the same vein that everyone knows that Sheik in Ocarina of Time is Princess Zelda. Still, I will hold to the title above of spoiler free.  Second, Berserk is a Dark Anime of the highest caliber.  This story deals with intense themes involving sexuality, religion, philosophy, child abuse, and psychological trauma.  Berserk is not for the feint of heart, and neither is this review. 

 

“In this world, is the destiny of mankind controlled by some transcendental entity or law…? Is it like the hand of God hovering above? At least it is true that man has no control, even over his own will.”

The opening narration of Berserk sets the tone perfectly. The deep seated philosophical issues addressed come into play immediately.   The three main protagonists: Guts, Griffith, and Casca all seem to be strung along and destined for… something.  But none of the three know what.  

 

Guts especially seems to be a cosmic plaything. Born from the womb of a woman who had been lynched and adopted by a child molester, the world has not been kind to the main character of the story.  He travels the land fighting strong enemies for money, but his fate becomes crossed by the two other protagonists, and a journey that none could have imagined occurs. 

 

I do not worry about how people will feel about the comparison I am about to make.  After I watched Berserk, I do not enjoy Game of Thrones anywhere near the level that I did before watching this Anime.  The infamous events in Berserk easily dwarf everything Game of Thrones throws at the viewer. Both have political intrigue, deep and bitter betrayal, a nasty world that I would never want to find myself in, and all the other hallmarks of Dark Fantasy.  But Berserk takes it many steps farther and makes the story much more personal than Game of Thrones is capable of.

 

This is truly one of the greatest Anime I have ever seen.  Its one of the greatest stories ever told no doubt. Just remember before watching, and I quote the TvTropes article on Berserk. “Dealing with themes of Despair, Rape, and what it means to be human, Berserk is not for the faint of heart.” However, by those who can get through the story, they will find an absolute masterpiece that is life changing.  

 

I recommend this to literally everyone. There is nothing out there like this story.  Just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you take the journey.