Kentarou Miura has created a mature manga years ago that dazzles with brutality and eroticism. Nevertheless, such an envelope effectively strengthens the message conveyed by Berserk . It is a story about the duality of human nature, existence and passing, and - perhaps most of all - about unfulfilled dreams.
ATTENTION! TEXT INCLUDES SPOILERS!
Have you ever asked yourself if the paths of our fate are controlled by higher forces? Hell, as if they were merciful and just gods. What if mankind is left to the prey of powerful demons? In the world created by Miura, we are – like in Greek mythology – only pawns for the so-called God’s Hand, monsters straight from the worst nightmares.
For them, our species are puppets that they play with in the spooky theater of the earthly valley. Sometimes people serve them as food or erotic toys, although they are usually treated similarly to filthy vermin that can be dispassionately crushed. Only a few have a slim chance of changing their fortunes, but few are ready to pay a huge price, which will often be the loss of humanity.
vanity
It was in such realities that Guts – the main character of the manga in question – had to live. In the world emphasizing the theme of vanitas (Latin vanity), or in short – the theme of the passing and fragility of human life. In Berserk, the stories of tiny, just miserable cogs in a powerful machine of fate are intertwined. Nevertheless, their stories are in many cases the most captivating.
They tell about the limitless human cruelty and desperate attempts to change the inevitable. Most of the stories end tragically, like an ancient drama. This emphasizes the vanity of human life and clearly shows the fate of mere mortals chasing after elusive dreams.
The aforementioned Guts from birth showed an amazing will to survive, thanks to which he cheated death at birth. His adolescence was also full of traumatic events. The scars on his soul and body turned him into an angry youth who, in the heat of battle, forgets his fear, wreaking death and havoc in the host of the enemy.
His unprecedented will to survive will be crucial as he has to break free from the trap of destiny again and again. The life of a fearless warrior changes forever when he meets Griffith – the leader of the mercenary army known as the Hawk Team. Their friendship eventually turns into an unbreakable curse. All because the dreams of one of them were unexpectedly buried. This affects not only their relations, but also the fate of the whole world.
Chasing dreams
Everyone has dreams – smaller, bigger or completely unattainable. Some are just floating in the clouds, not taking any specific actions to make them come true. Others try, but give up over time, tired of failures. There are also people who can literally do anything to get their way. This was what Griffith was, and as a child he chose an abstract goal – to conquer his own kingdom.
While chasing his dream, he attracted various people. They followed him blindly, his unwavering confidence acting like a drug. They were able to follow the leader into the fire, helping to fulfill the dream they began to share with him. At the same time, Griffith secretly believed that everyone should have their own dreams, regardless of their friends’ desires, and pursue them consistently. For unfulfilled ambitions can be very dangerous, especially for those closest to you.
Griffith’s inner transformation was gradual. Walking over the dead bodies to his goal, he lost himself in the clutches of the darkness. He performed wicked deeds – though never openly – to keep his image unblemished. Hence, rot was increasingly visible from beneath the mask of perfection. His light in the tunnel was Guts, who unexpectedly decided to follow his own path. Then something broke in him.
Although it might seem that he cared about his comrades, he left no doubt in the end. This is the perfect example of a man willing to sacrifice anything for a dream. He endured insults, defiled his body and dignity, endured even unimaginable tortures. It was only when his hopes were shattered that he decided to take the last chance, sacrificing his relatives and the rest of his humanity.
Dualism and balance
“The one who fights the demons should be careful not to become one of them. When you look into the abyss, it also looks at you. ” – Friedrich Nietzsche
The above quote perfectly reflects the Berserk convention on many levels. Communing with evil changes people to some extent, even when they fight it. In most cases, evil comes from human emotions or desires, which are powerful tools. Besides, the images of some creatures are even personifications of human temptations or weaknesses.
Yet even in such a fatalistic world, there will be a little bit of good in pure form. After all, everyone hides two faces deeply under the skin, and the one that will be on the pedestal more often depends on many factors. The plot of the manga repeatedly touches on the peculiar issue of the duality of human nature, which also refers to the eternal struggle between good and evil – light and dark. The said fight is fought both on a global scale and inside the hearts of heroes.
There are natural opposites in the characters of Griffith and Guts. The first is a walking ideal, even an archetype of a noble knight on a white horse. The second one looks like a ruthless psychopath that you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. Nevertheless, learning about their history, we find out how confusing appearances can be and how complicated and unpredictable the human psyche can be.
The complexity of the characters is by far one of the strongest points of the story. It is with great pleasure to analyze the characters’ psychological portraits, their motives, the past and how they balance between good and evil. Here you never know who is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and who is a soft-hearted monster.
Fenomen berserk
In the described manga we can find more interesting analogies and inspirations drawn from literature and history. It’s dark fantasy at its best, with a mature, non-halfway story and complex, well-drawn characters. There are considerations here, among others on human nature, religion and the existential sphere. Many of the threads provoke deeper reflection.
Medieval convention, based on medieval Europe, and the multitude of references to various mythologies also hit the bull’s eye. Thanks to this, the presented world seems credible and interesting. The imagination and artistry of Kentarou Miura are also important. The dark and unique style of his drawings brings to mind the works of Bosch, Giger and Beksiński. The dynamic fight scenes and attention to detail also deserve praise.
That is why Berserk became an inspiration for many over time. I will mention, for example, the games by FromSoftware, in particular the Dark Souls series . Some weapon, armor, and enemy designs are straight out of the manga cards. Obvious references can also be found in Dragon’s Dogma . Of course, there are more examples in various creations of pop culture. Manga also has its animated films and video games.
Since the beginning of the nineties, 40 volumes of Berserk have been published . This is not an impressive number for such a long period, but it must be added that the author takes longer breaks from work. I wish this great story would last forever, but in my opinion it deserves a meaningful and satisfying ending. Especially since its creator is not getting younger.
If you have not had the opportunity to get to know Guts’ adventures yet, the Polish edition, which has been appearing on our market for several years, may make things easier. There is a lot to read because more than 20 volumes have already been published. So if you like mature stories, interesting heroes (who doesn’t?) And a dark atmosphere, don’t think twice.
