The NZA Posted July 11, 2005 Share Posted July 11, 2005 please note: the thread for the anime based on this book can be found here) So, after seeing the anime - which, again, is great but leaves you really wanting to know what else happens - I sought out this book, and it's been an ongoing title for years now - its up to volume 30, about 250 issues thus far. The Band of the Hawks describes Berserk as: Created By Kentaro Miura, Berserk Is A Gothic Tale Set In The Middle Ages Which Chronicles The Life And Trials Of Gatsu. He Is A Very Strong And Skilled Swordsman. He Fights So That He Can Determine His Own Destiny. Taking Your Destiny Into Your Own Hands And Not Letting Fate Do It For You Is The Constant Theme In This Series. While this is true - destiny is defintely a central theme - it should be noted this is the darkest, most violent comic/manga i believe I've ever read. Both the sex and the violence (sometimes both) are quite detailed, and the book is outright horrifying at parts. The violence is so commonplace, you almost become numb to it, utnil the envelope is pushed further. This, however, isnt done entirely for shock value, i believe: the context of the story, and the effects this horror has on Guts/Gatsu are shown as they take their toll, as well as how far he is willing to go to put an end to it. The book can go from a slow character-build of a fairly large, almost RPG-ish cast of characters, to silent action scenes moving the plot at breakneak speed with little warning. Manga being what it is, there's many silent spreads like the one up top, so thought I admit the series is a long one, I've honestly breezed through it in a week or so (im on vol. 28), and though after seeing the anime, I simply wanted resolution quickly, I honestly hope to see a lot more to come. The book is pretty badass, and though most arcs admittedly havent been as eventful as the first one that said anime was taken from, there's been more than enough moving along to keep me really interested. Fans of dark, gothic action stories with badass heroes and very, very nasty villians will most certainly enjoy this book, but those easily offended or faint of heart should definitely look elsehwere. Here's to seeing if anyone else has ever given it a try; hopefully ill have copies for Da Cap'n soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiterasta Posted July 11, 2005 Share Posted July 11, 2005 I've definately heard of it, but neglected to pick it up partly because of the intimidating number of books. But if it contains such a level of violence and sexual depravity that a Preacher fan is horrified by it, I'll have to check it out eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted September 5, 2005 Author Share Posted September 5, 2005 So, im finally all caught up - vol 30, about issue 256 or so - jesus, the story goes way beyond the anime, and its not even done yet. bishopcruz thinks it mgiht be in its final arcs soon enough, but.... » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « only one of the godhand is dead so far, leaving 3 others, and Griffith is still untouchable. Fuck, wish i had someone to talk to about this one....the torrent for the entire series is prolly harder to find right now, but it all fits on one disc for those interested in reading this (quite large) series, lemme know who's interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiterasta Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 I'd be damn interested Irish, if you could hook me up. Been wanting to get into this series for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishopcruz Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 I could probably use it also as my old copy is on a PC that is dead as dirt right now. Not to mention I htink I only made it it volume like 27. BTW, anyone who can afford to keep up with the actual Dark Horse manga release, because shit like this deserves to be supported in the US, too often we get generic Shonen or SHojo titles and very rarely to we get stuff as good as Berserk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted September 12, 2005 Author Share Posted September 12, 2005 True, i intend to buy this down the road somewhere too, just wanting to see how much is left.... I got blank CD's now, so once my midterm next week's over, i should be down for burning copies of this. Bandofthehawks.org says volume 29 should be ready by the end of this month.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IguanaDon? Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 '' nasty villans '' You gotta' taster for how nasty? 'cause i can think of some pretty nasty bastards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiterasta Posted September 26, 2005 Share Posted September 26, 2005 Read Vol. 1 last night, and I can confidently state that this is some awesome shit. Brilliant artwork, cool story, and Puck and Guts are perfect foils of each other. If you get the time, I'd be obliged to you for that burned CD...otherwise Ima be out've a small fortune for those 30+ volumes. P.S. I hear the series doesn't really pick up till about Vol. 3 or 4. That about right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted September 26, 2005 Author Share Posted September 26, 2005 Cool...to be honest rasta, i couldnt qutie say: i skipped much of the early stuff, as the anime leaves you off around vol. 16 or so, i wanna say. PM me your address, ill see when i can get the series out to you, you should definitely get to read the rest of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted January 30, 2006 Author Share Posted January 30, 2006 Here it is, the whole series (up to current issue), with some possibly better translations than i sent Whiterasta... Gattsu, known as the Black Swordsman, seeks sanctuary from the demonic forces that persue himself and his woman, and also vengeance against the man who branded him as an unholy sacrifice. Aided only by his titanic strength, skill and sword, Gattsu must struggle against his bleak destiny, all the while fighting with a rage that might strip him of his humanity. Berserk is a dark and brooding story of outrageous swordplay and ominous fate, in the theme of Shakespeare's MacBeth. Guts, the Black Swordsman, wanders around in a mediaeval world slaying demons as they are attracted to a demonic mark on his neck. To his help he has inhuman strength gained from a harsh childhood lived with mercenaries, a gigantic sword, an iron prosthetic left hand and the elf Puck. In his search for vengeance on the one who gave him the mark, he meets many interesting persons and creatures, whom all is affected by him in one way or another. [ADULT] Berserk vol 1-30 & chp 267 Size: 1.79 GB Berserk torrent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newtype Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 I got blank CD's now, so once my midterm next week's over, i should be down for burning copies of this. I can I have a copy. I'll give you a few blanks. still you own me miracleman and a few others now that I think about. Plus the games go past the anime also. Like the one on the dreamcast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted January 30, 2006 Author Share Posted January 30, 2006 Actually, im looking to re-download them off that torrent; rasta too noticed the fansub quality drops here & there to bad engrish, im hopin these'll be a bit better. The series is worth it, but once its done, yeah, ill happily toss that & miracleman on a few discs (or 1 dvd) for you. And yeah, the PS2 game (that im waitin to see ported one day...) is said to pick up around vol 14-29, meaning right after the anime to almost where the book's at now. That's gotta be awesome, cause by the anime's end, you really think there's not too much story left to tell, but its almost like you barely got half of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 Well, i just finished the set (not sure how many seeders are still on, so if youre interested, now's the time to get it), havent checked to see if the rough spots of translation were improved yet, but most of its by The Hawks and theyre a good group. Its got up to the first issue of vol. 31, which i believe is pretty current. I skipped the first 12 originally because that's what the anime contains, but looking back over them, there's a lot that's left out, especially the Skull Knight, so im going to read them soon. I plan on making a copy for Apanchalypse/Cap'n, as well as Newtype, but lemme know if anyone else's intereted, i believe Whiterasta enjoyed it. ps » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « looked it up on Wikipedia, and i was wrong: Guts slayed a mortal form of one of the Godhand, but that's not how they die, so all 5 still remain. the series has me wondering if the aromor's going to have to consume him, presumably like it did the Skull Knight, before he can actually take them on. So far, he's been slaying Apostles, but I'm wondering if this armor means he can finally take Zod? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APANCHALYPSE NOW Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 The Nick, get me that CD ASAP if you can, man! I'm prolly gonna go an get that 7th and 8th volume this week, cause I gotta get back into that shit soon! It's driving me crazy that I'm not updated on this title! Man, if I ever fulfill my dream of becoming a movie director, I'm gonna direct the Berserk live action! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiterasta Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Yo IC, just finished up through issue 258, and craving more. I was kinda confused when Serpico went and acted the prick, challenging Guts to a duel and all. His motive wasn't even that clear...was he trying to protect Farney from being hurt by Guts in the event that he lost control of the Berserker armor? Anyways, I thought he'd have more sense than to challenge the black swordsman to a one-on-one. So this series is still running in Japan, huh? No end in sight? I just hope Miura can pull together a good ending. I'm not expecting anything too happy, this being a gothic fantasy and all, maybe the best I can hope for is a tragedy with some sort of silver lining. 'Course, if I were to write the ending, it would consist of Guts ripping Griffith a new vagina, then proceeding to brutally rape and kill that smiling little Sonia girl that follows Griffith around (god, I hate her), then riding off into the sunset with a fully recovered Caska to live with all the elves. Too optimistic? Send me along those improved translations if ya can, I'll replace your blank CD's (got a great big stock). Cheers dude. P.S. panch, yeah, was thinkin' the same thing about a live-action Berserk. Would hafta be a particular story arc or an offshoot maybe, no way to condense something that epic into a single film. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APANCHALYPSE NOW Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 They can just adapt the anime! That's all the live action you need right there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senshik Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 Alright, so, Compared to the anime that I just finished watching yesterday, and after reading a bit of the manga, I have to admit the manga is just much more gruesome. I love it. THe violence and sexual content is just so mind blowing. Crap! i've never read such horror! I didn't feel "dirty" after watching the anime, I felt dirty after reading some of the manga. I thought the anime was awesome, until I started to read the manga. (dont' get me wrong, I still enjoyed it!) I was a bit suprised of how much they cut out. Perhaps it was just too sick to animate? I mean that whole scene » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « at the very end when Griffith rapes Caska in front of Guts, was sooooooooo edited. In the manga, he rapes her for like an entire issue! Straight up Hentai material. Freagin A! Also another thing they seem to have cut out was the Skull Demon Knight guy, which to me was a shocker because he plays a vital role in the series it seems. » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « Saving Rickett back from the demons attacking the Hawks at their camp, and obviously rescuing Guts and Caska from the "Hell" of sacrifies. Yet another thing that just grossed me out was in Volume 14. They show Caska giving birth to a demonic baby! I dont' know about you guys, but as a chick, that shit is creepy. I don't know but at one point or another I felt that this whole idea of fate and not having a choice, seemed to somewhat contradict itself. I say this because, take for instance, Griffith who is supposedly fated to be this chosen one, but yet has the choice to become this Demon God or not. Of course he chooses to do so. But where's the fate in there,when in the end he made his choice? Any fans out there have any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted June 12, 2006 Author Share Posted June 12, 2006 Hah, really cool that you liked it, its not something i put out there to everyone cause you do indeed need a strong stomach or at least tolerance for such things. I stand by the Macbeth analogy, for the first 13 volumes (thats what the anime comes from, but even wikipedia says its only dead-on accurate for about 5-8 or so). I guess i dont see it as contradicting cause, again, Griffith wouldntve made that decision earlier on, but - » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « after a year of gruesome torture and seeing his dream fall to shambles, he was ready to take the role fate chose for him. Gatsu, on the other hand, is resisting his fate to be a sacrifice, and the point the book's at now (by about vol 30 or so) has him trading in parts of his humanity to keep resisting. Band of the Hawks should have vol. 31 ready in a few months or so, i figure, at the latest. Im surpried Panch hasnt read this yet, but he's up to about vol. 10 or so with the Dark Horse translations. Bishop says he doesnt think it'll go on for much longer, but....there's a lot left to do in the book, and its not racing to there, so i think its got a ways to go, myself. Its just that much more epic when you realize the anime itself was basically a prologue. On a side note, im gonna be downloading the import PS2 game soon, lookin forward to that - it seems to pick up on "The Black Swordsman" stuff right after the anime ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalHeart Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 I'll have to get my hands on this...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senshik Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 (edited) OH MH, you're hands will feel dirty! Enjoy! I stand by the Macbeth analogy, for the first 13 volumes (thats what the anime comes from, but even wikipedia says its only dead-on accurate for about 5-8 or so). I guess i dont see it as contradicting cause, again, Griffith wouldntve made that decision earlier on, but - » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « after a year of gruesome torture and seeing his dream fall to shambles, he was ready to take the role fate chose for him. Gatsu, on the other hand, is resisting his fate to be a sacrifice, and the point the book's at now (by about vol 30 or so) has him trading in parts of his humanity to keep resisting. Hmm... you're right being tortured and what not for a year would do that shit to anyone. » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « But Again, it was HIS own doings that got him there. HE FUCKED UP! By sleeping with the princess. Unless, it was all woven in "God's hands" that Guts leaving would upset Griffith enough to the comfort of womans breasts... then I don't really see it as fate. Griffith choose to screw the princess and the outcome was his downfall in that sense. Edited June 12, 2006 by Senshik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The NZA Posted June 12, 2006 Author Share Posted June 12, 2006 No, youre right, it was his choice, just... » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « odd that he'd make so callous a choice after all that work. From a writing standpoint, i can see the "fate" angle, and remmeber, the beheit (sp?) only needed him to lose his ambition (one way or another) and want it back bad enough to sacrifice everything. MH, ive made copies before, i can fit it all on one DVD and have room for more comics to boot, if youd like. But the anime's prolly an even better intro to the series, its up to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senshik Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 (edited) No, youre right, it was his choice, just...» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « odd that he'd make so callous a choice after all that work. From a writing standpoint, i can see the "fate" angle, and remmeber, the beheit (sp?) only needed him to lose his ambition (one way or another) and want it back bad enough to sacrifice everything. » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « Ya bastard! You got me there... I can't think a way to argue back on that because you're absoluetly right. All the behelit needed was him to loose his ambition and then he would sacrifice all to regain it. I didn't see it that way. Heh. Still though... he made his choices at the end.... You were still pretty useless today! ahyahahaha, you can't argue there! Edited June 12, 2006 by Senshik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalHeart Posted June 12, 2006 Share Posted June 12, 2006 MH, ive made copies before, i can fit it all on one DVD and have room for more comics to boot, if youd like. But the anime's prolly an even better intro to the series, its up to you. oooh enticing... hehe Cj has the anime, so I'll prolly watch it here soon! start on it within the week hopefully. I"ll see if I can find it somewhere on the net, but if not, I will (and I PROMISE... not like those other weak promises, ha!) send you something! I'll have Cj compile a list of anime and manga we have and you can tell us what ya want! Hopefully we'll have something you haven't seen yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senshik Posted July 1, 2006 Share Posted July 1, 2006 *I'm so addicted right now to this manga! It's so dark, something totally different. The character volume is incredible. There's so much going on it's no wonder it's taken 10+ yrs to finish!* » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « Back in volume 17, Gutts gets this dream of Caska getting burned at a stake, so he stops his journey and runs back to where he left her, with Old man Gotto (the blacksmith). Gutts soon finds out that Caska's been missing for a month! There's this part where Old man Gotto's preaching to Gutts telling him that he should've never left Caska alone when she needed him, instead of running away from her... The old man goes on to say these two lines which I thought were amazing and true... so very true... "Hate is a place where a man, who can't stand sadness, goes.... You're only a sword without a sheath. Filled with scratches and blood stains, with a fatal nick, a broken sword". Powerful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishopcruz Posted July 3, 2006 Share Posted July 3, 2006 On Guts, Griffith, and Fate: » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « Well, I always felt that Griffith actually trusted Guts, and depite himself, saw him as a friend. The problem was the fact that Guts never realized, especially after Griffith's speech to the princess, how special he actually was to the group. Guts never thought that he was as important as he was to the Hawks, and he was the only one who didn't realize it. Griffith realized it too late. I do think that it was all fate though, the fact that Guts' departure sets in motion the eventual ascension of Femto. I think Griffith's only real choice after that was at the end, when he is asked to make the sacrifice. He could have said no, but he didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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