Reviewed by: James Zhang
Ratings:
Other name(s): Kenfu Denki Berserk
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Year: 1997
Series Length: 25 episodes

'Man does not control his fate, but he can fight against it.'
- Berserk trailer

Paradoxical? Yes.
Interesting? More so.
Executed well? Absolutely.

Gatts is a powerful but unambitious warrior who joins the 'Band of the Hawk' – a group of mercenaries led by the charismatic Griffith. Gatts lacks depth but this allows him to view the world through unbiased eyes and much of Berserk's meaning is obtained from seeing what happens to Gatts, and his reactions.

We follow the rise, fall, and rebirth of the band, and the ultimate consequences of Griffith's leadership, whose ambition climbs a mountain of dead bodies towards power and prestige.

Berserk is full of the vices and vicissitudes in a man's life, and reminds me a lot of the memoirs of certain Roman statesman (Augustus, Tiberius, Decimus Brutus) – military campaigns, political intrigue and more than an average person's share of pleasure, pain, and philosophical insight.

A review cannot do justice to the many themes Berserk explores, comradeship and love not being least. Despite the heavy content in Berserk, it is surprisingly understandable and enjoyable, with a superbly constructed romance to boot.

Berserk has a great supporting cast, with each character's personality and goals making them human and easy to empathise with. It is difficult not to feel for them as we see the gruesome end that greets everyone.

Violence is rampant, with pint after pint of blood flying everywhere in many episodes. This is easy to watch compared to the final two episodes, where the Berserk squad goes to Hell literally and metaphorically.

Music is great, with the 'battle theme' giving one the feel of epic greatness, but the lyrics in the open and end themes are sung in incomprehensible English.

Berserk is no comedy or happy-ending affair, but its grim pessimism is a fresh and insightful perspective. Dark and deceptive, brutal but beautiful, Berserk is anime at its best.

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