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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
Berserk is intense and I love it! Puck is a phenomenal side character, and Guts has definitely been through some shiz.
I know this is a very dark and long series, but look forward to making my way through!
I know this is a very dark and long series, but look forward to making my way through!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a brutal series, there is no getting around that. No one in this is happy, and everything's awful. Horrid violence is the norm, and war is always going on in a fantasy setting. But it is CAPTIVATING. There's a glint of something more under the surface with Guts, even as he goes to act like he's nothing more than a violent dog off his leash, willing to bite at anything that moves. He and his massive sword are on the hunt for evil, and plans to stomp and slice it out, consequences be damned. Near the end of this collection, in what would be the third volume, we get the beginning of his story, from just after his birth to a child, and it's just as grueling as his adulthood. It doesn't excuse all he does, nor does the story seem to be trying to do that with the backstory. They just try to show why he's the near monster he is now, and we only see the beginning steps of it at that.
I've considered reading this for years and years and kept away because of the violence, but while that is brutal and crushing and disgusting, it at least feels like it does that in service of showing this awful world that they exist in. But if you feel like it would be a no go for you on that front, absolutely skip out. I think watching more horror movies over the years kinda made me ready for a story with this presentation. Now I finally did and I'm absolutely glad I did. This feels like if it's more than just the violence, it could be an incredible story.
I've considered reading this for years and years and kept away because of the violence, but while that is brutal and crushing and disgusting, it at least feels like it does that in service of showing this awful world that they exist in. But if you feel like it would be a no go for you on that front, absolutely skip out. I think watching more horror movies over the years kinda made me ready for a story with this presentation. Now I finally did and I'm absolutely glad I did. This feels like if it's more than just the violence, it could be an incredible story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the design for monsters, tho I usually consider resemblance to insects and animals that most people found repulsive to be a lazy shorthand (while some might argue it’s an effective technique). I’d probably prefer a faster paced story. A lot of fighting scenes, I’m not really here for the sensory stimulation. I’m interested in the world building especially the mythological (demonic?) system and I like the elf Puck (how often do I get to see a male-coded body with a feminine-coded demeanour).
Quite ironic time and time again a wank piece for male audience became a highbrow classic.
Quite ironic time and time again a wank piece for male audience became a highbrow classic.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Art was great if a little more graphic than I'm used to (even in black and white). Story line was a little sparse but worked well for the medium, felt a bit "kick in the door" campaign, but by someone who REALLY wants a DM who will let them roleplay.
Literally flew through this book. Appreciate the lil fairy to break up the heaviness of the book though.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes