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A review by gav_314
Berserk Deluxe Volume 1 by Kentaro Miura
3.0
This manga has been one that has both intrigued and intimidated me. Running from 1987 this epic dark fantasy has amassed millions of fans and admirers from all over the world, from all generations. When I caught up to One Piece I realised long running Manga and comics are easily read, so long as you set your own pace and enjoy it, plus with the passing of creator Kentaro Miura, Berserk was to be my next big Manga read. So I began with the first volume in the Deluxe Edition series which consists of the first three volumes of the manga covering the Black Swordsman arc.
In terms of plot, there’s not much to bite into. The protagonist Guts roams from to different towns that feature demonic and monstrous leaders that Guts opposes. We learn next to nothing about him, other that he’s branded with the mark of sacrifice. We meet a pixie-like Elf named Puck that acts as some comedic levity in this bleak world.
My first impressions of this series are certainly positive. Miura’s artwork is phenomenal and his development and mastery of his illustrations does excite me to see, his characterisation here isn’t as good but still enjoyable. While Guts is somewhat of a standard stoic “badass” character, this is something that was in trend in the 80’s and works well for the story and world that is delivered. There are clearly signs of some deeper personality within Guts’ pessimistic exterior but I believe I’ll learn that the more I read. The action is brutally awesome, even comically so, with Guts’ giant sword cleaving foes with ease. The world building is very good. It’s is a brooding atmospheric world with horrifying monsters and men that inhabit it. It is heavy metal fantasy and very grimdark. Miura’s character design is second only to Oda’s in how they instantly convey who these people are, without any direct characterisation applied.
It’s hard to get a strong impression of the manga with just the first three volumes but this introductory arc is very good and highly enjoyable. This is not a manga I would recommend for someone getting into the medium for the first time, but for fans of manga with a dark setting then definitely give it a go.
Berserk by Kentaro Muira - The Black Swordsman arc: 6/10
In terms of plot, there’s not much to bite into. The protagonist Guts roams from to different towns that feature demonic and monstrous leaders that Guts opposes. We learn next to nothing about him, other that he’s branded with the mark of sacrifice. We meet a pixie-like Elf named Puck that acts as some comedic levity in this bleak world.
My first impressions of this series are certainly positive. Miura’s artwork is phenomenal and his development and mastery of his illustrations does excite me to see, his characterisation here isn’t as good but still enjoyable. While Guts is somewhat of a standard stoic “badass” character, this is something that was in trend in the 80’s and works well for the story and world that is delivered. There are clearly signs of some deeper personality within Guts’ pessimistic exterior but I believe I’ll learn that the more I read. The action is brutally awesome, even comically so, with Guts’ giant sword cleaving foes with ease. The world building is very good. It’s is a brooding atmospheric world with horrifying monsters and men that inhabit it. It is heavy metal fantasy and very grimdark. Miura’s character design is second only to Oda’s in how they instantly convey who these people are, without any direct characterisation applied.
It’s hard to get a strong impression of the manga with just the first three volumes but this introductory arc is very good and highly enjoyable. This is not a manga I would recommend for someone getting into the medium for the first time, but for fans of manga with a dark setting then definitely give it a go.
Berserk by Kentaro Muira - The Black Swordsman arc: 6/10