“How will Griffith respond?” Everyone who has read/watched Berserk already is probably holding a bottle of whiskey right now, and we’re all just SCREAMING.
The poor man even left the most... um... horrible? parts partly unsaid probably cause of the sponsor and youtube but oooooooooooooooh man prepare for the trauma censore.
Quite similar to Vagabond and Vinland Saga, more emphasis is put on character moments, calmness, themes and philosophy, just to greater extent, rather than fights.
Totallynotmark: "I have a feeling that despite the horrific stuff I've seen so far, I've seen nothing yet." Me: *lights cigarette, gazes towards audience knowingly, a single tear begins to form.*
I keep saying to myself and even on twitter, if netflix decided to adapt beserk, I would absolutely love it if they adapted the golden age arc as well, but my only exception is that they keep everything from the manga, no omitting anything, no shortening certain parts, the rushed scenes, no excluding any major characters, gotta get everything from the manga on the screen
Griffith didn’t realize how important Guts was to him until the moment he left. I do think that Griffith meant what he said to the princess about friendship, but he didn’t realize that Guts was an exception to that rule. What’s also interesting about Guts leaving the band of the hawk is that it was the first time in Griffith’s live he wasn’t in control.
Let's not forget that Guts at the same time had his blind spot as well. He got lost in the idea that a dream was something bigger than himself, much like Griffith, with a tangible goal that could be achieved while the reality is Guts 'dream' is a much smaller, fragile thing: having connections to people. It becomes a huge theme in his regrets and self-condemnation later when he realizes after it's gone that he was living in a dream with the band of the hawk.
I dont see it that way, I think that Griffith knew how important Guts was to him as both friend and conrade, but whether the speech was what he really meant or not I dont know, but what we do know is that it brought Guts to want to grow and for that it meant he had to leave. I also feel that Griffiths downward spiral was because he loss a dear friend
Griffith loves Guts because he's the only one who refuses to submit to him. He's so used to people being swayed by him that when a guy comes along who is incapable of being tamed, it intrigues him. He says as much at their first meeting. Things naturally progress until the time comes for Guts to leave, and the wound to Griffith's pride is what causes him to throw everything away. It's his biggest character flaw. He must assume *absolute* control. Not even 99.99% control is good enough for him.
When Griffith says “you belong to me” in their rematch I always thought he didn’t entirely believe it. Griffith’s character obviously objectifies his soldiers as a way of being able to cope with them dying in battle but the more attached he got to guts the more he begins to consider him as a friend or something more. IMO he says that line trying to reassure himself that guts is just a tool to him but deep down he feels betrayed by a friend. This attitude towards guts is ironically what is pushing him away.
@@sarafontanini7051 I think it's both because Griffith is heavily conflicted by his feelings towards Guts. This is cemented in the moments leading up to the activation of the crimson Behelit.
I think also that he says, "you belong to me" because in at the banquet at the castle he said, "I consider a friend someone who is equal". These two statements both would perceive Guts as someone as lesser than a friend, however we all know the way Griffith treats Guts much more differently than the rest of the soldiers. Overall, I think Griffith has a tough time coping with the idea of wanting a true friend but also the key to friendship is that you can't control your friends and what they choose for themselves. He wants the very thing that would be in direct conflict with what is required to achieve his dream and so he puts Guts as close as he possibly can in his ranks to have somewhat of a friendship while still using him for his dream.
Berserk is an unfinished masterpiece that will be never be topped. When I look at it as a whole, this is a story of suffering. Even when there’s a brief period of relief, there’s always something darker around the corner and it hits you hard. This story is an allegory to the morbid reality of life. Rest in piece to the legend, Kentaro Miura
More like problems of life and how to overcome them. No matter what, you need to keep going. Because at the end of the day, it will all be worth it. Just how Guts arrived at the island of elves and heal Casca.
@@manwithnoname8229 Well, I wouldn't say it's that down. I wouldn't say there's much of a difference between the my top5 and berserk. My list goes like this(don't pay much attention to the numbers. Made em up to show the difference between the ranks): 1)One piece(9.4/10) 2)Gintama(9.05/10) 3)HxH(9/10) 4)Magi(8.97/10) 5)Vinland saga(8.94/10) 6)Tower of god(8.9/10) 7)Attack on Titan(Anime only though so no spoilers)(8.88/10) 8)kingdom(8.87/10) 9)code Geass(8.84/10) 10) Berserk(8.80/10) My number 3-10 are quite close.
Miura could've just stopped with "Guts fights 100 men it's cool", but it's next level to make that marathon battle one of the most pivotal narrative moments in a series...And then he went for the combo and gave us the campfire of dreams.
I read this yesterday. I still feel like shit. My biggest problem with the story is that Casca is just there to be raped and have her tits out. It completely takes me out of the story and it just unnecessary. I get it, its an important moment. But Miura has shown what he can do and he couldve easily done it differently. The rape is there because he wants to show it
When he starts speaking on casca’s and gut’s relationship I could help think of this old saying that sum them up pretty well, “she hated his guts and he ended up in hers”
I think you got it wrong. Griffith does see Guts as a friend, but that is the problem. He is a visionary with guilt about those sacrificed for the sake of his dream. So when he finds himself caring for Guts, he consciously attempts to convince himself that he does not care about him, trying to prioritize his dream.
every one has their own interpretation, thats the beauty of berserk, it doesnt give you the answer, it makes you think about it. We really dont know for sure if he considered Guts a friend or not. My interpretation is that he did and that he also wanted Guts to show him how to hold a big sword 😩 if you know what i mean. why else would he lend him the kama sutra book. dude was dropping mad hints
The only reason Mark thinks that, is bc he can't let go of what he saw in the Black Swordsman arc, in Griffith being a villain, so everything he sees of Griffith here comes with the preconceived notion that he is a piece of shit of a person, which makes him read the story completely misunderstanding the character.
@@MaxIronsThird not really. besides the manga is the intended way the author wanted his work to be perceived. What people get out of it may differ from person to person but thats just proof that berserk is a great story. It doesn't spell out the answer for you. It doesn't tell you what to think. It just gives you what you need to come up with your own opinions on the story and characters. And if Mark's opinion is that Griff is a piece of shit, that is 100% FINE
@@DaniloSantosVieira The issue is that the review doesn't really touch upon the aspects of the story that humanize Griffith as a character. And I think those are vital in understanding him. I hope Mark does mention them in a little more detail during the Eclipse
SUPRISE! I am the funniest YTer evah!!!! Just kidding, it was no surprise. Everybody knew already. HAHAHHAHA!!!! That was an amazing joke (it was real talk though). WAWAWAWAWA!!!! Good afternoon, dear nilos
@@2dollarchickenwings689 I'm not saying that it's a different arc, I'm saying that golden age arc has become his favourite arc without him even getting to the best part of it yet, so imagine how much he will like this arc when he finishes it
It's VERY interesting to watch Mark's first analysis of a seinen manga especially because his choice was the best work of art there is in manga. And much of what makes berserk stand out among other manga aimed towards a male audience is the diversity of influences in Miura work, notably the influence of shojo stories centered around disputes among nobles, philosophy and intrigue. Miura's capacity to touch so subtly on character's interactions has lots to do with that, and it's awesome to appreciate Mark's take on such things. Can't wait for next part S2
I recently also started reading Berserk. Just finished the Golden Age arc a few days ago…. Holy. Fucking. Shit. I have never, and I mean NEVER, read something that is this good. I was speechless. Literally had to take a break from reading it for a day to process it all. Good doesn’t even describe it. One of the most emotional experiences I have ever gotten from a piece of literature. It was beautiful. Now I understand what people are talking about. EDIT: I just realized he didn’t get through the whole arc yet, oh my lord 😳
I don't mean it as hyperbole when I say this is one of the best fictional tales ever told. It's practically a modern age mythological story that will live on as the inspiration for so many projects as we leap further into the future. Miura will not live on to see his complete impact, but what he left behind will live on forever.
When i first read berserk i was very weary of the story and how could berserk innovate or surprise me with The medieval Fantasy setting being so saturated. After reading the arc i have no clue how i ever thought of that. This story was able to keep me entertained, laugh, cry anf so much more. Berserk is so Emotional and im fond of every arc and how the story progresses. Seeing guts evolve throughout the story is beautiful. The arcs only get better and better. Thank you Miura
@@Cyricist001 wasn’t necessarily talking about Manga when speaking about the genre. Medieval fantasy is literally in every westernized medium. Movies, books, shows, video games, etc. of course japan is going to have very few. My issue at the time was how could Japan compete with a genre developing in western countries that had already became so saturated and stagnate.
@@frenchfriedbagel7035 i wasn’t alive 33-34 years ago when the first berserk chapter was Around. So i had no clue how revolutionary Berserk had been for japan. When i did getting around to reading berserk( about 3years ago) medieval fantasy had flooded every medium. I wasn’t necessarily talking about manga. we see that setting represented everywhere with movies, video games, Books, Shows, etc.
This video makes it seem like Mark has it too ingrained into his mind that Griffith is a villain and sees everything he does in an antagonistic light. By this point it's clear that Griffith does actually see Guts as a friend and he constantly makes brash decisions when it comes to his well-being. He was just too caught up in his ambition to notice the divide he was creating between the two. Hell even Guts severely underestimates how important he is to Griffith.
This is why whenever someone wants to read Berserk or watch the 97 anime I tell them to skip the first 3 volumes or first episode. Not knowing demons exist or Griffith becomes evil makes a much better Berserk experience than a looming dread and anticipating betrayal. I'm honestly surprised and disappointed none of the people in Mark's ear suggested it.
@@omarf.4146 No, i preferred it the ,,normal" way. The first chapters are a constant reminder. Its like that homework you didnt do and now remember in the evening
@@smittywerbenjaggermanjensen69 I get where you're coming from but it ends up as a double edged sword cause people either go "I wonder what led to these two friends becoming enemies" or they believe that Griffith is evil from the beginning and are just waiting for him to double cross Guts. People often forget that the behelits are given to people down on their luck looking for a new life they specifically target those who are at their weakest point.
Exactly, Mark is even quoted to judging the first fight between Griffith and Guts by their eventual relationship. He is reading this with Griffith is evil mindset
Fun story, when I was little I had a friend that wanted to "play" berserk, he wanted to be Griffith and I was to be Guts and I had no Idea what I was doing but somehow still made them happy. I guess that's how Guts felt at first.
Yeah, it really takes getting through Conviction to finally get some catharsis. Guts gets so unrelentingly pounded, and it's nice that the rest of the arcs aren't so brutal (to Guts personally at least. Like, nobody important to him gets brutally tortured to death or anything)
Yeah... you've seen absolutely NOTHING yet. Griffith's "response" to this has never left me in my life, it's one of the most jaw-dropping things I've ever seen in any story.
Mark is wrong about Griffith, he did change over the course of the arc. He never really forged any type of friendship besides Guts, so seeing him trying to leave made him break down. He doesn't understand his own feelings for Guts and therefore wants him to stay, he doesn't see how much he really cares for him. Griffith acts strong but he's actually really damaged inside, the scene at the lake with Casca perfectly shows that when he began to self harm. What Griffith actually feels for Guts is ambiguous, but he definitely sees him as more than a tool. If he did see him as a tool, then he'd already have no use for Guts since the war was pretty much ended, yet he still wanted him to stay... Also the scene at the fountain, what he said there may or may not have been true. Did he really mean it? Did he say that as a means to get with the princess? Griffith said those things but when Guts opposed him to follow his own dream, Griffith didn't allow it. People could say things in this manga but not really mean it, which is why it feels so human, and why the golden age is analyzed so much.
I think Griffith meant what he said at the fountain, but he just has opposing conflicting ideas within himself of what he wants and what he believes in. He believes in that friendship is an equal boundary between two people in that both have their own dream that they strive for. However, he developed a bond with Guts that is as close to a friendship as he could get which is why he treated him differently and made him highest in the ranks of the Hawk. The thing with friends is though, that you can't control them and use them for your own ends. The thing that Griffith wants is the very thing that is in conflict to achieve his dream. Letting Guts go puts his dream and friendship in jeopardy at the same time so when he says "you belong to me" I believe he is reverting back to the basic idea of using Guts because at the very least he would still be around, and Griffith's dream would still be more than attainable. Also, side note but I think he is reminding Guts to that he did not have a dream before Griffith and will not have one after.
I always imagined that's how he got his name. Some smart ass merc called him that referring to his birth. I guess it's pretty obvious once you see how he was born.
"You don't miss your water, till your well's run dry." Griffith is a brilliant, young, self deluded idiot. Alexander without the tempering of Aristotle's wisdom. His idle musings with the princess are exposed as just that in his reaction to Guts's flight. He had the connection he lamented his lack of, only realizing it once he had unknowingly driven him away. This very delusion shapes the tragedy of his character. Without stepping beyond the bounds of this video, this can go no further.
Well said. Griffith himself doesn’t even realize that Guts surpasses the bounds he set for his concept of friendship until he loses him. What comes next could have been completely avoidable if only Griffith had a better understanding of himself.
The ending when you said you didn't know what comes next had my jaw drop. You captured an understanding of this story that was so great, I didn't even realize you hadn't finished it at the time. Awesome review. You're really good at this. Starting part 2 right now.
@@ankeetghoshal9626 Not OP, but I'm currently reading through it (Chapter 295 atm), and my favorite so far is Hawk of the Millenium Empire. The expansion on the world feels so good for me, so I really appreciate it. I think all the arcs so far are amazing, and are really close in terms of quality, imo, but Millenium Empire hits different to me
I'm shocked he didn't touch on griffith more after reading about griffith and casca in the cave, that flashback casca describes always seemed like the most important aspect of griffith's character moving forward. It definitely offered the most insight into his motivations, guilt, drives, and how strong his will holds. I think Mark see's griffith as a total antagonist at this point, when griffith does truly care for guts. That's the entire conflict. He cares when he shouldn't. Hopefully Mark touches on griffith as a lone character more in the next video, rather than the foil for guts.
Agreed. Lost Children is the height of the series to me. The darkness of the artstyle is fully cemented in technical skill. And it's Guts at the breaking point of isolation.
Guts using the sword as a security blanket is an amazing observation. Miura makes full use of this symbolism multiple times later on EDIT: HOLY SHIT I never noticed the part about the scar. Your observation does pay off later
Watching the 1997 anime a couple of months ago I can 100% agree, The Golden Age is an arc I will never forget. The characters, the world, everything. I don't think an anime has left such an impact on me as much as this arc did. I've started to read the manga myself, can't wait to see your reaction to things in the future.
After running away from his former band after killin Gambino, Guts falls down a cliff and hits rock bottom, both metaphorically and literally, at this moment nature represents fate, while Guts is stuck in a shallow puddle, just like when he was born, numb, broken and alone, but this time nature or fate won't let Guts survive, and so, a pack of Wolves, the agents of nature, come down to kill him, and he accepts it, in his mind he only wants to die, and for this to be over with, understanding his cursed fate, but instinctively his body won't let him, and with the last of his strenght, he kills the wolves, and survives, defying even his cursed fate. This is the moment Berserk caught me.
The Golden Age Arc that was covered in the 1997 anime adaptation had if not the best ost from any series i have ever seen. Hirasawa Susumu was the perfect composer to do the job.
So, another fantastic review by Mark! One thing that I noticed is that Mark seems to already have a very negative opinion of Griffith, which I believe is totally fair considering what we see of Griffith during the Black Swordsman arc and how little insight we get into his mind in this arc. BUT, I just want to throw my 2 cents in about his character. First, I want to say that I think Griffith's speech at 20:28, is a complete and total lie. He's not lying to Charlotte, but to himself. In my opinion, Griffith is a CLEAR narcissist, he wants to believe that's he's totally superior to everyone else, and to justify that belief in his mind, he sets up impossible standards for others to live up to in order for him to consider someone else and equal or a friend. However, his actions are not at all, in line with what he's saying; in truth, I think he's much closer with all the members of the Hawk than he'd like to believe. I noticed that whenever Mark said something along the lines "Griffith would do anything to make his dreams come true," they would flash the panel of Griffith selling his body, but I think that lacks context. Griffith only sold himself after finding out that a little boy who had been tagging along with the band of the Hawk was killed in battle, and both that event and the disgust he felt by selling himself caused him to self-harm in the river. Without spoiling anything, the impact this little boy had on Griffith continues to be felt through the rest of the arc, and is a prime indication that Griffith really cares for the members of his mercenary band. A normal leader would not have such an extreme reaction to a single loss, but Griffith doesn't just see his soldiers as tools to be used but actually cares for them; this fact combined with his narcissistic belief that they also belong to him causes his very extreme reactions to loss. I think Griffith hate is totally understandable and warranted, but I think Griffith particularly in this story arc (and beyond even) is an incredibly complex character, and I think seeing him as totally manipulative and evil might cause you to miss out on some nuance in his character
That's why i think most people(ones not able to compartmentalize) should read the Golden Age arc before the Black Swordsman arc, i don't get how people think Griffith is a "villain" from the get go.
I found you with your blind One Piece reviews (Arguably my favorite series of all time), and have been enamored with your video essays on multiple series. Now with Miura's passing (may he rest in peace), you tackle the monolith that is Berserk, and all I can say is good luck. it is up there as one of the best for me, I always love seeing how people react and respond to striking scenes and moving moments in series that hold meaning for me. in the end, all I can say is keep it up Mark, you are doing amazing. also props to you editor, because from one piece to Berserk, they have gone above and beyond for your videos (this video's end clincher was chilling).
I commented on the last video but Berserks best moments are the quiet ones. Glad Mark is taking his time with this since you really are supposed to take those moments to digest the Drama, Horror, Action and Uncomfortable moments. One of the main problems with the newest adaptation wasn't just the horrible animation....but the fact that the episodes were directed in a way to rush to the next action shot, or horror, or gore, or sexual scene. It came off very edgey in a juvenile way and has unfortunately put allot of people off of the franchise. Take a moment, whenever there's a huge spread of a sword slash, or a horror reveal, or quiet scene of guts looking at the moon, take a second, enjoy the amazing artwork, and reflect.
You know your reading Berserk right when you understand the statement, "Good god the detail the author put into his art." I love the spreads he did in the quite moments because your brain just keeps getting fed information even though you've spent the last full minute on the same damn page.
@@darkalleyrambler8520 true but I feel the movies were trying to emulate the same feel, they just didn't have the time. The new serries really felt like someone just googled (most memorable berserk scenes) and made it a race between each one with nothing in between to make it matter.
@@darkoni12398 Oh, on that I don't have much disagreement. I'd say tho, it was less of a google search but more reading the manga only after signing the contract that defined how many and how long the episodes would be. A story like berserk isn't really 'format friendly' to modern tv or movies. It's got alot of explicit content, beautiful content, violent etc etc. And none of it is truly optional be it in pacing or message. I mean, you got to change somethings, but you got to keep the beast the same. Instead, we got 'this story has to fit in x episodes with a pace of x amount of chapters per episode, HOW?"
Mark, thank you for doing these reviews of Berserk. It's been my favorite THING EVER for a long time and i was so sad to hear about Muiras passing. Now the big guy can rest and we can imagine the ending for ourselves but with your reviews, we long time readers get to experience the story through new eyes again. I'm excited to go through all the good times and not so good times with you and remember what made me and everyone else love this story so much. So again Mark, thank you.
The way I viewed the departing fight between Guts and Griffith was more so how Guts was not angry or disgusted at Griffith for his viewpoint of their relationship, but that Guts was someone who craved a true friendship and relationship, and thought that's what he had with Griffith. Hearing how Griffith describes a real friend being someone equal and independent of himself, Guts leaves so that he can reach that level, he leaves so that he can become an equal to Griffith and truly be a friend. Griffith loses this confrontation because realistically his battle skill has stagnated, as he has been playing diplomat and politician while the people he inspires do the laborious work of elevating him, an important theme for him. Thematically he loses because he wavers in his conviction when facing Guts, not quite wanting to admit to himself how their relationship is a special one and could distract him from his own dream. We see this contest of conviction by how his sword cannot stand against Guts'. In short this fight marks the point that Guts decides that he wants to stand alongside Griffith, not behind or under him, and is also the point Griffith makes his first ever mistake in misunderstanding Guts' motivations.
Something about the pose made by guts at 11:25 it's almost directly replicated by guts again much later on in his life while he's on to the boat, after a huge fight that occured, but this time without his sword. I felt that it helped really show guts growth and change/development in character as the story goes on, and how he slowly opens up and becomes more welcome to others. It happens quite a while past the golden age, in a chapter somewhere around the 300s or so, just thought I'd lay that out there cus I always thought it was a really great call back by miura that so eloquently shows just how much guts has grown since his early days with the hawks
It was the frame when Guts impaled Julius's son that my perspective of the show completely changed. You could sense Guts emotions even though the moment only lasted seconds you could see the pain and who he was becoming as a person.
Im new to manga and have heard a lot of good things about berserk and one piece I want to read them but first I'll Finnish Naruto but I love your reviews even if they spoil almost everything. You are the goat mark.
While so many people consider Golden Age as the best arc in the manga I think it's mostly because of the shock of the betrayal and the brutality Eclipse itself. Lost Children is also brutal but in more subtle way and even more tragic in terms of the villain. Griffith was always a selfish piece of shit but the "fairy queen" was just a victim... It's also great because it holds a lot of hints to the history of the world and the evil plaguing it.
@@xKinjax There are legitimate reasons to consider any Berserk Arc the best arc (except maybe Black Swordsman), but I don’t think it’s necessary to take away from Griffith as a character (he is much more complex than just a selfish, manipulative pos) to make Rosine look better, they’re both great
@@4LegCrotch I'm not taking away from anyone. Griffith is a selfish, manipulative, control obsessed psychopath who views all the people around him as tools and is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to get what he wants in life and i'll just leave it at that to not go into spoilers about the later arcs. Anyone who can actually relate with Griffith has some serious issues imho. There's a very satisfying irony to his dream collapsing around him the way it did. ((SPOILER ALERT)) Rosine was an innocent girl who lived in an abusive family, was almost raped by her father's drunk friends and ran away to the forest to escape her horrible life and hoping to find the fairy tale life from the stories that she used to cope with her terrible life. She only found a nightmare and her innocent desire for a better life was turned into a disgusting and twisted version of her stories that ended up costing countless other innocent children their lives. Like i said i think they're both very good arcs, like you say, all the arcs are great. For a very long time i also considered Golden Age to be superior but upon further rereads i think there's a lot of elements that give Lost Children a slight edge over it.
@@xKinjax dont forget the part where Griffith believes that continuing to try and achieve his dream is the will of all his comrades who've fallen and the fact that he himself struggles to realize that he desires real human connection maybe even more than his dream considering how possessive he became of the one man who genuinely saw him as a friend and also that hes manipulated into doing all he did hes much more than just some psychopath obsessed with his dream
@@ffororoordkdkekekd3048 he's not really manipulated into anything. It's more about the deeper themes of inevitability and causality in the manga but we'll never know since Miura is sadly gone and he retconned the chapter where Griffith met "God" so it's no longer canon. He believes that it's also the dream of his band because except for Guts he considers them all, even Casca, inferiors who can't even have their own dreams so they cling on to the dreams of others. In my humble opinion he gets mad over Guts not because he actually has real feelings for him. I've seen people try to suggest or outright say that he loves Guts but I don't think it's that. I think it's a mix of multiple things. Resentment for not obeying him. Jealousy for giving himself to Caska instead but also for stealing Caska's affection which Griffith had always been the center of until she fell in love with Guts. And lastly fascination for meeting someone who is strong willed enough to be his equal. If it was simply affection or even desire to have an equal he wouldn't have done what he did with the princess after Guts left. He wanted to prove to himself that he was still able to take anyone and anything he wanted.
AHHHHH I've been so excited for this video since the first of the series. This fiction is so dear to my heart. Hearing someone who truly has an understanding and appreciation for manga as a medium experience this genre defining epic for the first time, well it made me burst out with excitement.
Ok. We arrived at the arc everyone ever talks about or make content about. Let's see if someone can actually make good content after this arc. Don't get me wrong. The other arcs aren't bad. But 95% of Berserk youtube content it's just about the Golden Age.
@@justinsmart5870 Facts. Same for HxH. Even though HxH best arc is, hands down, the Chimera Ants arc, people still talk about Greed Island, Yorknew, even the election arc.
I think it has to do with the fact that its a complete arc that has been adapted to an anime twice and both are pretty good. That increases the chances of people seeing berserk and being familiar with that arc but not everyone who sees one of the animes will continue with the manga. So the videos about the golden age arc will end up more popular and recieving more likes. But there is content out there for post golden age. check out Spired or RealLifeRyan if your interested.
Casca is one of my favorite characters in this story. The love scene with Guts when they lay their feelings bare for each other is among the most beautiful pieces of fiction I can think of. Miura was truly a master.
Can we just talk about the editing like it is so amazing I have read berserk twice and yet hearing mark review along with the editing gave me goosebumps all over again excellent job mark and editor-san
im curious as to which ark is gonna be Mark’s favourite after he’s finished readin Berserk. Also i love how he way prefers the tranquil, quiet moments in Berserk to the big heavy action scenes. The quiet moments in Berserk are some of the most important parts in the series
Golden Age is just so perfect in its completeness. It's a perfect story unto itself. If we ever get to see Miura's ending (if he wrote it down or something) perhaps that will change my mind.
I made the glorious mistake of deciding that I would start reading Berserk earlier this week. On Monday night I told myself "I'll read the first ten chapters and then go to bed." I ended up looking at the clock at 4:30 AM at the end of the Golden Age Arc.
Mmm god is it so good to see the love for berserk grow so similarly to how it grew in myself when I first read it years ago in high school. Berserk is such a masterpiece, RIP Miura for idk how many times I’ve said it but this guy is my #1 inspiration forever and always. I’m still sad that the end will never be but I’m glad and grateful to have this even exist.
A nice detail that I like is that when casca and guts were hiding he hugged her while holding his sword showing that he cares so much about her safety and well-being since yk he always believed that sword is his form of safety for him
I love how the second Guts wins his clash with Griffith there is so much pay off and so many character moments. Casca and everyone else in the band of the hawk start seeing both Giffith and Guts differently as their dynamic has shifted. Guts is finally fighting for a reason, which is to find a reason, but also wants to leave to become Griffiths equal and eventually his friend. Giffith on the other hand realizes he didn’t understand the gravity of what he thought a friend was. Guys was his friend equal or not and now he’s gone and there is nothing Giffith can do because Guts isn’t his equal, he’s stronger. Griffith not being able to deal with this is has rooted philosophies and conflicting actually feelings is amazing to see. Everyone in the story has had to deal with trauma except Griffith and how he deals with it given he has no experience doing so is very interesting to see
I love Golden Age man one of my favorite arcs of all time, and then the way u describe certain details that I missed, makes me appreciate the arc even more. Your vids are 10/10 man you don't miss
Started the golden age arc yesterday, was thinking about reading for some good 2 hours but I couldn't stop reading until 5 in the morning when my eyes physically could not stay open anymore Really I cant put into words how good this shit is, may aswell be one of the greatest manga ever written, and ppl say it only gets better? Miura's passing away is hurting more each chapter I read but damn what a masterpiece he left behind, I'm so thankful to be able to read it
"Say the line Mark." "What line, Mark II?" "You know the line" "Berserk's Golden age arc is the best arc I've read since one piece and Berserk's Golden age might be perfect..." "You're God damn right Mark."
@@amilcarballantyne One piece: generic, onelayered, static characters. comparing art with Berserk would be beyond insanity. comparing the plot is gall etc
Dude, just a thing about the length of your videos. I could listen to you talk about this for hours and hours. You treat it with such respect. You notice details I have never noticed, and I've read through all of Berserk (Sadly all now) like, a dozen times. I am veeeery much enjoying this review series though if you ever have to decide between spending more or less time on something in a review, I personally urge towards more XD I would happily go for hour long reviews from you, haha. In any case, enjoy Berserk, it is in my opinion, the most amazing story ever told.
Mark seems too focused on Griffith as a future antagonist when that's not the point of his role in the Golden Age. They're trusted companions & best friends. They've both risked their own lives to save the other, which makes their rift & eventual split all the more tragic
“The Golden Age arc is the best arc I’ve ever read”
He said it! He said the thing!
He did say the thing!
@@HartlyLionHe sure did!
This could really be the last time he says it.
Airhorn
I disagree but respect that opinion
“How will Griffith respond?”
Everyone who has read/watched Berserk already is probably holding a bottle of whiskey right now, and we’re all just SCREAMING.
I know, poor innocent mark doesn't realize just how insane things are about to get
That's the best mental image for the Golden Age finale I've read
The poor man even left the most... um... horrible? parts partly unsaid probably cause of the sponsor and youtube but oooooooooooooooh man prepare for the trauma censore.
yes! Once the next video is up I will open a bottle of whiskey
Griffith did nothing wromg
You nailed it. The best part about Berserk isn't the action, but how Miura used the characters and how they really feel and the calm moments
I completely agree, but reading "used" instead of "uses" broke my heart
When he just leaves him kneeling in the snow...
Looking forward to Mark reading "Spring Flowers of Distant Days"! Easily my favorite set of chapters in Berserk
Quite similar to Vagabond and Vinland Saga, more emphasis is put on character moments, calmness, themes and philosophy, just to greater extent, rather than fights.
I ve never heard that somebody ever said Berserk is about action.
Huh, this story is kinda wholesome, and Griffith is kinda cool. What could he have done to make the fanbase hate him so much? *Stares into camera
he made guts translate keys cow to filipino
Everything
Man
I got spoilered about what he was gonna do and it somehow still ended up being 20x times worse than what i expected
@@ddmacc Same here. Instagram posts spoiled the Eclipse and the betrayal. Yet somehow, I felt dead after reading that.
Golden ages is the best damn arc! HOLY SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!
You're damn right it is
Best arc in all of fucking manga man.
Wait until the next part you will cry
Rivaled alot by chimera ant, coalition and shogun assassination. Id put a few above
Hey Mark, can you read Toriko once you are done Dragon Ball and Berserk.
Totallynotmark: "I have a feeling that despite the horrific stuff I've seen so far, I've seen nothing yet."
Me: *lights cigarette, gazes towards audience knowingly, a single tear begins to form.*
... yeaaa.. im just waiting for next months title to be "Well... You all told me so."
Does this video cover the eclipse?
@@grag2612 no sir. next video next month
@@mk9beatz this comment is very valid then lol
*sigh* Yep time for pain...😢
There’s reasons the Golden Age arc is constantly being retold. It’s a fucking masterpiece
I keep saying to myself and even on twitter, if netflix decided to adapt beserk, I would absolutely love it if they adapted the golden age arc as well, but my only exception is that they keep everything from the manga, no omitting anything, no shortening certain parts, the rushed scenes, no excluding any major characters, gotta get everything from the manga on the screen
@@PatZalatoris and of course bring back the original English voice cast, I rarely ever watch English Dubs these day's, but they nailed it for Berserk.
It is? How and where?
@@ultrachadstinctgoku7579 there are berserk movies on netflix that retell the golden age arc, also the 97 anime
@@N-Khal are the movies good. Also the anime.
Griffith didn’t realize how important Guts was to him until the moment he left. I do think that Griffith meant what he said to the princess about friendship, but he didn’t realize that Guts was an exception to that rule. What’s also interesting about Guts leaving the band of the hawk is that it was the first time in Griffith’s live he wasn’t in control.
Let's not forget that Guts at the same time had his blind spot as well. He got lost in the idea that a dream was something bigger than himself, much like Griffith, with a tangible goal that could be achieved while the reality is Guts 'dream' is a much smaller, fragile thing: having connections to people. It becomes a huge theme in his regrets and self-condemnation later when he realizes after it's gone that he was living in a dream with the band of the hawk.
same
I dont see it that way, I think that Griffith knew how important Guts was to him as both friend and conrade, but whether the speech was what he really meant or not I dont know, but what we do know is that it brought Guts to want to grow and for that it meant he had to leave. I also feel that Griffiths downward spiral was because he loss a dear friend
Griffith loves Guts because he's the only one who refuses to submit to him. He's so used to people being swayed by him that when a guy comes along who is incapable of being tamed, it intrigues him. He says as much at their first meeting.
Things naturally progress until the time comes for Guts to leave, and the wound to Griffith's pride is what causes him to throw everything away. It's his biggest character flaw. He must assume *absolute* control. Not even 99.99% control is good enough for him.
I think Griffith believes what he says, but he's wrong about his understanding of himself.
“Golden Age Arc is the best Arc I’ve ever read” there it is! He said it!
Roll credits
The next arc is gonna make him crap his pants too. It’s like equally as good.
@@sprawlz6466 no
@@woodsnuth ye
disagree but respect that
When Griffith says “you belong to me” in their rematch I always thought he didn’t entirely believe it. Griffith’s character obviously objectifies his soldiers as a way of being able to cope with them dying in battle but the more attached he got to guts the more he begins to consider him as a friend or something more. IMO he says that line trying to reassure himself that guts is just a tool to him but deep down he feels betrayed by a friend. This attitude towards guts is ironically what is pushing him away.
Tragic irony
or maybe its him reassuring himself that Guts can never leave him, that Guts WOULD never leave him. WHo can say?
@@sarafontanini7051 I think it's both because Griffith is heavily conflicted by his feelings towards Guts. This is cemented in the moments leading up to the activation of the crimson Behelit.
@@sarafontanini7051 in that moment u could be right but he definitely felt something more for him based on how he acted after the duel
I think also that he says, "you belong to me" because in at the banquet at the castle he said, "I consider a friend someone who is equal". These two statements both would perceive Guts as someone as lesser than a friend, however we all know the way Griffith treats Guts much more differently than the rest of the soldiers. Overall, I think Griffith has a tough time coping with the idea of wanting a true friend but also the key to friendship is that you can't control your friends and what they choose for themselves. He wants the very thing that would be in direct conflict with what is required to achieve his dream and so he puts Guts as close as he possibly can in his ranks to have somewhat of a friendship while still using him for his dream.
Berserk is an unfinished masterpiece that will be never be topped. When I look at it as a whole, this is a story of suffering. Even when there’s a brief period of relief, there’s always something darker around the corner and it hits you hard. This story is an allegory to the morbid reality of life. Rest in piece to the legend, Kentaro Miura
More like problems of life and how to overcome them. No matter what, you need to keep going. Because at the end of the day, it will all be worth it. Just how Guts arrived at the island of elves and heal Casca.
eh, I easily place Vagabond and Monster above it but respect your opinion.
Eh, I have quite a few above it. It's amazing but it's my number 10.
@@adarshsridhar6051 that quite down? I have Berserk at 4 on my list. but I guess we have different tastes...
@@manwithnoname8229 Well, I wouldn't say it's that down. I wouldn't say there's much of a difference between the my top5 and berserk.
My list goes like this(don't pay much attention to the numbers. Made em up to show the difference between the ranks):
1)One piece(9.4/10)
2)Gintama(9.05/10)
3)HxH(9/10)
4)Magi(8.97/10)
5)Vinland saga(8.94/10)
6)Tower of god(8.9/10)
7)Attack on Titan(Anime only though so no spoilers)(8.88/10)
8)kingdom(8.87/10)
9)code Geass(8.84/10)
10) Berserk(8.80/10)
My number 3-10 are quite close.
Miura could've just stopped with "Guts fights 100 men it's cool", but it's next level to make that marathon battle one of the most pivotal narrative moments in a series...And then he went for the combo and gave us the campfire of dreams.
The end of the Golden Age arc literally hurt me worse than most break ups
It destroyed me
I had to take a break from Berserk afterwards
shit had me take a few day break lmao
@@chef5270 The Eclipse was soul crushing but the next chapter after brought me a new wave of pain and hurt I didnt think a work of fiction could do
I read this yesterday. I still feel like shit. My biggest problem with the story is that Casca is just there to be raped and have her tits out. It completely takes me out of the story and it just unnecessary. I get it, its an important moment. But Miura has shown what he can do and he couldve easily done it differently. The rape is there because he wants to show it
When he starts speaking on casca’s and gut’s relationship I could help think of this old saying that sum them up pretty well, “she hated his guts and he ended up in hers”
I think you got it wrong. Griffith does see Guts as a friend, but that is the problem. He is a visionary with guilt about those sacrificed for the sake of his dream. So when he finds himself caring for Guts, he consciously attempts to convince himself that he does not care about him, trying to prioritize his dream.
I agree, I think he is trying to play mental gymnastics to reach his goal by using all these warriors. They are totally friends
every one has their own interpretation, thats the beauty of berserk, it doesnt give you the answer, it makes you think about it. We really dont know for sure if he considered Guts a friend or not. My interpretation is that he did and that he also wanted Guts to show him how to hold a big sword 😩 if you know what i mean. why else would he lend him the kama sutra book. dude was dropping mad hints
The only reason Mark thinks that, is bc he can't let go of what he saw in the Black Swordsman arc, in Griffith being a villain, so everything he sees of Griffith here comes with the preconceived notion that he is a piece of shit of a person, which makes him read the story completely misunderstanding the character.
@@MaxIronsThird not really. besides the manga is the intended way the author wanted his work to be perceived. What people get out of it may differ from person to person but thats just proof that berserk is a great story. It doesn't spell out the answer for you. It doesn't tell you what to think. It just gives you what you need to come up with your own opinions on the story and characters. And if Mark's opinion is that Griff is a piece of shit, that is 100% FINE
@@DaniloSantosVieira The issue is that the review doesn't really touch upon the aspects of the story that humanize Griffith as a character. And I think those are vital in understanding him. I hope Mark does mention them in a little more detail during the Eclipse
"Berserk is more important than water." - Totally Not Fleece Johnson
The “Berserk Warrior”
Kinda badass
Griffith:I likes ya. And i want ya Guts. Now we can do this the easy way or da hard way. Da choice is yawz
that line also applies to casca....:(
>"Golden age arc is the best arc"
>Says this without reading the eclipse yet
Imagine his reaction when he gets to it oh boy
SUPRISE! I am the funniest YTer evah!!!! Just kidding, it was no surprise. Everybody knew already. HAHAHHAHA!!!! That was an amazing joke (it was real talk though). WAWAWAWAWA!!!! Good afternoon, dear nilos
@@AxxLAfriku what are you on bro??
lmao
Is the eclipse actually classified as an arc? Most people just consider it the climax to the Golden Age.
@@2dollarchickenwings689 I'm not saying that it's a different arc, I'm saying that golden age arc has become his favourite arc without him even getting to the best part of it yet, so imagine how much he will like this arc when he finishes it
It's VERY interesting to watch Mark's first analysis of a seinen manga especially because his choice was the best work of art there is in manga. And much of what makes berserk stand out among other manga aimed towards a male audience is the diversity of influences in Miura work, notably the influence of shojo stories centered around disputes among nobles, philosophy and intrigue.
Miura's capacity to touch so subtly on character's interactions has lots to do with that, and it's awesome to appreciate Mark's take on such things.
Can't wait for next part S2
“Golden Age arc is the best arc ever”
Water is wet
Haha
I'm afraid I disagree but respect that
@@manwithnoname8229 I respect your opinion
Ah, this wall is made of wall material
What if i told You that there are arcs better than this.
.
.
.
.
Like the conviction arc falcon of the millennium and falconia arc🤣😂
I recently also started reading Berserk. Just finished the Golden Age arc a few days ago…. Holy. Fucking. Shit. I have never, and I mean NEVER, read something that is this good. I was speechless. Literally had to take a break from reading it for a day to process it all. Good doesn’t even describe it. One of the most emotional experiences I have ever gotten from a piece of literature. It was beautiful.
Now I understand what people are talking about.
EDIT: I just realized he didn’t get through the whole arc yet, oh my lord 😳
I KNOW RIGHT???
it is such an emotional ride!!!
Keep reading man... the story gets better and better im not joking
Did you get to the big E? 💀
And you still have 20+ volumes. Go slow and enjoy. The first read through is incredible
I don't mean it as hyperbole when I say this is one of the best fictional tales ever told. It's practically a modern age mythological story that will live on as the inspiration for so many projects as we leap further into the future. Miura will not live on to see his complete impact, but what he left behind will live on forever.
“Golden age is the best arc ever”
Everyone: Tell me something I don’t know
I'd still put a few arcs above it, none of those arcs are from aot though lol
@@manwithnoname8229 I bet you're gonna say something like Chimera ant
@@100factspitter8 no lol, I haven't even watched hxh so incorrect assumption 🤣, try again but I guess someone's pissed I said no arcs from aot...
@@manwithnoname8229 Bro just say which arcs are better for you, I see you in all the comments but never saw you mentioning any arc.
@@cadizenjoyer Ruhenheim arc and a couple of Vagabond arcs, e.g. Yoshioka, farming arcs
When i first read berserk i was very weary of the story and how could berserk innovate or surprise me with The medieval Fantasy setting being so saturated. After reading the arc i have no clue how i ever thought of that. This story was able to keep me entertained, laugh, cry anf so much more. Berserk is so Emotional and im fond of every arc and how the story progresses. Seeing guts evolve throughout the story is beautiful. The arcs only get better and better. Thank you Miura
Dark fantasy is not saturated, it's very rare. Isekai uses the fantasy tropes a lot but rarely do we see none isekai fantasy.
Check out guin saga very similar And used as inspiration for berserk
Well Berserk was actually one of the first few fantasy stories to come out of Japan.
@@Cyricist001 wasn’t necessarily talking about Manga when speaking about the genre. Medieval fantasy is literally in every westernized medium. Movies, books, shows, video games, etc. of course japan is going to have very few. My issue at the time was how could Japan compete with a genre developing in western countries that had already became so saturated and stagnate.
@@frenchfriedbagel7035 i wasn’t alive 33-34 years ago when the first berserk chapter was Around. So i had no clue how revolutionary Berserk had been for japan. When i did getting around to reading berserk( about 3years ago) medieval fantasy had flooded every medium. I wasn’t necessarily talking about manga. we see that setting represented everywhere with movies, video games, Books, Shows, etc.
This video makes it seem like Mark has it too ingrained into his mind that Griffith is a villain and sees everything he does in an antagonistic light. By this point it's clear that Griffith does actually see Guts as a friend and he constantly makes brash decisions when it comes to his well-being. He was just too caught up in his ambition to notice the divide he was creating between the two. Hell even Guts severely underestimates how important he is to Griffith.
This is why whenever someone wants to read Berserk or watch the 97 anime I tell them to skip the first 3 volumes or first episode.
Not knowing demons exist or Griffith becomes evil makes a much better Berserk experience than a looming dread and anticipating betrayal. I'm honestly surprised and disappointed none of the people in Mark's ear suggested it.
@@omarf.4146 No, i preferred it the ,,normal" way. The first chapters are a constant reminder. Its like that homework you didnt do and now remember in the evening
@@smittywerbenjaggermanjensen69 I get where you're coming from but it ends up as a double edged sword cause people either go "I wonder what led to these two friends becoming enemies" or they believe that Griffith is evil from the beginning and are just waiting for him to double cross Guts. People often forget that the behelits are given to people down on their luck looking for a new life they specifically target those who are at their weakest point.
Exactly, Mark is even quoted to judging the first fight between Griffith and Guts by their eventual relationship. He is reading this with Griffith is evil mindset
@@omarf.4146 The golden age was supposed to add context to the guts we meet in BSA. Not meant to be a twist or smth
Fun story, when I was little I had a friend that wanted to "play" berserk, he wanted to be Griffith and I was to be Guts and I had no Idea what I was doing but somehow still made them happy. I guess that's how Guts felt at first.
bro wants to sacrifice you
Huh…. I’ve never heard of playing Berzerk o.o
what the hell
@@whisperingmoon8840 Hey, I played as Simba and my brother as Scar when we were kids, it's totally possible although a bit weird.
I'm sorry you saw berserk as little kids? Good lord I was still traumatized seeing it at 15!
Dude Mark is about become blackpilled by the time he finishes the second half of the Golden age arc.
Yeah, it really takes getting through Conviction to finally get some catharsis. Guts gets so unrelentingly pounded, and it's nice that the rest of the arcs aren't so brutal (to Guts personally at least. Like, nobody important to him gets brutally tortured to death or anything)
Yeah... you've seen absolutely NOTHING yet. Griffith's "response" to this has never left me in my life, it's one of the most jaw-dropping things I've ever seen in any story.
Mark is wrong about Griffith, he did change over the course of the arc. He never really forged any type of friendship besides Guts, so seeing him trying to leave made him break down. He doesn't understand his own feelings for Guts and therefore wants him to stay, he doesn't see how much he really cares for him. Griffith acts strong but he's actually really damaged inside, the scene at the lake with Casca perfectly shows that when he began to self harm. What Griffith actually feels for Guts is ambiguous, but he definitely sees him as more than a tool. If he did see him as a tool, then he'd already have no use for Guts since the war was pretty much ended, yet he still wanted him to stay... Also the scene at the fountain, what he said there may or may not have been true. Did he really mean it? Did he say that as a means to get with the princess? Griffith said those things but when Guts opposed him to follow his own dream, Griffith didn't allow it. People could say things in this manga but not really mean it, which is why it feels so human, and why the golden age is analyzed so much.
I think Griffith meant what he said at the fountain, but he just has opposing conflicting ideas within himself of what he wants and what he believes in. He believes in that friendship is an equal boundary between two people in that both have their own dream that they strive for. However, he developed a bond with Guts that is as close to a friendship as he could get which is why he treated him differently and made him highest in the ranks of the Hawk. The thing with friends is though, that you can't control them and use them for your own ends. The thing that Griffith wants is the very thing that is in conflict to achieve his dream. Letting Guts go puts his dream and friendship in jeopardy at the same time so when he says "you belong to me" I believe he is reverting back to the basic idea of using Guts because at the very least he would still be around, and Griffith's dream would still be more than attainable. Also, side note but I think he is reminding Guts to that he did not have a dream before Griffith and will not have one after.
I binged the entire Golden age arc in a few days to get caught up with this video not realizing it wouldn't be the whole arc. I don't regret it.
Lmao, I just saw this video in recommended and went to finish the chapters I had left of golden age
Can't wait for Mark to say this after every arc of Berserk. 🔥
Idk if anyone is gonna call the boat arc the best arc ever
@@neloverg3774 I really like Boat Arc (and the rest of Fantasia)
@@strangething7379 Fantasia is fucking amazing
One minute of silence for his before Volume 13 self.
“I’ve never had to charge them since I got them last month.”
Mark Subtly lets us now that he doesn’t actually use those things very often. lol.
I love how Guts’ name is basically how he was born, falling off a body like, well, guts
He also has the guts to fight the godhand
also mybe reflects how little gambino cared for him (assuming gambino named himof course)
And also because Donovan dug up his...well...u know where this goin
I always imagined that's how he got his name. Some smart ass merc called him that referring to his birth.
I guess it's pretty obvious once you see how he was born.
"You don't miss your water, till your well's run dry."
Griffith is a brilliant, young, self deluded idiot.
Alexander without the tempering of Aristotle's wisdom.
His idle musings with the princess are exposed as just that in his reaction to Guts's flight. He had the connection he lamented his lack of, only realizing it once he had unknowingly driven him away.
This very delusion shapes the tragedy of his character. Without stepping beyond the bounds of this video, this can go no further.
Well said. Griffith himself doesn’t even realize that Guts surpasses the bounds he set for his concept of friendship until he loses him. What comes next could have been completely avoidable if only Griffith had a better understanding of himself.
@@Alexyahoo10 Great Teacher Onizuka
amen
@@Alexyahoo10 well said 🙏🏻!
The ending when you said you didn't know what comes next had my jaw drop. You captured an understanding of this story that was so great, I didn't even realize you hadn't finished it at the time.
Awesome review. You're really good at this. Starting part 2 right now.
Read the entirety of Berserk and wasn't disappointed in the slightest
Your fav arc?
@@ankeetghoshal9626 Not OP, but I'm currently reading through it (Chapter 295 atm), and my favorite so far is Hawk of the Millenium Empire. The expansion on the world feels so good for me, so I really appreciate it.
I think all the arcs so far are amazing, and are really close in terms of quality, imo, but Millenium Empire hits different to me
The Masked man smiling ear to ear right now
Yep this statement was indeed as objectively correct as possible.
I'm shocked he didn't touch on griffith more after reading about griffith and casca in the cave, that flashback casca describes always seemed like the most important aspect of griffith's character moving forward. It definitely offered the most insight into his motivations, guilt, drives, and how strong his will holds. I think Mark see's griffith as a total antagonist at this point, when griffith does truly care for guts. That's the entire conflict. He cares when he shouldn't. Hopefully Mark touches on griffith as a lone character more in the next video, rather than the foil for guts.
he also loves guts romantically😉😉
Mark DID say he was saving Griffith for later
@@DaniloSantosVieira Nice meme, but don't fan the fujoshi flames.
TotallyNotMark: The Golden Age Arc is the best arc I’ve read!
Berserk fans: The best arc you’ve read so far…
its the best arc in berserk imo tho I still love the later arcs
@@edawgthegoat honestly i think the conviction arc is the best
@@juanig4198 nah GA the peak of bererk especially in terms of story structure, tone, themes etc
@@juanig4198 I like that one more too, I mean the opening with Lost Children...
For me it's a tie between Golden Age and Millenium Falcon
God I can’t wait for him to get to the Conviction Arc, and the Lost Children Arc (as it’s my favourite arc of all time)
Agreed. Lost Children is the height of the series to me. The darkness of the artstyle is fully cemented in technical skill. And it's Guts at the breaking point of isolation.
So, you don't like children?
Lost Children is amazing (tho very short) but it's also apparently part of the Conviction Arc even tho the two feel pretty different.
The tears I shed in the eclipse arc ...
I couldnt even cry, I just felt genuine despair and nihilistic
Guts using the sword as a security blanket is an amazing observation. Miura makes full use of this symbolism multiple times later on
EDIT: HOLY SHIT I never noticed the part about the scar. Your observation does pay off later
The band and hawk is such a merry band of mercs, my favorite is probably Judeau with his fancy knife tricks
My favorite is Pippin because *B E E G*
@@SamueL-td7fb I do like Pippin
Glad he showed guts some tricks before he got nae naed
Watching the 1997 anime a couple of months ago I can 100% agree, The Golden Age is an arc I will never forget. The characters, the world, everything. I don't think an anime has left such an impact on me as much as this arc did. I've started to read the manga myself, can't wait to see your reaction to things in the future.
It’s exactly 4:36 am I haven’t fallen asleep, and it’s 12 seconds since this has been posted. I’m in for a *TRIP*
Also FIRST LMAO
After running away from his former band after killin Gambino, Guts falls down a cliff and hits rock bottom, both metaphorically and literally, at this moment nature represents fate, while Guts is stuck in a shallow puddle, just like when he was born, numb, broken and alone, but this time nature or fate won't let Guts survive, and so, a pack of Wolves, the agents of nature, come down to kill him, and he accepts it, in his mind he only wants to die, and for this to be over with, understanding his cursed fate, but instinctively his body won't let him, and with the last of his strenght, he kills the wolves, and survives, defying even his cursed fate. This is the moment Berserk caught me.
"_______ is my favorite chapter that I've read so far" is something I think you may be saying at least a few more times throughout this reading.
Bad day at work, the sort that makes you question why you keep going at all. Really needed this Mark. Thank you.
The Golden Age Arc that was covered in the 1997 anime adaptation had if not the best ost from any series i have ever seen. Hirasawa Susumu was the perfect composer to do the job.
OST was decent imo but the cowboy bebop ost destroys any anime
@@CDB-iu2ts bleach OST>>>
@@unknownvariable9239 I agree, the bleach OST is unparalleled.
Don’t sleep on the naruto OST either.
@@CDB-iu2ts samurai champloo and bleach ost >
"I wonder how Griffith will respond"
**Guts theme starts playing**
tear drop
It only gets better. But that being said this arc is a masterpiece.
Heck yeah.
Does it? I'm in the low 200's and so fat Nothings been better.
@@TheCaptaineustass it all depends on the individual honestly.
It doesn’t ever get close to as good as this ever again. Not that the rest is bad, this is just on another level
@@richurro20 yeah I agree.
"I READ ALL OF IT IN ONE SITTING, I DIDN'T EAT OR SLEEP"
Me, a die hard Berserk fan: iep sounds about right.
Mark: "Campfire of Dreams is my favourite chapter"
Just wait till Wounds 1 & 2 and Cracks in the Blade/A Feeble Flame
Bubbles of futility
My favourite chapter is either Demise of a dream, Skull knight or Storm of Death.
Cracks in the Blade is fucking goated, The Sprint is just nothing but pain but I think it's one of the best chapters.
My favorites are Separation, Sprint and Firefly
…god of the abyss part 2
guts' backstory is nearly 100 chapters long and everyone else just has a couple of chapters the storytelling is just amazing
Best arc ever until later Berserk arcs.
So, another fantastic review by Mark! One thing that I noticed is that Mark seems to already have a very negative opinion of Griffith, which I believe is totally fair considering what we see of Griffith during the Black Swordsman arc and how little insight we get into his mind in this arc.
BUT, I just want to throw my 2 cents in about his character. First, I want to say that I think Griffith's speech at 20:28, is a complete and total lie. He's not lying to Charlotte, but to himself. In my opinion, Griffith is a CLEAR narcissist, he wants to believe that's he's totally superior to everyone else, and to justify that belief in his mind, he sets up impossible standards for others to live up to in order for him to consider someone else and equal or a friend. However, his actions are not at all, in line with what he's saying; in truth, I think he's much closer with all the members of the Hawk than he'd like to believe. I noticed that whenever Mark said something along the lines "Griffith would do anything to make his dreams come true," they would flash the panel of Griffith selling his body, but I think that lacks context. Griffith only sold himself after finding out that a little boy who had been tagging along with the band of the Hawk was killed in battle, and both that event and the disgust he felt by selling himself caused him to self-harm in the river. Without spoiling anything, the impact this little boy had on Griffith continues to be felt through the rest of the arc, and is a prime indication that Griffith really cares for the members of his mercenary band. A normal leader would not have such an extreme reaction to a single loss, but Griffith doesn't just see his soldiers as tools to be used but actually cares for them; this fact combined with his narcissistic belief that they also belong to him causes his very extreme reactions to loss.
I think Griffith hate is totally understandable and warranted, but I think Griffith particularly in this story arc (and beyond even) is an incredibly complex character, and I think seeing him as totally manipulative and evil might cause you to miss out on some nuance in his character
That's why i think most people(ones not able to compartmentalize) should read the Golden Age arc before the Black Swordsman arc, i don't get how people think Griffith is a "villain" from the get go.
Yes Golden Age Arc is probably one of my top arcs so far in Berserk although I’m only the lost children arc.Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it
I found you with your blind One Piece reviews (Arguably my favorite series of all time), and have been enamored with your video essays on multiple series. Now with Miura's passing (may he rest in peace), you tackle the monolith that is Berserk, and all I can say is good luck. it is up there as one of the best for me, I always love seeing how people react and respond to striking scenes and moving moments in series that hold meaning for me. in the end, all I can say is keep it up Mark, you are doing amazing. also props to you editor, because from one piece to Berserk, they have gone above and beyond for your videos (this video's end clincher was chilling).
I commented on the last video but Berserks best moments are the quiet ones. Glad Mark is taking his time with this since you really are supposed to take those moments to digest the Drama, Horror, Action and Uncomfortable moments. One of the main problems with the newest adaptation wasn't just the horrible animation....but the fact that the episodes were directed in a way to rush to the next action shot, or horror, or gore, or sexual scene. It came off very edgey in a juvenile way and has unfortunately put allot of people off of the franchise. Take a moment, whenever there's a huge spread of a sword slash, or a horror reveal, or quiet scene of guts looking at the moon, take a second, enjoy the amazing artwork, and reflect.
That was also an issue with the movie trilogy even though I do really enjoy them
You know your reading Berserk right when you understand the statement, "Good god the detail the author put into his art." I love the spreads he did in the quite moments because your brain just keeps getting fed information even though you've spent the last full minute on the same damn page.
@@darkalleyrambler8520 true but I feel the movies were trying to emulate the same feel, they just didn't have the time. The new serries really felt like someone just googled (most memorable berserk scenes) and made it a race between each one with nothing in between to make it matter.
@@darkoni12398 Oh, on that I don't have much disagreement. I'd say tho, it was less of a google search but more reading the manga only after signing the contract that defined how many and how long the episodes would be. A story like berserk isn't really 'format friendly' to modern tv or movies. It's got alot of explicit content, beautiful content, violent etc etc. And none of it is truly optional be it in pacing or message. I mean, you got to change somethings, but you got to keep the beast the same. Instead, we got 'this story has to fit in x episodes with a pace of x amount of chapters per episode, HOW?"
Mark, thank you for doing these reviews of Berserk. It's been my favorite THING EVER for a long time and i was so sad to hear about Muiras passing. Now the big guy can rest and we can imagine the ending for ourselves but with your reviews, we long time readers get to experience the story through new eyes again. I'm excited to go through all the good times and not so good times with you and remember what made me and everyone else love this story so much. So again Mark, thank you.
The way I viewed the departing fight between Guts and Griffith was more so how Guts was not angry or disgusted at Griffith for his viewpoint of their relationship, but that Guts was someone who craved a true friendship and relationship, and thought that's what he had with Griffith. Hearing how Griffith describes a real friend being someone equal and independent of himself, Guts leaves so that he can reach that level, he leaves so that he can become an equal to Griffith and truly be a friend.
Griffith loses this confrontation because realistically his battle skill has stagnated, as he has been playing diplomat and politician while the people he inspires do the laborious work of elevating him, an important theme for him. Thematically he loses because he wavers in his conviction when facing Guts, not quite wanting to admit to himself how their relationship is a special one and could distract him from his own dream. We see this contest of conviction by how his sword cannot stand against Guts'.
In short this fight marks the point that Guts decides that he wants to stand alongside Griffith, not behind or under him, and is also the point Griffith makes his first ever mistake in misunderstanding Guts' motivations.
Something about the pose made by guts at 11:25 it's almost directly replicated by guts again much later on in his life while he's on to the boat, after a huge fight that occured, but this time without his sword. I felt that it helped really show guts growth and change/development in character as the story goes on, and how he slowly opens up and becomes more welcome to others. It happens quite a while past the golden age, in a chapter somewhere around the 300s or so, just thought I'd lay that out there cus I always thought it was a really great call back by miura that so eloquently shows just how much guts has grown since his early days with the hawks
It was the frame when Guts impaled Julius's son that my perspective of the show completely changed. You could sense Guts emotions even though the moment only lasted seconds you could see the pain and who he was becoming as a person.
"wished doomguy was nearby during the eclipse", me too man, me too.
I love the fact that you're using the actual outtakes from the anime, they're GOLD
Im new to manga and have heard a lot of good things about berserk and one piece I want to read them but first I'll Finnish Naruto but I love your reviews even if they spoil almost everything. You are the goat mark.
"This is one of the best arcs I ever read"
Who's gonna tell him that what he has seen was only build up?
Haha the rest of the arc is gonna blow his mind, most intense shit I've ever read
Hit the nail on the head with the tranquil moments. Simply breathtaking.
Berserk is my holy bible. I’ve been rereading the whole series once a year as a tradition for over a decade and love it more and more every time 🙏🏻
Really enjoyed this. Mark points out themes and symbolism I would have never seen and I just love hearing his perspective.
Guts killing the child always gives me "Good soldiers follow orders" flashbacks.
But that was not an order, just something that happen almost by accident
Mark, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for covering berserk. And giving it such a wide audience and all the praise it deserves.
Thank you ❤️
Can't wait to see you review the lost children arc. It's my personal favorite and the golden age is second for me.
While so many people consider Golden Age as the best arc in the manga I think it's mostly because of the shock of the betrayal and the brutality Eclipse itself. Lost Children is also brutal but in more subtle way and even more tragic in terms of the villain. Griffith was always a selfish piece of shit but the "fairy queen" was just a victim... It's also great because it holds a lot of hints to the history of the world and the evil plaguing it.
@@xKinjax There are legitimate reasons to consider any Berserk Arc the best arc (except maybe Black Swordsman), but I don’t think it’s necessary to take away from Griffith as a character (he is much more complex than just a selfish, manipulative pos) to make Rosine look better, they’re both great
@@4LegCrotch I'm not taking away from anyone. Griffith is a selfish, manipulative, control obsessed psychopath who views all the people around him as tools and is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to get what he wants in life and i'll just leave it at that to not go into spoilers about the later arcs. Anyone who can actually relate with Griffith has some serious issues imho. There's a very satisfying irony to his dream collapsing around him the way it did.
((SPOILER ALERT))
Rosine was an innocent girl who lived in an abusive family, was almost raped by her father's drunk friends and ran away to the forest to escape her horrible life and hoping to find the fairy tale life from the stories that she used to cope with her terrible life. She only found a nightmare and her innocent desire for a better life was turned into a disgusting and twisted version of her stories that ended up costing countless other innocent children their lives.
Like i said i think they're both very good arcs, like you say, all the arcs are great. For a very long time i also considered Golden Age to be superior but upon further rereads i think there's a lot of elements that give Lost Children a slight edge over it.
@@xKinjax dont forget the part where Griffith believes that continuing to try and achieve his dream is the will of all his comrades who've fallen and the fact that he himself struggles to realize that he desires real human connection maybe even more than his dream considering how possessive he became of the one man who genuinely saw him as a friend and also that hes manipulated into doing all he did hes much more than just some psychopath obsessed with his dream
@@ffororoordkdkekekd3048 he's not really manipulated into anything. It's more about the deeper themes of inevitability and causality in the manga but we'll never know since Miura is sadly gone and he retconned the chapter where Griffith met "God" so it's no longer canon.
He believes that it's also the dream of his band because except for Guts he considers them all, even Casca, inferiors who can't even have their own dreams so they cling on to the dreams of others.
In my humble opinion he gets mad over Guts not because he actually has real feelings for him. I've seen people try to suggest or outright say that he loves Guts but I don't think it's that. I think it's a mix of multiple things. Resentment for not obeying him. Jealousy for giving himself to Caska instead but also for stealing Caska's affection which Griffith had always been the center of until she fell in love with Guts. And lastly fascination for meeting someone who is strong willed enough to be his equal. If it was simply affection or even desire to have an equal he wouldn't have done what he did with the princess after Guts left. He wanted to prove to himself that he was still able to take anyone and anything he wanted.
AHHHHH I've been so excited for this video since the first of the series. This fiction is so dear to my heart. Hearing someone who truly has an understanding and appreciation for manga as a medium experience this genre defining epic for the first time, well it made me burst out with excitement.
Ok. We arrived at the arc everyone ever talks about or make content about. Let's see if someone can actually make good content after this arc.
Don't get me wrong. The other arcs aren't bad. But 95% of Berserk youtube content it's just about the Golden Age.
Facts :(
That's cuz it's the best arc in Berk
@@joey_youtube marine Ford is (arguably) the best for OP yet I wouldn’t say it’s the most talked about
@@justinsmart5870 Facts. Same for HxH. Even though HxH best arc is, hands down, the Chimera Ants arc, people still talk about Greed Island, Yorknew, even the election arc.
I think it has to do with the fact that its a complete arc that has been adapted to an anime twice and both are pretty good. That increases the chances of people seeing berserk and being familiar with that arc but not everyone who sees one of the animes will continue with the manga. So the videos about the golden age arc will end up more popular and recieving more likes. But there is content out there for post golden age. check out Spired or RealLifeRyan if your interested.
Casca is one of my favorite characters in this story. The love scene with Guts when they lay their feelings bare for each other is among the most beautiful pieces of fiction I can think of. Miura was truly a master.
"When i finish it will i consider it the best arc i've ever read?"
Ima say yes.
Can we just talk about the editing like it is so amazing I have read berserk twice and yet hearing mark review along with the editing gave me goosebumps all over again excellent job mark and editor-san
Editing is amazing
im curious as to which ark is gonna be Mark’s favourite after he’s finished readin Berserk. Also i love how he way prefers the tranquil, quiet moments in Berserk to the big heavy action scenes. The quiet moments in Berserk are some of the most important parts in the series
It's still gonna be golden age
@@IAm-zo1bo i can see that
Golden Age is just so perfect in its completeness. It's a perfect story unto itself. If we ever get to see Miura's ending (if he wrote it down or something) perhaps that will change my mind.
Your editor deserves a freakin oscar man. Great job
I made the glorious mistake of deciding that I would start reading Berserk earlier this week. On Monday night I told myself "I'll read the first ten chapters and then go to bed." I ended up looking at the clock at 4:30 AM at the end of the Golden Age Arc.
Mmm god is it so good to see the love for berserk grow so similarly to how it grew in myself when I first read it years ago in high school. Berserk is such a masterpiece, RIP Miura for idk how many times I’ve said it but this guy is my #1 inspiration forever and always. I’m still sad that the end will never be but I’m glad and grateful to have this even exist.
LESSS GOOOO Strugglers. This and announcement of Chapter 364 got me hella hyped for Berserk
The hype is real the day the new chapter was announced i rewatched the 1997 Berserk anime
what if they troll us and chapter 364 is just witch lolis shenanigans and they tie it all up and say "the end"
A nice detail that I like is that when casca and guts were hiding he hugged her while holding his sword showing that he cares so much about her safety and well-being since yk he always believed that sword is his form of safety for him
I love how the second Guts wins his clash with Griffith there is so much pay off and so many character moments. Casca and everyone else in the band of the hawk start seeing both Giffith and Guts differently as their dynamic has shifted. Guts is finally fighting for a reason, which is to find a reason, but also wants to leave to become Griffiths equal and eventually his friend. Giffith on the other hand realizes he didn’t understand the gravity of what he thought a friend was. Guys was his friend equal or not and now he’s gone and there is nothing Giffith can do because Guts isn’t his equal, he’s stronger. Griffith not being able to deal with this is has rooted philosophies and conflicting actually feelings is amazing to see. Everyone in the story has had to deal with trauma except Griffith and how he deals with it given he has no experience doing so is very interesting to see
Amazing video Mark. Thank you for giving us Berserk Fans an absolute love letter to the series we all enjoy almost weekly.
The quiet moments are the best moments in Berserk.
I love Golden Age man one of my favorite arcs of all time, and then the way u describe certain details that I missed, makes me appreciate the arc even more. Your vids are 10/10 man you don't miss
Someone reads Golden age arc: "Golden age is the best arc ever"
*Always
nah
Many of them change their opinion when they get to The Lost Children arc or Conviction arc. xd
It's a great arc, but isn't even the best Berserk arc.
Started the golden age arc yesterday, was thinking about reading for some good 2 hours but I couldn't stop reading until 5 in the morning when my eyes physically could not stay open anymore
Really I cant put into words how good this shit is, may aswell be one of the greatest manga ever written, and ppl say it only gets better? Miura's passing away is hurting more each chapter I read but damn what a masterpiece he left behind, I'm so thankful to be able to read it
"Say the line Mark."
"What line, Mark II?"
"You know the line"
"Berserk's Golden age arc is the best arc I've read since one piece and Berserk's Golden age might be perfect..."
"You're God damn right Mark."
One Piece and Berserk in the same sentence is GAAAAALL
@@ferzupoMithos is what?
@@ferzupoMithos no is not.
@@amilcarballantyne One piece: generic, onelayered, static characters. comparing art with Berserk would be beyond insanity. comparing the plot is gall etc
@@ferzupoMithos lol ok buddy
Awwww man.... I hope we don't have to wait another month for Golden Age Part 2!
I read this arc like a week ago and it’s still making me rethink my life along with CSM
HELL YES!!! Mark is doing Berserk! LET'S GOOOO!!!
The Golden Age is probably the best anime/manga arc I've ever experienced.
Berserk is the best manga/anime series ever and the Golden Age arc is the best arc ever! So happy you're doing this!
RIP Kentaro Miura
" The Golden Age arc is the best arc I've ever read"
Me: (evil laugh) We shall see little man, we shall see.
Dude, just a thing about the length of your videos. I could listen to you talk about this for hours and hours. You treat it with such respect. You notice details I have never noticed, and I've read through all of Berserk (Sadly all now) like, a dozen times. I am veeeery much enjoying this review series though if you ever have to decide between spending more or less time on something in a review, I personally urge towards more XD
I would happily go for hour long reviews from you, haha. In any case, enjoy Berserk, it is in my opinion, the most amazing story ever told.
Mark seems too focused on Griffith as a future antagonist when that's not the point of his role in the Golden Age. They're trusted companions & best friends. They've both risked their own lives to save the other, which makes their rift & eventual split all the more tragic
Mak thinks Griffith is a villain since the moment he was born, he's very prejudiced towards the character bc of what he saw in the previous arc.
I can't wait for part 2!!! These are my favourite Berserk videos!