Media Analysis – Berserk

Berserk Synopsis

Berserk is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura that is set in a dark fantasy medieval Europe. The story follows Guts, also known as the “Black Swordsman” who is on a conquest for revenge. Guts, who was a former mercenary, was brought up through a rough and incredibly traumatic upbringing. Abandoned by his parents on a roadside, Guts was found lying in a mud pile as an infant and was taken in by a mercenary band passerby. Within this group he would lead a life of hardships since he was seen as an outcast and a bad omen. Guts went from battlefield to battlefield fighting for his basic survival necessities. To add insult to injury, Gut’s father figure in the group would end up betraying him and Guts inevitably had to kill him. This was merely the beginning of his mercenary career as shortly after his group’s disbandment, he would stumble upon another mercenary group called the “Band of the Hawk”. Here Guts would find companionship and a leader he respected and trusted. Coming from a childhood of pain and betrayal, this was something entirely foreign to Guts as he finally found something worth living for. This would all come crashing down since the leader that Guts trusted and respected would take everything important to him away for the sake of fulfilling personal desires. Now being branded for sacrifice, Guts was all alone once again and here he sets off on a quest for revenge while being relentlessly tailed by demonic beings. 

Move 1

The aspect which makes Berserk interesting is its deep character development within everyone. This is primarily evident in the main character Guts’ growth from being anger ridden and hateful to someone with priorities and people to protect. Guts was already inflicted with many internal wounds as a result of his turbulent upbringing. This causes him to have trust issues and detach himself from society. He is seen confiding in his swordsmanship for safety and reassurance. Guts initially believed that the only way to avoid being hurt by others was to solely rely on himself. His strength alone was his goal and as the story progresses this changes drastically.

Move 2

Time and time again, Guts is facing misfortune and difficulties in every stage of his life. From birth he is presented with nothing short of misery and he loses his sense of faith, love, and trust. His inner childhood hatred caused by his circumstances would cause him to become animal-like. This leads into Guts life of loneliness and merciless bloodshed as a freelance mercenary. This theme is repeatedly evident throughout the story and Guts for the most part  relies on no one but himself.

Move 3

Even though Guts is faced with turmoil all throughout the story, he is shown triumphing from the hardship and growing ever so stronger. The pain and betrayal from his childhood helped develop a battle hardened mindset which furthers Guts combat skills. Gut maintains a lone wolf mentality all throughout and he slowly begins to realize he can’t do everything himself. Relying on others is a strong focal point in Guts’ character development since he learns to pass the pain onto others. This eases Guts’ burden on himself and allows for the recovery of his more human characteristics/emotions.

Move 4

    Guts initially distrusts everyone besides himself as he wants to protect himself from the pain of his childhood. This is caused by repeated betrayals from those he trusted deeply. After a major betrayal where Guts loses everything he values, he seeks revenge and is solely fueled by hatred and anger. Guts then meets companions and realizes once again what was important in his life. He realizes he cannot do everything himself and forms a group that accompanies him on his journey. During this journey Guts’ changes his priorities from bloodthirsty revenge to appreciating the company and things around him. He realizes what he has to protect and seeks to change himself and his priorities. 

Move 5

The manga is still incomplete and we are left wondering how Guts’ character development will flourish and change. Towards the latest chapter, the story becomes a lot more wholesome and things take a turn for the worst as his beloved is abducted.