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REVIEW: Berserk GN 23


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GATSU



Joined: 03 Jan 2002
Posts: 15574
PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:00 am Reply with quote
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Also, the Dark Horse edition includes a double-sided fold-out poster, which is a much-appreciated bonus that has only begun appearing recently.


I think it coincides with the Japanese version of the manga.

Quote:
The series pacing is dragging a bit, and it's not clear at this point quite where the overarching story is going.


Pretty much. Miura really likes building things up.
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here-and-faraway



Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 1529
Location: Sunny California
PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:29 am Reply with quote
This series is such a gem...I can't believe it's been going on for over 20 years now.
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BorkisDrizzt



Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 12
PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:39 am Reply with quote
Man, I love Berserk so much. The best manga I have on my shelf, *snugly* fitting between Hellsing and Blade of the Immortal.
I was really happy when they started including posters Very Happy
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DemonEyesLeo



Joined: 20 Feb 2005
Posts: 844
Location: Japan
PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:13 pm Reply with quote
A true masterpiece, without a doubt. Everything from the story to the art to the characters are all executed to perfection. By far one of the best.
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vanheat



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 4
Location: KS
PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:41 pm Reply with quote
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Either way, it's fast becoming clear that what Guts most wants in this world is not to see Casca smile again but rather to see Griffith again…though whether to attack him, serve him, or some combination of the two is left to the reader's imagination

This isn't even funny. Why in the world would Guts want to serve him. Last couple of volumes he's charged at him wanting to kill him. In vol 3 he tries to kill him. Griffith raped Casca and turned her into what she is. Guts loves Casca and is trying to take her to Elfhelm. But he is having some problems. He is not stable not to mention he has to survive just keep her alive. It's wearing him down.

That dog is his Od that has manifested from his extreme hatred and anger over the last several years. Which is directed towards apostles and the Godhand (Griffith primarily).

Yes the story would seem to be dragging a bit if all you cared about was eclipse, sex, violence, and more sex. Wait a minute does a rape scene consisting of nasty older men and a mentally retarded women really mean All right more sex.

And who wrote the synopsis. Whoever did didn't fully read the volume. She stopped trusting him when he just about got possessed by evil spirits and his od and choked her. But that's a spoiler anyways.

Not trying to be a jerk but I take Berserk seriously.
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SSJ Gohan 64



Joined: 01 Jan 2003
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:08 pm Reply with quote
So, what volume is Japan on right now? And does it look like the story could conclude anytime soon?
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GATSU



Joined: 03 Jan 2002
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:37 pm Reply with quote
It says 32 on the Japanese site, but AOD'ers claimed 33, and no.
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HitokiriShadow



Joined: 09 May 2005
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:52 pm Reply with quote
SSJ Gohan 64 wrote:
And does it look like the story could conclude anytime soon?


Its currently in the early 30s and sounds like its supposed to be about half-way done. So no, its nowhere near finished.
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fighterholic



Joined: 28 Sep 2005
Posts: 9193
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:16 am Reply with quote
Right now it's still volume 32 in Japan. Came out in November of last year so we'll probably be looking at a new release this year. I agree with an above poster, I don't think Guts is in the mood to serve Griffith, especially after we know what happened all those volumes ago.
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vanheat



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 4
Location: KS
PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:52 am Reply with quote
Chapter 297 came out on June 12th which should/probably be the start of volume 34 so 33 should be coming out relatively soon. Hopefully. The story is not even close to coming to an end. Mr. Miura was born on July 11th 1966 (42) and its looking like he might be doing berserk for another 20 years.

Guts would never serve Griffith. In vol 23 Guts says when was the last time she smiled. He obviously cares very deeply and wants her to smile. That and he has placed priority on taking her to Elfhelm instead of revenge on Griffith who is now touchable. Maybe. (Note the arrows in vol. 22) Now the Beast of Darkness wants to see Griffith and "give him a heap of raw iron". The Beast of Darkness is a personification of Gut's negative feelings. There is nothing else it could be. Thats why in vol. 23 spoiler[Guts turns into The Beast of Darkness, not literally, and bites Casca and then you don't see any evil spirits leave him]. (Put spoiler in case you haven't read 23.) The specters are just taunting him and taking it's form.

We finally learn more about the beast of darkness, Guts has a group now, they're going to Elfhelm, Griffith is taking over with his apostles and we are really getting to see the characters. One can only imagine where it is heading.
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potassium



Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 102
PostPosted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:52 am Reply with quote
vanheat, that's a very idealistic view of Guts as a character. I'm sure you've noticed by now this is not the typical hero's saga. I agree with the reviewer, even now in the most recent chapters, Guts's feelings toward Griffith remain a bit ambiguous, although it is clear that if at all, Guts at least doesn't hate Griffith, despite all Griffith did.
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DemonEyesLeo



Joined: 20 Feb 2005
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Location: Japan
PostPosted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:29 pm Reply with quote
No, Guts despises Griffith for what he did. There's really no other way to describe it nor is it ambiguous. He wants to kill Griffith, that's been his goal since he survived the Eclipse and even moreso since spoiler[Griffith returned to his human form, or whatever.]
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LightYagami



Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 257
Location: around the midwest
PostPosted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 4:44 pm Reply with quote
HitokiriShadow wrote:
SSJ Gohan 64 wrote:
And does it look like the story could conclude anytime soon?


Its currently in the early 30s and sounds like its supposed to be about half-way done. So no, its nowhere near finished.


I've been told thats just a rumor that miura said its halfway done. If however, that it does turn out to be true it will fall in line with my prediction that the series will conclude with somewhere between 55 to 65 volumes.

potassium wrote:
vanheat, that's a very idealistic view of Guts as a character. I'm sure you've noticed by now this is not the typical hero's saga. I agree with the reviewer, even now in the most recent chapters, Guts's feelings toward Griffith remain a bit ambiguous, although it is clear that if at all, Guts at least doesn't hate Griffith, despite all Griffith did.


Bottom line, GUTS HATES GRIFFITH. If Guts had the chance he would walk around with Griffith's head impaled on his dragon slayer.
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vanheat



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
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Location: KS
PostPosted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:29 pm Reply with quote
The whole first half of vol. 22 shows Gut's hate of Griffith. "Because you could never really hate Griffith." Guts to Rickert on why he can't come. What I don't understand is where this ambiguity is coming from. So what is Guts all of a sudden in vol. 23 ambiguous. If so where? When The Beast of Darkness shows up. All the BoD wants is to kill and go after Griffith for revenge. Well actually BoD wants to kill everything. Hence "food for malice". There is no evidence to support Guts not hating him. And don't make me quote future volumes. Jk. (I have felt the painful burn of an unmarked spoiler before.)

Quote:
I've been told thats just a rumor that miura said its halfway done. If however, that it does turn out to be true it will fall in line with my prediction that the series will conclude with somewhere between 55 to 65 volumes.


"Now that Griffith is back, I feel like I've reached the starting line" is what Miura said around the time of the current or last volume. Is probably where the rumour came from or transformed. But I don't speak Japanese and I rely on people who do. (But they're trustworthy) 55 to 65 sounds like a good prediction. I expect closer to 70. Well I should say hope. In the future volumes to come out the story gets bigger, more complex, and even further from a near time conclusion.


Last edited by vanheat on Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:44 pm; edited 1 time in total
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vashfanatic



Joined: 16 Jun 2005
Posts: 3495
Location: Back stateside
PostPosted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:37 am Reply with quote
I agree that the synopsis is off on a few points, but hopefully Casey's endorsement (she doesn't give it easily) will convince those who are brave-of-heart and strong-of-stomach to look at this series. I was turned off to it by the anime (I only watched the first DVD), but quickly became a fan of the manga, and of course I love Dark Horse releases.

If there is always one thing to protest about Berserk it is the treatment of women. The characters themselves are wonderful (all the characters are), but the amount of rape and other forms of abuse heaped on them can be a serious turn-off. I know that it is intended to heighten the horrifying elements of the series, but it can come across as seriously misogynistic. Fortunately in the most recent chapters this trend has slacked off quite a bit. I don't know if this is Miura maturing or whether it's a calm before the storm, but either way it has made the series easier for a woman like me to read.
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