The manga's DEFINITELY not something that everyone should be reading due to its graphic content (something that some readers should've known ahead...). While I'd usually try to point out all the good and bad stuff that's presented in this series, I rather just make counterarguments toward the ignorant statements by a few reviewers here. I'm in no way saying that people can't dislike this series at all, but when it comes to pointing out information that's misleading/totally ridiculous from said reviewers, well... that's not reliable information at all now is it?
@hijarin
First of all, I totally admit this work is very well drawn and the author definitely knows his art, he kinda draws this stuff the same amount of time that I live.
Ok, so you'll admit it's good, but whatever, good art doesn't mean shit for this series's overall rating, hence the 1/10.
It's clear from the very first chapters that author wants and loves to draw gore. Berserk is filled with completely unnecessary gore from start to the very last chapters and there's no end to it. To be honest, I would ban from existence any manga which has mutilated women in it, and this particular manga is all about such a things. I don't care whether the author is a sadist IRL, but please do not feed the juvenile audience (rest assured it is) with such a shit.
Unnecessary gore? Have you never heard about the fucking MEDIEVAL TIMES, with torture and slaughterings that actually did happen hundreds of years ago? With this series taking place in a dark fantasy realm partly based off Medieval Europe, how is this "UNNECESSARY?!" And if you really need to see this for yourself how cruel history was:
[url]http://www.medievalwarfare.info/torture.htm[/url]
Just ask yourself: why do we ever need to look at all this horrible sights? And more than that, it's not just rape, it's gang-rape or homosexual rape, it's not just murder, it's tortures and murder or mutilation. And all of this is drawn in such a details that I'm sure that author just wants his audience to be like him: a heartless monster accustomed to atrocities.
So I asked myself this, and as stated before, I think it's good to acknowledge that these kind of atrocities that have taken place throughout history, AND STILL DO IN SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD. It's not something that we're supposed to support (like come to think that gang rape is just SO COOOOOL!), yet be disgusted by, as our protagonist must fight off all evils against him in this savage fantasy world he lives in. Oh yeah, and I'd advice you to stay away from NTR/forced Hentai, cause you'll probably think that Japan's an island of insane psychopaths + criminals (and if you somehow do come to believe that, you'll be shocked o hear that for a long time, Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world).
Honestly, just think about it a bit: this manga can be called a "masterpiece" only by the immoral people who loves to see a lot of gore and brutality, because nothing else is here!
Oh ok, insult the people that do see this as a masterpiece. You're blind to think that they give it that kind of acknowledgement for only its gore, where it just so happens to be that YOU are the one that can't even see past that. Rather than end on a disgusted "Bleh" right back at you, I'll actually point out some reasons why this can be seen as a masterpiece thanx to a friend that gave me some more info on it (if you're reading this, thanx again for sharing bud).
Strong historic research >Took sexual abuse seriously and was not afraid to alienate fans >Once again, INCREDIBLY DETAILED ARTWORK >Won a Tezaku + sold 33+ million copies >The crazy amount of references to classic European art or philosophical ideas (Faust, Dante´s Inferno, etc.) >The well defined political religious and worldview and conflict >Very thought provoking ideas about violence/sex and how revenge can destroy both the body and soul >Considered to be incredibly influential >It´s the second highest reviewed manga on ANN with 0.01 point behind Monster - 10/10.
@StormBreaker
putting that aside, the writer keeps going on and on and on and on about how pitiful the main character (Guts) is and how terrible his past had been. If I was in the story I would introduce him to a counselor (since he's just mentally ill) and say Get a grip man you're the main character!. But instead of a counselor He finds himself in a band.
Yes, let's find the protagonist a counselor in A MEDIEVAL WORLD, WHERE EDUCATION AND "PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP" ARE PRACTICALLY INACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE THAT'S NOT FROM A HIGH CLASS. Sounds like you just have no desire to sympathize with a character that comes from a shitty background, and you'd rather see a protagonist that's self-aware of his/her role, having them acknowledge that they can do whatever the hell they want "coz they're the protagonist, and nothing can possibly hold them down!"
no, not a Rock band. a mercenary band leading by Griffith. a lot of warriors follow Griffith.. not just a normal following. they would die for him to the point that all end up dead. I have noooooooooooooo idea why those warriors had to serve under him. Ofcourse writer claims that everyone had gathered around him for the sake of their dreams. But this 52 year old writer seems like doesn't know that the goal that someone seeks for, if it involves violence, gore, killing innocent people and betrayal to their own friends and comrades is Not Called a dream. It's called war and It's hell what they're seeking for.
Seriously, go read up on Medieval history. It may give you some perspective as for why people are so willing to put their faith in others, and also notice how you mentioned them being "mercenaries". Mercenary - a person primarily concerned with material reward at the expense of ethics. Maybe that has something to do with the immoral stuff they're doing for the sake of achieving a dream that could've been made a reality, but I don't think you'd care to hear that...
[quote]...only two main characters survived (We all know they're the writer's favorite so they won't die that easily) anyway after that, The Story goes to a slope downfall!!![/quote]
Didn't you acknowledge Guts being the protagonist? Also Casca's the heroine, so no, I don't think he kept his characters alive because "Favoritism!"
oh, we see mermaids,demons, Thinkerbell, princess, more nudity and violence (The only reason for age limitation), the same old but much worse plot. [I think The mangaka has focused more on drawing naked people than writing a meaningful story... (pervert) shivers]
YES! Drawing naked people makes anyone a pervert! The mandatory figure drawing sessions for my advanced art classes in High School weren't to help us learn how to gain a proper understanding of human anatomy! No, they were mandatory coz my teachers wanted us to all be perverts!
[But in a more proper defense toward the series, it sounds like you mainly have an issue with nudity itself (to which I'd suggest that you stay away from the nude European artwork in museums). It's like you're saying that the series features it for meaningless fan service and thus doesn't give two shits about anything else when it comes to the writing or the art... Which clearly is not at all true...]
There's more than this to write about but my fingers started to get numb... at the end if you want my advice.... and If you care about your time... It's better NOT to read it! (or watch it) .
Or, ya know, give it a shot if you (talking to anyone who hasn't read the series yet) really want to see for yourself. If it's your kind of series, that's fine, and if it's not, well that's fine as well. You can't be totally sure unless you see for yourself...
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