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ベルセルク [Berserk] #8
Berserk, Vol. 8
The century-spanning war between Midland and Chuder continues unabated. The two warring kingdoms, vying for supremacy, launch headfirst into what will become the final battle. Leading the Midland forces are the Band of the Hawk, lead by the charismatic Griffith, with the fearless Guts as his trusted champion. But should the Hawks triumph again on the battlefield, the war with Chuder may end, but the secret war within Midland may begin as those who seek to rise within the court see the ambitious Griffith as an obstacle to obtaining power. And nothing is more formidable than an enemy unseen!
230 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 1994
About the author
Kentaro Miura
377 books2,198 followersKentarou Miura (三浦建太郎) was born in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, in 1966. He is left-handed. In 1976, at the early age of 10, Miura made his first Manga, entitled "Miuranger", that was published for his classmates in a school publication; the manga ended up spanning 40 volumes. In 1977, Miura created his second manga called Ken e no michi (剣への道 The Way to the Sword), using Indian ink for the first time. When he was in middle school in 1979, Miura's drawing techniques improved greatly as he started using professional drawing techniques. His first dōjinshi was published, with the help of friends, in a magazine in 1982.
That same year, in 1982, Miura enrolled in an artistic curriculum in high school, where he and his classmates started publishing their works in school booklets, as well as having his first dōjinshi published in a fan-produced magazine. In 1985, Miura applied for the entrance examination of an art college in Nihon University. He submitted Futanabi for examination and was granted admission. This project was later nominated Best New Author work in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. Another Miura manga Noa was published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine the very same year. Due to a disagreement with one of the editors, the manga was stalled and eventually dropped altogether. This is approximately where Miura's career hit a slump.
In 1988, Miura bounced back with a 48-page manga known as Berserk Prototype, as an introduction to the current Berserk fantasy world. It went on to win Miura a prize from the Comi Manga School. In 1989, after receiving a doctorate degree, Kentarou started a project titled King of Wolves (王狼, ōrō?) based on a script by Buronson, writer of Hokuto no Ken. It was published in the monthly Japanese Animal House magazine in issues 5 and 7 of that year.
In 1990, a sequel is made to Ourou entitled Ourou Den (王狼伝 ōrō den, The Legend of the Wolf King) that was published as a prequel to the original in Young Animal Magazine. In the same year, the 10th issue of Animal House witnesses the first volume of the solo project Berserk was released with a relatively limited success. Miura again collaborated with Buronson on manga titled Japan, that was published in Young Animal House from the 1st issue to the 8th of 1992, and was later released as a stand-alone tankōbon. Miura's fame grew after Berserk was serialized in Young Animal in 1992 with the release of "The Golden Age" story arc and the huge success of his masterpiece made of him one of the most prominent contemporary mangakas. At this time Miura dedicates himself solely to be working on Berserk. He has indicated, however, that he intends to publish more manga in the future.
In 1997, Miura supervised the production of 25 anime episodes of Berserk that aired in the same year on NTV. Various art books and supplemental materials by Miura based on Berserk are also released. In 1999, Miura made minor contributions to the Dreamcast video game Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage. 2004 saw the release of yet another video game adaptation entitled Berserk Millennium Falcon Arc: Chapter of the Record of the Holy Demon War.
Since that time, the Berserk manga has spanned 34 tankōbon with no end in sight. The series has also spawned a whole host of merchandise, both official and fan-made, ranging from statues, action figures to key rings, video games, and a trading card game. In 2002, Kentarou Miura received the second place in the Osamu Tezuka Culture Award of Excellence for Berserk.[1]
Miura provided the design for the Vocaloid Kamui Gakupo, whose voice is taken from the Japanese singer and actor, Gackt.
Miura passed away on May 6, 2021 at 2:48 p.m. due to acute aortic dissection.
That same year, in 1982, Miura enrolled in an artistic curriculum in high school, where he and his classmates started publishing their works in school booklets, as well as having his first dōjinshi published in a fan-produced magazine. In 1985, Miura applied for the entrance examination of an art college in Nihon University. He submitted Futanabi for examination and was granted admission. This project was later nominated Best New Author work in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. Another Miura manga Noa was published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine the very same year. Due to a disagreement with one of the editors, the manga was stalled and eventually dropped altogether. This is approximately where Miura's career hit a slump.
In 1988, Miura bounced back with a 48-page manga known as Berserk Prototype, as an introduction to the current Berserk fantasy world. It went on to win Miura a prize from the Comi Manga School. In 1989, after receiving a doctorate degree, Kentarou started a project titled King of Wolves (王狼, ōrō?) based on a script by Buronson, writer of Hokuto no Ken. It was published in the monthly Japanese Animal House magazine in issues 5 and 7 of that year.
In 1990, a sequel is made to Ourou entitled Ourou Den (王狼伝 ōrō den, The Legend of the Wolf King) that was published as a prequel to the original in Young Animal Magazine. In the same year, the 10th issue of Animal House witnesses the first volume of the solo project Berserk was released with a relatively limited success. Miura again collaborated with Buronson on manga titled Japan, that was published in Young Animal House from the 1st issue to the 8th of 1992, and was later released as a stand-alone tankōbon. Miura's fame grew after Berserk was serialized in Young Animal in 1992 with the release of "The Golden Age" story arc and the huge success of his masterpiece made of him one of the most prominent contemporary mangakas. At this time Miura dedicates himself solely to be working on Berserk. He has indicated, however, that he intends to publish more manga in the future.
In 1997, Miura supervised the production of 25 anime episodes of Berserk that aired in the same year on NTV. Various art books and supplemental materials by Miura based on Berserk are also released. In 1999, Miura made minor contributions to the Dreamcast video game Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage. 2004 saw the release of yet another video game adaptation entitled Berserk Millennium Falcon Arc: Chapter of the Record of the Holy Demon War.
Since that time, the Berserk manga has spanned 34 tankōbon with no end in sight. The series has also spawned a whole host of merchandise, both official and fan-made, ranging from statues, action figures to key rings, video games, and a trading card game. In 2002, Kentarou Miura received the second place in the Osamu Tezuka Culture Award of Excellence for Berserk.[1]
Miura provided the design for the Vocaloid Kamui Gakupo, whose voice is taken from the Japanese singer and actor, Gackt.
Miura passed away on May 6, 2021 at 2:48 p.m. due to acute aortic dissection.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
February 21, 2022
Guts is the most complex character in a grim dark series. Period. Done. Cannot be argued.
June 6, 2023
Griffith is Untouchable ...NOT, At this point of the story Guts is far more superior then Griffith.
He actually beat Griffith using the same move, that Griffith thought to use to beat him!
Kentaro our artist catches the soul of the world, the story is in so well, i mean the victorious return to the city, the people on the roofs cheering, any place with a window has men and women watching, the army's camp fires, the soldiers having fun around them.
He is just so good, but i have to say Japanese artists don't know how to letter properly, their lettering sucks big time.
Also something else i noticed, this guy is the most talented artist so far with random human faces, he puts in a huge collection of random bystanders who doesn't even get named in the story, each and everyone of them have a different face, different cloth its really amazing, even his battle scenes soldiers are always having different stances, and facing different enemies.
One more thing i don't like though is the covers, the worst covers in a manga i have seen so far.
But even with these downsides to the art, its still one of the best well written, well penciled, well inked manga out there, and for that i am forever grateful for this amazing journey.
He actually beat Griffith using the same move, that Griffith thought to use to beat him!
Kentaro our artist catches the soul of the world, the story is in so well, i mean the victorious return to the city, the people on the roofs cheering, any place with a window has men and women watching, the army's camp fires, the soldiers having fun around them.
He is just so good, but i have to say Japanese artists don't know how to letter properly, their lettering sucks big time.
Also something else i noticed, this guy is the most talented artist so far with random human faces, he puts in a huge collection of random bystanders who doesn't even get named in the story, each and everyone of them have a different face, different cloth its really amazing, even his battle scenes soldiers are always having different stances, and facing different enemies.
One more thing i don't like though is the covers, the worst covers in a manga i have seen so far.
But even with these downsides to the art, its still one of the best well written, well penciled, well inked manga out there, and for that i am forever grateful for this amazing journey.
June 15, 2022
Imagine all the trouble and crisis that could have been averted if Guts had just talked with Griffith about all this stuff. Told him - weeks in advance, perhaps - that he's less than satisfied here and wants to go out there and ride out to seek his own dreams. Give it to him gently. Ask for some leave, maybe, rather than quitting altogether. Instead of just marching out into the night without a word of farewell. Isn't that what friends do? Talk to one another, respect each other's feelings?
Fucking machos.
Fucking machos.
December 22, 2018
Holy shit... just... what?
What’s it about?
I unfortunately can’t say anything without spoiling a lot of major things so I’m skipping that.
Why it gets 5 stars:
The story is very interesting. A lot happens in this volume so expect a lot of important stuff. I was surprised and impressed how much story fit into this volume!
The artwork is still amazing. This series mixes multiple styles and almost everything is drawn in a way that is pretty much perfect. I know I say this in... possibly all of my reviews for this series but this series includes the best art in manga.
The characters are interesting and develop more each volume. I particularly think Guts, Casca and Griffith are the most interesting (I know that’s probably typical but y’know...). I will admit Corkus is beginning to annoy me so if he shows up in the next volume he will hopefully be killed off.
There’s some fantastic, intense and super detailed action scenes. This volume is not quite as full of action due to being more focused on storytelling but there’s still some action scenes that fans will be very excited by.
This book is very suspenseful. Lots of unexpected things, especially towards the end.
While this book is very serious there is a bit of well done comic relief.
The ending’s just... holy fuck, that ending. This might be the craziest “HOLY FUCKING SHIT” ending ever!
Overall:
This manga is a masterpiece. Fuck every stereotype about manga that might be in your head, this series is amazing and if you’re a fan of fantasy... no, if you like books that are good in general as long as you don’t mind extreme mature content you have to try this series out. It’s an amazing series that I can’t recommend enough!
Truly a masterpiece in literature (yes, I called a comic literature, fuck off snooters).
5/5
What’s it about?
I unfortunately can’t say anything without spoiling a lot of major things so I’m skipping that.
Why it gets 5 stars:
The story is very interesting. A lot happens in this volume so expect a lot of important stuff. I was surprised and impressed how much story fit into this volume!
The artwork is still amazing. This series mixes multiple styles and almost everything is drawn in a way that is pretty much perfect. I know I say this in... possibly all of my reviews for this series but this series includes the best art in manga.
The characters are interesting and develop more each volume. I particularly think Guts, Casca and Griffith are the most interesting (I know that’s probably typical but y’know...). I will admit Corkus is beginning to annoy me so if he shows up in the next volume he will hopefully be killed off.
There’s some fantastic, intense and super detailed action scenes. This volume is not quite as full of action due to being more focused on storytelling but there’s still some action scenes that fans will be very excited by.
This book is very suspenseful. Lots of unexpected things, especially towards the end.
While this book is very serious there is a bit of well done comic relief.
The ending’s just... holy fuck, that ending. This might be the craziest “HOLY FUCKING SHIT” ending ever!
Overall:
This manga is a masterpiece. Fuck every stereotype about manga that might be in your head, this series is amazing and if you’re a fan of fantasy... no, if you like books that are good in general as long as you don’t mind extreme mature content you have to try this series out. It’s an amazing series that I can’t recommend enough!
Truly a masterpiece in literature (yes, I called a comic literature, fuck off snooters).
5/5
March 2, 2024
Berserk is a sad, tragic, complex plot full of political intrigues, assassinations, betrayals, horrific monsters and gruesome deaths.
But yet the only thing I can think to say beyond that is
2017 reread: It's really sad to think about how if only Guts and Griffith had just taken ten minutes to talk with each other, everything could've been avoided and the manga would be over.
But yet the only thing I can think to say beyond that is
2017 reread: It's really sad to think about how if only Guts and Griffith had just taken ten minutes to talk with each other, everything could've been avoided and the manga would be over.
May 5, 2024
خب خب خب
اتفاقات خیلی زیادی افتاد با این حال چیزی که این ولیوم رو خاص میکنه چپتر آخرشه
مقدمهچینی که از ولیوم قبل (شاید بشه ��فت از دو ولیوم قبل) شروع شده بود اینجا تمام و کمال به نتیجه میرسه و چقدر درخشانه این نتیجه.
حیف که نمیشه بدون اسپویل، زیاد از مانگاها حرف زد...
کاش، کاش میتونستم پنلها رو اینجا بگذارم و راجعشون باهاتون حرف بزنم. از محیطهای خالی پنلها، سایهها، چشمها، داستانگویی بدون کلام میورا سنسی و از بقیه ریزجزئیات بگم ولی حیف که گو��ریدز دستم رو بسته.
اتفاقات خیلی زیادی افتاد با این حال چیزی که این ولیوم رو خاص میکنه چپتر آخرشه
مقدمهچینی که از ولیوم قبل (شاید بشه ��فت از دو ولیوم قبل) شروع شده بود اینجا تمام و کمال به نتیجه میرسه و چقدر درخشانه این نتیجه.
حیف که نمیشه بدون اسپویل، زیاد از مانگاها حرف زد...
کاش، کاش میتونستم پنلها رو اینجا بگذارم و راجعشون باهاتون حرف بزنم. از محیطهای خالی پنلها، سایهها، چشمها، داستانگویی بدون کلام میورا سنسی و از بقیه ریزجزئیات بگم ولی حیف که گو��ریدز دستم رو بسته.
January 29, 2022
دقیقاً پنج ستاره رو برای همچین لحظهای نگه داشته بودم، بیست پنل آخر ولیوم هشت محشر بود، نگاه داخل چشمها و طراحی صورت گریفیث و گاتس فوقالعاده بود.
دلم میخواد الان زمان مناسبی بود میرفتم با چند از دوستام راجب به این ولیوم صحبت میکردم اما خب چهار صبح مانگا خوندن بدیهای خودشم داره گویا
دلم میخواد الان زمان مناسبی بود میرفتم با چند از دوستام راجب به این ولیوم صحبت میکردم اما خب چهار صبح مانگا خوندن بدیهای خودشم داره گویا
May 2, 2018
I cannot believe. so much hype...for this?? Griffith 😕
But seriously though. I’m pretty shocked. This volume was truly eye opening. I’m scared to find out what happens next.
But seriously though. I’m pretty shocked. This volume was truly eye opening. I’m scared to find out what happens next.
May 9, 2024
گاتس گروه شاهین رو ترک کرد، ولی خب قطعا نمیتونه به این راحتی باشه
May 21, 2024
My favourite so far. The Morning Departure parts were brilliant and emotional.
December 11, 2023
Finally got through all the volumes I'd read 4 years ago. Onto the next!
I am now expecting Griffith to falter and weaken, it feels like he's losing the composure everyone envied him for.
And am I ignoring everything to read this? You bet I am.
I am now expecting Griffith to falter and weaken, it feels like he's losing the composure everyone envied him for.
And am I ignoring everything to read this? You bet I am.
April 25, 2024
Étoiles contraires
Bande-son
Ce tome riche en évènement voit le siège de Dordray, citadelle majeure de Tudor se conclure, suivi de l'anoblissement de la troupe du faucon qui en a été l'actrice. Un certain nombre de trames en haut lieu qui prennent son chef Griffith pour cible se dénouent à l'avantage de la troupe de mercenaires avec l'assistance de Guts. Mais, passées ces prouesses au grand jour et dans l'ombre, le chef de la troupe de choc tient à mettre fin à cette période de son histoire personnelle. Griffith se met sur sa route pour l'en empêcher, dans un duel qui répond à celui, grandiose, du volume 4, qui avait conditionné son intégration à la troupe du Faucon. On perçoit un peu plus ce que Griffith est prêt à mettre dans la balance de son rêve dévorant.
'J'ai commencé à tuer alors que je n'étais qu'un gosse ne sachant pas distinguer sa droite de sa gauche. Et depuis, je n'ai rien su de ce qui se passait hors du champ de bataille, pas plus que je n'ai cherché à le savoir. Tuer pour survivre... C'est tout ce que je savais faire, mais c'était là l'essentiel. Pourtant... Je ne m'en plains pas. Du moment... que quelqu'un... N'importe qui, avait conscience de mon existence. Mais à force de traverser les batailles, je me suis rendu à l'évidence. Cette attitude était un appel au meurtre, cela ne valait pas un pet. Ce n'était qu'un caprice de gosse. Mais un jour... je l'ai rencontré. Cette personne dont j'avais envie qu'elle me remarque. J'ai fini par la rencontrer.'
Bande-son
Ce tome riche en évènement voit le siège de Dordray, citadelle majeure de Tudor se conclure, suivi de l'anoblissement de la troupe du faucon qui en a été l'actrice. Un certain nombre de trames en haut lieu qui prennent son chef Griffith pour cible se dénouent à l'avantage de la troupe de mercenaires avec l'assistance de Guts. Mais, passées ces prouesses au grand jour et dans l'ombre, le chef de la troupe de choc tient à mettre fin à cette période de son histoire personnelle. Griffith se met sur sa route pour l'en empêcher, dans un duel qui répond à celui, grandiose, du volume 4, qui avait conditionné son intégration à la troupe du Faucon. On perçoit un peu plus ce que Griffith est prêt à mettre dans la balance de son rêve dévorant.
'J'ai commencé à tuer alors que je n'étais qu'un gosse ne sachant pas distinguer sa droite de sa gauche. Et depuis, je n'ai rien su de ce qui se passait hors du champ de bataille, pas plus que je n'ai cherché à le savoir. Tuer pour survivre... C'est tout ce que je savais faire, mais c'était là l'essentiel. Pourtant... Je ne m'en plains pas. Du moment... que quelqu'un... N'importe qui, avait conscience de mon existence. Mais à force de traverser les batailles, je me suis rendu à l'évidence. Cette attitude était un appel au meurtre, cela ne valait pas un pet. Ce n'était qu'un caprice de gosse. Mais un jour... je l'ai rencontré. Cette personne dont j'avais envie qu'elle me remarque. J'ai fini par la rencontrer.'
July 11, 2021
2021 reread:
I somewhat recently rewatched the movies (way more recently than the last time I reread this) and I completely forgot the queen's role in the movies was cut entirely and how much more important she is in the manga.
also two bros standing on a snowy hill, five feet apart cause they ARE gay but their swords are too big
Content warnings (for Berserk overall): extreme gore, extreme violence, body horror, mutilation, psychological horror, rape (some against children), sexual assault (some against children), disturbing imagery, abuse.
I somewhat recently rewatched the movies (way more recently than the last time I reread this) and I completely forgot the queen's role in the movies was cut entirely and how much more important she is in the manga.
also two bros standing on a snowy hill, five feet apart cause they ARE gay but their swords are too big
Content warnings (for Berserk overall): extreme gore, extreme violence, body horror, mutilation, psychological horror, rape (some against children), sexual assault (some against children), disturbing imagery, abuse.
Read
April 8, 2023برای دومین بار خوندمش و از بار اولم بیشتر منو شگفت زده کرد و لذت برم.
درخشان؛ چه داستان و چه آرتش
درخشان؛ چه داستان و چه آرتش
May 26, 2024
After quite a long time of not continuing this series, I finally decided to continue the journey.
At the end of the story, Guts decides to leave the Band of the Hawks, making it interesting to follow Guts' next adventure.
At the end of the story, Guts decides to leave the Band of the Hawks, making it interesting to follow Guts' next adventure.
Read
August 13, 2023Just love this series!!
October 28, 2023
My favourite volume yet. Full of atmosphere and tension.
April 17, 2023
The band of the Hawk are the driving force for Midland and take on an impenetrable fortress. Griffith’s cunning (and seduction of the Chuder leader) helps them conquer their foe.
Epic battle scenes here.
Epic battle scenes here.
March 16, 2021
Alrighty, so this marks the end of the first chunk.
There is so much that's whirring in my head, but I have no idea how to translate it into words. First off, is that I have so many questions for the person who recommended this to me. Genuinely, I have never seen so much gore, rape, and murder packed into a couple hundred pages. Miura really outdid himself.
Gore aside, this series is really well-developed. There is so much underlying each character I don't even know which to dissect first. I genuinely first shipped Griffin and Guts, but I take that ship back. Griffin is lowkey an ass in my books, and Guts does not need that kinda bullshit. However, the actual ship in the books is really cute, and I genuinely do ship those two (although I have a bad feeling I shouldn't get totally invested, something feels like it's going to go south pretty quick). But as far as characters go, Guts is a very interesting one. I'm not really sure how Miura transitioned from the present to the past (a couple of books ago), but I can't help but wonder how much worse it's going to get for the man so that we can get to the present storyline. Especially for him to have changed so much.
I'll admit, thematically the book seemed a little juvenile at the start, with the way Puck was spelling out the 'darkness' in Guts in a somewhat child-like manner. However, I think the idea of dreams (and purpose) that Miura has woven into the next couple of books was really interesting. I'll admit I've been zooming through this series so I'm a little less versed on what messages Miura might have been trying to weave into the story.
The art, on the other hand, is not my cup of tea. There's something that's very rough about it. However, I think that it works very well for this story. Miura does not skimp on the gore and the details to make the scenery and its characters viler in appearance.
Plot-wise, I am sold. I literally don't want to finish any of my work, because that is how hooked I am at this point. If anything, I'm worried, because I can feel the wind going colder and it feels like the plot is about to go real sad south soon. (especially if the first two novels were any indication of the present).
There is so much that's whirring in my head, but I have no idea how to translate it into words. First off, is that I have so many questions for the person who recommended this to me. Genuinely, I have never seen so much gore, rape, and murder packed into a couple hundred pages. Miura really outdid himself.
Gore aside, this series is really well-developed. There is so much underlying each character I don't even know which to dissect first. I genuinely first shipped Griffin and Guts, but I take that ship back. Griffin is lowkey an ass in my books, and Guts does not need that kinda bullshit. However, the actual ship in the books is really cute, and I genuinely do ship those two (although I have a bad feeling I shouldn't get totally invested, something feels like it's going to go south pretty quick). But as far as characters go, Guts is a very interesting one. I'm not really sure how Miura transitioned from the present to the past (a couple of books ago), but I can't help but wonder how much worse it's going to get for the man so that we can get to the present storyline. Especially for him to have changed so much.
I'll admit, thematically the book seemed a little juvenile at the start, with the way Puck was spelling out the 'darkness' in Guts in a somewhat child-like manner. However, I think the idea of dreams (and purpose) that Miura has woven into the next couple of books was really interesting. I'll admit I've been zooming through this series so I'm a little less versed on what messages Miura might have been trying to weave into the story.
The art, on the other hand, is not my cup of tea. There's something that's very rough about it. However, I think that it works very well for this story. Miura does not skimp on the gore and the details to make the scenery and its characters viler in appearance.
Plot-wise, I am sold. I literally don't want to finish any of my work, because that is how hooked I am at this point. If anything, I'm worried, because I can feel the wind going colder and it feels like the plot is about to go real sad south soon. (especially if the first two novels were any indication of the present).
September 14, 2022
10/10 stars
Now we're talking! My favorite volume to date. The end of the Golden Age, so bright and sharp and beautiful like a double-edged sword.
Guts has grown so much you've got to admire him for it. Does he have some communication problems? Well, yes, but can you blame him? Coming up to a psychopath and telling him in pleasant tones that you want to leave his company to pursue your own dreams is not the best strategy. It would've end the same way: with a fight at dawn on a snowy hill, with only one emerging victorious and the other broken. All my suspicions about Griffith are confirmed.
Casca has a nice arc here, too. Three years is a long time, indeed - to forge bonds of friendship and loyalty, of respect and maybe even love. This band of brothers will never be the same - but Guts had been always the odd one out, a lone wanderer warming up by the common fire, only to return, alone, into the night.
Now we're talking! My favorite volume to date. The end of the Golden Age, so bright and sharp and beautiful like a double-edged sword.
Guts has grown so much you've got to admire him for it. Does he have some communication problems? Well, yes, but can you blame him? Coming up to a psychopath and telling him in pleasant tones that you want to leave his company to pursue your own dreams is not the best strategy. It would've end the same way: with a fight at dawn on a snowy hill, with only one emerging victorious and the other broken. All my suspicions about Griffith are confirmed.
Casca has a nice arc here, too. Three years is a long time, indeed - to forge bonds of friendship and loyalty, of respect and maybe even love. This band of brothers will never be the same - but Guts had been always the odd one out, a lone wanderer warming up by the common fire, only to return, alone, into the night.
October 11, 2017
This is the eighth book in the Berserk series and was just as wonderful as all the others in this series.
The Band of the Hawk face their toughest battle yet and triumph. Griffith is awarded the position of general and all of the Band of the Hawk will be knighted and made nobility. However, Guts puts a pall over the celebration when he decides to leave the Band of the Hawk and pursue his own dreams.
I continue to be impressed with how much story each volume covers. The illustration continues to be very well done. The story is easy to follow and action-packed. This volume is half battle and half intrigue at court.
Overall this was a wonderful addition to the Berserk series. I continues to enjoy this series and be impressed by the action, characters, world-building and story. I would recommend to mature readers who enjoy fantasy horror manga.
The Band of the Hawk face their toughest battle yet and triumph. Griffith is awarded the position of general and all of the Band of the Hawk will be knighted and made nobility. However, Guts puts a pall over the celebration when he decides to leave the Band of the Hawk and pursue his own dreams.
I continue to be impressed with how much story each volume covers. The illustration continues to be very well done. The story is easy to follow and action-packed. This volume is half battle and half intrigue at court.
Overall this was a wonderful addition to the Berserk series. I continues to enjoy this series and be impressed by the action, characters, world-building and story. I would recommend to mature readers who enjoy fantasy horror manga.
March 27, 2017
The turn of events here really starts to push the narrative forward, Guts realizing that to be Griffith friend that he must become his equal and cannot be under Griffith's yoke. It's not that he finds it oppressive, so much as strives to live up to Griffith by dreaming his own dream. After helping to enable Midland's peace, a conversation with Judeau pushes things to forefront. There is intrigue in Midland, and the true coldness of Griffith's nature starts to unfold. Miura's line work is very strong here, and the Hawks seem more and more developed as characters.
October 27, 2018
Damn. This might be peak Berserk. Start beginning is medieval action, the middle is political backstabbing, and the end is a deep dive into the complex web of emotions of our characters. This story explores not only each of the main 3's reasons for living, but also how they feel about each other and the conclusions they've come to. Casca has slowly come to care for Guts, as he has treated her with more respect and dignity than Griffith ever has. And Guts is beginning to care for Casca as he realizes how resilient she is and the weight she carries. But he knows she is enamored with Griffith and keeps himself distant, perhaps to protect himself. And Griffith likes to tell himself that he does not care for his soldiers, but the potential loss of Guts devastates him. Guts admires Griffith because Griffith offered him a sense of belonging that nobody had given him. And Griffith appreciates Guts because he has done so much to help realize his dream. But Guts is torn between wanting to be with the man who gave him so much and wanting to feel like his equal. Meanwhile Griffith is torn between his aspirations for power and his feelings for Guts.
Even less important characters like Judeu and Corkus get fleshed out. Judeu has kind of resigned himself to serving under Griffith, acknowledging that everybody has a dream but that he can't (or isn't confident enough to) pursue his own. And he still has feelings of longing toward a certain someone, that he doesn't seem to have fully acknowledged (perhaps again to protect himself from the disappointment of failure). Meanwhile Corkus is like an ignorant version of Judeu. He tells himself that dreams are just comforts, and takes a nihilistic view on the matter. Because if he were to be honest with himself and examine things critically, he would come to realize that he is in no way special and owes much to those around him. Which is perfectly fine, but unacceptable to Corkus because that would mean checking his ego and sense of entitlement.
And with this web of intersecting feelings and motivations, we get a masterpiece in storytelling. Characters act in a way that makes perfect sense according to their history, their motivations, their goals, the ways they've changed since meeting each other, and their emotions. Which is what makes them feel so believable and human. They're all uncertain and can only rely on what they know they want and how they feel. And as they set out on the paths their circumstances have laid out, they collide with one another, grow closer, change plans, reflect on themselves, and their relationships change. The Golden age is a simple narrative that is told well, but what really raises this story above all else is the emotional, interpersonal depth of its characters, and how those emotions and relationship play out over the backdrop of political events. It's the kind of story that only gets better the more you think about it. You begin to discover more nuances to the relationships and motives, or you come to better understand just why a character thinks the way they do. The more you put into the story, the more you get out of it. I've said it before, and this won't be the last time. Berserk is a master piece.
Even less important characters like Judeu and Corkus get fleshed out. Judeu has kind of resigned himself to serving under Griffith, acknowledging that everybody has a dream but that he can't (or isn't confident enough to) pursue his own. And he still has feelings of longing toward a certain someone, that he doesn't seem to have fully acknowledged (perhaps again to protect himself from the disappointment of failure). Meanwhile Corkus is like an ignorant version of Judeu. He tells himself that dreams are just comforts, and takes a nihilistic view on the matter. Because if he were to be honest with himself and examine things critically, he would come to realize that he is in no way special and owes much to those around him. Which is perfectly fine, but unacceptable to Corkus because that would mean checking his ego and sense of entitlement.
And with this web of intersecting feelings and motivations, we get a masterpiece in storytelling. Characters act in a way that makes perfect sense according to their history, their motivations, their goals, the ways they've changed since meeting each other, and their emotions. Which is what makes them feel so believable and human. They're all uncertain and can only rely on what they know they want and how they feel. And as they set out on the paths their circumstances have laid out, they collide with one another, grow closer, change plans, reflect on themselves, and their relationships change. The Golden age is a simple narrative that is told well, but what really raises this story above all else is the emotional, interpersonal depth of its characters, and how those emotions and relationship play out over the backdrop of political events. It's the kind of story that only gets better the more you think about it. You begin to discover more nuances to the relationships and motives, or you come to better understand just why a character thinks the way they do. The more you put into the story, the more you get out of it. I've said it before, and this won't be the last time. Berserk is a master piece.
November 15, 2017
Oh look at all those people Oh Geez lets hope nothing bad happens to them..like u know.. A evil Ottoman/Byzantine/Taj mahal hybrid empire that uses human vagina to make an expendable demon army with eastern magic cult as a backup and bring their lovable city to ruins RIGHT.
This Volume has everything you wanted on a medieval fictional universe. Epic duel, Siege battles, Political intrigue, grey area characters and DRAMA.
But one question still bothers me.
IS GRIFFITH GAY???
March 5, 2024
Excellent recovery from the terrible former volume. Again, weirdly, a return to court, and to stakes that actually have some weight. I wouldn’t have expected a series like this to excel away from fights, but here we are.
With the Casca absolute mess of an attempt at character building centering pretty much solely around her having no agency or ability—despite us being told constantly she’s second to Griffith, no less—the band return to the kingdom victorious. A plot is hatched and thwarted against Griffith, and there’s a lot more internal dialogue and character building, as each member reflect on how far they’ve come and their respective relationships to one another.
Just so, as a nice continuation from the previous intrigue segment, Guts decides to strike out. But can he really follow through? The decision is a catalyst from my favourite scene of the series so far, where Griffith, atop a fountain, thinking he’s alone except for the princess (maybe?), talks about who he considers a friend and equal. Which shatters Guts idea about how he thought he was perceived by Griffith. It’s very well done and I’m glad something came from it.
The best ending to any of the volumes, by far and away, too. And the detailing has improved quite a bit. Again. Weird to see in a section that has nothing to do with battle. But it really is much improved from even the previous volume to this one.
With the Casca absolute mess of an attempt at character building centering pretty much solely around her having no agency or ability—despite us being told constantly she’s second to Griffith, no less—the band return to the kingdom victorious. A plot is hatched and thwarted against Griffith, and there’s a lot more internal dialogue and character building, as each member reflect on how far they’ve come and their respective relationships to one another.
Just so, as a nice continuation from the previous intrigue segment, Guts decides to strike out. But can he really follow through? The decision is a catalyst from my favourite scene of the series so far, where Griffith, atop a fountain, thinking he’s alone except for the princess (maybe?), talks about who he considers a friend and equal. Which shatters Guts idea about how he thought he was perceived by Griffith. It’s very well done and I’m glad something came from it.
The best ending to any of the volumes, by far and away, too. And the detailing has improved quite a bit. Again. Weird to see in a section that has nothing to do with battle. But it really is much improved from even the previous volume to this one.
March 27, 2023
This volume was interesting. Everyone misunderstanding Guts for leaving except his one soldier who read everyone. With the way things ended and in such an intriguing way, I hope we are moving closer to the present day.
December 27, 2021
اپدیت ۶ دی ۴۰۰-
این جلد واقعا در اوجه. مسیری که لحظه به لحظه به کسوف نزدیکتر میشه و اعصاب منم خردتر ಠωಠ
من همیشه غمگینترین بودم وقتی رفتن گاتس رو میدیدم. و الان هم.
دلم نمیخواد جلد بعد رو شروع کنم.
این جلد واقعا در اوجه. مسیری که لحظه به لحظه به کسوف نزدیکتر میشه و اعصاب منم خردتر ಠωಠ
من همیشه غمگینترین بودم وقتی رفتن گاتس رو میدیدم. و الان هم.
دلم نمیخواد جلد بعد رو شروع کنم.
August 26, 2021
I’m on BERSERK reading spree!! Somebody help me!!!! 😂
December 6, 2020
From Political games, war strategies to emotional drama and farewells, Vol. 8 of Berserk has got it all.
January 26, 2024
This is the volume that changed everything…
I hate Griffith in a way I can’t explain but his character is interesting.
I can’t get over the fact that Guts was considering a relationship with Casca but he kept denying his feelings knowing that she's in love with Griffith ( Griffith doesn’t deserve both of them T-T )
80⭐️
I hate Griffith in a way I can’t explain but his character is interesting.
I can’t get over the fact that Guts was considering a relationship with Casca but he kept denying his feelings knowing that she's in love with Griffith ( Griffith doesn’t deserve both of them T-T )
80⭐️
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