Renas Media

A dark fantasy, this is a profound musing on fate, ambition, and the depths of human nature. Let us analyze the basic ideas and views of the great author.

If you haven’t read the manga or watched the 90s anime adaptation yet, I recommend starting with the original before proceeding here.

“Berserk” by Kentaro Miura is not just a story with a single idea or message — it is one of the deepest, most philosophical, and profound explorations of human nature. Today, I will discuss not only the 1997 anime adaptation but also the original manga, as the anime omits several scenes that further develop the story and characters. I will not delve into events beyond the Eclipse, even though the Eclipse is merely the beginning of Berserk’s story.

Contrasting Characters and Childhood Dreams
Manga artist Kentaro Miura masterfully draws parallels between Guts and Griffith, creating two highly distinct and compelling characters. Griffith is a man of immense ambition and dreams, unwavering in his pursuit of his goals, willing to do anything to achieve them. And when I say anything, I am not exaggerating — he is a man who sells his body for money and sacrifices his subordinates and himself for his dream, his metaphorical wings. Guts, on the other hand, lacks a concrete dream for much of his life. He does not chase an “illusory castle in the sky”; rather, he is willing to sacrifice himself for those dear to him. His worldview mirrors Bushido or Sisu, driven only by the will to survive and the path of the warrior, which he treads with his sword held high.

Another contrast can be drawn between Casca and Guts after the Eclipse. Casca, once serious and composed, loses her sanity and becomes driven purely by primal instincts. Meanwhile, Guts, in contrast, becomes more aware and gains a new purpose, carving out a path for himself.

In real life, I have often noticed how people with vastly different views and personalities can coexist harmoniously. This story is about that — how seemingly opposite people can become deeply connected. Even though Griffith never considered Guts his equal, deep down, he valued him greatly. After Guts left, Griffith spiraled into madness, making decisions that led him to suffering and near death.

During the Eclipse, Griffith still harbors resentment and blames Guts for everything that happened. However, in the moment he activates the Behelit, it seemed to me that he genuinely wanted to warn Guts about the fate that was coming for him.

Childhood dreams also serve as one of the driving themes in the story. Griffith desires the castle he dreamed of as a child, while Guts simply wants to live as he always has — though for him, it is not so much a dream as it is an instinct, a sheer will to survive that has been with him since birth. Similarly, in our world, childhood dreams can dictate the course of our fleeting lives. However, one must dream wisely, for dreams can sometimes force us into choices that shape our destinies.

The Eclipse as the Point of No Return
The event that marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. During the Eclipse, the characters are revealed in their truest forms. Guts, unwilling to believe that Griffith has truly betrayed everyone, fights to the very last moment to save him — until he realizes his new purpose: revenge. Griffith, in turn, trades his soul and body for a new form, consumed by darkness and an evil force that now drives him.

The Eclipse scene is a grand, highly emotional moment that demonstrates how ambition can overshadow reason. Guts clings to blind faith in his friend until the very end, but when that faith shatters, it turns into pure rage and the desire for vengeance. The assault on Casca becomes the ultimate breaking point, severing all ties to the past and extinguishing any hope of reconciliation.

Griffith, too, reaches his point of no return when he faces the Idea of Evil within the vortex of souls, at the moment of his rebirth. This scene was cut from both the anime and later versions of the manga. Miura later stated that he removed it because it revealed too much about the core idea of the story. However, if we analyze Griffith’s role in that moment, we see that while his ultimate point of no return may have been when he declared his sacrifice, he initially appears like a lost child, still questioning everything with wonder. But when he finally asks for “wings,” he makes a conscious and resolute decision — to leave the past behind and rise in a new world of desire.

Fate or Free Will: The Idea of God and Evil
Miura often explores the question of whether human life is predestined by a divine force or shaped by individual will and desire. In the deleted scene where Griffith meets the deity, it tells him that it was created by humans — humanity’s overwhelming desire for a god brought it into existence, allowing it to shape their fates.

This creates an intriguing paradox: humans seemingly forge their own destinies, yet they also create their own gods to govern their lives. Many religions, upon deeper examination, suggest that God exists within every person — that humanity itself is God. Faith has driven humanity for centuries, giving people purpose. Miura hints at this directly, suggesting that in making our own choices, we may sometimes place responsibility for them onto a higher power.

Previously, I discussed the theme of divine silence in the film “The Seventh Seal” (you can find my review on my profile if you’re interested). That film explores how people seek God, whether through faith or questioning. There is a famous phrase that we are created in God’s image — but what if the opposite is true? What if the framework Miura presents in the deleted scene is correct, and God was created in the image of man? What if ancient people sought a ruler who was just yet merciful, whom they could always turn to in prayer — but who also sometimes displayed wrath and punishment? Such behavior would certainly be more human than divine.

The Anime Adaptation
Since I primarily write about cinema, let’s briefly discuss the anime adaptation. In the late 90s, director Naohito Takahashi brought “Berserk” to the screen. Even if you are not a fan of Japanese anime, this work is worth your attention.

While the animation quality may not compare to 90s cinema, which already had advanced cinematography, the dark palette and grim artistic style perfectly convey the manga’s atmosphere. Each episode is engaging and maintains tension throughout. Special mention must be given to the soundtrack — hauntingly beautiful and immersive, it deepens the experience of “Berserk’s” world. I even found myself listening to the playlist while reading the manga. The atmosphere is unreal.

However, the anime does cut and alter some scenes from the manga, likely due to censorship or directorial choices. For example, Griffith’s scenes of isolation after his torture were removed. These moments, though seemingly minor, showcase the depth of his character and make his later actions feel more justified.

Conclusion
“Berserk” is a philosophy of life — a story about choices and their consequences. It raises profound questions, not only about worldview but also about personal values, family relationships, and the meaning of life itself. While it may initially seem like a simple tale of sword fights and brutality, deeper analysis reveals a wealth of thought-provoking themes. Kentaro Miura masterfully portrayed human nature through the lens of merciless demons and raw brutality. Additionally, the manga’s art style is filled with historical, cultural, religious, and architectural references, creating a uniquely immersive universe.

この世界には 人の運命をつかさどる 何らかの超越的な 「律」 神の手が存在するのだろうか 少なくとも 人は自らの意志さえ 自由には出来ない
What determines the fate of mankind in this world — some invisible being or a law? Like the Hand of the Lord soaring over the world. At least it is true that a person has no control even over his own will.

— Kentaro Miura