Berserk: Ougon Jidai-hen III - Kourin

Best of the three Saga films that we got, but it still definitely misses. The whole trilogy, but especially this film, falls so short because the studios didn't commit as hard as they should've. Some better voice acting, some better music, not relying on 3D rendering to carry you the entire time, and this could've been great.

For every beautifully, hand-crafted scene that blows you away, there's another ten (barely) okay CGI scenes. I'm usually okay with CGI in anime, and I know most people are usually pretty against it, but if it isn't even done right what's the point? It makes almost every fight scene ... genuinely unbearable, such a far shot from Berserk being known for its' best in class fight scenes from the manga.

Follows the story decently well at least. This could've been so much more.

**This review contains movie and manga spoilers**

This is pretty much a review of the movie trilogy.
I haven't finished the Berserk manga yet, and let it be known that I absolutely love it. At the moment of writing this review, I'm at chapter 228. I can't help but compare these movies to the manga, which I hold at the highest standard.

Now onwards to the movies review.

Story:
The Golden Age arc was great in the manga, and I feel like these three movies do it a certain justice, even if they do cut out what I consider to be very important parts of the story (I'll get ... onto it further ahead).
This arc is a basis for everything that comes after it, and essential for character building and motivations. The plot is great and the events are closely linked, each one propping the other.
This third movie could deliver emotional powerful scenes, such as the Eclipse.

Art:
Meh. I don't like the Playstation art that makes me feel like I'm watching a game playthrough.
But some moments were genuinely great, animation wise (the ones that come to mind are Griffith showing Guts the Behelit, and the whole Eclipse). I wasn't a huge fan of the fight scenes though.

Sound:
The soundtrack was great, I have nothing bad to say about it. Powerful and well chosen.

Character:
One thing that pissed me off quite a lot was Casca's character, because I love her in the manga, but in these movies I didn't feel the same pull, and that makes me sad. I understand it's a movie and you have to rush certain parts, but because of that I feel like her relationship with Guts suffered and didn't convey the same emotional depth and suffering as the manga did.
Their relationship is a pretty central point in the story, consequentely the story suffers as a whole because of character motivations. Casca never opened up to Guts about her dream and about Griffith. There was no Bonfire of Dreams, where Guts talks about how he wants a dream too... There was no Guts reliving and processing his trauma when he and Casca were in the woods.
And speaking of their love scene, it just didn't hit the same way. When they kiss for the first time in the manga it's just so incredibly cathartic, and the movie couldn't possibly come close to portray it.

I think Gut's and Griffith's characters were pretty solid in these movies, but their relationship is just not the same without that freaking water fight scene at the beginning... That scene is great because it shows us comedy, vulnerability, and Griffith's true character and ambitions, right from the start.

On the other hand, that one scene in the movie where Griffith shows Guts his Behelit was great. When Guts almost falls, both of them are reaching first for the thing they trust and value the most (Griffith the Behelit, and Guts his sword), but still trusting one another.
Griffith laughing and his childish and iconic smile, part of his conflicting and seemingly contradicting personality.
Griffith saying he won't change.
Him not being honest about how truly important Guts is to him.
What a sweet sweet tragedy, it makes my heart weep.

Unfortunately, Gut's past with his adoptive father was not explored at all, we do get some flashbacks but they don't contribute enough..

Enjoyment:
I definitely enjoyed it, but I think mostly because I've read the manga. I keep on thinking that I wouldn't have liked it as much and it wouldn't have "hit me in the feels as much" if I had just watched the movies before reading the manga.
It was definitely still enjoyable, and I'm glad that Berserk at least has a somewhat good adaptation, because it deserves it.

Overall:
I know it's become a meme at this point, but basically you should read the manga. If you don't want to, and you prefer just to watch the movies, that's fine, but know that it's lacking quite a lot. They're still good though.

Reviews if you don't have time.
*SPOILER-FREE*

“Berserk” despite not needing introduction is a manga adaptation with Studio 4oC at the front of animation and what an expectation did they were expected to meet by animating one of if not the best manga ever drawn. And comparing to the 3D animation disaster that is “Berserk (2016)” it did a decent job.

As far as animation goes, despite not being absolutely appalling, I can comfortably say that it was far from the quality that a manga like “Berserk” deserved. Some actions were clunky and not very detailed, the art-style was a ... lot less impactful or terrifying. The fights were mediocre and not that overwhelming as it was supposed plus, the emotions and terrifying moments that exist don’t flow or express themselves as well.

The plot is really good, or at least where it follows the source material, and the characters are unique and very detailed in a physical and emotional level. The music is actually one of the best things in the animes adaptations and is something that complements the show. Plus, in my opinion was a decent attempt to make an adaptation on a budget of “Berserk” and still did a lot better than its predecessor.

The big problem with this adaptation is that it could never reach the level of intensity or storytelling that the manga has. Each and every scene is just a reminder of how amazing a perfect adaptation could be. It is not a bad show if it was original (not saying that it would be a good one either) but the bad aspects get that more aggravated by how good the source material is.

A tasteless and vile adaptation that should not exist.

***Spoilers Warning***

Watching this after having read the manga and watched the 97 anime, I find this adaptation to be worse than appalling and a nasty insult to the story and the artist.

Shockingly pretentious CGI and horrid character rigging. The animation of the characters seem so unnatural, stiff, and puppet-like. The lighting of the film also does not capture the dramatic narrative of the story, spoiling its cinematic potential. The abrupt and thoughtless editing also undermines the narrative and characters. I do not understand how they could possibly change the art of the M.C. Escher inspired vision ... of the God Hands that Griffith had while imprisoned.

The sound effects are also tragically Hollywood-like and tasteless, especially when Casca was brought to Griffith after his rebirth. Such sound effect is, quoting Alucard from Hellsing, "so pitiful and nothing less than human excrement" - the dump of a dog seems like a fitting description. The porn-like depiction of such a powerful plot in the narrative is also immensely treacherous and offensive. Whoever directed this foul choice should be sent to the inquisition chamber at the holy ground.

Overall, the manga contains the artistic and poetic essence of Berserk. Though dated, the 97 anime is also quite true to the manga using the artist's original compositions and perspective angles. This "adaptation" should not exist.