Boushoku no Berserk

Fate Graphite lives miserably as a gatekeeper in a world where skills given at birth determine an individual's entire life. Afflicted by the seemingly harmful skill Gluttony, which makes him perpetually hungry, he is abused by the holy knights—the supposed protectors of the populace—who view him as a dreg on society due to his skill. However, Fate's destiny takes a dramatic turn after he kills an escaping injured thief. To his surprise, Gluttony activates, enhancing his stats and granting him new skills.

Following this epiphanic event, Fate receives a job offer from Roxy Hart, the only benevolent holy knight in the city, which he happily accepts. Eager to further explore Gluttony's true potential, he partners with a mysterious talking sword named Greed, who warns him that Gluttony is a taboo skill that breaks the logic of the world. Now forced to live a double life, Fate must slay monsters at night to satisfy his awakened appetite for souls, lest he go berserk and lose all chances at finding happiness.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Graphite, Fate Main

Oosaka, Ryouta Japanese

Greed Main

Seki, Tomokazu Japanese

Hart, Roxy Supporting

Toujou, Hisako Japanese

Myne Supporting

Matsuoka, Misato Japanese

Eris Supporting

Sekine, Hitomi Japanese

Barbatos, Aaron Supporting

Koyasu, Takehito Japanese

Vlerick, Memil Supporting

Koichi, Makoto Japanese

Laine Supporting

Nanase, Ayaka Japanese

Lanchester, Rudolph Supporting

Fukuyama, Jun Japanese

Set Supporting

Kawahara, Yoshihisa Japanese

Oowada, Tomoyuki Producer

Kananiwa, Kozue Producer

Abe, Shoujirou Producer

Usui, Hisato Producer

Reviews

Dec 23, 2023

Shiryuu8

Recommended

This is an extremely generic power fantasy that, as others have mentioned, does nothing remarkable. While it does hit all of the cliches, the show stands to be entertaining if you are seeking a mindless show where an overpowered MC does overpowered MC things. Since this is my favorite genre, I thoroughly enjoyed the show since it has everything I want in a fantasy show. If something more complex and beautiful is sought, then this is certainly not the show. But like all shows of this genre, it has a specific audience that will love it. This is not to be watched for groundbreaking animation ... or storytelling, but generic action and magic that is done entertainingly.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Jul 29, 2024

PanzerIV-J

Mixed Feelings

Well-written

This was a good watch for the season. Simple As.

While this isn't a game-changer for all future anime to follow, it is a decent action anime with a respectable story.
However, this is where the mixed feelings come in; it is a bit disappointing with how much potential this story has, and how little the anime seems to make use of it.
This doesn’t make it a bad anime outright; it's just disappointing considering what it could've been with better production or a different approach to pacing.

- Continue on for more reasoning -

The most disappointing aspect of “Boushoku no Berserk” (shortened to “Berserk” from now ... on) is its execution. It seems somewhat lacking in its exploration of the story's possibilities. For instance, the concept of the “gluttony skill” and the diplomacy and politics within the kingdoms are interesting, but never takes the full use out of what it can be for either.
“Berserk” rushes through the story very quickly, making it difficult to care about the side characters due to the fast pacing that glosses over their development. Examples include Myne and Eris, who receive around 20 minutes of characterization across 12 episodes. As a result, Myne and Eris come off as cardboard cutouts rather than fully fleshed-out characters. If the story had expanded on them and provided intriguing backstories, viewers would find them more compelling.
But that doesn't mean the producers can't create good characters—they did a great job with Aaron Barbatos in just two episodes. Without spoiling too much, Aaron's life is devastated by monsters that take over his home and his family. As such, the time dedicated to his backstory gives Aaron superior characterization compared to Myne and Eris, due to the amount of time they focused on him to give him a complete backstory.
I'm sure Myne and Eris are better developed in the light novel that this anime adapts (although I haven't read it, it feels that way). Nevertheless, a character seen for only two episodes has more depth than two characters who are meant to be recurring.

I understand that “Berserk” has a 12-episode constraint, but I believe they could've chosen an earlier stopping point for the season to better showcase each character. The series could have adopted a slow growth arc like “Spice & Wolf” or a multi-arc season like “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.” Slowing down the pacing would have allowed for more character development, rather than skipping months of adventuring to get to the action. This results in wasted potential for a well-constructed “zero-to-hero” arc.

The main draw of “Berserk” is Fate and Roxy, they both are moderately well constructed characters, albeit they do not get nearly the same amount of characterization after episode 3. They are generic to some degree in a typical sense, but definitely have a good basis to grow character off of. You can at least understand their grievances and beliefs, even if you do not agree with them. You know why Fate likes Roxy and why he has a dazzling prince on horseback behavior for her. But when all other characters do not live up to their amount of characterization, it drives the story down. Because when these are the most grounded characters, and nothing (besides Aaron Barbatos) even lives up to their development, it makes you look at every character more harshly since they get no time for growth and characterization.

Animation-wise, it is alright. Sometimes it feels like a PowerPoint presentation with panning screens, but other times there is decent animated weapon play that looks good. The character designs are basic but not poorly done, with room for improvement in potential sequels (If this gets one).

Story-wise, the characters are portrayed as the author intended, with the ones that are supposed to be disliked done quite well. The MC has plot armor, but not to a ridiculous extent; they have weaknesses and are not overpowered like One Punch Man. However, the ending is poor, and could've been ended at a better time. Despite the rushed story and weird pacing, it is good overall.

Give it a try at least, because I feel this has the ability to have a good second season that can bring some improvements to make this a better series, examples of this can be “Clannad” to “Clannad After Story” or “Tokyo Ghoul” season 1 to season 2.

7/10. This seems like a messy first season to me, and while a 7/10 might be a bit generous, the show has an unusual charm that is likable.
I hope for a second season that can iron out these issues because it really has some charm and potential.
🗿 Thanks for reading 🗿

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Dec 19, 2023

i-like-this

Not Recommended

Funny

Not Berserk.

If you’ve ever felt slightly self-conscious about the name your parents gave you at birth, feel comfort in the fact that it will never be as hilariously stupid as “Fate Graphite”, the main protagonist of Berserk (not that one) of Gluttony, an anime 100% less generational manga than it’s promotional title font tries to emulate to trick weebs into watching it, and 100% more *sigh* light novel garbage.

Fate is one of those born with a deadly sin. The sin of Gluttony leaves Fate in a constant state of hunger, always eating but never satiated. It's not until one night when his hunger takes ... over and he eats a man who tries to kill him that he suddenly feels full. After discovering this pleasure and satisfaction he goes out into the world, eating monsters and the corrupt holy knights who oppress the people, absorbing their powers after every meal. Nevertheless, he must live amongst the populous and alongside his childhood friend, Roxy, ever fearful that his hunger might take over and he’ll eat her.

What a cool premise for a story. Shame that I made 70% of it up and it is actually another *sigh* light novel medieval European fantasy anime with a world that operates on RPG video game logic with skills, levels and states none of which matter because the protagonist is always the strongest motherfucker in the room despite always being level 1. Fate may have the skill of Gluttony which leaves him in a state of hunger but he doesn’t satiate it by eating. He just has to kill monsters or the people who bully him. He then takes their states and abilities, some of which are super useful -like telepathy when touching someone- that the show will completely forget about.

The cast is just as vapid as the world-building. Greed the sword and Myne the carrier of the skill of Wrath are pretty much one-note for the entire season. The introduction of Eris the carrier of the skill of Lust could’ve made an interesting villain if the story knew what her motivations are.
His love interest Roxy is the only holy knight who isn’t corrupt, bullies Fate and the peasants in a cartoonishly evil manner and even has romantic feelings for Fate for some reason…

Despite this story possibly being an outlet for the author to get back at his past bullies whilst getting the girl, I will admit something is entertaining about this show that keeps you watching. The tension of Fate's Gluttony going berserk is there in the first couple of episodes, but if you’re looking for a show where consequences matter this won't be for you. It would be more accurate to call the show Mild of Gluttony. Honestly, I should've dropped the show around episode 7.

Berserk of Gluttony is not a good show. Mediocre art and animation, basic and braindead storytelling and characters, and a male power fantasy made to make you feel like you’re beating up your bullies. Whilst it is entertaining if you completely turn your brain off, this is the kind of show for that teenager in the trench coat who goes up to his crush and warns her not to come to school tomorrow.

3/10 Wasted Potential.

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

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	Poll: Boushoku no Berserk Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Stark700 - Dec 17, 2023	118 replies	by Moleque »» Dec 2, 8:12 AM
	Poll: Boushoku no Berserk Episode 6 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Nov 5, 2023	52 replies	by Ezeved »» Nov 23, 1:38 PM
	Poll: Boushoku no Berserk Episode 11 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Dec 10, 2023	50 replies	by Magicmist »» Oct 9, 6:47 PM
	Poll: Boushoku no Berserk Episode 7 Discussion Stark700 - Nov 12, 2023	44 replies	by Builderb »» Oct 4, 8:55 PM
	Poll: Boushoku no Berserk Episode 10 Discussion Stark700 - Dec 3, 2023	31 replies	by Magicmist »» Oct 2, 5:49 PM