The very first time I watched this anime, I didn't really think much of it. Just another cool anime that I went by. Then again, I was 8 years old. As time went by I started to slowly get back to the manga series and rewatched the anime series more and more. Each of those times my impression of the series was raised. I found myself watching and enjoying new things I noticed within the series that I hadn't before; whether it was a background character or the meaning of a quote, each was equally wonderful for me. Enough about myself though, let's get back
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to the review.
Story - 10
At first glance, this anime can easily be branded as "Man vs Society". With Guts, our main character, struggling in his days to find himself through the only thing he knows: Battle. That reason alone tells just how much this story is more "Man vs Self" than "Man vs Society". Sure, he has his run-ins with people, but not of much significance to the main conflict.
When watching this anime, I never once felt that things were going too "quick" or too "slow". Even with sudden timeskips, you somehow feel that they had good reasoning for them. Things in the story never felt forced like you find in a lot of old anime. Sure, the main character(Guts), is powerful, but you never really see it as some gift that he suddenly gained; it's more something that you know he worked hard for. Even with Guts being as strong as he is, they still made sure to make it clear that there are more powerful ones out there, and that he is not going to win "for the sake of plot".
Art - 9
Even for it's age, I felt that the art could have easily been a 10 if there hadn't been a repetitive use of constant still frames. I'd love to be able to ignore this one small "flaw" but I felt that it was necessary to point out. That "small flaw" is pretty much the only complaint I have. Despite this complaint, I still found the art really enjoyable. From the character designs all the way to the backgrounds, they always knew how to set the mood with the art. It didn't ever feel overdone or too "lazy".
Sound - 10
Even with the art leaving a good impression and effect on my mood throughout the series, the sound definitely tops it. When the sound wanted me to get excited, I was excited. When it wanted me to get serious, I got serious. There was no limit to how easily the sound affected my mood. It was as if they had found the perfect music for the perfect moods. The voice acting felt a lot more real than you would think. Anger, Happiness, Sadness, etc. were never too overly-expressed and were more natural than expected.
Character - 10
This, by far, is the part I looked forward to review the most. When both reading and watching this series, the characters felt all too real. It was as if you joined the crew along with Guts. You slowly gain an attachment or resentment to each character. The bonds that are developed never felt sudden; It was a REAL process and was not the whole "You saved me so I love you now" situation. The characters were all each individual personalities that had their own lives behind them. They didn't just feel like side-characters. They felt like they each had a purpose; each with a purpose to mold Guts into this character that he is at the end of the series. As a "Lone wolf" type of guy, we slowly start to see guts gain many friendships and we feel a sort of happiness for him. A very genuine happiness that is almost too hard to explain-- but with that happiness, there comes along sadness to balance it out.
Enjoyment - 10
My enjoyment of the series was nothing but perfection. Every time I sat down to watch this series, I did not feel the time pass by. It's the type of series that once you sit through 3-5 episodes, you're bound to be stuck on it till you can no longer go on. You find yourself wanting more and more of this series till there is nothing left. Then when there is nothing left, you find yourself looking for more of what this author has to offer. This all may just be personal experience, but I know that many of us have experience something similar.
Overall - 10
Lastly I just give this series a solid 10. So far the only 10 I've given out to any series. There are probably better series out there that I've yet to find, but that day has not come. To anyone who stuck by and read through the whole review, I really recommend that you get by the first several episodes. It will be 100% worth it in the end.
Jun 7, 2016
Kenpuu Denki Berserk
(Anime)
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The very first time I watched this anime, I didn't really think much of it. Just another cool anime that I went by. Then again, I was 8 years old. As time went by I started to slowly get back to the manga series and rewatched the anime series more and more. Each of those times my impression of the series was raised. I found myself watching and enjoying new things I noticed within the series that I hadn't before; whether it was a background character or the meaning of a quote, each was equally wonderful for me. Enough about myself though, let's get back
...
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