Dec 24, 2022
The definitive anime adaptation for Berserk's Golden Age arc.
To preface this, Berserk by Kentaro Miura should be experienced in manga form before you embark on any anime adventures for it, IMO — please go read the manga before trying any version of the anime, including this. With that being said, the Memorial Edition anime has cemented itself as the must-watch version of the Golden Age arc.
The Memorial Edition is the best bang-for-your-buck as far as length/number of episodes and content covered. It does not cover every single event (it's 12 volumes/102 chapters of content covered in 13 episodes, so keep that in mind); however,
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it covers most major events, and for what it does cover, it covers well. It also finishes the arc and does not cut off in the middle of the climax. With over 30 minutes of additional new/extended scenes, it adds the Bonfire of Dreams and Wounds chapters, as well as other moments. Not enough can be said to compliment these additions. I don't think anyone expected the number of or quality of additions when this project was first announced, or even when it was announced that there would be additions included. With these additions also came new OST music, including a new song by Susumu Hirasawa for the Bonfire of Dreams scene. The CGI models were touched up as well, which goes a long way, especially when compared directly to the movie versions of the models. There are still some spots where the CGI sticks out, but they are mostly minimal background characters or when they are in large groups.
There was a fair amount of negative feedback for this project when it was first announced, that only seemed to ramp up at the beginning of the season. This was all done before any real changes had been allowed to be shown (the additional content/scenes came in episodes 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13), which is just plainly unfair, and a perfect example of why you shouldn't write something off so early. Especially in a case like this, where they have advertised new things to come later on. Not sure how one can claim it "provides nothing new" when they have advertised new content that wasn't in the initial few episodes, for example.
Berserk 1997 "elitists" (for lack of a better word) will still find a way to downplay this adaptation, even when 1997 has more glaring flaws than this does. Do not let it discourage you from watching this wonderful memorial project from Studio 4°C. Between the project itself and all the interviews throughout the season, you can tell the passion and care that they had for this project, Berserk as a whole, and Miura. There was no announcement for a continuation following the finale episode, but I would personally welcome a continuation of this level with open arms.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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