Story 10/10
From the very first episodes it became clear that this was not gonna be the usual shounen show I've seen before. Such violence, such darkness, such rage! I mean, how can you possibly predict what to happen next in this medieval world? As already mentioned, the first episode didn't really impress me, but it quickly gets interesting as we start following Guts through his harch adolescence. The disturbing relationships with some of the other troop members plays an important part in what eventually happens with our main character. Then not many episodes in, the fatal meeting with Griffith. It's from here on I think the story really becomes unique. With excellent storytelling, we follow both these magnificent warriors together with their troop Band of the Hawk. The wars and battles continue, but now with more characters we get even more drama and conflicts. A fatal turning point halfway through had me really shocked, which marked a change in the relationship between the main characters. How could this happen between Guts and Griffith, who have been working so well together for so long? I became very engaged from here on out, to see what will happen with them both, as both characters had grown on me. And man, the last episodes of Berserk is absolutely amazing. Without telling how it ends, let's just say that what happens came as unexpected, thrilling and quite disturbing. A great cliffhanger ending, that immediately made me start reading the manga.
Characters 10/10
If there is one thing in particular that made me love this series, it must be two main characters Guts and Griffith. Those two are, without doubt, some of the deepest and most fleshed out characters I've seen for a long time. Already from the first episodes I developed strong empathy for Guts. He experiences so much violence and suffering, that it shows clear effects on him. Guts get's a tough personality on the outside, a violent killing-machine on the battlefield, he has so much rage built up inside, so much anger. And then, he meets Griffith... the perfectionist, genius Griffith. He is the person everyone looks up to, since he truly is a great leader and strategist. Good looking and polite, with a goal of seizing his own kingdom and become king. Together with Guts and Band of the Hawk, Griffith believes that this dream can be reached. From the moment those two encountered each other, I knew that the chemistry between them would be something special. At first Guts seems to dislike Griffith, but that eventually changes into admiration, where he sees Griffith as a friend. Griffith on the other hand always seemed to have a liking to Guts, when key things happen that changes the relationship and view they have on eachother...
Let's not forget Caska, who is a strongwilled woman that plays a very(!) important part in this story. She was already a respected swordswoman under Griffiths lead in Band of the Hawk when Guts arrived. At first she isn't willing to accept Guts, since she admires Griffith and becomes jealous of Guts, who is seemingly 'better' than her. She acts tough towards him for a long time, but various things happens, and she eventually changes and grows feelings for him. Hard on the outside, we get to learn about Caska's past, which just like Guts' were harsh and not easy to grow up in.
Sound 9/10
During these Berserk episodes there could be long in between the music, but man, when 'Guts theme' and 'Earth' was playing in the background...wow. Definitely some of the most emotional and beautiful theme soundtracks I've ever heard, made many scenes unforgettable. Need I say more? The only minus is both the OP and ED, which both sounds like untuned guitars that doesn't really fit the series. Otherwise this section would've scored 10/10.
Art 4/10
Here we have the lone reason why I don't give Berserk perfect score. Sure it's an old series, but should that justify that for major parts of episodes, the background looks like painting? I remember several scenes, where the characters are talking, and the background is just filled with either a badly painted gray sky or pale looking buildings. I got used to it though, but still below average.
Naturally, there is a lot of fighting during all the wars and battles. I loved how they don't hold anything back and let the blood splutter around, but the animation fluidity should have been better. Some times when Gats fights it looks good when he swings his sword, but the majority of fighting scenes in Berserk aren't much to speak of. A lot of stand still pictures when the warriors fight on the battlefield, and the one-on-one battles consists mostly of one hit with the weapon, then back to stand still, then another swing. It doesn't have the fluidity that would've made it more enjoyable.
What makes up for the animation is the character artstyle. Everyone looks very realistic human like, and you can clearly separate each and every minor to major important people, as they all have their own looks, with characteristic details.
Enjoyment 9/10
In the end,it didn't matter that the animation was so bad, cause so much else made up for it. The dark athmosphere combined with rough violence made me quite exited, and with such an original story I never got bored. Unlike many other anime I've seen, the important characters here really got severely injured and were in danger of dying. Several scenes where Guts or Griffith spoke of their dreams were unforgettable. I can still picture them in my head together with the beautiful music that fit so well. This anime has characters you get to know very well, you get to hear their thoughts and will see them show strong emotions. What happens in Berserk is truly something you will get moved by and get feelings for yourself.
A must see anime, wether you are strict with animation or not - it's worth it.
