Reviews

I would say this is a decent effort as a tribute to the Berserk series. They pretty much took the movies and split it up into episodes while adding more scenes/editing stuff to make it more true to the manga. So if you watch this you dont have to bother with the movies. I would maintain that the 1997 version is the best version overall, so definitely give that a watch. This version is really an ode to the manga readers because they include a lot of little references to stuff that happens later on in the manga past the golden age. Its really subtle stuff, but manga readers will know what theyre trying to show. It definitely bothers me the amount of important stuff they cut out from the source material and I just dont understand why they didnt take the time to extend it a few more episodes and make an honest adaptation. Like if youre new to Berserk for gods sake please do not watch this cause everything is gonna seem like nonsense to you. If you downright refuse to pick up the manga then just watch the 1997 one because its far more tonally accurate and faithful to the manga’s plot.

Productionwise, CGI in this adaptation is really wonky at times but overall the important scenes look good. I cant say I was a big fan of the voice acting on anyone in the voice cast. Guts was soo lackluster at times he barely had a presence. Griffiths voice didnt match his appearance- and dont get me wrong I absolutely love Takahiro Sakurai but this was not the role for him IMO. he didn’t properly serve the maliciousness necessary to voice Griffith. And omg this version cut out Griffiths speech in the dungeon?! That was gonna be the true test of the voice actors ability in the roleㅠㅠ so anyways i was left less than impressed on that. One Piece fans are gonna be dying laughing bc Franky voices several of the characters. To the point where it was distracting. Like I honestly couldnt focus cause I was dying at how many times I heard Franky. He was Gennon, Corkus and also a bunch of the unnamed band of Hawk members. One thing I have to compliment for sure is the sound production. The soundtrack is stunning and impactful. It adds a lot to the scenes in a way that surpassed the 1997 anime for me.

I have one major gripe with this production. The scene of the rape of casca is so abysmally portrayed that you have a bunch of meatheads convinced she was asking for it or enjoying it. I mean this is also partially Miuras fault because even meathead manga readers have been making this particular claim since before any adaptation has been made but the adaptation does even worse than the manga. Understandably it cuts out a lot of the brutality done to casca, but it should also portray her mental state better and show more of her resistance. I mean really? Having her turn her head to kiss griffith?? and the voice actress really did a shameful job at conveying her pain and desperation. Overall extremely poorly done. And its maybe the most important scene of the manga so thats a major point against it.

In conclusion, do NOT watch this unless youre a fan of the original manga. Seriously. Please dont pick this up unless youve read the manga. This production is very obviously only for manga readers and thats made clear with the abundant references to future events as well as cutting of major plot points that will lead first time viewers to be confused. For my fellow manga readers- its definitely worth seeing your favorite scenes animated and its a really short production so definitely pick this up! The references put a smile on my face, i loved seeing puck and farnese and serpico etc. Theres a lot to enjoy so give it a watch and also try to ignore the CGI💀