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When someone asked to recommend dark fantasy/horror manga, there is always one franchise that comes to my mind, and that is Kentaro Miura’s manga series, Berserk.

The series manages to maintain a strong narrative, well written characters, and gorgeous art.  Whether you’re new or old to the world of manga, Berserk is a fantastic series that will keep you hooked right from the start.

After all, maybe Miura was indeed immortal and superhuman. He is going to be forever remembered as the genius who built what is, to me and many others, the best manga and the best piece of fiction ever made. It is probably safe to say that ... if there is one work that objectively deserves the title of Greatest Manga of All Time.
R.I.P KENTARO MIURA.

The animation in this movie is gorgeous, the CG blends a lot better now with the 2d animation, and a certain character that didn’t show up in the ’97 anime makes an appearance here even if only briefly continuing with the trend that started in the end of the second movie.

This is my favorite part, I can't describe it. The least thing I will say is this part that will shock you! The amount of blood, gore, and vicious frenzy in this segment surpasses that of the source. The scene right after the rebirth of Griffith as Femto, the last of the God Hand, earns ... the dubious achievement of being more disturbing and uncomfortable than both the manga and the ’97 anime. There’s something oddly seductive (in a gut-wrenching sort of way) about seeing something beautiful carefully built and well taken care of become devastated and left in shambles. This is by far the movie’s strongest point.

We leave the story with Guts, consumed with fury, silently vowing to the coming dawn that he will get his revenge. From here, Berserk‘s story is only just beginning.

This film focuses on the interaction between two of the main characters Guts and Casca and the development of their friendship while fighting in the Band of the Hawk. These two characters form the basis of the Berserk series and it is their interactions and what happens to them that progresses the story. Casca is a great character and moves away from the standard warrior woman in manga and anime by having actual motives to fight alongside men rather than just being the regular chain mail bikini clad warrior. Saying this though her design does slightly drop her into this trope as she rides into ... battle with thigh high boots and armour that has its own cleavage. The voice acting of the Japanese actors is brilliant with Hiroaki Iwanaga, Toa Yukinari and Takahiro Sakurai as voices of Guts, Casca and Griffith.

Now the film is very good but what lets it down is the editing. Every so often there are scenes that seem to be missing. You will be watching it then suddenly the characters will have changed location or something would have been said that makes little sense. Overall this doesn’t affect the plot but affects the viewing experience and makes it look rather sloppy.

Overall though it is a great film for fans of the manga or any other anime fans.

This review is for those who’ve never watched/read Berserk. The opening of the movie was interesting, there is something about Guts eyes and the the directing from that point forward was amazing. there is a lot of bloodshed. After the end of the first scene you would think that Guts is unconquerable, he kinda is but there will be someone ahead of him. From that point on the story is more about Griffith and Guts’ friendship or is it a leader/follower relationship. Watch the movie, its pretty entertaining.

Personally I am a huge Berserk fan!! I’m kinda disappointed because I really wanted to see more ... of the manga in the movie. Though the directing was amazing. Its pretty much a recap of the first 10 episodes or so of the anime. It had good graphics but I really wished that they would make it like what happened after the anime rather than a remake of what happened in the anime. so yeah that’s that.

LIKED IT? GOOD. READ THE MANGA!
I love the atmosphere in this show. Every scene feels like I'm right there. I can almost smell the setting. The music is amazing (the opening is one of my new favorites) and the visuals are great, despite its more limited animation. I'm really pleasantly surprised by its slow pace. It really takes its time to develop the characters and spend time with them.

Those last three episodes are absolutely insane.

It's so good.

That summarizes it, the reason I give this an 8 is due to some lazy animation moments where it truly takes you out of the experience.
I'm a hug Berserk ... fan, and if you're reading this and you're wondering "But that ending didn't finished anything" Yup, read the manga, when you're caught up, you'll wish it never ended.