Starting with the Best: Berserk (1997) Anime Synopsis and Review

This infamous series starts with some of the dark and violent themes that will go onto lay the groundwork for what Berserk is. Whatever is happening in Midland is not good and morals have long since gone. Burst in the Black Swordsman, a mysterious vigilante who patrols this wretch infested land, stuns his audience by cleaving his opponents in two. His mystique is only heightened by his enraged interrogation of the last man standing as he searches for Griffith, the supposed new king.

  We then follow alongside the Black Swordsman as he brutally battles the Baron, a grotesque snake-like demon, relying on his human nature against this foul beast. With crossbow bolts lodged within the Baron’s throat, the Black Swordsman retrieves his target, the Behelit. All seems well for our troubled protagonist, until a demon interrupts his dreams. We see a mysterious Falcon-like figure that the Black Swordsman calls out to “Griffith!” before fading into obscurity. We end the episode on a flashback: the Black Swordsman is now but older than a boy, however he wields a blade as long as he is. Who is he? Who is Griffith? Find out that and more in the coming episode synopses and reviews about Berserk!

Weeb Rankings

• Narrative: 2/5 – We start off with an unnamed swordsman who tears up an inn before he kills a snake-demon. Afterwards, we get thrust into a flashback that leaves us wondering why we started here in the first place?
• Animation: 3.5/5 – That 90’s hand drawn animation looks so vibrant. The best is yet to come for this series however as some backgrounds leave much to be desired.
• Level of Intensity: 3/5 – Cleaving a man in two is a great start to the series. The Baron presents a great opportunity to showcase the main theme of Berserk, the strength of man’s will.
• Best Moment: 4/5 – Guts revealing his arm cannon to hurt the baron was awesome. He’s got a lot of weapons at his disposal right now.
• Overall – 3/5 – A mysterious start to the series that is strengthened by fits of bloody hack and slash violence!

Let me know what you think!