This post was long overdue. I'll admit it wasn't till I saw a recent release by Art of War that I was reminded of the one manga series that left a burning image in my mental retinas.
Berserk.
The most epic tale to emerge from this recent decade, Berserk had many humble beginnings before it began to slowly rise to its current position. Started by Kentaro Miura in 1988, Berserk spans an ongoing 33 volumes of amazing artwork, gruesome imagery, heartwrenching plot twists, and a tale that will never be forgotten. I really can't begin to list all of the epic moments in Berserk, there are just so many (and ones that would give away the major plot twists). Many people take Berserk too early and at face value. Behind the gore and slaughter, Miura touches bases with the most complex of human emotions, the animosity of rage, and the pits of utter desparity. I have never been so single-handedly obsessed with any one series (setting aside Code Geass) for such a long time. I remember looking at Berserk statues for my collection back in my junior year of high school. It's been that long, and whenever I think about the series, a huge chord is struck within my very being.
The story follows Guts, a warrior of ill-omens, born beneath his mother's lynched corpse. He was taken in by Gambino and a band of mercenaries, only to lead a life full of servitude and war. One day, his life changes as he meets Griffith and the Band of the Hawk. Through many trials and battles, Guts and Griffith forge a relationship that transcends human comprehension. I don't want to spoil any more, but great events happen, leaving Guts with one arm, one eye, and a heart full of rage. In his current state, he can no longer sleep properly, for he is eternally pursued by demons and ghosts as a survivor of the Eclipse. Armed with his signature gigantic slab of metal, Dragonslayer, Guts continues to hack and slash his way with one goal in mind: to kill Griffith.
Twenty six volumes later, Guts emerges wearing the Berserk armor, given to him by The Skull Knight himself. This armor allows Guts to fight with ignorance to his body's limits and pain, enabling him to perform inhuman feats. When his bones break from over or unattural use, the armor will pierce his flesh and push the bones back into place. During this time, he cannot think properly and his mentality is encased in a cloud of rage, which leaves his allies prone to harm, since the armor does no discriminate between friend and foe. Why do I mention this? Because Miura stated in an interview: "Oh hey, Guts finally got the armor. The story can now begin." This is twenty six volumes in. Wow.
One of Berserk's strongest attributes is the development of non one-dimensional characters. Every person has a dark and enigmatic past, which warps their decisions and actions to very believable and twisted extents. You will see them go through the most amazing transformations, partings, and reunions that will stir the heart in opposite directions.
The last point I'd like to touch on is Miura's way with his artwork and how he captures emotion. Any Berserk reader would recognize the above page - Griffith's final look before he sacrifices everything he's known and loved to enter a whole new being. The look is so masterfully drawn: a human being with great pride, staring downwards with his gleaming eyes, full of regret, sorrow, and promise. His smile is awry, almost as if to say thanks, but sorry, as the two massive walls begin to enclose him entirely. Throughout the entire series, Miura never lets go if his most important adjective: quality. The reason why Berserk is so slow to churn out is because of the extensive amounts of detail applied to each and every panel, always mindful of textures, values, and illustrating things as ornately as possible. I actually pause and slowly read each page, lavished with eye candy.Berserk's success has spawned a line of statues (not PVC figures, fucking statues) created by Art of War in Japan. These statues are not your average action figures, they carry a weight and detail unsurpassed in manga/anime replica production. Statues of the main characters range anywhere from $120 to $1,500 and are all serialized. Some of the rarer, older, or repainted statues can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. What a hobby to follow. I currently own four (Skull Knight, Guts - The Black Swordsman, Griffith - Millenium Falcon I, and Femto) and the combined value is somewhere along $750. The one I've wanted the most (that I haven't been able to find), is Guts in the Berserker Armor. I've been looking for one at a reasonable price for about two years now. Finally, Art of War sent me an e-mail announcing their latest statue to be released:
In all of its glory: the Armored Berserker, complete with a 41cm long sword. The problem? 700,000 yen. That's $711 bucks folks, pre-shipping. There will only be 200 of these made ever. I am sad because I will probably never be an owner of this holy grail. But I am happy that Art of War released this statue, only after a year of us fans pestering them.
Berserk has been one of the greatest influences in my life. I'm not saying this shit was life changing or anything, but it's an inspiring and truly epic tale that anyone (with the stomach) should partake in.
Finals week. Finals school and Finals LAKERS. OMG FISHER!
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