Berserk F.A.Q.

[Lucifer]

At this moment in time, I'm annoyed. So many people asking the same damn questions! So I am going to put an FAQ sticky up, but I figured I'd ask the regular members what kinda of questions/answers they'd like to see here. Once a list of questions and answers are compiled, the thread will be closed and all of you who helped will be listed.

I'd like as many of you to give your input as possible.

Thank you.

~ Lucifer.

[ZKK]

Can I contribute my link spiel? I think I've used, or more accurately rehashed it quite a few times now for a few different people... and now that the entire anime series is out and readily available to new audiences that it wouldn't have been before we'll probably see a flood of poor souls that have been hit with the ending for the first time joining the ranks here at Arctic Nightfall looking for answers to their questions and explanations, just like most of us here and done in the past and people keep doing - much I know to Lucifer's delight.

The Spiel:

Originally posted too often by ZKK
Now that you've finished watching the anime series and if you're interested in some further reading to ease the headache and possibly the heartache that is the ending and pass the time until you manage to get your hands on the manga (which trust me, you'll want to do) I'd suggest checking out the "Arctic Nightfall Berserk" page here if you haven't already for all your general Berserk needs. The "Manga Info" is worth checking out if you're totally unfamiliar with the manga - the name is self explanatory. And you can always find more up to date details about the Berserk manga and it being licensed in the States in the "Manga Frequently Asked Questions" thread here as well. If you want more, and aren't overly worried about spoilers you might want to check out the "The Aftermath" section of Arctic Nightfall to cover the usual uncertainties the ending of the anime raises and to read how things progress from there. Or another Berserk fan site, "Skullknight.net" for their rather vast "Frequently Asked Questions" section as well as a revamped and ever growing "Berserk Encyclopedia". Just be careful where ever you go of spoilers, if that’s something you care about.

Seeing as though Mr. Icefall here, and Walter and Co. over at SkullKnight.net went to all the trouble and hard work of compiling these great, comprehensive guides and pages and pages of Berserk information its a shame if they're not actually being used. Plus, if people actually found there way to and read these pages we wouldn't be discussing ways to cut back on the number of similar generic and repeat threads as well as the amount of, well flaming going on because of them right?

That being said, some topics will come up again every now and then - with different opinions or views more often then not, even if only slightly and sometimes using the search feature (though its lack of use is an issue) to dredge up all and old threads on a similar topic isn't the best thing. Opinions change, as does the amount of information we're privy to on Berserk as the story progresses; even this thread will need updating and correcting from time to time. Depends on just how old the old thread is I guess.

Finally, while I find the current and seemingly continuous stream of similar questions annoying, I don't mind replying to the threads at all. Its only right I try to return the favour and be as helpful as I can just like everyone here was for me when I first assaulted this place with my presence, which I am still I might add. But Lucifer is just too quick off the draw, too efficient at his moderating duties - before I even get to see the topic there’s that angry smiley and that big fat padlock just waiting for me.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is if there's anyone reading this that's new to Berserk and that can't find the answers to their basic questions here in this thread please don't hesitate to ask me, especially if you're unsure or can't justify making a whole new thread for them. I'll try my best to help you out and if I can't I'll let you know exactly who around here or which websites can.

[Scott]

First of all, everyone who posed a question or answer must be thanked, because without them, this thread would not exist.  So here's a special thanks to DisturbedGutz, GodHand, inorganicangelrosiel, krunkster, Lev, shin hakaida, The Lone Wolf, and ZKK.  Anyway, here's the questions everyone was tired of seeing asked time and time again.

:p

[color=A18DCD]Lucifer Edit: Thanx Hatchet and to all you who've posted so far! Keep those question coming![/color]

1.  Who is the manga by?

Kentarou Miura.

2.  How often does the serialized manga come out?

It comes out semi-monthly (twice a month), but Miura-sensei takes many breaks. Currently, he writes about 20 chapters a year (about two volumes worth).

3.  How can I get a Young Animal (YA) subscription?

Go to your local Japanese bookstore and ask for Hakusesha's Young Animal.  It's about $200  a year, on average, to import.  Not every issue has Berserk, though.  You can also order online at various places like Sasuga Books (ISBN/Item No. 0000032718).

4.  How many volumes of the manga are currently out in Japan?

Currently, there are 26 volumes with chapters for future volumes released bi-monthly in Young Animal.

5.  Is the manga licensed in America?

Yes. It was recently licensed as a joint venture between Dark Horse comics and Digital manga. The first American volume has been released and is available at most comic book stores.

6.  How many anime episodes are there?

Twenty-five (25).

7.  Is there going to be more animation?

The most asked question on these forums. Both the director and producer of the anime have said they'd love to animate more of the story, and there have been rumblings about it before but as of now, nothing concrete has been confirmed.

8.  What was Griffith's necklace?

The “thing" around Griffith's neck is the Egg of the King or Egg of the Emperor. The story starts over 5,000 years ago with man named Gaeseric. He was one ruthless badass who conquered all and killed many, with high taxes of course.  The God Hand didn't like Gaeseric so they basically killed him.  When he died he produced the Red Behelit, which got passed on from many people unto the hands of Griffith; all by fate of course.  This is how Griffith becomes a God Hand.

9.  What exactly happened during the Eclipse?

During the Eclipse, which was brought on by the Behelit, which Griffith received as a kid from a gypsy woman, the God Hand asked Griffith to become a God Hand and to reach his dream (his own kingdom).  The catch was that he must sacrifice something dear to him and the Band of the Hawk was there, so they were sacrificed for Griffith to become a God Hand.  Griffith in turn became Femto, the Wings of Darkness!  Femto raped Caska in front of Guts, and Guts in a state of rage chopped off part of his arm to go at Griffith but was pinned again then saved by Skull Knight who leaped into the vortex (the Eclipse from the outside view) who saved Caska and Guts.

10.  What are the God Hand's names?

The God Hand are the "apostles" of the idea. Man and its despair, grief, hatred so on and so forth created the idea. When Griffith is in the incubation form of his transformation to Femto, he goes to the idea and the idea tells him what I just said above, the idea says "Do as you will, chosen one" and Griffith asks for wings.  Now that I've wandered completely off the topic of "Who are the God Hand" They are the servants of the idea and they are "Void, Slann, Ubik, Conrad, and Femto."

11.  What is the brand that got put onto Guts' neck during the Eclipse?

The brand on Guts neck shows that he is a sacrifice to the God Hand.  So all the monsters come after Guts every night and it begins to bleed when they draw near.  That’s his warning sign and cue to whoop some ass.

12.  What happens to Guts after the Eclipse?

Guts lost his arm and was brought back to Godo the blacksmith's house (which was just pure coincidence) and there he received the arm cannon, Dragon Slayer, and armor, all of which is shown in episode one.

13. Zodd, what's his connection to the God Hand?

Zodd is one of the Apostle's of the God Hand.  Not much is known about Zodd except that he is immortal, hence the nickname Zodd the Immortal.

14.  Why did Zodd help Guts by throwing him his sword in that one fight?

Zodd simply wanted to help Guts win by and, ultimately, help Griffith on his way to fulfill his destiny.

15.  Why does Zodd sometimes have one horn?

Zodd initially loses one of his horns while guarding the vortex from Skull Knight during the birth of Femto. Although Skull Knight was too late to save the Hawks, he did chop off one of Zodd's Horns and save Guts & Caska.  Of course, Zodd later makes use of his regenerative abilities and reattaches his fallen horn.

Zodd later loses his horn permanently in a "dream" when he battles the Hawk of Light. Granted, it's not entirely known why Zodd cannot replace his horn after this battle.

16.  Explain the story of Gaiseric and how it relates to Skull Knight.

The tower of Windham, where Griffith is imprisoned, has a long history and if you've read the manga, at the very bottom of the tower are endless supplies of skeletons, all of which carry the brand of sacrifice.  These are thought to date back over 1000 years to the reign of King Gaiseric.  The story of Gaiseric is as follows:  1,000 years ago, the world was divided and constantly warring.  Eventually a man named Gaiseric appeared and united the people of the world into one kingdom, but something happened and either four or five angels (the exact number is debated) came down and destroyed the empire and the king was never seen again.  How this relates to Skull Knight is that he is believed to be Gaiseric and seeks to destroy the God Hand for what they did to his empire.

There are additional discussions about Skully here, Current Skeleton Knight Info.

17.  What is the connection between Skull Knight and Zodd?

Other than the fact that they are old rivals and seem equal in strength, not much is known about their connection.  Although, Skull Knight had to first defeat Zodd in order to enter the Eclipse and rescue Guts and Caska.

There are additional discussions about the pair here, Zodd vs Skully: What's Their Relationship?, and here, Zodd & Skull King.

18.  What is the demon baby?

If you've seen the anime, you're aware of two things:  Near the end of the anime, Guts and Caska get together and share a rather intimate moment and Femto, as a final humiliation towards Guts, rapes Caska in the final moments of the story.  The result of these two events are Caska giving birth to a deformed child who is Guts' son but is also tainted with the evil of Femto.  As the story continues, the demon baby ceases to exist and his body became the final element needed for Griffith's rebirth ceremony.

19.  Explain the rebirth ceremony.

It all begins on v17c7p149 when the demon baby gives Guts the following warning:

danger... hurry...
a pillar of fire stands...
blind sheep...
gather sacred ground...
the heavens...
time that they fall..
make haste... quickly.

This sets up a chain of events where Guts arrives at the tower of Albion, where Ppagans are being executed left and right for their lack of faith.  The moutain of corpses eventually cause someone with a behelit to sacrifice his body in exchange for a perfect world.  The behelit apostle is born.  Amidst the chaos of the insuing battles and Guts' attempts to rescue Caska, the tower of Albion begins to fall apart and takes the appearance of a hand.

People begin to lose control and become uncontrollable beasts and, from the top of the tower, Guts sees an endless amount of fires that resemble the mark of the sacrifice from above.  The behelit apostle makes his way to the top of the tower to watch the destruction and to hopefully die at the highest point in the land when he discovers the demon baby.  Feeling compassionate for it, he devours it so they may die together.

He makes his way to the top and begins to syncronize with the tower as shadows of the God Hand watch from the fingers (it parallels the Eclipse).  Inside the behelit apostle, the demon baby reaches its maturity and the behelit apostle smiles as a crack forms in his head and the tower collapses.

Zodd appears on the scene and destroys the invading Kushans and Skull Knight points Guts to the hill where the ball of light has become Griffith.

[Scott]

20.  What is the whole Hawk of Light/Dark Hawk prophecy about?

According to the book of revelations in the story, and from our friends over at SkullKnight.net, when the sun dies five times, a red lake will appear to the west of a new city with an ancient name, and this is a sign of the coming of the fifth angel/messenger of God.  The messenger is the Hawk of Darkness.  The Hawk is the master of the sinful black sheep and the king of the blind white sheep.  The one who will bring the age of darkness. It is believed that Griffith is the dark hawk but is posing as the hawk of light.  The prophecy hasn't been delved into too much other then Shirke referring to Griffith as the Dark Hawk when she first sees him.

21.  What is the Beast of Darkness?

As Guts becomes deeper and depper engrossed in the interstice, his rage and hatred continues to grow.  He becomes a killing machine without a conscience.  After his confrontation with Roshinu, Guts' rage began to manifest itself as a wolf-like creature called the Beast of Darkness.  As the Black Swordsman, Guts and the beast were one entity, but as Guts began to feel the consequences of his actions, the beast began appearing more on its own.  The beast is the equivelant of the devil on the shoulder to Guts.  It is constantly telling Guts to kill Caska as she is all that stands in his way on his quest for revenge.

22.  The Dragon Slayer.

*All figures given are based off of the idea that Guts is 6'3" tall.

• What metal is the Dragon Slayer made of?

Iron. The pigmentation of the blade. The era. Hell! Godo says it himself! The Dragon Slayer is iron. Not steel, mythril, not some cosmic alloy you pulled outta yer ass. Just cold, hard, heavy and durable iron. Very fitting metal for the god of slaughter if you ask me.

• How long is the Dragon Slayer?

The Dragon Slayer is about 7 feet give or take a few inches. 5'3" for the blade and 1'7" for the hilt. If you notice, in the mangas the size of the sword varies quite often, especially in the earlier issues. Sometimes the width reduces and the length increases or vise versa. I have compiled this FAQ on the most likely, most realistic and most common size of the mighty sword. Many might debate my figures and as far as I'm concerned they can "debate" it till they rot, these figures are probably the closest yer gonna get with out some bogus charts and graphs an some metallurgy professor/berserk fan boy shovein his opinion down your throat.

• How much would the Dragon Slayer weigh?

Heh, well, if you were ta take the big slab of iron that it is and shove it on the pole Guts calls a hilt. I'd say about 366kg's. Now I'll be fair and count in the master forging put into the blade. The hollow up the middle interior of the sword for the hilt to secure its self about three quarters up the blade. The grove up the middle exterior of the blade for less wind resistance and less weight. But even then, (and I'm bein real fair on this one) it would be no less then 250lbs.

• Is it actually weildable?

I'm sure someone might be able to lift it, but weild it as a weapon? No.

• Could something like the Dragon Slayer actually be forged?

Hmm... It's really hard to say. With all the machines and computers out there, it could probably be done... Probably. It would be some crappy ass zinc/aluminum alloy collectors item that wobbles two and fro, weighs about as much as a child and cost as much as a kingdom. But, they might be able to do it.

• Now what you should be asking is if anyone would do it. The answer is, unlikely. The amount of money for materials would be a draw back; the size would make shipping a real bitch not to mention the call for such a sword is very limited. There is not much profit to be made off of a Dragon Slayer replica. Rather, if anyone were to make it, you would need a master Smith with an amazing repituar and knowledge of alloys. It would be a labor of love or some sick joke to play on the person who asked him to make a sword like that. As for the time to forge it... I doubt it would take any less then, three years? Yeah, about three years of very hard work. I do have an email address of a man that might be able to do it though: godo@nevergonnahappen.com
  
  
• Moral of the story kids, a Dragon Slayer hanging off yer bedroom wall will leave you waking up to a slab of dry wall on your face and Dragon Slayer in yer gut... And a hefty repair bill.

[ZKK]

Berserk: Anime and Manga comparison *spoilers*[/u]


Episode 1: The Black Swordsman

Covers:
- Chapter 1 of volume 1.

Alterations:
- Removed: Guts' encounter with the Apostle that killed Corkus.
- Removed: Guts being captured, and subsequently tortured.
- Removed: How Guts and Puck first meet.
- Removed: First appearance of the demon child.
- Added: Godo mending the Dragon Slayer.
- Added: Girl in place of Puck.
- Added: Guts being tormented by spirits, and visions of the God Hand.
[/list]

Episode 2: The Band of the Hawk

Covers:
- Second half of chapter 2 of volume 4.
- Chapter 3 of volume 4.
- First half of chapter 4 of volume 4.
[/list]

Episode 3: First Battle

Covers:
- Second half of chapter 4 of volume 4.
- Chapter 5 of volume 4.
- Chapter 1 of volume 5.
[/list]

Episode 4: The Hand of God

Covers:
- Chapter 2 of volume 5.
- Part of chapter 3 of volume 3.
- Chapter 4 of volume 3.
- Chapter 1 of volume 4.
- First half of chapter 2 of volume 4.
- Start of chapter 3 of volume 5.

Alterations:
- Removed: Guts being picked up by Shizu, and Gambino's mercenary troop.
- Removed: Scene of Shizu's death from illness; Guts by her side.
- Removed: Gambino showing remorse for having scarred Guts' nose.
- Removed: Donovan molesting Guts, subsequently Guts killing Donovan.
- Removed: Guts being picked up by another mercenary troop, following fending of the wolves.
- Changed: Point at which Guts' nose is scarred.
- Changed: Scenes sequenced out of order.
[/list]

Episode 5: A Wind of Swords

Covers:
- Chapter 3 of volume 5.
- Start of chapter 4 of volume 5.

Alterations:
- Added: Entire scene involving the raid on the supply depot (not in manga).
[/list]

Episode 6: Zodd the Immortal

Covers:
- Chapter 4 of volume 5.
- Chapter 5 of volume 5.
- Chapter 6 of volume 5.
- Chapter 7 of volume 5.


Alterations:
- Changed: Caska, Judeau, Pippen, Corkus and Rickert don't get to see Zodd.[/list]

Episode 7: Sword Master

Covers:
- Chapter 8 of volume 5.
- Chapter 1 of volume 6.

Alterations:
- Removed: Yurius and the Minister conspiring.
- Added: Beginning of the castle siege (not in manga).[/list]

Episode 8: Conspiracy

Covers:
- Not covered in the manga.

Alterations:
- Added: The castle siege (not in manga).
- Changed: Yurius and the Minister conspiring added out of place.
[/list]

Episode 9: Assassination

Covers:
- Chapter 2 of volume 6.
- Chapter 3 of volume 6.
[/list]

Episode 10: Nobleman

Covers:
- Chapter 4 of volume 6.
- Chapter 5 of volume 6.
- Chapter 6 of volume 6.
- Most of chapter 7 of volume 6.

Alterations:
- Removed: Guts likening the relationship between Yurius and Adonis, to Gambino and himself.
- Removed: Caska seemingly realizing Guts had something to do with the assassinations.
[/list]

Episode 11: Battle Engagement

Covers:
- Remaining scene of chapter 7 of volume 6.
- Chapter 8 of volume 6.
- Chapter 9 of volume 6.
[/list]

Episode 12: Two People

Covers:
- Chapter 10 of volume 6.
- Chapter 1 of volume 7.
- First half of chapter 2 of volume 7.
[/list]

Episode 13: Suicidal Act

Covers:
- Second half of chapter 2 of volume 7.
- Chapter 3 of volume 7.
- Most of chapter 4 of volume 7.
[/list]

Episode 14: Campfire of Dreams

Covers:
- Remaining scene of chapter 4 of volume 7.
- Chapter 5 of volume 7.
- Most of chapter 6 of volume 7.
[/list]

Episode 15: Decisive Battle

Covers:
- Remaining scene of chapter 6 of volume 7.
- Chapter 7 of volume 7.
- Chapter 8 of volume 7.
- Most of chapter 9 of volume 7.
[/list]

Episode 16: The Conqueror

Covers:
- Remaining scene of chapter 9 of volume 7.
- Chapter 10 of volume 7.
- Chapter 1 of volume 8.
- Chapter 2 of volume 8.
- First half of chapter 3 of volume 8.

Alterations:
- Removed: The Queen's affair with Yurius; her true motive against Griffith.
[/list]

Episode 17: Moment of Glory

Covers:
- Second half of chapter 3 of volume 8.
- Chapter 4 of volume 8.
- First half of chapter 5 of volume 8.
[/list]

Episode 18: Tombstone of Flames

Covers:
- Second half of chapter 5 of volume 8.
- Chapter 6 of volume 8.
- First half of chapter 7 of volume 8.
[/list]

Episode 19: Parting

Covers:
- Second half of chapter 7 of volume 8.
- Chapter 8 of volume 8.
- Chapter 9 of volume 8.
- Chapter 10 of volume 8.
- Chapter 1 of volume 9.
- Chapter 2 of volume 9.

Alterations:
- Removed: The first meeting between Guts and the Skull Knight.
- Removed: The conversation between the King and Griffith - as well as torture - after his arrest.
- Removed: The King molesting his daughter, princess Charlotte.[/list]

Episode 20: Sparks

Covers:
- Chapter 5 of volume 9.
- Chapter 6 of volume 9.

Alterations:
- Removed: Duel between Guts and Silatt at the competition.
- Removed: Silatt commanding the group attacking the Hawks.
- Added: Time spend with Godo and Erica; added out of sequence.
- Changed: Originally Guts is informed of the Hawks' fall from grace by the Duke, at the competition.
[/list]

Episode 21: Confession

Covers:
- Chapter 7 of volume 9.
- Chapter 8 of volume 9.
- Chapter 9 of volume 9.
- Chapter 10 of volume 9.
- Chapter 1 of volume 10.
- A scene from chapter 2 of volume 10.

Alterations:
- Removed: The second duel between Guts and Silatt.
- Removed: Additional dialog between Caska and Guts.
- Removed: Previously shown scenes with Godo and Erica.
- Added: Random group of enemies for Guts to face, to fill the void left by Silatt.
[/list]

Episode 22: The Infultration

Covers:
- Remaining scenes of chapter 2 of volume 10.
- Chapter 3 of volume 10.
- Chapter 4 of volume 10.
- Chapter 5 of volume 10.
- Chapter 6 of volume 10.
- Chapter 7 of volume 10.
- Chapter 8 of volume 10.
- Chapter 9 of volume 10.

Alterations:
- Removed: The Princess's direct involvement and participation in Griffith's rescue.
- Removed: Skull Knight saving Rickert from the Apostles.
- Removed: The history of Midland and Gaiseric.
- Removed: Additional dialog between the characters.
- Removed: Scenes involving the King.
- Removed: Guts, Caska, Judeau & Pippen having to face the Baakiraka while escaping the castle.
[/list]

Episode 23: Eve of the Feast

Covers:
- Chapter 1 of volume 12.
- Chapter 2 of volume 12.
- Chapter 3 of volume 12.
- Chapter 4 of volume 12.

Alterations:

- Removed: The Apostle Wyald and his Black Dog Knights.
- Removed: The Hawks battle with the Black Dog Knights.
- Removed: Guts' duel with Wyald.
- Removed: Zodd's second appearance in front of the Hawks.
- Added: Pursuing Midland army to substitute for volume 11.
[/list]

Episode 24: Eclipse

Covers:
- Chapter 5 of volume 12.
- Chapter 6 of volume 12.
- Chapter 7 of volume 12.
- Chapter 8 of volume 12.
- Chapter 9 of volume 12.

Alterations:
- Removed: Rickert and Puck being present nearby the Eclipse.
[/list]

Episode 25: Perpetual Time

Covers:
- Chapter 10 of volume 12.
- Chapter 1 of volume 13.
- Chapter 2 of volume 13.
- Chapter 3 of volume 13.
- Chapter 4 of volume 13.
- Chapter 5 of volume 13.
- Chapter 6 of volume 13.
- Chapter 7 of volume 13.

Alterations:

- Removed: Skull Knight and Zodd clashing outside the Eclipse.
- Removed: Skull Knight interrupting the Eclipse.
- Added: Epilogue; Guts leaving Godo's home.
[/list]

Heh. Is that any help?
I know, I know... I have too much damned time, right? Sorry. :p