BERSERK: A Blind Review - THE CONVICTION ARC

[@kaelbeuk1]

About the Lost Children comment, I feel having a character like Guts as a secondary character has a huge impact on the myth it creates. He becomes a force of nature, lurkking in the background and sometime exploding for all to see. Only to flip this vision we have on its head an arc later. Great.

[@charlest.4723]

He's like a fantasy mad max, amazing when he's the main character, amazing when he's a side character.

[@kingdoom5022]

I am surprised people disliked the lost children arc , its the second best arc in the entire manga after golden age and better than conviction arc or the kushan arc which have very disappointing ending

[@kilonzok7803]

You put it so well!

[@TheMemeXp1]

Lost children arc featuring Guts from the Berserk series

[@user-ns3nj1jr8h]

@@kingdoom5022 dont want to be that guy but lost children's is a part of the conviction arc

[@Ash_Wen-li]

While I do love Cracks in the Blade, I think it's quite unfortunate that a Feeble Flame always gets overlooked. It's the chapter where Guts really takes Godo's lesson to heart. In it, Godo takes Guts sword (which has cracks) to reforge it. Guts who has always had a sword by his side is unable to fall asleep without it. And it's been like this ever since Donavan. However, if we remember, the one time he slept with Casca he was able to fall asleep with her by his side. With her as his sword, rather than Griffith's, he was able to finally find peace. But now, without his physical sword he's forced to come to terms with the idea that he lost his spiritual sword in Casca. He tried to use revenge to console himself as a substitute sword, but doing so caused more harm than good. And now with his new conviction, his sword is finally reforged. Edit: For me Cracks in the Blade and A Feeble Flame are two halves in a whole just like Wounds 1 & 2

[@cloudbloom]

Yessss nailed it👌

[@Commandosoap777]

A fellow Yang fan? A man of taste

[@nivyan]

Just re-read A Feeble Flame, and you're totally right. Not only was Cracks in the Blade rejecting "typical shonen protagonists", but A Feeble Flame tells *us* how to redeem ourselves after we've missed our chance or been misled. It is a life-defining realization, not to lose hope in despair and keep fighting for what is important. I live with chronic depression and I regret not reading this chapter when I was diagnosed. It'd have convinced me that there was light at the end of the tunnel, that as long as I kept fighting for what was important, everything would be okay. This is the kind of chapter that makes people quit their jobs and do what's important, couples to break-up and the abused to rise - all for the hope of a better life. To me, without any doubt, the strongest message in any fiction I've ever experienced.

[@Branded.Schnoz]

Agreed, I love Guts' inner crisis in A Feeble Flame---how can he move beyond what happened during the eclipse and put aside his hate for Griffith and the apostles? But he has to, because his failure to do so cost him Casca, maybe forever as far as he knows then. So he swears not to lose her again, and they aren't empty words either; he really, actually _changes_ from that point in the story...but compartmentalizing his hate also introduces the beast of darkness in that very chapter, something that won't ever leave him alone. It's brilliant stuff all around

[@roberthaughn487]

FEEBLE FLAME IS SO GOOD BRO. That final panel is goosebumps. That, Cracks, Wounds, and Confession are my four favorite chapters in the manga so far.

[@smjaiteh]

“Berserk is the ‘50 First Dates’ of manga” is a sentence more cursed than anything Miura ever made up.

[@Kaladryn2781]

Sent shivers down my spine.

[@lukeseguin1875]

All I could think was he has no idea what the roller coster of the last 10 or so years of release felt like. Tho I honestly had the same experience, I had to re read parts of the story when new chaps came out, and fell in love with the story every time.

[@nivyan]

I understood that reference ...and it made me feel old af

[@6Grimmjow]

50 First Dates is one of my favourite rom-coms.

[@nivyan]

@@6Grimmjow That and 😍10 I hate about you are *so* good... and weirdly both have 2-digit numbers in them.

[@adulttswim6676]

Editor san is gonna have to sacrafice us to the eclipse if the quality is kept up this high this consistantly

[@AxxLAfriku]

IT is weird indeed. Everywhere I comment, people tell me how much they love me and my content. Sometimes IT is annoying. But right now, IT would be okay. So say something nice about my content, dear as

[@adulttswim6676]

@Editor-san Haha, legend himself. Keep up the good work.

[@Yuki_Ika7]

Don't give them ideas!

[@azertyqwerty8398]

@Editor-san Great job ! Using the Blasphemous ost was genius, I would never had thought about it. It goes perfectly with the parts about the pseudo Spanish inquisition, and yet no one ever expected it...

[@Rirawl1]

This arc has my favorite quote about fanatism, Serpico says "There's something not quite right here. But, his argument was faultless".

[@CasualGamerJay]

I never understood people's gripe with Isidro's character, or the comedy relief in Beserk. I love this series more than any other but it definitely needs its comic relief; this is an incredibly dark and harrowing story, and it needs to have lighter moments to offset this. Puck and Isidro (as well as their dynamics with some other characters that come into the story later on) serve this role of comic relief perfectly. I'm glad that you pointed that out in this review. Great video, glad you're enjoying the series!

[@nivyan]

I think it's mostly edgy teenagers and people who are bored with typical shonen anime that feel that way. Kind of like how Jojo is popular for very different reasons than before it was animated.

[@greedisland3756]

@@nivyan What do you mean?

[@Branded.Schnoz]

I agree, but my frustration with Isidro comes more from how little change he goes through. There's that one part during the troll fight where he struggles with his lack of meaningful contribution to the group, but then he kinda gets over it immediately and doesn't really have a character arc after that.

[@leowei771]

Yea, I feel like Isidoro really helped the tone of the manga since it gave a much needed relief. Not to mention that we already had enough dark stuff up until that point, so Isidoro and puck presence felt like Miura slowly lightening the story up (And later on, three other characters, as well as the general tone of the manga moving from dark fantasy to emphasize more on the fantasy part.

[@tylerlackey1175]

@@nivyan "I think [self inserted stereotype] about people who have a different opinion than me" Classic. A real classic

[@trenco13]

Have been painfully awaiting for this arc since the last berserk video came out. This has become my favorite piece of media ever. I thank you mark so much for introducing me to my new favorite anything ever!!!

[@ragingguts]

Welcome to the fandom and this amazing journey berserk will take you

[@trenco13]

@@ragingguts Its my senior year of high school and I’m so glad to have such a great story to pass the time. Thanks for the welcoming.

[@Phatnaru0002]

I wish it could have come just one week later tho. It came right before what's arguably the best Naruto arc. I'm happy for Berserk fans, but I'm massively blue-balled right now

[@trenco13]

@@Phatnaru0002 lmaoooooooooo, i don’t know why but I’m not interested in the naruto review. Don’t get me wrong I love the show, but I don’t really feel like watching reviews to a show I’ve been watching since I was a kid. I read a arc of berserk and then I wait till mark post his video on that arc to continue reading. Should I read the naruto manga cuz I’ve only seen the show?

[@josephs.4813]

I swear the Conviction arc is slept on. Black swordsman is classic, Golden age is epic, and Falcon of the Millennium Empire is insane but for whatever reason when I think of Berserk I think of the Conviction arc. It’s just so good.

[@shalomedome1614]

I think it’s slept on because it only got one anime adaptation. Everyone knows berserk for it’s golden age for sure since it’s had more than 2 anime adaptations now.

[@mikethe2nd890]

Isn't Berserk so damn EPIC and huge in scale?! God I fucking love this masterpiece. RIP Kentaro Miura

[@mikethe2nd890]

@Mana have never met another arab before who also read Berserk! XD at least not in my social circle.

[@justthebest2531]

@@mikethe2nd890 arab here

[@DarkHarlequin]

Reliving the chapters with Mark and how great this series is always has this lingering sadness in the background that we will never see its conclusion. How very fitting to the tone of Berserk 😅

[@mikethe2nd890]

@@DarkHarlequin It's sad to know that we'll never see the conclusion of this story, but I'm kinda satisfied with what we got, especially in the last couple of chapters. Berserk to me is just like Frank Herbert's Dune, a massive fantastical world with an epic and masterfully written story, but both not having an ending!

[@mikethe2nd890]

@Mana I guess that's why we're here on youtube reliving the story through Mark and others, just because the people around us are not competent enough to pick up and read this masterpiece. God knows how many times I recommended it to my friends! but I guess not everyone has the same interests as you.

[@dracosfire7247]

Isidro is great, I love his contrast to the world we’d seen. I’ve stated before I appreciated Puck for his role in the story, and yet I never loved him, as he is constantly tone-breaking. Isidro however, feels like a person in the world, rejecting the dark tone and creating a lighter one for himself. He changes the tone instead of breaks it. He’s more what I enjoy in a comedic relief character.

[@SnailHatan]

I loved early Puck. He was a great contrast and insight into Guts, but quickly devolved into nothing more than the comedic relief. Such a waste of potential. He really could have become a true best friend to Guts and wound up a pet instead.

[@JuliusCaesar103]

This arc is special in a way that I cannot overstate, Cracks in the Blade is an all time great moment, Guts reuniting with Casca is an all time great moment, Griffith's rebirth is an all time great moment and Farnese, who starts out as an edgy bitch and goes on to have one of the most incredible character developments I've ever experienced, making her the most underrated character in all of Berserk. Berserk is just too good, unfinished it may be, that does not stop it from being the best piece of art and writing I've come across, Miura shall never be forgotten.

[@astrojeet]

Farnese is not underrated at all. From what I've seen most people say she is the best written character in the entire story. I wholeheartedly agree. And yes Berserk doesn't need an ending to be considered the one of the best pieces of art ever created.

[@JuliusCaesar103]

@@astrojeet I guess from what I've seen everybody concentrates on Guts and Griffith, while Farnese fans are a small but loud community. I'm always happy to see more love for such a great character.

[@astrojeet]

@@JuliusCaesar103 Well, she's a supporting character after all while Guts and Griffith are the main two characters. So they will be talked about more. Doesn't mean they don't love Farnese.

[@JuliusCaesar103]

@@astrojeet could very well be, but Guts and Griffith are titanic characters which overshadow most oc the rest of the cast. So on the whole, there are less people who love Guts and Griffith than Farnese. It's how it usually is with every series.

[@CharzaKitsune]

You've done it, Mark You've made me laugh hard enough that I *don't* skip the mid-episode Ad-Read

[@HanmaHeiro]

I often look forward to his ads cuz they are unique. I hope it doesn't apply too much pressure to him having to write such good ones

[@air-headedaviator1805]

*G-fuel*

[@thomashoughton7392]

@@HanmaHeiro Idk why he'd feel the need to be pressured, most people skip them, as I do. He gets paid anyway.

[@monkeyd.nathan2827]

Imagine if more companies hired people like mark to do their commercials we would actually probably buy the products more

[@HanmaHeiro]

@@thomashoughton7392 It's not about him feeling a need but having pressure applied for continuously writing funny ads like that. In the sense that he doesn't get burnt out keeping up that level of creativity. I normally fast forward in every mid-vid-ad on other KZbinrs but Mark makes them silly and fun so I like them, not when they are interjected during an emotional part of the review like part 2 of HxH. So I just hope he keeps it fun for himself, which seems to be the case

[@jp12x]

Griffith gathered a family and sacrificed them. Conviction introduces the family Guts is gathering and we see how they differ. Guts' family will be stronger than the entire Band of the Hawk soon.

[@tabulldog2743]

HELL YES!!

[@JetblackJay]

Mark never brought this up but every Apostle but Zodd were defeated against Guts not just because of his strength and strategy but every Apostle lost due to their humanity Rosine had Jill Slug count had his Daughter even Wyald let his recklessness get ahead of him instead of using his caution he had snake count his pride ect

[@JetblackJay]

@@GyaruRespecter DMT?

[@barethor5869]

What about the unnamed one he kills on the fourth page of the first chapter?

[@JetblackJay]

@@barethor5869 Lust

[@dankmemes212]

Some one just watched the same lost children review

[@rodrigoneto9162]

Pleaaase commasssss 😅

[@josefruzek4462]

Have you noticed that it was actually Serpico who "defeated" Guts, not Farnese? It´s easy to miss.

[@mrmanjumac3454]

Stick!!

[@danortiz]

Mark... what about Lady Luca. her character is about a sinful person, but she is literally the best person in the arc, she is kind, she tries her best and she is just awesome. Yes, She is a minor character but she has her own arc and she found hope and happiness in berserk world.. that's pretty awesome

[@alucard347]

I'm not sure how you can consider her minor. She is so monumental to everything in this arc and is there to be the sole viewer of all that transpired. It was to her that the egg professed his plans and sins, it's her that skull knight accompanied for a while, she is the one who found casca and spent the rest of the arc helping everyone finding her and saving her. I personally think that separating her in the climax from the rest of the group to go on her own little adventure and lay witness to what truly occured was a great part of the arc.

[@Titan1930S]

she was the MVP of this arc for sure

[@Metal-Spark]

I loved her character so much, they added huge stakes to the final battle. I knew deep down that Guts and Casca would be ok but I really feared for Luca, her friends and her romantic partner who promised her a better life (which she absolutely deserved) Luca and the knight (I forget his name) continually proved themselves to be good people and I was terrified one (or both) of them wasn't going to survive the night.

[@danortiz]

@@Metal-Spark I did too. She was a beautiful character. Strong-willed and kind, and she absolutely deserved happiness, I don't like "happy endings" because most often than not those that get it, don't really deserve it, but Luca did, she fought everyday for everyone else's life and happiness with a smile and kindness and she got a good man that would do anything for her and love her for what she is and was. Beautiful. I will read this arc again, just for her.

[@IRmightynoob]

I wonder if the Mary Magdalene parallels were intentional or accidental. Considering the absolute butchery of what is obviously supposed to be, some measure, of Catholic theology, I'd imagine accidental but who knows?

[@filipvadas7602]

Cracks in The Blade , Conviction and the next arc are honestly my favorite ones in the entire series

[@ramimoussi7438]

Cool pfp. Where did you find it?

[@lednael]

Ive started to read Berserk after I saw you made reviews about it. It is such a great time going in blind myself, and a few days later seeing you release a review of what i myself also just read. Reading "alongside" of your reviews is awesome and really fun. Keep up the great work man, these videos are golden

[@smlafayette5256]

I can't believe Mark didnt acknowledge the best horse in anime/manga history. Truly a shame. Also, that Gfuel ad might be the best sponsored ad I've seen. 10/10

[@HanmaHeiro]

Lmao I saw the panel of Guts and Farnese on the horse and immediately remembered what happens. It's too NSFW for KZbin. Well at a certain point

[@tap5263]

Ah the r*** horse, the worst thing in berserk.

[@ToneSherpa]

@@tap5263 you mean best. besides Donovan.

[@deeta000]

@@tap5263 He died for our sins. Show some respect.

[@deadwar2012]

Truly part of the top 10 greatest anime/manga betrayals. Hollowed be thy name for this horse is number 1

[@BurnerFinger1]

I described my experience to my friend who got me to read this as “Stressful”. I had never been stressed reading a manga before, and it was incredible.

[@obedulloa6219]

I can empathize with that. Reading Berserk you get anxiously worried for the characters and eager to knoe what will happen next

[@bookofsavings]

I literally found your Berserk reviews today, I just finished the Golden Age Review and now you upload the conviction arc. All is as causality wills it.

[@dakeouswoods]

I think everyone appreciates “crack in the blade”. Especially after Spired did a review on it.

[@felixgunter2178]

I personally loved the lost Children Arc, but as far as i know many people don't like it because storywise not much happens. Guts doesnt get any closer to Griffith or Casca nor anything else. The reason why many people like it is because characterwise a lot has happend. Just compare Guts before the Lost Children arc with Guts after it. So the devide between the raitings of the fanbase could be explained by saying that the characterdriven readers and the storydriven readers experienced the story differently from each other

[@ToneSherpa]

It's such a short little Arc.. I really don't get that complaint that nothing happens. Sometimes you gotta take a few chapters and let some characterization happen. This isn't a movie where every minute is precious. This is long form story telling more akin to a TV show. So, sometimes you gotta have episodes where characters work out some stuff.

[@parkermaisterra8532]

Man I’m so hyped that Mark likes the characters introduced this arc- honestly I can’t help but think they’re some of the best written characters in manga

[@JuliusCaesar103]

Hard agree my friend.

[@ToneSherpa]

Isidro won me over as soon as he started duel wielding those rocks like a damned boss. Being an ambidextrous little monkey twerp is his greatest asset.

[@strangething7379]

Can't wait for you to cover the Hill of Swords conversation next week Mark, bc tbh you could make a full video just talking about those few chapters

[@00Clank]

These G-Fuel ads are so good it’d be easy to mistake them for parody. I can think of no better way for G-Fuel to guarantee I watch each one than letting these shenanigans continue.

[@lemonzlord]

Your Berserk review series has been a masterpiece so far

[@SaiyanHeretic]

Not only does this arc introduce one of my favorite characters Isidro, whom Mark accurately identifies as a familiar shonen protag archetype, but he is very much what Guts could have been during his unseen teenage years had Berserk been a shonen series instead of a seinen series, and on top of all that, this is also the first time when Guts is protrayed in a way that is unambiguously heroic. For a guy whom actively rejects tradition notions of goodness and decency, his rescue of Casca here is almost like a perfect role model for what Isidro can one day grow up to be himself. Guts is practically setting the ideal example for a healthier version of his own young self to learn from.

[@Anonymous-du4gb]

Mark will always talk about how something is the greatest thing ever in every review lol

[@spoonabenson8762]

As time goes on the sentence started to lose its prestige and seems more like a catchphrase which he even makes fun of

[@Ash_Wen-li]

I mean Cracks in the Blade is widely considered to be one of Berserk's best chapters. Plus there's the recency bias in general

[@InfiniteFlash]

Yeah, I kind of care less about his reviews the more he says something is the best. He did this for One Piece with literally every arc being his favorite.

[@BIadelores]

I don't believe he means that anymore. I'm dead convinced it's just something he decides do for the sake of parody of himself. If he means it, he is way too easily impressed, and with way too much recency bias.

[@spoonabenson8762]

@@BIadelores I mean there’s nothing wrong with being easily impressed, means you enjoy and appreciate a lot of the stuff you read and watch. Only problem is in these review type videos the constant praise starts to rub off as being fake or insincere

[@germ187]

I LOVE the conviction arc, the art is so on point it’s amazing

[@Gusto3791]

It’s super cool that you’re reviewing Naruto and Berserk at the same time. Those were my two intros to manga as a teenager in like 2007 after I got caught up on some of the anime I was watching and wanted more. These are the two series that have stuck with me the most since then, and I’ll regularly re-read chapters of both just to get some emotion flowing in my depression riddled noodle.

[@SUPERRRSAIYANNNNN]

@@ItsMeBarnaby but game of thrones aint close to being the best tv show, nor was dora the explorer a great tv show that halfway falls to asbolute intelligence-insulting shit a more apt comparison would be: "That's like getting started with television by watching The Wire and Fairy Odd Parents at the same time "

[@nivyan]

@@SUPERRRSAIYANNNNN "but The Wire aint close to being the best tv show, nor was Fairly Odd Parents a great tv show that halfway falls to asbolute intelligence-insulting shit" "a more apt comparison would be: "That's like getting started with television by watching [Random TV show I enjoy] and [Some kids show I grew up watching] at the same time"

[@SUPERRRSAIYANNNNN]

@@nivyan aww, yikes, lmfao

[@wumbojet]

Conviction is the apex of manga writing, I'm very glad Mark's enjoying berserk. Also, I may be a weirdo for this, but I didn't hate Isidro. I think he gives us a look to a child who is a lot like guts would be had he not lose his innocence and I believe guts takes a liking to him for that same reason.

[@DarkHarlequin]

I think on Isidro there are those 'edgelords' (lovingly) that retain Berserk needs to be all Guts and bleak dark violence and suffering and the people that really like the lighter tone a character like Isidro injects. I personally find Guts on his own to not be a super interesting character. I think Guts becomes an excelent character and well written by bouncing off other characters. In Golden Age it was the Hawks & Grifith and here it's Isidro, Farness & Serpico. I believe guts needs characters that are different from him to play off so he doesn't slip into the realm of 'mythical herculean badasses' like Zodd that are very impressive but not very interesting.

[@ToneSherpa]

@@DarkHarlequin true. lone Guts is awesome (well, besides Puck being there.. he's not 100% alone).. don't get me wrong. but he can't be sustained for more than an Arc or so. lone Guts is fun and mysterious, and brutal, but eventually you have to start learning things about him and having him interact with people.

[@_b_e_a_n_s_]

i used to think he was just another little shit. later on in the manga he really grows and i now like him a lot

[@Shyzenth]

Lost children is my favourite arc and it runs deep in those who went through home abuse growing up, they can releate and that's why it is so great for many.

[@solidskullz5736]

The conviction arc is REALLY long but he’s some of the best stuff in berserk. I liked the part with the holy iron chain knights and father mozgus especially

[@obedulloa6219]

everything in Berserk is the best stuff

[@squidgod988]

it’s not that long compared to the rest, especially millennium falcon

[@venomouslizards]

Man, I can’t wait to see your thoughts on the Egg of the Perfect World and it’s relations with Griffith and the Demon Child.

[@dyllanrodriguez2828]

Dude not only are these reviews gold, those ad skits are freaking brilliant lmao. I’m mad I never really jumped on this channel sooner because your content is the type of stuff I love and you do such a ridiculously good job with these videos.

[@maxmustermann9058]

Guts vs Serpico is my favorite fight in the manga. Him using the terrain, the ledge, the sun in his back to blind Guts, goading him on, knowing that Guts is pressed for time, the pure swordsmanship and so forth. Similar to Usopp vs Luffy there is just something awesome about a often comedic, relatively weak character pulling out every conceivable card against a true juggernaut.

[@DarkHarlequin]

One of my fovorite things about Serpico that is part of this fight is that opposed to the never relenting Guts or the proud Zodd or so many other characters he has no attachment to pride in fighting. Guts is all 'I have beaten all your tricks now I have the upper hand' and Serpico is just "Yip bought enough time, this fight is turning on me, I'm out! Why would I stay and fight you when you have the upper hand now?" Love that and how it characterizes and contrasts Serpico 😄💕

[@kurosakikun96]

It really is one of the more overlooked aspects in Berserk, Guts may be absolutely insane in terms of feats but he is still ultimately a human, but him in a situation where it's impossible for him to fight and he'll die just like anyone else, brains can beat brawn when they're made of the same stuff

[@RaiderSym]

I really like the editing in these blind reviews, since the editor has already read/watched the material the editing is airtight when Mark alludes to a character or future arc. It makes these videos so rich to me, and the editing humor is top notch. You’re wonderful Mark and Editor-San, please keep up the outstanding work!

[@Sinsystems]

One thing I loved about this Arc's ending was a bit at the ending, mainly the refugees who blindly followed faith by rushing to the tower for safety were the ones that died while those that instead searched for true safety (via places with fire/light) rather than blindly trusting faith were the ones to survive.

[@jeremiahbennett3004]

I have a feeling Miura didn't like religion, catholicism the most, honestly the worst part of what they do in the arc is that THEY REALLY DID IT, LIKE IN HISTORY THEY DID THAT SHIT TO OTHER PEOPLE!??!!!

[@Sinsystems]

@@jeremiahbennett3004 I can understand that. Honestly my personal thoughts on religion has always been that it often has good foundational moral values, but often those get twisted as varies groups try to utilize the influence of Religion to their own ends and that then is compounded as people who fully buy into the twisted version get power.

[@gibbysplendid3725]

It’s a tricky situation, religion. It provides people with something that guides their actions from an unseen authority. The rules or laws of such are typically related to the environment in which it develops. Co-aligning with sociopolitical values which also develop with and around it. It’s necessary to have such authority shared because it provides a leader or ideal to work together under. The problem is it allows people to shirk responsibility and accountability from their actions. It takes these two things to be truly good. I think that “god helps he who helps themselves” is the single greatest point overlooked in the judeo-christian zoroastrian perspective. We must help ourselves by taking care of what and who we value fate takes care of the rest. It is merely the best we can do.

[@mrcheesemunch]

@@Sinsystems Yep, religion is always corrupted by people in the end, it's good in concept but we'll probably never get it right. As far as I'm concerned organized religion is pointless, powerful and charismatic people will always be able to abuse those in need in to creating the world they want. However, belief in a higher power in general is fine. I feel like God is such a weighty concept that everyone deserves their own interpretation, none of us have met any God, none of us know better than the other.

[@yup7380]

@@Sinsystems Agreed, I feel that is one of the main messages. Don't twist the teaching of your religion into something that only benefit yourself in order to further your selfish agenda.

[@LeMasterofSwords]

Ahh man Farnese does one of the greater 180s I’ve ever seen. I hated her for so long but then after a while during following arcs she became one of tbe best characters

[@Jebus4910]

Fully respect splitting the review as Conviction is so thematically bloated (in a good way) that it doesnt leave much time to talk about the characters/narrative within the confines of 30 mins. Cant wait for Mark to experience the arc with the best art and my personal favourite.

[@psychedelicmagikarp]

I'm glad someone else finally likes Isidro, I love that lil scamp

[@GoatLuffy_97]

Watching this review and remembering the awful disaster that was 2016 Berserk, I can't help but feel hopeful we will one day get a beginning to end anime adaptation that treats Miura's life's work with the respect it deserves. RIP Miura-sensei💔

[@robadob55]

I don’t think an anime can feasibly catch the nuance that the manga produces. The golden age movies did ok but still didn’t have the impact the manga conveyed

[@InternetMoron69]

The sponsor was handeld well, the skit made me lol. And the video in all merits was great. Thanks for the content Mark.

[@mrcheesemunch]

You should try Devilman for your next more dark orientated series, it's an underrated gem. Turned a lot of tropes on their head even though it's like 50 years old now.

[@nackskott12]

I feel like Devilman and the ending of Zeta Gundam were both an influence on the Eclipse. They were both divisive when they were first released but they changed everything about what was possible in manga and anime.

[@phongstar751]

Berserk has some of the most developed characters in manga. Farnese is one very good example. She is a brilliant character.

[@JuliusCaesar103]

Farnese is incredibly well written

[@philippesauve9376]

Editor san working with just the manga panels my god I'll say it again you are a master of your craft and the flow between your editing and mark's narration gives the perfect flow in every video that you guys are making..... keep doing your amazing work and I'll be watching all your videos that comes next

[@HarrisonTOtto]

Keep the reviews going man. Berserk made me reevaluate my relationship with manga, but also with fiction in general. Never before had literature made me feel the way that Berserk made me feel. The Conviction arc has some of the hardest hitting moments in the series, along with some of the greatest chapters. Enjoy.

[@elaenim]

He said the line… he said it

[@Alexander-kc8oq]

My life is complete

[@elimichaud901]

I love how niche berserk is online. It allows me to enjoy the story and characters without anyone “poisoning the well”. I love characters like isidro and puck, but i feel like their sense of humor and antics could be somewhat divisive within the community. But i never see stuff like that so i just get to keep being happy!

[@bosH0g]

I love Tower of Conviction, it feels like an exciting disaster film. And it works because it gets you to care about a large cast of characters before putting them in peril, something I didn't believe was possible after the abject nihilism of the Eclipse

[@AgeOfDanarchy]

100% you have the best ad breaks on KZbin, skits as an ad in an already amazingly paced analysis.

[@Ash_Wen-li]

The King is back! Mark, maybe when you're done Berserk you can consider monthly Vagabond reviews?

[@ethanthao3704]

He'd probably really like it but left disappointed like the rest of us...

[@Ash_Wen-li]

@@ethanthao3704 I know what you mean, but it's 100% worth reading for any manga fan

[@ethanthao3704]

@@Ash_Wen-li oh definitely! If it was completed it'd probably be a modern masterpiece.

[@ethanthao3704]

@Editor-san Hey man, thanks for all the good work.

[@layman_1822]

Aye, How good is Legend of the galactic heroes? i watched the first movie of it just today. Excited for more

[@franciscotorija2672]

This arc is my favorite out of the whole series I don’t really know what’s so fun and brilliant the characters felt so natural along with the relationships they made and the actions that came along

[@emptank]

Yeah it just occurred to me that Mark reviewing Berserk and Naruto at the same time is like alternating between reading the Harry Potter series and the Dresden files. With the occasional HP lovecraft story thrown in for good measure.

[@obedulloa6219]

I think I've fully rewatched each Berserk review at least 10 times, the first one maybe around 20 times. Let's go for more.

[@scobe1295]

Huh didn’t know the lost children arc was so divisive, it’s one of my favorite parts in the entire story.

[@deeta000]

I wish these could be longer, or more frequent. There’s a lot of story/characters that are never mentioned and it feels like you’re barely scratching the surface in these reviews.

[@JerkingtheGerk]

Dude Farnese’s character development might be my favorite as the story goes on.

[@jomb0_]

The advert cracked me up so damn hard, keep these style of adverts! They flow naturally, this should be an inspiration to other youtubers!

[@supremefankai5480]

The Egg of the Perfect World is such a sad character. Out of all the apostles and their transformed spawn, he just wanted to be seen as human, and no one did. So he decided to remake the world,even if it killed him.

[@MarissaChillya]

YOU'VE READ AOT NO REQUIEM?! I WORKED WITH THE TEAM ON THE TIMELINE! OMG IM SO HAPPY :)

[@bigorna4875]

I think that it was a great idea letting the conclusion of the arc to next episode, to better explore it. I hope to see something about Griffith overall character, since he comeback, and you haven't said much of it

[@NiyiDaNinja]

Now you've caught up to where I am and now I can't allow myself to get left behind. Haven't read this series since 2019 for some reason and I'm excited to continue off

[@kurosakikun96]

This comment section shows how many people have only jumped on this channel in the last couple weeks, considering how Mark has been doing monthly Berserk videos since his DB reviews. Aaaaanyway, the note on Casca treating Griffith as a religion to compare her to Farnese actually got a laugh out of me, considering the religious order she follows literally worships Griffith indirectly with their whole "Hawk of Light" thing

[@obedulloa6219]

Still I would say what she feels for Guts when she joins him us very similar to what Casca felt for Griffith. The big difference is of course that Guts doesn't want to be deified like Griffith thus becoming a more healthy admiration from Farnese

[@aakashaggarwal685]

Glad to see you enjoying cracks in the blade chapter so much, can't wait for you to react to bubbles of futility

[@RenzyTheGreat]

“I loved every single character in this arc” Me: I fucking hate Nina, now and forever

[@28_ranggaclio]

Understandable

[@DarkHarlequin]

Taht's like saying 'I hated Geofrey in Game of Thrones'. Means the author/actor did their job very well 😉

[@paperbackwriter1111]

Doesn‘t mean she‘s a bad character.

[@RenzyTheGreat]

@@Entropic_Meat_Machine is that before or after she personally invites a guy who likes her to a weird, cult orgy and then sends the ppl there to kill him all because he was justifiably freaked out about what they were doing?

[@mrmanjumac3454]

I wanted her to bite it soooooo badly!! I am anti-Nina!

[@chefjack16]

I love Marks reviews. Berserk is one of two Mangas I have read multiple times and its great to relive it through the eyes of a professional reviewer (especially with that amazing editing). I hope that at some point in the future Mark will read "Kingdom" from Yasuhisa Hara (the second Manga I have read multiple times), which has great political intrigue, awesome fights and emotional scenes that will make you cry.

[@Jebbtube]

When you finish Berserk (whenever that is), consider reading Vinland Saga. It's very similar in style and tone, but is historical fiction instead of dark fantasy.

[@TheMarmboy]

That or vagabond 😌

[@scotcheggable]

@@TheMarmboy Vagabond is genuinely amazing and it saddens me that the author basically said he had no interest in continuing it.

[@FoxDie77777]

Man... that scene when Gatsu saves Caska from the goat dude is like one of the only scenes that came up really good on the 2018 adaptation.

[@pkn6569]

Heartbreaking and terrifying arc real intrested to hear what you think!

[@facelesshalo5174]

I loved the lost children arc, and I strongly feel it was absolutely necessary. Not just to Guts' Story but to the world building. We get to see what other people in the world see and feel more consistently.

[@TuskyBaby]

I think you HAVE to check out Vagabond once you're done with Berserk. I'd be interested to see you tackle it in a similar manner.

[@DJMilez]

Lmao that intro was perfect. Not sure why everything you read is "THE BEST THING" ever echoing the THE BEST THING I've experienced read from any of your previous vids lol.

[@pietrocastagnaro5043]

Since I subscribed, I have been living my life one Berserk review at a time

[@Jonsoner]

What I like the most about the conviction arc is the change in perspective. With as little spoilers as possible, in the conviction arc is a fight for physical survival, and to rescue Casca. Afterwards it becomes a battle of emotional survival and cleansing. Man. Doggo Guts hits super hard man. If you know you know.

[@ProtoZealott]

Sooo, between volumes 21, 22, and 23 sits a rather odd piece of side media in Berserk's story line. That of course is the Dreamcast game Sword of the Berserk, the first officially translated and released piece of Berserk media in the west. The entire story for it was penned by Miura, but as to whether or not it can be considered canon is still contested. Overall, the game's plot is decent, but it only really has one notable moment that potentially changes how you perceive Casca's plight. It's never mentioned in the manga, although the manga does have a couple very slight background throwbacks to it (like a mandragora looking thing in a panel), so again, it's hard to say if it has any real relevance. But it does fit into the overall story without any massive plot holes, and is a fun piece of side media.

[@hiimswiss2930]

props to the editor for using Danheim when building up to Guts appearance at the cult scene. *clap clap'

[@timbuter5373]

Yay Potato Casca thumbnail

[@halowaffle25]

I realized something about Berserk while watching this. I don't know how I didn't see it before. The series - The ENTIRE series - is based around how we as people interact with fantasy. Fantasy as in our own fantasies. The entire story is about Guts rejecting his fantastical idea of himself and the world around him, and coming to terms with the real world. Being happy with his found family in reality. Griffith of course gave in entirely to his fantasy of himself, rejecting his human reality. He found true power by doing so, but in exchange became empty and haunted. It's kind of beautiful. ...Ironic that the story ends in fantasia too, haha.

[@Crunchysopa52]

that truly is what it's based around/about tbh!

[@tylerf8518]

Commenting to help with the algorithm

[@xanderfoley6641]

Serpico is so underrated it’s crazy. I love him almost as much as Judeau

[@fromrawn9303]

I have no idea where you read that not a lot of people like 'The Lost Children Arc'. Literally every place of discussion revolving around Berserk that mention this part of the story is in love with it. They especially mention the relationship between Guts and Jill, the dark fairy tale aesthetic and of course, the best fight in the series, Rosine.

[@smlafayette5256]

when I was younger and first read it, I was disappointed in the lack of "Guts kill thing", but after a couple years and rereading it, I realized how beautiful it is, so I think all of the dislike for it is because it wasn't what people expected. Either that or they saw the butchered anime version of it, lmao.

[@Ragnellrok]

I've heard before people see it as filler but I think mainstream consensus has changed as it's integral to Guts' characterization, too bad Jill never reappeared, Miura excelled ar writing characters back into the story

[@bigorna4875]

I've seen a lot people praise the overall story, but complaining that is too isolated from the rest, giving an air fillerissh to it.

[@NuxyrYT]

First time on this channel and the ad in the middle is amazing, I didn't even feel the need to skip it. EDIT: I didn't notice how well Blasphemous music goes with Berserk! This video is great.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Aside from Miura's views on religion, the conviction arc Definitely shows the morality of humanity- is a sinner horrible or those who persecute them? I haven't been this hardpressed with the subject matter since Devilman and other Go Nagai manga; which Miura is a definite fan of!

[@The_Universal_Friend]

Mirua shows the worst in religion and, realistically all those things did happen.

[@IRmightynoob]

@@The_Universal_Friend The skewed view comes from the idea that he shows the worst without anything to compliment it, which, as he has done a fantastic view of giving a good parallel to every other subject matter gives off the impression he thinks that religion holds nothing but contempt and an excuse to absolve yourself of bad choices. Nobody was denying bad things have been done in the name of religion, what is being said is that he only shows it at its worse without a foil.

[@The_Universal_Friend]

@@IRmightynoob I know no one was denying it

[@banonKING]

I love all the characters introduced in this arc. Seprico, Isidiro, Farnese, and even the often ignored Azan!

[@ketchupketchup6393]

I feel like a certain horse scene was skipped Mark

[@gpkool1]

I got to get back to reading, you're about to be where I am at, and I can't have you spoiling my own favorite story edit: Mark, Editor-san and anyone else working on these video's you guys are amazing, I love everything from the review to the G-fuel ad, I don't think I could skip anything in these video's even if I watned to. Honestly the G-fuel ad's never miss either, I'm here for the review and then even the ad just adds to my enjoyment more than it reasonablly should.

[@joseystrife8780]

#barrelgang can we get that trending 🤣 You know I've watched a lot of Berserk video essays and I don't think I've ever seen anyone draw a parallel between Casca and Farnese before and now that you've pointed it out I can definitely see it

[@nestoreleuteriopaivabendo5415]

But the parallels are not even hidden... Guts remember directly Caska and the Eclipse as the horse is over Farnese!

[@joseystrife8780]

Lol yeah but looking back I thought it was just a new trigger for Guts like how he would get set off whenever someone touched him

[@ihaveahalfmoustach836]

To be honest i like reviewers such as you because of how you are able to explain and recontextualise the source in a nice way and in a positive way if you see one. Most people talked about how naruto is a bad underdog story but the first time you say the series you saw it a different way, how it's a destiny based story where naruto avoids his evil urges and looks at his past to change his future. How because the lost girl arc strayed away from guts it was both hated and loved. How usopp followed luffys orders and declared war without a second thought. Personally even though i have never seen this series i already know i will like this show because of its heavy theming, how guts is a blind dog running straight as a form of help but in this case he fell inside a hole and is stuck screaming and trying to find a way out. Learning to move other directions

[@InMaTeofDeath]

I legit just finished Berserks final chapter for the first time a few minutes ago...I'm not sure what to do what my life now.

[@alphaomegabeast169]

That was exactly what happened to me too. The farther I read. The more obsessed i became. It crushed me when I got caught up. Made me a believer and consider Berserk one of the greatest manga ever written.

[@johnwise9811]

Time to reread it again and again and again

[@lijlijlijlijlijl]

LMAO you're having so much fun with these commercials This one's my favourite!!!!

[@MikedieONE]

20:40 as much as i dislike the 2016 Anime adaptation. THIS scene was actually really decent executed in the show(Dispite the weird CGI stuff). the camera work is actually great here. You should check it out. The series also has an EXELLENT soundtrack and sound in general (Clashing of the sword sounds so impactful). Here is the scene: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g56wkpyjeJuiepo

[@nivyan]

Considering the sheer insanity of Miura' art - I kind of understand why they went the CGI route. There's just no animators who can do Berserk justice. It's for the exact same reason Jojo wasn't properly animated for decades. I hope we reach a point where Berserk can *truly* be animated.

[@paperbackwriter1111]

Ok, „CLANG“ is not good sounddesign.

[@Used__Napkin]

I think it’s a testament to how good this arc is that in addition to everything mentioned, there was so much I’m surprised wasn’t mentioned. Nina’s continued struggles trying to do good despite her nature, best girl Luca, Skull Knight becoming more of an active player in the story as opposed to an ethereal third party, the egg of the king, and Mozgus carrying out his will of saving people from evil even in death. So much dope shit going on alongside Guts fighting tooth and nail to reunite with Casca. Conviction is up there for my favorite arc of the story, and unfortunately the later material just didn’t resonate with me as hard as it or the earlier chapters.

[@teamshow5256]

Would be a bit strange but has Mark ever thought of doing light novel reviews?

[@obamabinladen3031]

Excellent review/analysis aside, that has to be one of the best ads I’ve ever seen

[@jtp2r]

When's the next video of this series?

[@Cavi587]

Every time you upload these I remember just how important Berserk is to me.

[@TDay-uk6dq]

i still prefer one peice but it keeps getting closer

[@_n9913]

You know we are in for a treat when Mark talks about berserk again.