The Surreal Nature Of Berserk

[@alexenterprises1]

Rest in peace, Miura. MUSIC USED: All of the listed songs below without a title originate from this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWrIgnyLnL-dmNE (0:05 - 0:50) 1:39:12 (0:57 - 1:47) 1:40:42 (1:50 - 2:53) - Zodd 2 (2:55 - 3:58) 1:42:47 (4:03 - 5:55) Berserk PS2 - Dusty Battlefield (5:58 - 8:46) 1:34:18 (8:50 - 9:20) Berserk PS2 - Spiritual Woods

[@hectic_heretic2924]

@@fritosoldier9284 I'm ok if Berserk doesn't have a true end... I'm just glad I got to experience the journey.

[@bluespiritrecords1709]

I swear to God every good anime analysis channel is run by an Australian with a calm voice

[@alexenterprises1]

Thank you very much, however, I am British haha. You are the first to think Australian though, so congratulations.

[@Royce399]

The way he pronounces "blood" is exclusively British, mate.

[@0Shanna]

Also how he says detail: "deTAIL" instead of "THEtail".

[@mauriciobustamante5568]

You were talking about MaxMoeFoe, right?

[@izukumidoriyaisssss3049]

@@alexenterprises1 hey, I'm British. Yet when I talk on voice calls. People think I'm Irish

[@ZenoCiti]

I love griffith as a character because he also perfectly represents how if you cant accept where you are you'll always aspire for more and never be satisfied. And that relates heavily to constantly aspiring for more material goods. It's a pretty shallow observation especially sense it's like stated outright about him but it's a cool character traight

[@dessertstorm7476]

the impending sense of doom and sudden surrealism is what made the 1997 anime so memorable. The manga may be superior in many ways, but I think the anime added to this particular aspect of the franchise, even the choice of outtro music gave the original anime a very weird, unsettling tone.

[@Virjunior01]

Phlegm Atic word. I've written friggin papers in response to Alex and others' 2016 analyses, but the music was probably my favorite thing in 97. From the garage-punk intro "Tell Me Why" (Miura liked the Penpals, and modern anime is a corporate product that uses intro music to launch musical careers in partnership with record labels), to the outro.... my god, that outro. I sat and thought about it... didn't take long. Here's what I'd come up with 2 years ago: The duet of male and female, accompanied by slow, easy accoustic guitar, reminds me specifically of the credits page on old Hawks scanalation torrents. The scene was like the old Chrono Trigger campfire scene... yellow lighting from the fire, everyone winding down, and one party member as an outlier (Magus/Guts). Judeau is playing a lute or lyre or something. I imagine that 97 outro as the end of one of the Hawks' post-battle celebrations, as most of the others have turned in for the night, or passed out drunk. The only ones left up are Judeau, who's playing, Caska, who's singing, Pippin, who's ever watchful, and Rickert, who loves and admires them all so much. And of course, Guts is behind a tree, listening & thinking, but finally relaxes, sinking into Caska's voice as she sings... something she would never do in front of the whole company... just her closest companions. It just feels RIGHT.

[@Lugbzurg]

Oh, yes. If it weren't for the 1997 adaptation, we wouldn't have such iconic masterpieces of composition like Forces!

[@Odinsday]

The ending song in the final episode still haunts me.

[@Virjunior01]

DustyO'Rusty i would ask you to sit and listen to the full 9+ minutes of "Murder," on the 97 soundtrack. It's gorgeous, evil, heartwrenching, contemplative and killing.

[@Virjunior01]

Lugbzurg hirasawa's just wonderful. If you're a bit younger, i'd urge you to go back a little bit and listen to Ryuichi Sakamoto. He did a fuckton of anime soundtracks, and one of his most famous was "Wings of Honneamise." Either way, he had music that felt good to listen to on a record player.... with actual records.

[@Virjunior01]

A great job as always, alex. One thing, though, that i feel people have always missed... As Guts was held down and forced tonwatch Caska's rape, all the Apostles were still as statues. You can see in the 97 version that Guts moves forward INTO the talon that took his eye. He was unable to turn away, nor did he want to. In his berserker rage, even pinned to the ground, he still found enough strength to inch forward towards his objective... his right eye be damned. Why would it matter? He'd already hacked off an arm with a broken sword in an attempt to save his love. I think that's an extended layer to the whole story. People often say "he gave his arm and lost an eye." Fuck no. He willingly gave that eye up.

[@wedoliveinasocietydowenot]

I gotta rewatch it now.

[@stuffwithsoph8264]

I'm an Artist, and I have studied surrealism a bit- and once I saw Miura's work I instantly fell in love. Each pen stroke has a bit of life- the use of negative and positive space- the detail and the subjects which are on their own typically disgusting, look beautiful when drawn by Miura.

[@shapes9495]

Sophia Kotsariadis no way did i just run into you on here

[@Lavenderstripedtail]

Another great piece. You hit on some really great points with Fantasia and Falconia. Worded these vague, unsettling feelings far more precisely than I could. And yeah, as someone who had been thrown into the 1997 anime with no context on what Berserk is, the Surrealist de-construction and Trauma of the Eclipse was the most jarring thing I've ever seen in fictional media. I read the manga straight after. The pages depicting Casca's rape and Gut's helpless rage and agony were even more horrific than the first time around in the Anime. The set up in the Golden Age arc leading up to this was masterful in how much more cruel the overall outcome was, because of these established character arcs/development, etc.

[@Virjunior01]

J. K. Same here, back in 2003. Also, @alexenterprises1 , your notion of Falconia's falsehood is correct, of course, but the deeper element that's had me from the get is that people have SEEN some of the horrors. I don't know if anyone's seen that Demon Dome (never really seen but once in the manga), but the general populace HAS seen monstrous Apostles, and obviously, soldiers other than the New Band of the Hawk/Sonia have seen/felt the horrible presences of the lower-tier Apostles. I think the greater theme to sum that up is that humanity will sacrifice some morality/turn a blind eye or deaf ear in order to ensure their own security. Sure, Griffith is a beautiful Jesus-man who can reunite the spirits of the dead with the living, but he's followed by a savage group of shapeshifting monsters who kill with impunity. If I saw Jesus walking around resurrected, but his immediate followers were an army of near immortal fucking demons, I might doubt the validity of the entire situation... and then probably accept it, as long as their actions were in my service. Bad look.

[@TurrettiniPizza]

I don't remember subscribing to you but I'm glad I did.

[@alexenterprises1]

Well, it’s good to have you haha XD

[@cesverc]

This video is top quality. Not only the idea and the themes you discussed are very fascinating, but the amount of work you put into editing the visuals is incredible. One of the best analisys I've seen on Berserk. Good job!

[@hk-4738]

*Sees new berserk video from Alex* *Channels Dooku* "I've been looking forward to this."

[@jarednunes3263]

Sixten the Nihilist Can't escape prequel memes

[@isenbert]

Falconia will be sacrificed, just like what happened with Void and skullknight.

[@alonsoJ2002]

gonna be crazy if that happens. hopefully miura's team continues the manga

[@LacedWithOreos]

Nothing could've prepared me for it. My brothers warned me NOT TO WATCH IT but I still did anyway. It was an amazing experience and I couldn't stop thinking about it for a solid week, wondering about the fate of the characters. I've since been up to date with the manga and just....wow. The fact that the Eclipse crosses my mind and still makes me shudder to this day, more than ten years later, is a testament to Miura's artwork and writing.

[@alexdelarco]

Your channel is one of the best I've found in a long, long time. I especially love your Berserk videos. Keep it up, man.

[@MaxPaynefan1]

Griffith wasn't always cold. He felt for his comrades and that smile was more of a "goodbye thank you for everything" type of smile

[@MaxPaynefan1]

S D I'm talking before he transformed

[@NotExplicable]

Yesss another Berserk video

[@bluelamboblackpresident6111]

Just clicked on this thinking it was an old video I missed but now I've depleted my stockpile of your videos again

[@alexenterprises1]

Oh no haha. To be fair, I plan on uploading more often from here on out so you won't need to wait too long thankfully :)

[@bluelamboblackpresident6111]

AlexEnterprises1 Really great to hear. There aren't a lot channels that do good Berserk analysis. Looking forward to future videos.

[@D13MONstudios]

Great video as always, man. It's sad what happen to Casca, but I believe she will find her way back to Guts. It will be long, but it will happen.

[@alexenterprises1]

Great to hear from you again man. I completely agree :)

[@edwardgaines6561]

D13MONstudios We all love Casca. The question this video raises...will Casca love what Guts now represents? (The Eclipse.)

[@Virjunior01]

Edward Gaines she'd have to be as single-minded as he is. Dunno, man. Seeing her come back was a wonderful relief for my heart. Even my long-standing depression went away for a moment. She was so stunning and gorgeous... our Valkyrie was back. Then, at the end of that chapter, the dread we'd all felt since Skull Knight asked his question came slamming into my chest like a runaway forklift. I love Caska... I don't want to see her suffer anymore. It was bad enough seeing Judeau and Pippin go, but dammit....

[@edwardgaines6561]

Virjunior You're the first person I know who referred to her as a Viking. Nice! We DO know that Casca is deadly serious, and she commits her all to her goal. (Griffith.) It's something that she and Guts had in common all along, but even the readers don't see it until say...Volume 6. Here's hoping! 🍺

[@Virjunior01]

Edward Gaines really? Is she not Valkyrie as fuck? My first thought upon coming across an incredibly, impossibly powerful or driven woman is "Valkyrie."

[@Ultimateprototype13]

I was so bummed to see this off your channel a while ago, but I’m glad to see it back!

[@mangosdangoes6144]

Your channel deserves more subs

[@mimszanadunstedt441]

Randomly been recommended this video cuz watching other berserk vids, I think this is what will get me to keep up more persistently with the manga.

[@daniellorence2743]

Thank you for making another Berserk vid!

[@mariorebelo1644]

Congratulations again, dude. The pacing of your videos and their structure are fantastic and produce very chill ambient. Keep up.

[@spired8890]

This was fantastic. Loved the other examples you drew from which inspire the weird surrealism in Berserk.

[@alexenterprises1]

Thanks Spired! I appreciate it 👍👍, about to watch your new video as we speak :)

[@Camilothegodfather]

Awesome video. Loving the description of the setting. Berserk is always a great topic for analysis!

[@joegappa937]

Excellent video, man!

[@ASHEN_ONE_GAMES]

That was deep as is the lore in the world of berserk.

[@Kirramagic]

This was fantastic mate! Well done! ^^

[@alexenterprises1]

Thank you very much :)

[@rustyshackleford5553]

Berserk: when a big sword isn't phallic enough. Hell, I'd say the Dragonslayer least phallic thing in berserk.

[@dear_totheheart]

I’m very grateful I found your channel, all your videos are so analytical and meaningful, I highly appreciate this much more in-depth approach and discussion of often mature, moralistic, artistic, and darker series. I hope you’ll continue on in this fashion and even consider discussing series such as Gankutsuou, Le Chevalier D’Eon, Seirei no Moribito, Monster, etc. as I think you’d enjoy them and offer a unique interpretation

[@uso_Jus2SmooTh94]

Of all the moments of rage in anime history. Nothing will compare to Guts witnessing all that went down in that hellish situation.

[@Mohammed645]

Dude! That was beautiful

[@alexenterprises1]

Aw thank you so much - it's people like you who get me to keep this up :)

[@Mohammed645]

AlexEnterprises1 Damn it dude, now I'm blushing Why did you do that

[@minch333]

Oh my God, I hadn't noticed until your zoom in, but Casca's iris as she looks at Guts *is* the eclipse, with Guts right at its centre. Fuck me...

[@Alexdrummer11]

It´s a better day when i see this on my notification bar. As always a pleasure to watch you delve into the world of Berserk...

[@alexenterprises1]

Thanks for joining me Alexandre, a pleasure to have you 👍🏼

[@death-metalhead6818]

Wow this was another awesome video! Thanks a lot! Now during the video I had a thought about the idea of evil: What if the key to defeating Griffith is to dismantle the facade Griffith has built up right in front of the entire population of Falconia? Thus the idea of evil will create a new desire to destroy Griffith because of what all human are desiring?

[@justbny9278]

The idea to destroy evil, the idea of good?

[@chrislee4322]

Ive never seen/read Beserk but whoever wrote this and drew this, very well may have an understanding of what hell is like

[@170morley]

Dope video dude

[@kainslegacy78618]

Delusion is attractive, not because it changes the reality around us, but because it changes how we feel about it.

[@marvinarthur8705]

Here I thought oh great another in a long line of videos about the greatness of the Golden Age and horror of the eclipse. Then you surprised me including nearly every other arc and focusing on Falconia then bringing it up to the current Casca and Guts storyline. Great job of keeping things current and topical.

[@alexenterprises1]

Thanks Marvin, I'm glad to hear that that's how it came off. I think I'm beginning to agree with you - the Golden Age has more or less been covered from every angle at this point and so I hope to mix things up a bit from now on :)

[@marvinarthur8705]

Great to hear and I have to say those Grasses look good on you. :D

[@BloodyAlucard]

Your choices in music are amazing, really adds an unique atmosphere. Could you list the tracks you've used? Keep up the good work!

The world in Berserk is still grounded in reality in some way...

[@warmac88]

Great video bro! 😎✌

[@mpartner43]

Honestly im drunk right now, but your videos are always profound and interesting. They always keep my attention which is why i am subscribing to this masterpiece of a channel. I would be happy to see Berserk getting a larger fan base in the future, so you could have more subscribers and views. Sincerely the one, the only, Mitch Bitch

[@therussiancomicbookgeek]

I gotta read this manga

[@keanuboyd7493]

Very well put together.

[@MidTierVillain]

It’s always great to see new content about Berserk- always!

[@msummers1204]

I dont have any manga which really sucks because Ive seen the 1997 Anime completely and I hate that they didnt keep going, since episode 1 I wanted to see guts as the black swordsman and it never happened. I need the manga badly

[@struggler4460]

I really appreciate this video

[@salamanderal1518]

I’m only 18 and I got a feeling I won’t see the end to berserk till I’m at least 30

[@misterlizard9832]

Cool vid, love it

[@spid3rmike117]

That last chapter of the manga when Casca finally sees Guts and is immediately reminded of the horrors of the eclipse is so sad. This whole time we just want them to be reunited but I suppose it can't be that simple. Miura needs to hurry up and start writing more chapters! lol

[@garretttownsend9333]

Casca will become the behelit sword equivalent for Griffith because she still loves Griffith. This is why her heart is bound in thorns like the behelit sword. When the time comes she will leave guts and side with Griffith, literally becoming his sword. Calling it now.

[@garretttownsend9333]

S D guts is the struggler, it would be fitting with the horrors of the past. Also that was cascas dream, to be griffiths sword.

[@Miuranger1]

Stupid theory

[@ab14967]

What's sad about that theory is that I can't even attempt to debunk it... even if she sees Griffith is truly a piece of shit... would that be strong enough for her to throw away that dream?

[@zm3616]

Garrett Townsend i can believe what you say cause of what sk said but i feel like guts will be the one to brake the cycle... well at least i hope so...if they fuck guts over maaaan i might just catch a flight to japan...

[@prolo6309]

8:49 Anyone know the song here? It fits perfectly to the images after.

[@TheBeggies95]

Berserk ps2 - spiritual woods

[@prolo6309]

@@TheBeggies95 thank you king

[@TheStengo]

analyzed it very well. Couldn't agree more

[@transmatyxx]

Cant wait for the next one

[@arrzbit2678]

Finally new berserk video

[@crozraven]

Great video, but you kinda forget some of the surreal locations when the god hand angels got summoned by other soon to be apostle like the count. I think different god hand will have different kind of realm/surrealism. It's pretty much according to their (god hand angels) bestial theme.

[@melissagarcia3998]

Great video!! 👍👍👍

[@randyroo2]

It wouldn't surprise me if Casca became an apostle.

[@jacobhuitzil8070]

Never noticed the giant eye in the background before, love the comparison to reality and fantasy

[@widas4332]

Best berserk video,,,,you are awsome

[@AndySenpai]

Great video bro, you worked fast from when you told me you started. And are you left handed or that was someone else’s hand Hahahaha?

[@alexenterprises1]

Haha that's right, I'm a leftie. Lmao it's funny, I literally spent a month on my ass but managed to pump this out in like 4 days or so. Funny how things turn out I guess haha.

[@chilledoutorange4269]

That was amazing! Great work! Subscribed... Would love you to analyze the Conviction arc and all its commentaries on religion.

[@briansmith857]

great vid

[@willclaassen882]

The idea of evil is not cannon (yet)

[@Virjunior01]

Will Claassen how is it not? It was in the manga years ago. We saw our first glimpse when the Count refused to sacrifice his daughter, and then the full thing during Griffith's transformation into Femto.

[@willclaassen882]

Virjunior well, lets just say that specific chapter isn't cannon yet. Muira intended to leave more to the imagination before revealing the idea of evil. Therefore removing the chapter and making it not part of the story.

[@gutemberg7946]

Will Claassen the idea of evil is canon, but that chapter where Griffith meets god isn't.

[@willclaassen882]

Gutemberg Pedrosa yes and no. Your right in the fact that the idea of evil is real in the story. However, the idea of evil has not even been mentioned once in the actual story yet. We have only seen glimpses of it and assume it is the idea of evil.

[@Virjunior01]

Will Claassen IT'S THE NAME OF A FUCKING CHAPTER.

[@michaelmartingorman]

This video felt like a creepy pasta.

[@alexenterprises1]

Thank you, I love making people uncomfortable lol

[@hillmor8635]

*Were pleasant memories not the only ones brought back?!*

[@awayforthewin1325]

These videos really unearth deeper meanings in this manga

[@DeadBoyHK1]

Falconia is a great metaphor for the western world, as it is becoming, today. Just a thought

[@YantheEngineer]

now thats dark

[@aleksanderuzelac3319]

Great video, keep it up

[@silbus8670]

Хоть я и слаб в английской языке, но всё таки я смог с помощью гугл переводчика, более меняя понять Ваши мысли. Спасибо, это очень крутой анализ! Пойду перечитаю Берсерка! XD

[@josephbrantley1960]

I’ve been watching your berserk videos lately and one thing that sticks out a lot to me besides the great content is the background music can I get a link or something to the songs you use they’re so eerie I love it 😅

[@TheProjektNemesis]

Very nice break down of how Miura builds up his world in order to immures the readers in this Surrealism. Also do you mind sharing the song you used around 0:16 to 0:44?

[@alexenterprises1]

1:39:12 in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWrIgnyLnL-dmNE All of the songs used in this video are deleted tracks from the linked video. I wish they had been given an actual release as they all sound so good.

[@mentisrelapse]

I do strongly believe that Berserk a strong and wonderful piece of art and literature.

[@Ltcoombs1]

Haven't clicked on something so fast

[@mudpie6927]

*thinks that he's all caught up finds out that he hasn't stops watching

[@theunknownone5663]

this is one of the darkest book I have ever read still to this day.

[@pm2881]

great video

[@rolan5948]

Greatest manga I’ve ever read. Just finished vagabond and I still don’t think it’s better than berserk

[@thenaturalpeoplesbureau]

Behelith is real - its called a Salagrama - the magical aniconic stone of vishnu. Its called behelith because they are behelith fossils, and the fossilised shapes give them apertures (mouths) and stuff. If you get one gifted and worship one, vishnu/femto and his four aspects descend and make you an avatar! Wiki Link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaligram But i suspect nobody here is destined to have one of these, lol. You gotta have a touch of destiny! Havent seen anyone here intelligent enough to react to this... Fools!

[@hk-4738]

8:16 NOOOOOFUCKIHAVEN'TREADTHISFARYETWHYDIDIWATCHTHISVIDEO?

[@willclaassen882]

Sixten the Nihilist yes... why did you watch this lol

[@Virjunior01]

Sixten the Nihilist c'mon you fuckin donkey, CATCH UP! Shit's technically been on hiatus for YEARS! There've been years... fucking YEARS.... where we only get one or two chapters! One hiatus was because Miura got obsessed with friggin Idolm@ster. No shit.

[@hk-4738]

One goddamn volume costs almost 20 dollars where I live and I have other expenses to take care of. Save me some flak.

[@hk-4738]

If there is a place where you can read it online I would be happy to find out about it.

[@whathell6t]

Sixten the Nihilist You do realize that Berserk manga is now available in local libraries (results may vary). That’s how I was introduced to Berserk as a whole franchise when I was browsing the Art Department of the Richard Riordan Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles.

[@hcohic9884]

im pretty sure even the miura knows that most reader dont go that deep in a very deep story despite all the fantasy and your the last minute of your video makes me see few similarities between berserk and hansel and gritel the story also has different meanings and metaphors and constant hints for whats to come keeping it in always interesting

[@adolfhitlerssingleballsack7682]

Very good video

[@alphawolfun2455]

I must say that armor suits casca much better that a dress.

[@robby6382]

I love Berserk videos

[@alexenterprises1]

As do I, my friend, as do I

[@carlamarieindico3489]

is there any news for continues animation of berserk ..

[@emperorpingusmathchannel5365]

I think berserk surreality started with zodds first appearance. It may seem simple but the characters don't believe in supernatural creatures just like the reader. Guts even says "how can something like this even exist. This shouldn't exist.". It felt like berserk was in the real world for a second. Whereas in most anime, the supernatural is quickly accepted.

[@SporkBand]

I'm really enjoying all your stuff so far. Also could tell me the song from 6:00? It fit so well with the video

[@alexenterprises1]

1:34:16 on this video here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWrIgnyLnL-dmNE I try and use discarded tracks for my background music to completely avoid copyright. Berserk's discarded tracks are really good too which is a shame.

[@SporkBand]

Thank you, I was pretty certain it was a Berserk ost but I couldn't find it on the anime or movie soundtrack. At least you can use the songs without issue because they sound so unique and set a really eerie atmosphere.

[@Virjunior01]

Major Bishop berserk music is the best music. Susumu Hirasawa is Japan's David Bowie.

[@tiernand4161]

What gets me fucked up, is that if you look at Dungeons and Dragons, read its fluff and actually think about the descriptions of monsters you can see alot of parallels between it and Berserk.

[@薔薇-k2m]

1:55 where are these clips from? i havent seen it in 1997 anime

[@edtheangler4930]

They were in the anime, just briefly

[@vagabondgamur1279]

I seen berserk in the title, i already know ima like it.

[@fridonacci3478]

Guess what Nice video, man

[@GabeSweetMan]

OOOOOF. Berserk hurts so good. It makes me want to die but I can't because another chapter might come out in the next year.

[@juannaym8488]

I know this is mostly about the Eclipse but we can talk about how amazing Miura did the Pseudo Eclipse It's surreal and yet real. If the Eclipse is a nightmare, the Pseudo Eclipse is like being on a trip

[@alexenterprises1]

Funny you should comment this right now - I'm scripting my next video and the pseudo eclipse features quite heavily in it. It is absolutely fantastic and I'm surprised that I haven't talked about it till now.

[@juannaym8488]

I think the Pseudo Eclipse is my absolute favorite moment in all of Berserk at this point I am excited for your next video

[@dsingh2391]

yea the end of eclipse fucked me up for a few days

[@saku01]

We need more berserk anime and manga ASAP! 😭

[@najskarp]

Anyone else who got goosebumps?

[@eyanthefirst7383]

Beautiful

[@mmirlas2820]

I'm glad they don't talk about the Idea of Evil very often, because that'd raise the question of what the Idea of Good is up to.

[@wubologist]

if guts doesn't get happiness in the end idk how i will feel about life anymore