Anime of the Month (November 2007) - Berserk

[JShaggy]

In a close race this month, the fans have chosen the classic hit Berserk as this month's Anime of the Month. Here's a brief synopsis:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/ency...es.php?id=3057

In the castle town of Midland, a new king has come to power through treachery and violence. His demonic agents victimize the citizens relentlessly, until the night a battle weary soldier approaches the city. Covered in a slew of weapons and countless jagged scars, he calls himself the Black Swords man. The sword he carries is the as big as his grudge against the king, and he hunts the servants of evil with unending vengeful fury.

The complete series is out right now from Media Blasters. You may now discuss the series, keeping in mind that any and all potential spoilers be kept in spoiler tags like this:

Spoiler:

Midland burns down

Also, don't forget to rate the series when you're finished, unless you want your head to be cut off.

[GingaDaiuchuu]

Buying the DVDs is the only way to see it right?

No TV or anything?

[Zeonic Freak]

I think my blockbuster still carries the DVDs for rent, not sure.

I know a couple of years back a friend of mine in HS showed me some ep of Beserk, or just the gory parts, which were awesome...

[Space Cadet]

Buying the DVDs is the only way to see it right?

No TV or anything?

Yeah, you have to buy the DVD's, unless the BS&P for Adult Swim allows the show down the road.

I think a while back, Sci-Fi tried to get the airing rights, but nothing came of it.

[Mynd Hed]

Buying the DVDs is the only way to see it right?

No TV or anything?

I've seen it available for rent in a surprising number of places, considering that it's a niche title that's very much not for the squeamish. Most Blockbusters seem to have at least the first couple volumes, and it seems to be a standard part of the Hastings rental library as well. Or there's always Netflix if you swing that way.

...by the way, just in case anyone's missed the few subtle hints I've dropped here and there, I bloody LOVE Berserk.

[Ian]

I don't see what the point is in spoiler tags for the anime, considering the series is five years old, complete, and that we are, after all, in its discussion thread--seems like that would relegate any substantial discussion to spoiler bars--but I'll play along.

Berserk is awesome. One of the few manga adaptations which I feel has some thought behind it, instead of merely retelling the same story and hoping that what worked on paper works on screen. Despite its ending, it manages to tell a complete story, and tell it well.

I do, have to wonder, though: how would the series have been received if it had tried to be as violent and hard-core as the manga? The anime is bloody, sure, but nowhere near the manga. The final scenes from the last episode seem almost tasteful, while in the manga those same scenes made me downright uncomfortable.

Also: "Who aaaaare you?" "I'm Batman!" Awesome.

[Gutss]

Saw this thread on a members sig, glad to see berserk is still appreciated by so many!

[Juu-kuchi]

Berserk is very popular in Japan and the US, as it allows men to enjoy sadomasochistic, homo erotic fantasies in the safety of a 25-episode series.

Anyway, I really enjoy Berserk. It's good to see it get an Anime of the Month nod, and yet be on the market for like... half a decade or so. I just wish the manga would eventually end soon, but given Miura's fascination (I think that is the case) of a similarly long drawn-out manga and his focus on themes of causality, I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

[DBZNarutoWarrior]

I've heard of it before, and it sounds pretty good. I wish it was on t.v. though so I wouldn't have to buy anything.