Customer Reviews

Berserk - Devil's Advocate (Epi. 14-17)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

(warning: this review may contain spoilers of previous Berserk discs, but excluding disc 4)

Also note, this is a review by someone who has seen only one other full anime (Cowboy Bebop, which is god),and the first discs of a handful of other animes, as well as a few movies. So I'm no "anime expert", but I know what's good, and Berserk is good.

In terms of interest, Berserk, a terrific anime, is one that picks up rather slowly. It wasn't really until the third disc that I became truly absorbed in the goings-on of the plot and the characters. In fact, if it weren't for all the praise I've heard of the anime (and the really interesting turn it took at the very end of the second disc involving the assassinations), I may not have even bothered with the last two discs. Episodes 8 and beyond, however, certainly made up for the lack of interesting plot developments before. Not only do we get some very exciting battles, but also insight into each character's past, what each of them wants from life, interesting and surprising relationship developments between them, and political intrigue and deception between The Hawks and the royalty.

Episodes 14-17 (disc 4) builds upon this with The Hawks' most triumphant battle yet, another peak at the demon from an earlier episode and a hint of his involvement in things to come, watching as Guts comes to terms with his lack of a 'dream' and his subsequent decision regarding his involvement with The Hawks (which doesn't entirely flesh out in these episodes), seeing whether or not Griffith attains what he'd been dreaming of all these years, and a cliffhanger at the very end of the disc that will leave you breathless and absolutely craving the fifth DVD (which won't be out for a while......darnit).

Basically, this is the disc where things really start to get interesting, and after viewing it I can finally understand how all the praise that got me to watch this anime in the first place is justified. It is a real downer that the disc ends on such a cliffhanger with no following disc available, but I try not to hold that against these episodes themselves, which are truly outstanding in their plot and character developments. I also feel the need to mention the rather unforgivably cheap and mediocre animation used much of the time, which in my opinion does damage most during battle scenes. But it's certainly not terrible and is something that can be forgiven, and perhaps forgotten, once you're immersed into the rich plot. The art direction is also pretty cool.

In summary, you have no excuse not to get this DVD if you have a morsel of interest in the previous episodes. It is certainly the highpoint of the show thus far, and will leave you hungry for more.

p.s. If you happen to get this DVD, do not miss out on the outtakes located in the 'extras' section. It lasts about five to ten minutes and some of them are just hilarious.

One of the most unique aspects of this series is that while it purports to be a high testosterone, kill or die trying series with the battle going to the guy with the biggest sword, it is actually much, much more. Both Guts and Caska have become strongly delineated characters with personalities and stories that extend far off the battlefield. Even the bit players take on lives of their own. And there really are stories 'off' the battlefield (or, perhaps, the battlefields are not all occupied with swordsmen. I have become increasing wrapped up in the series as it has been told, and suspect that most other action anime fans will feel the same. Definitely the best set of episodes so far.

The first episode 'Bonfire of Dreams' wraps up the previous DVD's cliffhanger ending as Caska gathers herself together for one last effort and Guts does his famous imitation of a human lawn mower. The most important development is that this changes their relationship to mutual admiration and even friendship. While Griffith does not play much of a part in this episode, he does manage to demonstrate his genuine concern for his two lieutenants, which greatly boosts morale among the White Hawks.

In 'The Decisive Battle' and 'The Conqueror' Griffith and the White Hawks do what a hundred years of battle on the part of Midland has never accomplished before - The retaking of Castle of Doldrey, from which Chuder has continually harried the Midland forces. Since the Hawks must overcome a 5,000 to 30,000 disadvantage and gain control of the heavily defended castle, this is no trivial accomplishment. It will end the struggles on the battlefields, but thrusts Griffith into a more deadly conflict - court intrigue - as many of the Midland nobles are fiercely opposed to his rapid rise.

Finally, 'Moment of Glory' finds the White Hawks welcomed as heroes, celebrated and feted. True to their natures, both Guts and Caska are uncomfortable as courtly figures. Griffith, of course, fits right in, but not as well as he would wish. At the end, we find that everything he fought for is at risk, leaving us waiting impatiently for the next DVD.

Berserk hasn't let me down yet and these set of episodes are a great. Gutts is thinking about leaving the Hawks!!! Yikes!
Also the violence has gotten a bit stronger lately.

Caska is getting mixed feelings towards the two and the Band of Hawk are soon to meet there fate. I don't want to spoil anything for the people who haven't seen these episodes But I will tell you that they are great. This is why I love this series. It has everything. Drama, Violence and lots of it, the story it self is great, though these are pretty much flash backs.

Still it is a must have for any fan that likes sword and sorcer with lots of violence and a really good story.

I can't wait for DVD 5.

This series is getting better by the minute!

Later...

"Berserk" has quickly become an addicting anime series for me. I find myself wanting to watch every single episode all at once, but do my best to wait and savor the series as much as I can without rushing through it. "Berserk 4: Devil's Advocate" is the continuing story of a tortured soul's past--a warrior who knows nothing but rage and anger.

These 4 episodes pick up where the last volume left off, with Guts and Caska being separated from their group, The Hawks. When they are victorious against the enemy, they return to their group; battered, but not beaten. The end result of their journey in the woods leads to Guts starting to doubt his purpose. He speaks of leaving The Hawks as soon as the final war is over--a war that will determine the fate of a kingdom and the fate of The Hawks. The war will also serve as either the beginning or the end of Griffith's dream.

There never seems to be a wasted moment in "Berserk," as every episode proves to be highly entertaining and involving. These four episodes are fully-loaded with action, thrills, and heart. It is a journey to witness Guts go through a change the way he does. He appears to have more feelings than ever before, but at the same time he is still as brutally violent in warfare as in the past. It is still unclear of how the relationship between Guts and Griffith will come to an end, but from seeing the very first episode in the series it is imminent that such an end will come.

Please be aware that this is no "cutesy" cartoon show on a Saturday morning for children. "Berserk" is a dark and violent saga that is intended for mature audiences. These four episodes contain strong and brutal violence, extreme blood and gore, language, and dark and disturbing themes and imagery. Extras included within this volume are production sketches, outtakes, trailers, and an audio interview with Kentaro Miura; the original creator.

"Berserk 4: Devil's Advocate" is an exciting and thrilling chapter in the "Berserk" saga. After seeing the very last episode on this disc, it's easy to tell that things are about to become much more darker and deadly. What will be the fate of Guts? Will Griffith be victorious in accomplishing his vision? Episodes 14-17 will give you an idea and give you a hint of the things to come. You've made it this far; now, there's no turning back.

I greatly enjoyed these episodes. First off though, I am a bit biaset towards the whole series, but I feel this was one of the best DVD of the series yet. There is not to much action in this one, only one major war and a "boss" guy so to say. However do not that fool you to think it was boring. There was more plot twists and "what is going to happen next!?!" questions in this one than all of the previous combined in my opinion. I highly highly recommend this to those who are familar with the show. If you have not watched previous ones, this is a bad one to start out on, for there is no character introductions or backgrounds, you might be left in the dark.

This is one of the greatest animes ever made. Great story, amazing character development, love and drama. The only fault I find in this anime is toward the end, which I won't give away. It just feels incomplete. However the story does continue in the manga, but I wish they gave the anime a proper ending. That is why I give it 4 stars.

Berserk is an excellent series however the anime version barely covers 1/4 of the actual storyline and leaves viewers a bit confused as to what is really going on. This anime is extremely violent, which is probably why it was discontinued even for late night viewing. Fans should explore the manga series.

Berserk is one of those series that continually get better and better as long as you can stick it out through the first few volumes. In volume one, a dark setting is introduced, as well as an anti-hero that takes delight in killing. In two, we explore the early years of this warrior named Guts, his rise through the Band of the Hawk, and his growing friendship with Griffith, the mysterious leader of the Hawks. In three, back story is revealed of two of the characters, and Guts proves that he may just be a little more than a blood-thirsty berserker.

But in volume four, it finally concludes the part of Guts past that ties him to the Band of the Hawk. I will not go into detail, however, of how this happens. Before that does happen, though, the final battle started in volume three continues here, and Guts fights the general of the opposing army, while Griffith meets a character from his past, one whose memory Griffith could do without. Also in this volume, the relationship between Guts and Caska deepens, and the two seem to genuinely enjoy each others' presence. Plus, Zodd, who makes his first appearance in volume two, and completely obliterated Guts and Griffith in singles combat, returns during one fateful moment.

This is easily the best volume of the first four, and I'm guessing that this series will only get better in volume five and six. The story progresses considerably in this volume, and definitely shouldn't be missed.

As this series progresses we dive deeper and deeper into the motivations, fears and inner demons of the main characters. The episodes in this disc show two opposing pictures. On one side the happiness and joy from the ascent of Griffith and the Band of Hawks as heroes of Midland due to their success in the challenges they have faced so far. On the other hand, the pain and despair Guts and Caska show because they do not see their path as clearly as before. The reasons behind this uncertainty are different. Guts is bothered by not having a personal goal, but just the one he borrowed from Griffith instead. Caska suffers because she has mixed loyalties between Guts and Griffith, something that had never happened before.

In the first episode of this installment we find Guts fighting by himself against one hundred men of the Chuder army trying to give Caska time to run away to safety. However, Caska has been reached by her pursuers and is facing a tough situation. The rest of the action has mostly to do with the decisive battle between Chuder and Midland. The White Knights, Midland's leading battalion has been defeated, and the only hope left is for the Band of Hawks to beat the Purple Rhino Knights in a battle for the control of Doldrey, a key fortification. The Hawks are facing their toughest challenge yet, fighting against a well-armed opponent, going against a fort that is impeccably placed in terms of war strategy. As an added attraction, the governor of Chuder in Doldrey is the man that had a relationship with Griffith a few years back.

I am very pleased with Berserk, not only because I like the storyline and the action, but also because the characters are completely mesmerizing. I thought it would be extremely hard, even almost impossible, to develop three-dimensional characters in the anime genre, but the creators of Berserk have succeeded. Finally, a warning for those of you who are getting one DVD at a time, the end of the last episode in this set will leave you biting your fingernails, so make sure that you will be able to keep going soon!

In this installment of "Berserk" two terrific fights; the first between Kaska and the bombastic Sir/Lord Adon, and the other between Guts and General Bascoyne. The first is great, Sir Adon is reduced to groveling for his life, tries to double cross/trick Kaska, and has his rear handed to him. A wonderful feeling to see this comical and annoying fool finally die. The second fight is like no other ever before, even when compared to Guts fighting the Demon, Zod the Immortal.
In a twist of irony, just when Guts's sword has broken, and he is about to lose his head to General Bascoyne, Zod himself, sitting on a horse overlooking the battle, tosses his famous sword to guts, allowing guts to continue the fight. I won't spoil (anymore) of this great fight, but the finale is well worth the time invested in watching it.
Finally, we get to see Guts and Kaska's budding relationship flourish a little more at a ball at the end of the series. I do hope those two become an item, but what horrible kids they would have!