Customer Reviews

Berserk: God's Hands (Episodes 22-25)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Been reading all these reviews of Berserk and as an avid fan of the Berserk series, I just thought I should clarify a few points. The first thing is that Berserk, the animation is based on an ONGOING comic book and by no means should anyone think that the animation is the "conclusion" to the Berserk Series. In fact, the animation covers (loosely) books 1 through 13 on the comic series and currently the comic book is at book 26. In other words, the animation really does end prematurely.

For many of you don't have the luxury of reading the series and just curious to know what happens, I will write a quick synposis of the rest of the story to date (WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD).

1. After GUTS loses his hand and eye, he is saved by the skull helmed warrior king.
2. Casca become insane and also gives birth a demon child.
3. Guts leaves Casca and goes on a hunt for the all the disciples of the God Hand.
4. Eventually he returns back for Casca and finds out that she is missing (and still insane).
5. He quests out to find her and saves her from a mideval type of Inquisition.
6. Griffith returns in human form and forms of a near Falcon Army used to defend the Midland from these new invaders.
7. Guts teams up with a young witch, insane Casca, a former inquisitor and her bodyguard to hunt down more disciples.
8. Most recently, Guts is superpowered up as he receives an enchanted armor of the dwarves that makes him near superhuman.

I think that is about it. No matter what the animation will never do the comics justice just based on the adult nature of the comics. Anyways, I hope this helps some people.

If you've enjoyed the series so far, and have grown rather fond of Gatsu and the band of Hawks, TURN AWAY NOW. Pretend this last edition does not exist, the ending will make you regret you ever started watching this series.

Throughout the whole series you get used to having the main character Gatsu be downright invincible, but apparently he's nothing without his sword, because the moment he loses ahold of it, all he holds dear is defiled and taken away from him. Heck I like violence as much as the next guy, but when you see characters you've grown fond of being slaughtered in the WORST POSSIBLE WAY by demons, begging for help while being devoured alive....well...I for one was seriously disturbed. Adding insult to injury, Gatsu lives on, but you never see him avenge the deaths of all his friends, you just see him days later, all healed up, as he's leaving Godo's home, armed with the DragonSlayer (if he had that in that previous battle, this would have been a different review), "don't get killed" he's told by Godo...and that's it, you're left to continue the series by ordering the books. I know I felt like throwing myself or someone out the window due to sheer frustruation. Still might.

This is just the middle of the actual series, and there's no sign of the rest being animated, so unless you want to start buying the books on it, or looking for it online thanks to the fans who scan the pages, turn away now. You've been warned.

Well, I have finished the "Berserk" series, and it was quite a journey. I'm a little saddened that this series really has no concrete conclusion and leaves the viewers hanging, possibly because this is only the beginning of the story. If I had known that from the beginning, it would've made the last two episodes a little better for me. Still, I'm overall pretty pleased with this dark and violent epic and hope that the series will continue on. "Berserk 6: God's Hand" is the conclusion to this first series, but not to the story.

Guts and The Band of the Hawk stage a rescue to recover a very beaten and tattered Griffith from the kingdom's dungeon. He has lost his sanity and his mind as he has completely given himself into the darkness. It is here after they rescue him that the true horrific fate of Griffith comes to light as The Great Eclipse is present. All hope and all that once was seems to end in the last two episodes. This saga in whole reveals the story of how Guts came to be, but has only touched the surface of his ultimate quest and purpose.

I really enjoyed watching the series and am glad that I invested my time into it. However, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't a tad disappointed with the conclusion. The ending felt more like a teaser to me than anything else. I know now that I will definitely invest my time should a second series (and there better be with the way things ended) be released. It's still an amazing anime epic that ventures into bloodshed and darkness.

This anime series is in no way intended for younger viewers, especially these last four episodes. They contain strong and brutal violence, extreme blood and gore, nudity, a brief scene of rape, nudity, language, and dark and disturbing themes and imagery. Extras included are trailers, outtakes, a TV spot and more.

In no way am I disappointed with "Berserk" as a whole, but it is sad to see that there is no concrete ending for this first series. "Berserk 6: God's Hand" tends to leave more questions than answers, but it is still necessary to the series. These 25 episodes have been quite the journey. Just be willing to accept that you're not going to get an open-and-shut ending--and whatever you do, do not expect a happy ending. Then again, maybe this was suspected all along. Still a very exciting and intense saga that was time well spent.

One of the most amazing things about this series in general is that nothing is black and white; Berserk is an addicting look into the beautiful, brutal grey. The primary story arc follows the life and adventures of Guts, in an extended flashback that begins with Episode 2 and eventually comes full circle, leading the viewer back to the events in Episode 1. (The first couple episodes may be a bit confusing, but by the end of the series, everything makes sense.) Though Guts is the "hero" of the story, his actions aren't always good - the assassination that leads to the death of the victim's young son as well, comes to mind - but this is the strength of the series: it doesn't shy away from the darker nature of humanity. As for the last DVD in the series, it could more accurately be called the conclusion of the first part of a much larger story; make no mistake, Guts' story is only just beginning at the end of God's Hands. Many reviewers have written that they felt "cheated" and "disappointed" by the final two episodes of this series. My question to them is why? No, the last two episodes don't tie up every little loose end, but they're not supposed to. They're only supposed to end this part of the story, which they did admirably. Granted, part of me really would've liked to see Guts and Caska get their "happily ever after" ending, but could any one really see that happening and still be true to the overall story of Berserk? Their love (though the word "love" is never used by them, it's in every action and look they share) is made even more poignant because they faught so long and hard to realize it, yet it lasted so briefly. The only real complaint I have is, what became of Caska and how did Guts escape the "Hell" he was trapped in? In this sense, the final episode feels a little rushed, but it doesn't distract too much from the overall brilliance of this series. I won't go so far as to say it's the best series there is, but it is *one* of the better ones ever made and close to top in its genre.

The ending of Berserk is one of the most violent and disturbing things I have ever seen, but that only makes it better. As many people have said, the ending is not actually the real ending and the manga series continues to this day. Also, as many people have said, it is very unlikely that there will be a continuation of the series. However, the anime series was quite popular in Japan for it's late night time slot, but still there wasn't a large enough audience to warrant a second season. Though there have been rumors that the series will be continued, don't count on it happening. I hope you find this review helpful.

After going through all the previous eps. of beserk. i am very disapointed with the ending. it was nothing short of a hentaiesque finale. ("holy overfiend batman") poor casca. anyway the series was a letdown, i was expecting a lot more especially since the dreamcast game (which they should have based the plot on, instead of some prequel) was so f*cking cool. one thing i hate about epidsodic anime i.e. evangelion,noir,gasaraki. is that it drags on and on. until the near ending when things suddenly start to pick up. it may be fun for most otakus, but to me it's a disturbing trend.

Highly anticipated, highly gory, and completely unexpected ending to quite possibly one of the best animes of all time. The first time I watched the ending, I went into a week of doubting, confusion, and depression. Luckily, I had (and still have) a very close friend that made me rewatch the first episode, which brings the series full circle.

I've watched the series now 5 times, and I have just now learned that there is additional material after the closing credits from the final episode. If you have enjoyed the series thus far, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND READING THE MANGA. The manga is still being written, has more characters, and has a deeper, even more intense story line.

Guts, I wish you were real because i would do you any day. (lol)
No but this DVD was the best one out of them all. If you just look at a picture of Guts you would think that he was a muscle man with no feelings but thats not him at all. Guts is a very emotional person and shows his feeling on the outside most of the time. When i saw Guts start to cry my heart just sank. I felt so sad for him, Caska and the rest of their men. (He also loves Caska very much.)
The last episode was so great and had so much emotion through the who thing that all you could do was feel sorry for them and HATE Griffith for what he did. AHHH i hate him. But i really can't tell you how good this was. (and you are hearing this from a girl) You have to see this one. You will love guts after this because he has such a strong will.
YOU HAVE TO SEE IT

Some people say that this is for babies, kids, and everyone....that is NOT the case. This is definetly not something for children to be watching. With that said....

Berserk is a fantastic MANGA (noticed I did not say anime) that has been going on since 1989. The anime that you can purchase, is actually volumes 3-13 in the Manga. The anime is great and does a good job following the manga for the most part. The only thing that is a let down is that they never finished animating this manga. Currently the manga is up to volume 24 with 25 to be relaesed this fall hopefully.

If you liked the other discs, then you will want to pick this up. Just be warned that the series ends on a huge cliff hanger that is not resolved unless you start reading the manga (which btw just got licensed by dark horse comics and we should see the first installments this fall).

Now for those that have no idea what this story is about...The series follows Guts(Gatts whatever) who was born to a corpse and was found by a band of mercenaries that raised him. The anime starts in the present, but after the first episode moves into the past and you get to see what turned Guts into the crazy monster slaying maniac he is today. Its a fanatstic story, but just be forwarned, you'll be looking for manga scans very soon =)

I write this message to all of you who are curious about "Berserk," the animated show, but are put off by the negative comments some Amazon reviewers have directed at the way the show "ends." This message is spoiler-free.


These reviewers rightfully criticize the "ending," but for the wrong reason. They feel great disappointment because they have not yet figured out that episode 25 is not the conclusion to the story of "Berserk." Episode 25 is merely where the producers of the anime left off. Many of the rest of us, who know that episode 25 is not the ending, feel great disappointment, not because the "ending" is sloppy (actually, episode 25 is gripping and pleasingly depressing), but because the show is left unfinished. It is not by accident that these first 25 episodes are collectively called "season 1."

These 25 episodes that comprise season 1 are a unique, thoroughly mesmerizing pleasure, the specific flavor of which you will not find anywhere else (except in the on-going "Berserk" manga ;) ). In fact, you should be aware that after viewing all 25 episodes, you will feel mad with desperation due to the want to see what comes next. The show leaves off with a season ending cliff-hanger that is so compelling that it will rock and abuse your curiosity. But do not take this as a negative, for it is proof of how completely season 1 entertains.

Unfortunately, season 2 was not picked up by Japanese television--and apparently will never be. But to criticize any television show for leaving us at a cliff-hanger when the show was not given an opportunity to continue is wrong-headed in its unfairness. (And the mere fact that a show does not get picked up for subsequent seasons is not a reason in itself that proves that a show is unentertaining--it merely proves that the station that held the rights did not think the show was profitable. Many instances have shown that critical acclaim and the ingenuity of a show is not necessarily related to a show's profitability.)


"Berserk" is a Japanese television cartoon and so, like most Japanese tv cartoons, the animation is poor, the color palette is limited, the musical selection is limited, and some of the voice acting may be unpleasing. And yet, though I am not an anime fan--I find most anime embarrassingly bad--I love everything about this show. I love the limited animation. I love the colors. I love the music. I love the sometimes-embarrassing, mostly-brilliant, always-silly dialogue. I love the voice acting--even the ones I don't like, hehe. The story and its characters are so compelling that negatives in presentation become likeable attributes.


Purchasing the 6-disk box set has been one of the most satisfying DVD purchases I have ever made. The anime, "Berserk," is a show unlike any other, so I hope you will not miss it. Thank you for reading this message. :D