Customer Reviews

Berserk - Immortal Soldier (Episodes 6-9)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I agree completely with the guy who wrote the first review up there. That last episode (25) was a trip and a half. Still, the anime me and him watched may be different from the ones released here in the United States. Some of the stuff that happens in the Japanese version may be cut out of the American version simply because of it's so graphic (without a doubt the most disturbing stuff I've ever seen). At first glance, the content seems gratuitous, but when one appreciates the purpose of the series, it becomes clear why the imagery is so deeply disturbing. Anyways, if you do decide to follow this series to the end (which you should if you've gotten this far), All I can say is brace yourself.

What is most important? Valor, magic, destiny, love? Which of these have the greatest influence on human behavior? In this is the second DVD in the 'Berserk' series, we find ourselves enmeshed in the violence of an imaginary, horribly violent world, where crowns and empires are still to be had for the taking. We follow Guts, a mercenary leader in the service of the White Hawk - a military group led by Griffith, an albino soldier who has the air of some great destiny about him.

These episodes open with the White Hawks attempting to take control of a castle, but unable to defeat the leader of the opposition. Zod, rumored to be a Nosferatu, is making hash of Guts troops, and he and Griffith both enter the castle to take on the fighter. They discover themselves faced with a giant demon, and only Griffith's amulet, the Crimson Behelit of the God Hand seems able to put up any resistance. The amulet with play a part again later underscoring the idea that magic or fate is somehow driving events. There is something dark about the amulet, and thus about it's bearer as well.

In other episodes, we are introduced to the politics of the Midland Empire, as Griffith begins his climb into the ranks of the nobility. The other lords see him as a commoner, and deeply resent his success. While Griffith seems to thrive in the conspiracies, Guts becomes increasing uncomfortable. He is, after all, a straightforward swordsman, and has little patience for courtly things.

In spite of an unending saga of violence (two castles are conquered and an assassination attempted) the relationships between Griffith, Guts, and Caska become complicated by Caska's jealousy over Gut's access to Griffith. Both of the Lieutenants are confounded when a true romantic complication, Princess Charlotte comes into play. How this will work out remains to be discovered in later episodes, but this much dynamic tension is sure to have explosive results as the series develops.

When I first looked at this series I expected the large amount of swordplay and bloodshed to put me off. Yet is hasn't, and the development of the other story arcs has made this much more than a medieval kill-a-thon. Even so, you have to have a fairly high tolerance for military drama in order to get to the true plot. Keep this in mind, but also remember that there is much more to the story.

This one is one of the best chapters of the greatest animated epic of our time. It starts off with the poetic battle with Nosferatu Zodd. It has one of my absolute favorite outtakes with the actor playing Griffith singing another ballad. There's an epic battle, assassination and counter-assassination planning and execution. Finally leaves you on the edge of your seat with Guts exploring Griffith's sideways language luring him to the threshold of equality. Which, of coarse, ultimately drives the series home.

The first five episodes in the series were enjoyable and promising, showing a glimpse of the story to come and with only a few hints on what the big picture was. In this second installment, we find ourselves immersed deeper into the conflict between Midland and Chuder, in which the Band of Hawks plays a pivotal role. The relationships among the main characters become more complex and juicy and there are clear signs of involvement by non-human creatures.

In the first episode of this disc, sixth overall, the Band of Hawks face Zodd the Immortal, a mercenary monster who has the reputation of being invincible. Guts, our hero and main character, honors his name and is willing to face Zodd, even against the advice of everyone else. Right from the beginning, the importance and power of the Eye of the King becomes apparent. This is a piece of "jewelry" that hangs around the neck of Sir Griffith, the leader of the Band of Hawks. The message that is repeated in the introduction of each chapter regarding the destiny of mankind becomes clearer and clearer.

In terms of the relationship between the characters, Guts starts to wonder why Griffith is so willing to get in harms way in order to defend him. Caska still has trouble coping with Guts' presence and position as one of the commanders of the Hawks. In the meantime, Griffith becomes involved in games of power with other members of the court, even though he is unaware of this fact for a while.

The quality of this series has been steadily increasing throughout the first ten episodes, so I cannot wait to watch the next installment. At this point I can say with certainty that anyone that enjoys anime and epic fantasy will have a great time watching this production.

The storyline of this anime just keeps getting better and better. this dvd starts off with the band of the hawk facing Zodd the Immortal, and its the best battle so far in the series. a lot of dark hints of what is fated to happen later on in the series are given, mostly from Zodd.
as usual, plently of battles and bloodshed, but also a slight piece of romance when princess charlotte first appears. the last episode on this dvd is a total cliffhanger.
also, dont forget to check out the outtakes at the end! beserk has some of the funniest outtakes ive ever seen in an anime.

"Berserk 2: Immortal Soldier," while not as action-packed as the first volume, continues the dark and blood-soaked series about vengeance and human will. Things change when a stranger by the name of Guts comes to a town filled with evil and death with a purpose to seek revenge upon the one who has done him wrong. A tortured soul possessed by his own rage and hatred, he is a warrior that will never give up until he punishes the one who has betrayed him. These four exciting and well-developed episodes continue this promising and captivating saga.

The saga continues with flash backs of the past to show us the history of Guts and how he came to be. Belonging to a group of mercenaries led by Griffith, Guts is able to use his unmerciful rage to his advantage on the battlefield. Forced to face a demonic creature that no man has ever survived as well as an assassination attempt, Guts is determined not to fail and be victorious as always.

This second volume of the series isn't as action-packed as the first, but I suspect that this is necessary in order to set the stage for things to come. While the action has decreased some, character development reaches an all-time high. More things are revealed to us which makes some of the previous events more clearer. The series is still engaging and exciting without having a single minute wasted. It will be interesting to see what happens next, as I am sure that bigger and more dangerous events are lurking about. As I said, this volume tends to be a bit slower than the first volume, but it is most likely a must in order to begin a violent chain-of-events that will shape the future of Guts and reveal to us just exactly what makes him suffer the way he does.

Again, this animated series is not recommended for young children. The episodes contain brutal and graphic violence, extreme blood and gore, language, and dark and disturbing themes and imagery. Extras included are outtakes, production sketches, and an art gallery.

"Berserk 2: Immortal Soldier" continues this exciting and mesmerizing series. There's fantastic character development, thrilling battle scenes, and haunting imagery that enhances the saga even more. "Berserk" is proving to be an incredible epic that keeps surprising and never holds back. The journey has taken us through 9 episodes thus far--there's no telling what we will be facing next.

If you have watched the first DVD, you know by now this series is not for kids. Well, this DVD takes that to a whole new level, reinforcing this fact. This DVD is where the real plot becomes much more evident as Guts faces off with the "Immortal Soldier," Zodd. Although not completely clear yet, Zodd has some very important foreshadowing that will make you want to watch the rest of the series.

On the series as a whole, I can best compare this series to Record of Lodoss War, but with much more violence and adult themes than Lodoss War had. This series is definately not for children. The story is of a mercenary named Guts and set in a world similar to Lodoss War, but with fewer fantastic creatures and different odd races (most all of the characters are human, with a few exceptions). Do not expect to see a bunch of elves and dwarves and dragons, the non-human characters are few and far between through the first 5 episodes.

One hilarious bonus feature on all of the Berserk DVDs is the Outtakes. Basically, it is a series of line reading errors placed over the same scene in the original anime scenes. Watch them after viewing all of the episodes on the DVD so that you understand the context, but they are truly hilarious. It's very different than those "outtakes" on other animated DVDs, which are actual added scenes.

The only problem i had with this DVD was the fact that the story took too long to develop after episode 6. It seemed a little too drawn out, which reminded me of DBZ episodes where it would take 4 episodes to eat dinner or something like that. But nonetheless, this DVD was an excellent purchase, and will be for anyone who enjoys anime in any way. it shows a great story(so far), sweet battles, and superb character development, its no Bebop, or Hellsing, but it is a welcome change in the modern style of anime.

In the first volume of Berserk, we are given a glimpse of what's to come in the series, and just how dark Berserk is as a fantasy anime. The second volume kicks off in much the same way, with an episode dealing with the darker, more mysterious side to come, and after that the episodes get lighter and less constricting again.

In the very first episode of volume two, Guts faces off with a demonically imbued man named Zodd, a man-beast known for having a murderous history dating back a hundred years and more. As a fighter in the opposing army, Guts can't help but fight the beast, and does a fair job at it, considering all those that have fought and died before his encounter with the beast. Still, it isn't until Griffith comes into it that they are able to at least repel the beast, and Zodd escapes, leaving behind a few words about the mysterious charm Griffith always wears, and the charm worn around the neck of the demon in the very first episode of volume one.

Soon after recovering from his injuries, and after proving himself a worthy addition to the king's army, Griffith is knighted by the king of Midland, effectively making him an official in the king's court, which angers the nobility. In the meantime, Guts sits back and watches Griffith's rise to power while being the obedient soldier and friend, and he himself earns a certain degree of respect and hatred from the nobility of the king's court. During this volume, some of the infighting between the soldiers of the Band of the Hawk, especially between Caska and Guts, is lessened somewhat as the two begin to respect each others' positions in the band.

Though still not as dark as the beginning of the series promises, this volume takes the steps needed to get to that point. If you've already started the series, I wouldn't recommend missing this volume, as it does show the key elements to the future of the anime. Also, if you're tired of watching the same comedic fantasy anime (Slayers, Sorcerer Hunters) then Berserk is a good one to pick up.

So far I this series is shaping up to be an awesome series.
It's already my all time favorite anime series.

The character development has improved off of War Cry.
Theres not enough action in this one but still manages to hold
it's prime. I really enjoyed this volume....

Though there was a few flaws I thought It still did well..
I am right now on the third dvd and so far it hasn't dissapointed.

Get IMMORTAL SOLDIER.

It's just as good as WARCRY....
We also see more development with Gutts And Griffith....

Overall this is a great vol of Berserk to have....

Later...