Berserk Complete
by Michael Sinterniklaas
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DVD details
Actor: Carolyn KeranenDirector: Michael Sinterniklaas
Brand: Media Blasters
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language); English (Dubbed)
Format: Animated, Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 625 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-03-10
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: ANIME WORKS
DVD Reviews of Berserk Complete
DVD Review: A dark story.
Summary: 4 Stars
Let me start out with me start out with my information, as a viewer: I am a female, married, twenty years old, been into anime since I was twelve, enjoy many different genres (Slayers, Sorcerer Hunters, Fushigi Yugi, Great Teacher Onizuka - some of my favorites). I have never been bothered by gore in anime. However, if you can not stand avid amounts of bloodshed, disturbing images, or daunting concepts, forget about this show and manga right now.
I first heard about Berserk years ago. However, the cover art never attracted my interest. You can tell just by looking at the cover art on any of the Berserk DVD releases that this show is sure to be dark, morbid, and disturbing.
I tried getting ahold of a DVD boxset for a good price for a month, but finally gave up (I am tight with my wallet) and insteadturned to my local library for Berserk vol. 1, the manga. I had read that they were different - or, better yet, that the TV show only covered one arc of the greater manga series. The manga made me raise a few eyebrows, to be vague. It did attract me to the story line, though. Two weeks later I got this version of the DVD set at the same library.
I watched all 26 episodes within one week. Frankly, it was difficult to stop watching the show.
Many people have already reviewed the plot, characters, and overall synopsis. Read their reviews for those sort of perceptions.
Berserk has terrible opening and ending themes. The 'Engrish' is nonsensical and odd. But the song used during the previews, "FORCES", is ridiculously catchy and matches the show better. I read it is coinsidered the 'official theme' of the show and Guts/Gattsu (main character).
The art work is great. I like animation done in the early thru mid ninties far more than the modern stuff. I think it showcases more talent and hard work for the people on staff for the show, especially toward the end of this series in particular. The anime series is essentially based off of the golden arc of the manga. There are some details left out of the anime (I would argue intentionally).
The characters... When watching a show we don't expect to see those we have followed for so long fade in miserable ways. But everyone falls to a dark fate in Berserk. Is it because they are weak? No, not really. Bad people? Sickly, no. I think that is what makes Berserk so dark; people 'living by the sword' trying to live for some sort of common purpose all die... for that same, now lost, purpose. One moment they have the world in their hands. The next, they have become the scum of the Earth.
I enjoyed the way the characters' relationships were portrayed. The man who is silent, yet talented and well respected; the man who draws all the lead characters together, happily neglecting his own emotions; the man who challenges everyone, but loves and lives for his 'family'; the child whose eyes shine with hope; the leader who gathers everyone... then loses his dream; the woman who lives for everyone but herself, no longer seeing herself as anything but a sword in battle; the man who appreciates and loves those precious to him... when it is too late, that is.
All of them are noble to their belief in each other. Noble to the point they are lost.
I can honestly say Berserk is the only anime I have ever walked away from feeling lost, disturbed, distraught, and out of place about. Well, maybe the first TV show or movie in general. There is no 'happy ending', which I never expected anyway. There is no conclusion. There is no future, which is why Guts becomes the character he is in the first episode. There is only despaire that is unhuman... yet, if you take away the man-eating demons, disgustingly human.
Cosca's emotional dilemma in the last few episodes - most notably the last ten minutes - left me empty.
I give the TV series four stars out of five. The show itself is very good, but again, unless you read the manga or at least check out a synopsis about the books there are details avoided. Also, I liked that what 'should be' the 26th episode is the first... It was a compelling introduction. This edition of the DVD left me overall pleased. The extras on all the discs were great! FUNimation gets two thumbs up from me in that arena. However, the supposedly new 'digitally remastered' selling point is lack-luster, at best. (Granted, I have not seen the original individual six DVD releases... but video quality / transfer is something simple to judge.) The bottom of the screen sometimes looks like it would on a VHS, and at random points the transitions were not so smooth. (If you watch this version you will understand.)
If you have never seen Berserk and can find this set at a good price I suggest you check it out. But, if you already own the show, I would not advise you to pick up.
Description of Berserk Complete
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