Berserk Manga Review: Departure of Flame

Prepare your swords and armor, everyone. Today, we’re finishing the first act of Falcon of the Millennium Empire.

Last time on Berserk: Guts was overwhelmed by Grunbeld, the dragon Apostle, and left on death’s door. But with some help from Schierke, Isidro, and Serpico, he’s encased in a dangerous magical fetish in the Berserker Armor. Though it provides the power he needs to fight, the cost it demands from his body and mind may prove too great to pay.

Today, we’re covering the following chapters:

• Fire Dragon
• The Depths of Hellfire
• Departure of Flame

The duel between Guts and Grunbeld continues. Powered by the Berserker Armor, the Black Swordsman’s swings having blinding speed and power, smashing the dragon knight’s hammer and armor with the force of a cannon. While Schierke is concerned by the damage this is causing Guts’ body, Grunbeld is elated, praising Guts as a worthy opponent. In his excitement, he takes his true Apostle form: a giant crystalline dragon.

This does little to turn the odds. For all Grunbeld’s new strength and fiery power, the Berserker Armor still puts him to shame. However, the damage done to Guts’ body is starting to catch up to him. Schierke realizes the danger of the situation, but she feels powerless to stop it. That is, until Flora contacts her telepathically once again to encourage her; inexperienced as she is, Schierke is now the only one who can save Guts from the armor’s curse.

Seeing that Grunbeld is rapidly losing ground, the other Apostles begin to transform to join in against Guts. Before they can take their true forms, however, the Black Swordsman is upon them, butchering them with both blade and the armor’s fangs. Foes that once would have each pushed Guts to his limits now fall by the dozen instantly. But with each one felled, his humanity slips further and further away. Even Puck is horrified, as the elf is reminded of the monster he saw Guts become in their early days together.

Other Apostles choose the weaker prey, turning their gaze on Isidro, Serpico, and Schierke. As the boys draw their blades to fight, Schierke dives into the Astral Realm, questing towards Guts’ mind. Surfing through a sea of flames, rage, and hate, she fears that his mind has already been shattered.

Then she finds it. A familiar silhouette cast in the blaze. The Beast of Darkness, aflame. Mustering her courage, Schierke dives into the Beast’s form. Within, she finds… lights. Guts’ memories of his days in the Band of the Hawk.

As well as his memories of the Eclipse.

Just as Schierke is about to lose herself in this terrible darkness, Flora’s warding symbol appears to shelter her. Within its safety, she finds what she’s searching for: Guts’ ego, a weak, flickering flame only vaguely resembling the man. Only Flora’s spell kept him from falling apart completely.

Schierke tries to call out to Guts, but he’s too far gone in the torrent of hate. His spirit erupts, consuming the witch’s apprentice in the flames of his fury. As he now sees it, nothing matters anymore; nothing except his revenge. The armor has reduced him back to the state we saw him in during the Black Swordsman and Conviction arcs.

But Schierke disputes this way of thinking, arguing that no soul would become so damaged over something that didn’t matter. To prove her point, she reveals to him images of the physical world. Of Isidro and Serpico fighting for their lives, of Farnese and Casca, helpless before an approaching Apostle. At the sight of Casca, Guts’ rage begins to abate. Seizing her opportunity, Schierke urges him to remember. He is Guts, the Branded Swordsman, protector of Casca, the Branded Girl. The flames coalesce, and Guts’ spirit blazes with his true form, once again determined to protect rather than destroy.

Back in the physical world, Guts returns to his right mind right as Grunbeld breathes a torrent of fire upon him. Ignoring the burns, Guts rushes to Serpico and Isidro’s aid, slaughtering their opponents in the blink of an eye. Before they can realize what happened, he’s already moving again, bolting towards Casca and Farnese’s. Butchering that last Apostle before it can strike, the Berserker Armor’s helm retreats, and a bloodied Guts stands before the girls.

Now with a little tuft of white hair. Who does that remind me of…?

Our party isn’t out of the woods yet. As everyone gathers together to retreat, Grunbeld remains hot on their trail, still eager to fight. Before the dragon’s flames can wipe them out, a new figure appears to protect our heroes: Flora. Wreathed in fire, the age fading from her skin, the witch stands protectively over her apprentice and her companions.

Here, Flora and Schierke share their final goodbye. While the little apprentice is still heartbroken, Flora only smiles. The old witch thanks her apprentice for the best days of her life, assuring her that though her form may die, they can still meet again in dreams. As Guts scoops Schierke up in one arm and runs for their lives, Flora blesses them on their way, fading as she remembers their peaceful days together under the tree.

With that, we’ll bring today’s review to an end.

This section marks the beginning of the next leg in Guts’ character arc, as well as the start of Schierke’s story going forward. As Flora predicted, the two are deeply intertwined. With her help, as well as the love he holds for his new friends, Guts is truly beginning to finally put his rage behind him and become a better man. It’s a beautiful blend of triumph and tragedy, with some badass fight scenes as an extra bit of spice.

That seems as good a point as any for a break. Not a long one, mind. I’d just like to catch up on some other anime before we dive deeper into Berserk.

Until then: take care of yourselves, Strugglers.