BERSERK: A New Arc

Nah, I don't write Berserk. That's Miura sensee job. hehe But surprisingly, after some searching accidentally, I ended up happy to hear that this series is back, in TV!!!! Wow! I heard the news before that there will be new 3 movies but this news came as a surprise. Even Miura will write a new novel in this coming summer. He has no choice to do the new chapter in summber because the TV series is produced by himself. 

Anyway, I just realised that when watching GoT, that novel or movie compare to this story Berserk, it will have a big gap. Big difference and yes, I can say GoT is lame. Why? Check the novel of this one. 
If I will compare in detail, the space won't be enough. Of course, there will be naysayers or critics about the comparison but we as fans, can fight it until the end. hehe Although, I gave it a thought that due to the mystical or magical part of the story, GoT has an advantage if we compare it only with the band of hawk arc. But overall, nah, I thought of not to compare it anyway.

I just put that thought as some  fans comparing this to GoT. Great right? Even with the short teasers about this new TV series, I can't help but thrilled in the quality they will be using.. The mixture of 2D and 3D that they used in the last movie is important to make this series work. We can now see, the real blackswordsman! hahaha Swinging with his dragon slayer! Kill those bastards!!!!  With the great OST and yes, the only question remains...

What arc or story they will use? How long they will do it? As you see, ehem Berserk is famously known with a great story development, artwork (which is still unmatched even the great 3rd movie was shown) and yes, very violent content. I'll be surprised if all of the sudden, with all the omissions they did in the new films, they put all the details in the new TV series! What I'm talking about? The sadistic bishop or priest, the first real scene in the manga which was shocking... The number of children Guts killed up to this point.. The rapes of all kinds, yes.. The corruption of people and even the monsters. Even the stories of people why sacrifice for a behelit's power.. The berserker armor! The adventure of the crew of Guts faced..  Those things, I don't know if they will be more graphic in this new series. But the violence? That's given and it should happen in the new series. We just hope, they will create or make the story intact with in the manga. I'm not saying translate that vast story, but the feeling of the whole story, like hope, very desperate, love, and rage, adrenaline rush and yes, berserk. Add the great characters of the story, which made this novel, a masterpiece in the first place.  
That's the biggest difference of the manga and TV/Movies adaptation, the action scenes, the look of the characters are more visual and alive. Don't forget, it shows the real ability of my best anime hero the blackswordsman! How he kills with his small sword! hahaha 

Anyway, I'm quite get ahead of myself, and I'll just chill and wait until July!!! 

Tadai ma, Kuroi Kenshin!

Not Showing: BERSERK Golden Arc 3: Descent

To achieve a certain goal..

To fully realize a dream..

To become what you want to be..

What do you give to make it happen? What can you do to achieve such thing? Are you ready for the consequences of the actions or decisions you make? What sacrifices can you do to really achieve the goal? Is it really for the better good or for the better self?

Those questions were answered in this third chapter of BERSERK Golden Arc. As every Berserk fan or even those who were enticed by the two films, wanting to see what really happened after Griffith was captured due to treason.

Weak points of the film, first like the opening films, it lost a lot of characters, although this one has a new character shown up but it's only matter of seconds. Second point, as much you want to see Guts killing a hundred men, like hundred soldiers, but here it was not. Not really a weak point but unlike in manga or in the TV series, this one well.. He killed just a number of knights and sort of so it was fast paced.

First of all, what I love in this part was they emphasized the emotions coming through it. From Griffith's falling out and giving in to the behelith, Caska's choice of leaving the Band of hawk, other people who doesn't know what to do yet, or even Guts deciding to stay or not. As the movie progresses, emotions change and it builds up until of course, the ultimate decision by Griffith, he wants to achieve his selfish goal. I like the flashbacks, or dream sequences, mostly terrifying, and yes, the romance between Guts and Caska, despite it's late but well they shown it. 

Another thing I love, how impressive the animation in this one. Despite more dark colors or themes in this episode especially the last hour, it definitely shown in detail, even the slightest monster in that eclipse sequence. Compare this to the TV series eclipse? This was way better! The 3D effects or special effects at last fit in to this film and it shows seemlessly. The last hour sequence was really not only shocking or most violent or gore for sometime in anime but one of the most neatly done. I love how they shown like Femto and Skull Knight. Wow.. God hand, damn cool at this film. You gotta see it! I love the logic of when the eclipse happened, what the other people outside see? That's clever. 

Voice actors done a wonderful job of doing their roles with feeling, especially Guts part.. I felt his anger and demise in that eclipse scene, especially in "that" part.. You know what I mean when you watch this.. Griffith also made this film possible as it should be because this his time to really shine and gave the meaning of the turnaround of the story. Without his great performance, I don't think this film going to work. Ever. Don't forget Caska's part, although both her and Guts were kinda unlucky, she shown how confused and yes, being so brittle at the end. 

I said that this part has that manga feel, it is! From that eclipse scene, and how it played until the end, that's it.. This how Berserk should go on. 

Action scenes as much it has quite lesser than the second one because of the drama at the eclipse but it has the highest count of gore, violence as well. I don't know what that R15/R18 version difference is.. Hmmmm But definitely, whatever version I saw, it won't show here. Geez.. Great thing at Japan they've shown 2 versions at all cinemas. But let me say, it became so violent that it made me feel reading in the manga. Yes, that is how the manga works for Berserk, very violent.. Very violent that they omit or they did not include some scenes in any of the films. Definitely, this film won't show here or even I won't show it to kids or even HS kids. Never.. 

I love that scene when Skull Knight and Zodd met each other. I did not see that in manga.. Skull Knight made this film enjoying especially at the end which he saved Guts and Caska, how cool he is in this film. I hate that part which they kinda spoiled who he is, where in the manga, it did not show until like 10 books.. They really constructed this films into well logical order. I hope they can change that. 

After this flick, I felt the same way in Manga, TV series especially this one, how you will love Guts, Caska and gonna hate or you want to kill Griffith/Femto. Yes, Griffith is just damn manipulative until the end. But anyhow.. He really descent as a disciple of all the evil you can think of. 

The last news I read, the studio behind this films will make another 3! I don't know how far they will be but that's good news. They just need either keep it up or do it better.

One more thing, damn they did not show one shot of Guts fighting as the blackswordsman! 

But as the epilogue say, this is only the beginning! Yeah!!!!


The reality type of story of Berserk ends, the dark fantasy of Berserk begins... The blackswordsman arise.. 

I was kinda grimacing at this short dialogue. Not the accurate way but I just remember it. I don't know if that chinese dude really sub it right.


(while fighting outside in the eclipse)
Zodd: I was expecting you here, now we can fight!
Skull Knight: You are just a janitor here, get out of my way! 

Not Showing: BERSERK The Golden Arc II: Battle for Doldrey

I thought it will be 4 months, but unfortunately, it took me 7 months to get a glimpse of this magnificent part of the series. I just watched the movie with clear home copy with almost accurate subs, but damn before I watched it, I rewind a particular scene and see it all over again many times in a day. 

That scene, I know it's not accurate or did not really show in the TV series or Manga, but that I can say, made him my fave anime idol of all, always! =)

Anyway, yeah after that short Golden Arc 1, you'll go of course to part 2 which is Battle for Doldrey. It's longer and I can say better!

There were some not so good parts in the flick. Let's say as a fan of the series, of course, you will see a lot of misses. One, they missed a lot of characters which I know it's not really important but I believe they shouldn't remove it because it's integral to the story. Like Samson which he's not there, the queen b*tch and her cohorts who tried to kill Griffith, and some parts of the story as well, especially the first time that Guts and Caska really have feelings each other. Not there well, it will show at part 3 as trailer suggests.

And yes, as much I love how Guts killed General Boscogne, I missed that real reason why he was able to kill that General. It's not there. 

Meaning, those major flaws as much I missed them, really I felt they could have insert those parts or scenes in this flick. For me, they were important because it will show the wholeness of story, it will not only show Guts story but the whole band of hawk story. But for me, after all the action and grotesque scenes, I'm quite happy with the turnout. I accepted that they maybe don't have not only funds even it's produced by Warner Bros. Japan but also, time constraints and yeah, they want to see if this will earn so they will make more of the following arcs.

I hope the following once even they might omit again some characters or side stories, I hope they don't omit the major characters or even entities or maybe the violent scenes or situations. They can lessen the violent and controversial themes but not the whole dark fantasy concept. 

Cut the crap, let's go to what I'm saying earlier, why its magnificent? Better than the first one? 

One, the animation is more fluid, less choppy sequence which you will determine it's 3D or not. Detailed animation especially those fight scenes and warzone scenes. Even the story is fast paced, the animation is not rushed, although not really good looking because of the mixture of technique but its fun to watch!

Two, voice acting is superb, I mean from the original anime until this movie, never fails. I love the actor who voiced General Boscogne and Governor Gennon, you can sense that they are indeed the bad guys. Gennon is more out in this flick than in the anime. hehe Band of Hawk, King, Charlotte, and even the talkative Adon really shown some voice acting chops. Not bad. Even the script/dialogue, not really great but this one fit for this series. 

Three, Music! They emphasis like this is medieval period, some kind of old english period, so the music used in this one, fits with all the classical arrangement they used even to my fave scene, great!

Lastly, great, magnificent, fantastic action scenes that this flick simply put in one of my fave anime movies or any anime. I mean it made the TV series lame! Even I love the series, but this one, since this is a movie, a not constritive rating, hell with censorship.. Blood, gore, dark theme, and action simply in tune for this movie. This is where they did good of having adapting the material in the right way. That's why even they omit some events or characters, as long the major and important parts of the story still there, why would not like this flick? From the scene how Guts became century killer, I love the shot there where he was tired and in slow motion became enraged and sliced them all! Expect a lot of chopped, flying bodies!!! hehe The battle for Doldrey of course, I mean, in detail from the first attack of Midland, until the attack of Band of Hawk, it's really a complete package of war in medieval times especially with war tactics or art of war. 

Yes, my fave scene there is Guts vs. General Boscogne, before that it showed how really strong Boscogne is.. From there until he was killed, one glorious sequence! Everytime I remember that, damn I want to watch it again and again. hehe

Bonus one!!! Yeah, it doesn't mean when they omit a lot of characters, they really omit a lot.. I was suprised that there is a scene that shows hmmmm I think they will go all the way if they earn in this flicks. I was shocked that yeah, I'm hoping they do this all the way. Just don't make like the last one will be the 3rd. Damn!!!!!

Yes, the teaser trailer and I saw the whole trailer for Descent which I can say, all will agree, it will be sad, depressing, damned, bloody, scary and most of all, the time we were waiting for, the transformation of both Guts and Griffith. Especially our beloved hero Guts!

Then maybe a glimpse of the real Blackswordsman. Yeah! Ah another thing I was shocked at the trailer, there is one shot that even know I'm thinking, it didn't happen in the Manga or even in the series, although I researched they are really enemies but I don't recall they fought there! hehe Gotta find out. 

As batman trilogy closes, Warner Bros. Japan has its own trilogy, this one. Until now, gotta say they've done a wonderful job of recreating even in a fast pace and indeed a bloody one! I hope and pray that Descent, please.. Won't be the last!

Kudos yeah to Studio 4C, Warner Bros. Japan for well, they earned a lot from Kenshin live action, and I hope they did well here. 

As much I like the series of Rurouni Kenshin.. or even Himura (actually my fave is his master. hehe)

He can't defeat Guts, even Guts in his band of hawk form, or even a wounded Guts.. Not a chance if Guts in the great blackswordsman form with/without the berserker armor..

Any given day! =)

last day of the work week

long title.. anyway, nothing changed yesterday up to this moment.. hehe but this is the the last day of our new schedule.. and it's kind of avail.. hehe.. maybe I like this schedule more than before.. I get straight sleep.. I go home a bit early than before.. and that's all I guess. hehe anyway, I am now interested watching Macross Frontier.. kinda good especially the fight scenes.. they lived up the hype, except for the music and love story part.. but other factors of the series that I like like the battle sequences.. hmm the new fleet, new valkyries.. so the mechs are fantastic.. hehe so one of the best anime's of the year.. by the way, I found a site which also shows or streams series of anime.. animemangafun.com.. great site, not only you can watch your fave anime but also, see the manga that you are looking for, like of course, berserk.. hehe it's a long series and up to this moment, it's still running.. I want to know what really happen after the anime on VHS? hehe that was almost a decade ago.. while typing, I am reading the manga at the same time.. there were some parts that were not included in the anime.. I was kind of suprised!! if the anime is the best, then the manga is great.. hehe that's what I am seeing right now.. anyhow, it seems to be saturday is a good day to work.. hehe so freedom.. I really like this schedule.. so I will rest my fingers for today.. I am seriously reading the manga of BerserK online.. so take care, good day, good luck and God bless to all!!