Berserk Volume 6 [Paperback]

Hmm... Let's see, where should I start. In volume 5 the drama and story begin to come together a lot more than in the previous volumes, so the tales unfolds at a much faster rate. The key moment in volume 5 is the confrontation with Nosferatu Zodd, who is a key character in the story. Pay close attention to the warning he gives Guts.

Okay now on to volume 6... Many things take place that cannot be missed out on if you wish to get into the ever-expanding world of Berserk. For one Guts is given an assassination attempt by Griffith to kill General Julius, the brother of the king, and Guts learns of the Band of the Hawks past from Casca while they are lost behind enemy lines, but I won't explain how they got there or anything. Also, the MOST important moment in this book occurs when Griffith is having a normal conversation with Princess Charlotte, which our protagonist Guts overhears. This conversation sets the wheels of causality/fate in motion which sends Guts on a path other than the one he is currently seeking. He decides to do this to please Griffith. But in the end, it only leads to death, and the climax of the Band of the Hawk story Arc, beginning in Volume 12 and ending in 13/14.

For those who have seen the Berserk television series, very little of the manga so far released has been much of a surprise. This, by no means, is a slight against the original author's work, just a testament to how closely the anime's producers followed the rich story.

Volume #6's events may already familiar to fans of the series, but just because they know what is going to happen, doesn't mean it loses its thrill. On the contrary, as I saw events beginning to converge on the climax I knew from the series, I began to get even more interested. The best episodes were those of the last half. The attempted assasination on Griffith, Guts' own assasination assignment, Griffith's courting of the Princess, and Casca's growing connection to Guts are all pivotal to the story.

There's a particular scene in the final chapters of the book when Guts is forced to take some liberties in order to save Casca's life that awakens him to her vulnerabilities. In turn, Casca finds her own piece of mind by confiding in him why she joined the Band of the Hawk.

Most of Guts' growth as a character is seen through action. The man isn't much of a thinker and understanding his quest for purpose (and, then, vengence) is dependent mainly on the reader's observations of the actions of Guts and those he cares for. To finally get some introspective thought from the man adds much to the overall picture of his life.

All in all, a great book... a great series, but be prepared. In the next few volumes, things will come to a head. Men will die, characters you've grown to love may pay the ultimate price, and before one man can ascend to heights unimagined, great tragedy must befall him and those around him.

This volume is another great installment in the Golden Age Arc of Berserk. Artwork still as impressive as always and alot of good character development for Guts and Casca. Really worth the purchase!