Summary
Void's question to Griffith in Eclipse emphasizes the majestic presence of God Hand. Griffith's speech to Princess Charlotte delves into the all-encompassing nature of dreams in Berserk. Guts' quote to Snake Lord emphasizes his relentless determination to survive and inflict pain on his enemies.
The dialogue of Rage is fantastic, with Kentaro Miura and later Kouji Mori at the helm creating the most critically acclaimed seinen manga. The distinctive writing style has grown alongside the characters and intellectual scope of the series, creating a dynamic experience that is as much discussed for its key moments as its brilliant expressions. As such, The best quotes from Berserk often vary among viewers, but their gems of wisdom and insight all prove the brilliance of the series..
Back in 1989, Berserk wasn't always as popular or set up to be as successful as it is today, but it was still heavily referenced in all of its arcs regardless. As the series found its true footing with the Golden Age Arc onwards, it soon balanced its great storyline with increasingly elaborate and gorgeous illustrations.
Custom image by Merlyn De Souza
However, with the series being frequently discussed through word of mouth, The best quotes from Berserk are insights into the characters saying those quotes and the world around them..
10 “Are you scared? Someone like you?!”
Void to Griffith, Chap #77
Are you afraid? Of someone like you?! Afraid of extraordinary beings like us? Or perhaps afraid of the future you will pursue?
-Nothingness
Eclipse is an easy source of memorable Berserk moments, but It also provides a proper look at God Hand and how they understand their impressive presence in the series.. Griffith, having remembered their words while imprisoned, invoked the ritual that would soon grant him incredible power in exchange for the lives of his comrades. But at this moment, facing the faces of the four dark angels, Griffith was asked if he feared the powerful beings before him or what sacrifices he would have to make to become like them.
9 “Whether it suits you or not, people still crave a dream.”
Griffith to Princess Charlotte, Chap #12
Whether it is appropriate or not, humans still yearn for a dream. To be nourished by a dream, to be hurt by a dream, to be revived by a dream, to be killed by a dream. And even after being abandoned by a dream, it continues to smolder from the bottom of the heart… perhaps to the brink of death… A man should imagine such a life once. A life spent as a martyr… for the god called “Dream”.
-Griffith
Before the disastrous events of Eclipse, Griffith was introduced as an elite, impossibly ambitious soldier who quickly found favor with the Midland royal family. Perhaps his greatest feat of ingratiation was the way he communicated with Charlotte, the kingdom's princess, knowing her strategic value while speaking of his belief in the dreams that consume the minds of men. Unfortunately, Griffith would soon become twisted, twisted, and abandon his humanity when given the chance to rule a kingdom of his own, regardless of whether he deserves it or not.
8 “There is no heaven for you to escape to.”
Guts to Jill, Chap #117
Berserk makes no bones about depicting a dark fantasy world where evil forces run rampant, yet Guts conveys this in an almost defeated tone. He knew firsthand that the horrors that were haunting him would never go away.But Jill doesn't realize the implications of his Sacrifice Brand. Jill's best friend, Rosine, is susceptible to this corruption, believing that Rosine will eventually find a way to escape her abusive family to live among the goblins. But Guts's quote is his way of sparing Jill from the horrors and violence to come in the Conviction Arc and beyond.
7 “But when it's just the two of us…My sword becomes heavy.”
Thanks Roderick and Serpico, Chap #349
Alone… my own body was on the brink, I could endure without caring how worn it was. But with the two of us… my sword became heavy. I could no longer afford to die, and I could no longer handle everything on my own. I put aside my own ways… accepted the help of others, and moved forward.
– Intestine
Part of Guts' character arc lies in how he deals with his trauma from the Eclipse along with the horrors of his childhood. During the Golden Age Arc, Guts was a loner who loved fighting to hone his skills, barely being convinced by the Band of the Hawk before being betrayed. During the Black Swordsman Arc, Guts was a vicious, vengeful terror. He was only convinced when he reunited with Casca, where he realized that he could no longer put his life in danger.realizing his latent rage and need to rely on others like Farnese, Schierke, Isidro and Serpico.
6 “But even if we are tortured or injured, we will still fight to survive.”
Guts to the Snake Lord, Berserk Anime (1997) English Dub, Episode #1
“You are right, we are mortal and fragile. But even if we are tortured or injured, we will fight to survive. You should feel the pain we feel and understand. I am the messenger who will bring you to that pain and understanding.”
– Intestine
Guts is a distinct breed of warrior in the Black Swordsman Arc, particularly brutal in his enjoyment of killing the Snake Lord. But Guts has an axe to grind with the apostles and the God Hand they serve, as He truly intends to avenge the suffering they caused his teammates in Eclipse. The 1997 English dub of the Berserk anime has a lot of great quotes due to the free translation, but this one alludes to the evil in Guts' heart as he restrains the Dragonslayer with the evil of his enemies.
5 “In the end, all that is left is a pile of rust and scrap.”
Godo to Guts, Chap #129
The problem with revenge…that’s where those who can’t look at sadness without wavering run to. Even more than a bleeding sword, revenge is something you soak and sharpen in blood. You dip the blade called your heart deep into blood to repair the scratches called sadness. The more you sharpen it, the more it rusts, so you sharpen it again. In the end, all that’s left is a pile of rust and debris.
– Good
An often misquoted line, this exchange between Godo and Guts takes place before Guts lets his guard down again in time. The events of Eclipse were horrific, and Guts' actions in leaving behind his last surviving friends to exact revenge have severely hardened his heart. But Godo's speech reminds Guts that, while he was motivated by hatred in his quest, It was also his way of running away from his trauma, which eventually consumed him.Guts' face in this arc is even depicted as having a more unstable intensity, greatly reduced compared to the Fantasia Arc.
4 “Why do I always see these things after they're done and gone…?”
Intestines, Chap #71
In perhaps the darkest foreshadowing possible, Guts learns about the Band of the Hawk after rescuing Griffith, is urged by Judeau to bring Casca to his side, and realizes that he has a place where he belongs. His rising sense of self-awareness emerges through his rough exterior, only to be extinguished by the terrible events that are about to unfold, as Griffith will soon begin his Eclipse. The chapter ends with this exact quote echoing within Guts during his tender moment with Casca as Griffith lies nearby, The moment before the most important scene in Berserk.
3 “…Like a dream fire.”
Casca to Guts, Berserk Anime (1997) English Dub, Episode #14
Guts: Looking down at all of them, from up here, I almost think I can see their hopes and dreams flickering in every little light.
Casca: Like the fire of dreams.
Guts: Oh, that's great. You sound like a princess talking.
The 1997 English dub of Berserk has some surprisingly elegant lines among its quotes, with Casca's line being so beautifully executed that Guts mocks her for such a lofty statement. She says this as they look over the Band of the Hawk's camp, lighting up the night sky, when the two have a surprisingly beautiful moment, bonding the couple in one of Berserk's best scenes. The conversation starts off lightly, with Casca initially coming to treat Guts' wounds after he successfully fended off the might of a hundred soldiers during the Golden Age Arc.
2 “Fight, fight, struggle!! That alone is the sword of one facing death!!”
Skull Knight arrives at Guts, Chapter #37
Various translations of this phrase have appeared in countless formulaic video essays, but it summarizes Guts' experiences far beyond this encounter in the Golden Age Arc. The Skull Knight's origins in Berserk remain unclear, as he is the most mysterious character in the series, but he may be Guts' strongest ally. These persistent words motivate Guts to continue surviving in Eclipse.endure the pain of Berserker Armor and face God Hand, calling him Struggler, who defies death to give him and his friends a fighting chance.
1 “Even if you are forced to take back what you lost…it will never be the same.”
Intestines, Chap #287
Many of Berserk's themes revolve around how the characters interact and deal with their trauma throughout the series. Guts continually grows as a person while facing his demons, while Griffith embraces them in a different way. Griffith surrenders to his lust for power at all costs, giving up his humanity in the process.
This quote perfectly sums up Guts' character philosophy in the upcoming Hawk of the Millennium Empire Arc. In this context, it refers to the moment when Casca, with a broken bone, falls into the sea from the Seahorse, but not before trying to catch her with his prosthetic arm and failing, showing how much they've both changed. However, in a broader sense, this is actually true for Guts as he regains what he lost. like Griffith as he attempts to recreate the Band of the Hawk to fulfill his dark ambitions Madness.