Berserk, Vol. 11

With all the sentimentality of the past two volumes out of the way, Berserk really gets down and dirty with this, the eleventh volume of this bloody and violent series. In this volume, nothing is held back; it's almost getting to the point where I'm thinking there has to be something wrong with me for enjoying this series so much to this point. Yes, early on I was disappointed by Berserk because of some of the content (the child molestation scene in volumes three and four) but now, even with a graphic rape and dismemberment scene, it seems Berserk can do no wrong to me. Thankfully, I'm still cheering for the good guys so I can't be all messed up in the head; I couldn't wait for Guts to get revenge for the poor girl who had to go through the scene mentioned above. Plus, the story is heating up and adding things that weren't found in the anime, which is always good.

This volume starts only moments after Guts and friends escape from Midland Castle with Griffith, now only a husk, and they are being hunted by a mercenary group almost as famous as the Band of the Hawk, the Knight of the Black Dog, made up entirely of criminals with a leader who is... less than human, I'll say. Most of this volume centers around the remaining members of the Band of Hawk's battle with the Black Dog Knights, and with Guts's battle with their powerful leader. The action in this volume is intense and is almost entirely new to what the anime was, and is getting to the point where the anime had ended.

It's amazing to me that a series that has continued this long hasn't entered a state of complete stupidity that other long-running manga or anime has (see any of the Shonen Jump titles for this). Everything is still tied tightly to the main story, and rarely does it ever stray. Berserk is just an amazing manga, as it is well-written, artistically drawn, and horrifying. Though for a time I was in doubt, I'm now sure that this is still my favorite manga out. Chances are, if you're reading this, you're familiar with the Berserk franchise, so I probably don't need to recommend this... but I will anyways. Get this volume, and any other that came out before or after this.

Volume 11 of Kentaro Miura's medieval fantasy epic Berserk sets the stage for the end of the "Golden Age" story arc and the beginnings of the "Retribution" arc. This volume focuses primarily on action (e.g. fantastic fight sequences, especially between Guts and Wyald, a character introduced in volume 10) rather than advancing the Berserk plot, and Miura succeeds admirably. The supernatural elements introduced in the first several volumes (the "Black Swordsman" flashback arc) but muted during the "Golden Age" are starting to intrude upon the human realm once again and threatening to engulf the world of Guts.

The review mentioning hentai is bit misleading: there is arguably no gratuitous sex in volume 11 that you would expect to find in hentai. While the images may excite some readers, I believe that Miura included nudity/sex that you find in volume 11 (and also in other volumes) to demonstrate the depravity of certain situations and characters.

I thought it was the plastic wrap but there are some bad scuffs and a tear on the back cover and on the edge of a few pages.

As a Berserk fan, you need this volume.

I have no words to describe this epic story, but if you would like to know you must have to read it.

*Intro/Synopsis*
Berserk, often hailed as one of the premier examples of adult manga, began publication in 1990. Written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura, the title is set in a dark fantasy inspired medieval Europe, following the exploits of wandering mercenary Guts. Weaving great action with eye popping art; it also features excellent characterization, sweeping epic storylines which span years of the characters' lives, and intense violence/horror. Berserk gained popularity in America from the limited 25 episode anime, and has spawned 3 movies, 2 videogame, and numerous action figures. New chapters of berserk are still released, unfortunately its on a fairly erratic schedule. This is one of the most emotionally engrossing manga series I've read, and comes highly recommended to fans of seinen manga, and graphic literature in general.

*Story/Content*
Volume 11 is probably one of the most action heavy books we've gotten since [[ASIN:1593073283 Berserk, Vol. 7]]. The story picks up immediately after [[ASIN:1593073313 Berserk, Vol. 10]] with the Band being pursued by a unrelentingly vile enemy. The majority of this book is dedicated to the fight between the Hawks and this deadly vicious foe. Several one and two page spreads dedicated to some guresomely intense action panels, make this chapter truly eye popping. It should be noted this chapter features two fairly intense sexual situations, although nothing explicitly rendered (No genitals or penetration). The chapter's conclusion was satisfying, and set things in motion for the final two volumes of the golden age arc. Per the manga norm, there are no extras in this volume.

*Production*
As far as production goes, this book is fairly typical of what one would expect from a manga volume released in the US. Roughly 260 pages, featuring eight to eleven chapters of about 16-18 pages each. Bound in a softcover, and printed on classic manga/newsprint style paper. The series appears to be wholly uncensored in the US, featuring a competent translation, along with uncensored gore and nudity. My one gripe being; up to this point the sound effects have gone untranslated.

*Overall*
I don't have much bad to say about Berserk, other than its not for the squeamish or faint of heart. The art is truly breathtaking, and not only in it's action panels. Every character, set piece, and background is expertly rendered, with a loving attention to detail that demonstrates Miura's skill as a mangaka. That being said, the action panels are some of the best I've seen ;D. Fortunately, the story is quite enjoyable as well. Featuring tales of friendship, romance, Ambition, heartbreak, and tragedy. I became emotionally invested in several members of the main cast, thanks in part to good interpersonal character growth. It really can't be stated enough that Berserk does feature depictions of sex, and extreme graphic violence. The depictions of intercourse are pretty tame though, mostly featuring one person on top of the other, and some nipples. The violence and horror elements, on the other hand, can be quite grotesque, leaving little to the imagination. I'd recommend this series to anyone interested in a story with amazing art, cool characters, and a finely woven tale ages 18 and up.

Berserk is a pretty good manga series overall; however, this volume is probably it’s lowest point. Berserk has never shrugged away from graphic content, but, even at its worst, it felt like it had some artistic merit or vision. The introduction of the worst berserk character—wyald—briefly tosses that all out the window. He rapes and dismembers girls just to show he’s a monster. It’s poorly written character development and comes off as little more than shock value and exploitation. Fighting wyald takes up the whole volume and just slows the plot down as nothing that happens here has the slightest impact on anything that happens later on. Skip this volume and you won’t miss a thing.
Still not convinced this volume is that bad? Okay with a slight spoiler to warn out on how terrible this volume is? Here we go: in the midst of battle, wyald strips caska naked and runs his tentacle _____ over her but right before penetration guts cuts it off. Yup, that actually happens for some reason. It’s a image you don’t want to see and will have trouble forgetting. You’re def better off avoiding this volume as it really will forever bring the series down a peg for you after you’ve read it.

Book came in perfect condition no complaints

Must buy

Beserk is amazing