Berserk Volume 28: A Delight

To say the least, the last volume gave this one a lot of expectations. And it didn’t drown under the pressure. The opening chapter starts with Schierke opening up to Guts. Guts, someone who is usually very reserved, subtlety helps Schierke express her emotion and find a place to grieve. In this way, he is preventing her from mimicking him, someone whose becomes so bottled up they loose their real self.

We then see Skull Knight arrive who comes to warn Guts of the Berserker armor, but Schierke reiterates she has it taken care of. Through this interaction, we learn more of Skull Knight’s past which is almost as fascinating as anything said before he arrived. It’s revealed the attack on Schierke’s home was all for Griffith’s mission, helping to show Griffith isn’t doing things for the greater good, as that’s against his principles. He never does anything without an ‘I’ since it would be repeating his past mistakes.

It’s become clear just how vital Skull Knight’s warning was, as Guts the moment going face-to-face with Griffith becomes a possibility, nearly slips into the state. We then learn from Skull Knight that Casca could regain her mind, which is a lively moment for the reader and Guts to hear as the fear of her always being in a catatonic state was always too-omnipresent. But troubles arise as Casca might not wish to come back. While this certainly is a dilemma, it helps to show the significance of Farnese being by her side. Before further inquiries can be addressed, the moonlight boy finally appears, to Casca’s amusement and everyone’s bafflement. He seems to have a close connection to both Guts and Casca. The next chapter deals with taking down crocodiles believe it or not, and if you think Berserk‘s extravagant art was over, you would be very mistaken.

The crew seems to have more than crocodiles on their trail as practically every creature seems to be after them. While this can make the tone seem initially repetitive, quickly Berserk gets Guts in the Berserker armor and that changes things up. To further prove the art is out of this world.

Schierke now tries her best to help pull Guts out of this state, which surprisingly works. While Shierke did it, Serpico realizes the potential danger that state puts them in. While Serpico was alert and noble enough to stand tall and defend his comrades from Guts in that state, that wouldn’t have saved them if Shierke was a tad slower. With Serpico, we can see an understanding yet ruthless demeanor take place. While he may or may not hate Guts, if he tries that again, he won’t hesitate to strike. After this incident, our crew are able to go far, somehow they are now in a whole Kingdom. Miura uses this time to highlight Isidro and Schierke’s interaction’s with Griffith’s younger followers. As an example, Schierke is not so different from Sonia, with the exception being her morality. Sonia lives for Griffith like a moth to a flame. She is another follower of the dream, whereas Schierke lives by her own accord. Not a lot happens this volume, but what does happen is captivating.