The complete Berserk Original Soundtrack can now be heard on Spotify.Berserk Volume 1 (1997) 6 tracks, 24:10 mins Berserk Volume 2 (1997) 13 tracks, 46:26 mins Berserk Movie Original Soundtrack (1998) 9 tracks, 43:34 mins 1997 series featured a soundtrack by Susumu Hirasawa and Yutaka Minobe. The score is one of the more brilliant aspects of the TV series, the composer’s signature style blending well with Hirasawa’s high-tempo synth compositions.
About the series
The story is set in a world resembling mediaeval Europe: The Empire of Midland lies to the west, the Lands of the Falcon to the North, and the kingdom of Chuder to the East. The series begins with Guts (previously known as “Gargantua” and shown as a brutal mercenary in Volumes 1-4) losing his right arm (which becomes detached from his body). He then meets Griffith, a mysterious and seemingly immortal swordsman who tells Guts that he saw him ten years ago, “a man of will, who feared nothing in the world”, and offers him a place in his mercenary band. Unprepared for the fight ahead, Guts joins Griffith’s group.
The background of the series
The world of Berserk is balanced between the warring states of the Empire, Big up in the west, which is “devouring” its smaller neighbours in a power struggle, and Midland and its allies which oppose it. However, unlike a real-life civil war “between good and evil”, the conflict of interest is not so much between two nations but against a common enemy. The Eclipse group from the Lands of Falcon (a Christian country) serves as Berserk’s main antagonist.
What is the plot of the series?
The setting is the fast-paced, brutal (and more often than not bloody) battles between the individual characters and their comrades as well as between one group of characters and another. The final chapters of the series seem to be set in a far-off future after the war has ended.
Where are the stories set?
The world of Berserk is set against a mediaeval backdrop, with cities and castles resembling those of early modern Europe. The characters live in the midst of a war that rages endlessly between two forces – the forces of Big (which is represented by the Empire of Midland) and those of Falcon (represented by Lands of Falcon).
Is Berserk worth watching?
The anime is a harsh and bloody battle anime, with a complex plot. If you are not interested in fighting, bloodshed, or fantasy – it’s better to choose something else. The berserk series has been described by Kentaro Miura as “the story of a man, who will do anything to get what he wants”, which is fully reflected in the actions of his characters and the plot development.
What are the main features of the series?
One of the most impressive features of Berserk is its realistic illustrations in a mediaeval setting. This “mediaeval fantasy real world” is drawn in such detail that even a lover of Chinese culture will find it hard to leave without being fascinated. The artistic style is reminiscent of famous works by Rembrandt and Hokusai, yet unmistakably Japanese.
