Berserk: The Tragic Relationship Between Guts and Griffith

The late and great Kentaro Miura created one of the best series of all time, a seinen manga called Berserk. Set in the dark-fantasy world of Midlands, the story follows the journey of Black Swordsman Guts, who stumbles upon many tragic and heartbreaking obstacles that will mark his life for good. One of those 'obstacles' is Griffith, an idealistic man who will not stop at nothing to achieve his dreams. 

Guts and Griffith as a Reflection of Each Other

The world of Berserk is an incredibly foul place where only the lucky ones have good childhoods and lives, and Kentaro Miura doesn't spare his characters at all. Looking at the characters of Guts and Griffith, one immediately notices that their childhoods were far from normal. Guts, an orphan whose mother was killed while being lynched by a mob, was accidentally found by local bandits that took him in. Later in his life, he was betrayed by his carer, Gambino, and even assaulted by a local mercenary, Donovan. Nothing was easy for Guts, and death and hard work eventually led to him meeting the Band of Falcon, where he experienced love for the first time.

Griffith was a dreamer since his childhood—he wanted to become a ruler of the world. However, to do that he needed to do unthinkable things. The boy with an angelic face sold his body to noblemen to have even a slim chance to be noticed by the richest. Eventually, sacrifice and humiliation 'paid off,' and Griffith decided to found the Band of Falcons, where he meets Guts for the first time. Guts and Griffith at first have vastly different childhoods, but going deeper into their lives, their childhoods are truly a reflection of each other—different circumstances, same tragedy.

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Love and Obsession as a Thin Line Between Guts and Griffith

After meeting each other for the first time, Griffith showcases immediate appreciation for Guts that borders on obsession and, in some cases, even love. Guts is more tame in representation of the feelings, but he is taken by the determination and leadership of Griffith. Through manga panels, Miura shows us a complex and sometimes awkward moment between two men but emphasizes one important thing: despite or even in spite of the strangeness and borderline obsession of Griffith towards Guts, two men loved each other. Guts' childlike admiration towards Griffith and Griffith's strange closeness to Guts created a fascinating dynamic between two warriors. So when Griffith betrayed the Band of Falcons and sold his soul to become the God Hand member, Femto, the shock and disbelief on Guts's (and readers) faces was inevitable.

Even the short monologue by Griffith before turning into Femto showcased how much he cared for Guts in the end, creating a thin line between love and obsession in their relationship.

Tragedy That Never Ends

Kentaro Miura created one of the best stories in the manga genre ever through incredible worldbuilding and intriguing characters who became the staple of how storytelling can shape even the simplest story. Guts and Griffith are the pinnacle of characterization, and through their relationship and struggles, the audience saw how one person can change and dictate another's life and goals. They are a true tragedy of fiction that very few can replicate again.

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