Rating: Summary: The Saga Continues... (4.5 stars) Review: "Berserk 2: Immortal Soldier," while not as action-packed as the first volume, continues the dark and blood-soaked series about vengeance and human will. Things change when a stranger by the name of Guts comes to a town filled with evil and death with a purpose to seek revenge upon the one who has done him wrong. A tortured soul possessed by his own rage and hatred, he is a warrior that will never give up until he punishes the one who has betrayed him. These four exciting and well-developed episodes continue this promising and captivating saga.The saga continues with flash backs of the past to show us the history of Guts and how he came to be. Belonging to a group of mercenaries led by Griffith, Guts is able to use his unmerciful rage to his advantage on the battlefield. Forced to face a demonic creature that no man has ever survived as well as an assassination attempt, Guts is determined not to fail and be victorious as always. This second volume of the series isn't as action-packed as the first, but I suspect that this is necessary in order to set the stage for things to come. While the action has decreased some, character development reaches an all-time high. More things are revealed to us which makes some of the previous events more clearer. The series is still engaging and exciting without having a single minute wasted. It will be interesting to see what happens next, as I am sure that bigger and more dangerous events are lurking about. As I said, this volume tends to be a bit slower than the first volume, but it is most likely a must in order to begin a violent chain-of-events that will shape the future of Guts and reveal to us just exactly what makes him suffer the way he does. Again, this animated series is not recommended for young children. The episodes contain brutal and graphic violence, extreme blood and gore, language, and dark and disturbing themes and imagery. Extras included are outtakes, production sketches, and an art gallery. "Berserk 2: Immortal Soldier" continues this exciting and mesmerizing series. There's fantastic character development, thrilling battle scenes, and haunting imagery that enhances the saga even more. "Berserk" is proving to be an incredible epic that keeps surprising and never holds back. The journey has taken us through 9 episodes thus far--there's no telling what we will be facing next.
Rating: Summary: The Saga Continues... (4.5 stars) Review: "Berserk 2: Immortal Soldier," while not as action-packed as the first volume, continues the dark and blood-soaked series about vengeance and human will. Things change when a stranger by the name of Guts comes to a town filled with evil and death with a purpose to seek revenge upon the one who has done him wrong. A tortured soul possessed by his own rage and hatred, he is a warrior that will never give up until he punishes the one who has betrayed him. These four exciting and well-developed episodes continue this promising and captivating saga. The saga continues with flash backs of the past to show us the history of Guts and how he came to be. Belonging to a group of mercenaries led by Griffith, Guts is able to use his unmerciful rage to his advantage on the battlefield. Forced to face a demonic creature that no man has ever survived as well as an assassination attempt, Guts is determined not to fail and be victorious as always. This second volume of the series isn't as action-packed as the first, but I suspect that this is necessary in order to set the stage for things to come. While the action has decreased some, character development reaches an all-time high. More things are revealed to us which makes some of the previous events more clearer. The series is still engaging and exciting without having a single minute wasted. It will be interesting to see what happens next, as I am sure that bigger and more dangerous events are lurking about. As I said, this volume tends to be a bit slower than the first volume, but it is most likely a must in order to begin a violent chain-of-events that will shape the future of Guts and reveal to us just exactly what makes him suffer the way he does. Again, this animated series is not recommended for young children. The episodes contain brutal and graphic violence, extreme blood and gore, language, and dark and disturbing themes and imagery. Extras included are outtakes, production sketches, and an art gallery. "Berserk 2: Immortal Soldier" continues this exciting and mesmerizing series. There's fantastic character development, thrilling battle scenes, and haunting imagery that enhances the saga even more. "Berserk" is proving to be an incredible epic that keeps surprising and never holds back. The journey has taken us through 9 episodes thus far--there's no telling what we will be facing next.
Rating: Summary: the grest tale of friendship and betrayal Review: Berserk: the immortal sodier tells a story of a one-armed wandering swordman, Gatts, who possesses incredible physical strength and gory past. The plot of Berserk is not what you would find in conventional anime or manga. Here, you're not going to see a wizard smite dragons with magic. In contrast, the setting of berserk, in spite of being a fantasy advanture, is very realistic. There is no sorcerer or magic sword anywhere. The concept of a "dragon slayer" here is just a big blunt sword that so heavy that it would crush anything in two within one strike. However, the essence of Berserk is not about killing monster but rather the achievemnet in complex development of characterization. Something that has rarely been equally achieved by manga or anime. !!SPOILER!! :Gatts, as a child born amid the fierce fighting of medival battlefield, has to struggle to learn how to fight in order to survive in a cruel world. He becomes a strong warrior and later join the Band of Hawk which is led by Griffith, a charming mercenary leader. By following Griffith, Gatts has experienced the glorious moments in his life. The Band of Hawk is invincible. They keep on winning and the unbreakable friendship between the two has firmly formed. However Griffith's unfathomable ambition leads to the destruction of the Hawk. And when Griffith decides to choose path of his dream before friends who would fight and die for him, the bond of friendship is forever turned in to hatred and despair.!!END OF SPOILER!! I find the plot of Berserk so perfect that it could have easily become a bestseller novel if it were written as novel at the first place. This is no silly cartoon! The story, however, based originally on manga written by Kentarou Miura. To my dismay, the anime series only span up to around volume 13-14 of manga version (currently achieved the 22nd issue). Thus, the more exciting part of the story is left out just like that. Well, at least until somebody makes a sequel series which is unlikely. While I find the character design in anime series quite welldone, I have to say that the animation itself is pretty cheap. The only problem of this anime is that it wasn't produced on very high budget which is a shame. There are a lot of budget saving techniques here and there and that is why I give it only 4 stars. It may sound weird but I have to say that action in the manga look much more power than in the anime. I only wish that one day it may be remade as a high budget movie or OAV. Anyway, that was just a tip I tried to give for those who are interested in manga format but cannot find it outside Japanese version. Overall, this is a brilliant series which worth checking out. If you are thinking about picking it up, please don't hesitate to do it right away.
Rating: Summary: Bloody Berserk Review: I agree completely with the guy who wrote the first review up there. That last episode (25) was a trip and a half. Still, the anime me and him watched may be different from the ones released here in the United States. Some of the stuff that happens in the Japanese version may be cut out of the American version simply because of it's so graphic (without a doubt the most disturbing stuff I've ever seen). At first glance, the content seems gratuitous, but when one appreciates the purpose of the series, it becomes clear why the imagery is so deeply disturbing. Anyways, if you do decide to follow this series to the end (which you should if you've gotten this far), All I can say is brace yourself.
Rating: Summary: Bloody Berserk Review: I agree completely with the guy who wrote the first review up there. That last episode (25) was a trip and a half. Still, the anime me and him watched may be different from the ones released here in the United States. Some of the stuff that happens in the Japanese version may be cut out of the American version simply because of it's so graphic (without a doubt the most disturbing stuff I've ever seen). At first glance, the content seems gratuitous, but when one appreciates the purpose of the series, it becomes clear why the imagery is so deeply disturbing. Anyways, if you do decide to follow this series to the end (which you should if you've gotten this far), All I can say is brace yourself.
Rating: Summary: WARNING: DO NOT GET ADDICTED TO THIS SERIES UNLESS.... Review: I love Berserk, it's by far one of the best animes of all time. The characters, as everyone says, are supurb, and the overall storyline (Although dumbed down from the Manga) is quite excellent. However, the episodes on this current dvd and the next few to come are the happy ones. Those of you who say there's lots of gore and adult situations in these first couple eps, YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET! If you enjoy the series at it's current point, do not get addicted (as I did) unless you are prepared to see everything go, quite literally, straight to hell in the last couple of eps. I thought Ninja Ressurection was bad, but episode 25 came very close to making me vomit. Thus I must warn you, don't get too attached to the current set of main characters (Especially Griffith, that dirty little...) without expecting the worst. As for eps 6-9, 6 is phenominal. It introduces Nosferatu Zodd, or Zodd the Immortal as he's called, who becomes a main character in the Manga after vol. 13 (Which is where the anime ends), and is by far one of the coolest demons ever. Eps 7-9 continue the ascention of the Band of the Hawk, and let you see a little deeper into Griffith and Gatsu's minds. All in all, its worth the buy. One last point, I don't especially like the voice acters for the dub, and strongly suggest you watch the series subtitled. The only thing the dubbed dvds have going for them are the absolutely hilarious outakes.
Rating: Summary: Darker than the first DVD, but still an excellent series. Review: If you have watched the first DVD, you know by now this series is not for kids. Well, this DVD takes that to a whole new level, reinforcing this fact. This DVD is where the real plot becomes much more evident as Guts faces off with the "Immortal Soldier," Zodd. Although not completely clear yet, Zodd has some very important foreshadowing that will make you want to watch the rest of the series. On the series as a whole, I can best compare this series to Record of Lodoss War, but with much more violence and adult themes than Lodoss War had. This series is definately not for children. The story is of a mercenary named Guts and set in a world similar to Lodoss War, but with fewer fantastic creatures and different odd races (most all of the characters are human, with a few exceptions). Do not expect to see a bunch of elves and dwarves and dragons, the non-human characters are few and far between through the first 5 episodes. One hilarious bonus feature on all of the Berserk DVDs is the Outtakes. Basically, it is a series of line reading errors placed over the same scene in the original anime scenes. Watch them after viewing all of the episodes on the DVD so that you understand the context, but they are truly hilarious. It's very different than those "outtakes" on other animated DVDs, which are actual added scenes.
Rating: Summary: great, but not excellent Review: My thoughts about this DVD can be summed up with one word. GREAT. But as great as these episodes are, i dont think they had enough action in them, and the story seemed a little bit drawn out. reminding me of some of those famous DBZ episodes where it would take too long for something to happen. Now dont think im talking bad about this DVD, in fact i loved it, i just like to give criticizm where it is necessary. i would highly recommend this dvd to anyone who enjoys a good storyline, some blood, and great character developments. so pick up this dvd and if you havent yet, pick up dvd-1:War Cry. and enjoy the beginning of a great anime saga.
Rating: Summary: Better than the first!! Review: Since I gave the first DVD 5 stars, I feel that this DVD truly deserves six stars. Why? The first episode on the disk. Without spoiling anything, I will tell you that there are some gruesome things in that episode, as well as a mysterious revelation to the main character, Guts, that will leave you wondering..... The rest of the episodes are still top notch, even introducing a new character, a princess. All of the episodes on here are grade A quality, and once again the outtakes are hilarious! Get this and add it to your nice box that you should have gotten with the first disk.
Rating: Summary: Just as good as WARCRY, but better Review: So far I this series is shaping up to be an awesome series. It's already my all time favorite anime series. The character development has improved off of War Cry. Theres not enough action in this one but still manages to hold it's prime. I really enjoyed this volume.... Though there was a few flaws I thought It still did well.. I am right now on the third dvd and so far it hasn't dissapointed. Get IMMORTAL SOLDIER. It's just as good as WARCRY.... We also see more development with Gutts And Griffith.... Overall this is a great vol of Berserk to have.... Later...
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