Berserk Episode 1: The Black Swordsman
Manga chapter 1-3
Canon/HIGH
OSHIMETER
9.3
14 Fans
5
4
3
2
1
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack
← Prev: EPNext: EP 2 →
OSHIMETER
9.3
14 Fans
5
4
3
2
1
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack
QUICK TAKES
akhtirskaia
Verified
juandgr2003
VerifiedIs hard to believe that even with all the "even heavier" stuff they had to delete in order to make this adaptation, it still works and translates the same dark and nightmarish tone of the source material, it´s a shame we haven´t seen the full black swordsman arc animated yet.
gorlock332
VerifiedThe reveal of his arm felt really well done and charismatic to the MC's character. I personally have high expectations for this series and the direction it will take.
eatingsocks
VerifiedGetting into this classic show! Thus far, I have a strong impression of the show's atmosphere and world building. I like the elements that have been implied, alongside the overarching darker themes.
mustardsprinkles
VerifiedAn insane start to the series! While a little confusing in structure, I attribute that to an older anime structure? Or maybe a more interpretative structure that will be clarified later on. Good visual imagery which conveys thriller and mystery too!
debprotyusa
Right from the first scene, Guts feels terrifying and tragic at the same time. The way he walks into that bar already sets the tone — this isn’t a typical hero story. The reveal of his mechanical arm cannon is insane. Griffith’s shadow looms even before we fully understand him.
pendragon
UP: Straight into the action, we meet Guts as the BLACK SWORDSMAN, and he's immediately cold. The dark fantasy vibe is IMMACULATE. DOWN: This episode adapts a later manga arc that the rest of the show doesn't follow up on. You'll be confused, but roll with it. 🗡️
2piangky
Banger opening sound track. animation is dark and intense and a brutal way to introduce the black swordsman. what I like about this anime it has a classic vibe.
superkingcow
A weirdly dark "flash-forward" that makes you wonder how a medieval knight ended up fighting snake-monsters.
matchablaze1
A brutal, atmospheric opener that drops you into a merciless world of steel and trauma. The tone is HEAVY, the protagonist feels dangerous, and the series makes it clear this isn’t a hero’s journey — it’s survival in hell.
rjtheclown22
Episode 1 of Berserk, “The Black Swordsman,” throws you into a brutally grim and dark world with a lone warrior driven by rage and revenge. It’s violent and intense. The episode sets a haunting tone while hinting at deeper trauma and mystery behind the titular Black Swordsman.
mooku
A lone swordsman arrives in a troubled town and confronts a hidden evil. the episode sets a dark tone and hints at a painful past driving his relentless mission.
maevismercy2000
konami
EPISODE CONTEXT
As episode 1 of 25, 'The Black Swordsman' functions as a prologue — establishing Guts at his most vengeful and mysterious before the series rewinds to explain how he became this way. The following episode, 'Band of the Hawk,' shifts to an extended flashback arc covering Guts' origins and his fateful connection to the mercenary group that defines the bulk of this season. Understanding this premiere as a dark promise of where the story ultimately leads makes the slower character-building episodes ahead far more rewarding.
QUICK TAKES
akhtirskaia
Verifiedjuandgr2003
VerifiedIs hard to believe that even with all the "even heavier" stuff they had to delete in order to make this adaptation, it still works and translates the same dark and nightmarish tone of the source material, it´s a shame we haven´t seen the full black swordsman arc animated yet.
gorlock332
VerifiedThe reveal of his arm felt really well done and charismatic to the MC's character. I personally have high expectations for this series and the direction it will take.
eatingsocks
VerifiedGetting into this classic show! Thus far, I have a strong impression of the show's atmosphere and world building. I like the elements that have been implied, alongside the overarching darker themes.
mustardsprinkles
VerifiedAn insane start to the series! While a little confusing in structure, I attribute that to an older anime structure? Or maybe a more interpretative structure that will be clarified later on. Good visual imagery which conveys thriller and mystery too!
debprotyusa
Right from the first scene, Guts feels terrifying and tragic at the same time. The way he walks into that bar already sets the tone — this isn’t a typical hero story. The reveal of his mechanical arm cannon is insane. Griffith’s shadow looms even before we fully understand him.
pendragon
UP: Straight into the action, we meet Guts as the BLACK SWORDSMAN, and he's immediately cold. The dark fantasy vibe is IMMACULATE. DOWN: This episode adapts a later manga arc that the rest of the show doesn't follow up on. You'll be confused, but roll with it. 🗡️
2piangky
Banger opening sound track. animation is dark and intense and a brutal way to introduce the black swordsman. what I like about this anime it has a classic vibe.
superkingcow
A weirdly dark "flash-forward" that makes you wonder how a medieval knight ended up fighting snake-monsters.
matchablaze1
A brutal, atmospheric opener that drops you into a merciless world of steel and trauma. The tone is HEAVY, the protagonist feels dangerous, and the series makes it clear this isn’t a hero’s journey — it’s survival in hell.
rjtheclown22
Episode 1 of Berserk, “The Black Swordsman,” throws you into a brutally grim and dark world with a lone warrior driven by rage and revenge. It’s violent and intense. The episode sets a haunting tone while hinting at deeper trauma and mystery behind the titular Black Swordsman.
mooku
A lone swordsman arrives in a troubled town and confronts a hidden evil. the episode sets a dark tone and hints at a painful past driving his relentless mission.
maevismercy2000
konami
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