It is not the story that moves me
Although "Berserk" remained unfinished at volume 41, the final page of that volume contained a note stating that the staff and editorial department were struggling with how to proceed.
In other words, does this mean that one of the options being considered is for Studio Gaga to take over and continue drawing the work known as "Berserk"?
I see; if the plot has been passed from the author to the staff, that would be possible, and there are certainly fans who would be happy about it.
However, that would no longer be "Berserk." No, from my perspective, even as early as volume 22,after the battle at the Hill of Swords, "Berserk" was already no longer "Berserk."From volume 23 onwards, the magical elements began to intensify, and once the story shifted to the "Fantasia" world, I stopped finding this work particularly interesting.
Of course, compared to other manga, I was still reading it with far more enjoyment, but to me, the story from volume 23 onwards feels like a patchwork that shouldn't have truly existed.
"Berserk" is clearly under the influence of "Devilman"; in other words, the bloodline of Akira Fudo and Ryo Asuka flows through Guts and Griffith as well. If that is the case, then ultimately, it should have converged into an ending where an army of angels approaches after a great massacre, focusing on the story of those two, but there was never any sign of that.
The only parts from volume 23 onwards that I thought were good were the spirit of Irvine (who is also Devilman) and Emperor Ganishka. After volume 23, as they continued to draw for nearly 20 more volumes, the density of the art increased, but the content became thin and drawn out.
The richness of the story from before that point dissipated, and I was simply being made to read it out of inertia.
What value is there in the story from volume 41 onwards?
The story of "Berserk" had already been beautifully told by the end of the Birth Ceremony chapter. Two men meet, part ways, and meet again. And the final chapter of volume 41 is merely an extension of that.
After 20 volumes, what has happened?
People are not moved by stories. People are moved by how a story is told.
I was undoubtedly obsessed with the story up to volume 22, and I read it as if I were truly immersed in it.
That was because I was captivated by Kentaro Miura's skill in storytelling.
For example, the cutbacks to the memories of Guts and his companions as he runs while wailing after losing the Band of the Hawk. For example, the moment of reunion in the nest of the cult where he protects Casca with the Dragon Slayer—that kind of direction is the essence of manga, and that essence does not lie within the story itself.
Yoshihiro Togashi once said that if you want to be a manga artist, you don't have time to just draw pictures. This is because it is not just the plot, but the brilliance of the direction that is the greatest reason why manga is manga.
However, personally, I feel that after volume 22, the story that truly needed to be told had already ended. The journey to Elf Island looked like the author's own wavering heart.
The story leading up to the conclusion of "Berserk" is ultimately aboutwho is telling itand thatgreatest storyteller is no longer here.
A preacher speaking the words of Jesus Christ loses some of the truth of his words.
Children are drawn in by the seasoned, skillful words of a paper-theater storyteller.
Original anime episodes or novelizations based on an original author's draft are all imitations. Even if they are occasionally interesting, that is just a rare case where the writer or creator was talented. The true appeal comes from that person's gestures, their tone of voice—in other words, their individuality—and that is what captivates people.
Even with the same story, the story changes completely depending on who is telling it.
It is not the story that moves me. Stories, after all, are all the same.
However, depending on the storyteller, they can emit an infinite brilliance. Those who can do that are geniuses.
We have lost one such genius.