Beyond The Black Swordsman: Deconstructing Berserk's Controversial First Page
For many, the name "Berserk" conjures images of a solitary, imposing warrior wielding an impossibly large sword, cleaving through grotesque demons with grim determination. Guts, the Black Swordsman, is synonymous with raw power, relentless vengeance, and an unyielding will to survive against impossible odds. Indeed, as one might put it, "Call me shallow, but when I think of Berserk what comes to mind is Guts being a scary flesh-terminator fighting against impossible odds, giant sword slashing grotesque abominations." This iconic imagery is what draws countless fans into Kentaro Miura's dark fantasy epic, a sprawling narrative spanning decades and over 350 chapters.
However, if you've ever embarked on a re-read of Berserk, or perhaps picked up the very first volume after hearing its legendary status, you might find yourself doing a double-take. The actual first page of Berserk, particularly the very first panel, is a stark departure from the brutal, heroic, albeit tragic, image of Guts that has become ingrained in popular culture. It's a moment that has perplexed and even shocked many readers, leading them to question, "First pages of Berserk. So after I finished Berserk I went back to the first pages and questioned myself." This initial glimpse into Guts' world is not of a grand battle or a heroic stand, but something far more intimate, and frankly, quite bizarre.
The Unforgettable, Yet Often Forgotten, Beginning
A Shocking Introduction to Guts
The very first panel of Berserk, in its original serialization, depicts Guts engaged in a sexual act with a monstrous apostle. Yes, you read that right. "The manga started by him having sex with an apostle which is also weird." This scene, often referred to as the "tentacle rape" scene due to the apostle's form, is jarring, to say the least. It’s an immediate plunge into the depravity and moral ambiguity that Berserk would later explore, but it presents Guts in a light that is far from the stoic, hardened warrior we come to know and admire.
For new readers, this introduction can be disorienting. It doesn't immediately establish Guts as the "flesh-terminator" fighting for a noble cause, but rather as someone entangled in a deeply unsettling, almost grotesque, encounter. It's a far cry from the epic fantasy tropes many might expect. This early depiction of Guts is rough, unrefined, and certainly not the character who would later inspire millions with his resilience and growth.
Miura's Early Vision: A Work in Progress
The discrepancy between Berserk's opening and its later development isn't just a matter of artistic choice; it's a testament to the organic evolution of a master storyteller's vision. Kentaro Miura himself acknowledged these early inconsistencies. In an interview, he stated that "some of the events in the first episode don't really make sense considering what we have now, but it's only because at that point in time he was..." still figuring things out. Like any artist, Miura was exploring, experimenting, and refining his narrative as he went along. The initial pages of Berserk were a nascent idea, a raw concept that would eventually blossom into the intricate, emotionally profound saga we know today.
This early, almost prototype, version of Guts and his world reflects a creator finding his footing, grappling with themes and character arcs that would only fully materialize much later. It's a fascinating insight into the creative process, showing that even the most celebrated works often begin with tentative steps and evolving ideas.
Publication Peculiarities and the "True" Beginning
Adding to the confusion surrounding Berserk's early chapters are its peculiar publication history. When Berserk first began being published, each release was labeled as a “Revenge.” For instance, you might find "Revenge 9: Golden Age (1)." This unique titling system was eventually phased out as the series gained traction and found a more stable home in Young Animal magazine. This early serialization method also led to some numbering irregularities.
Indeed, "Berserk went through some weird changes in its publication back in the day, so the numbering on the episodes is a little off." For many fans, the story truly begins with "The Black Swordsman" arc, which, despite being chronologically the first arc, wasn't necessarily the *first* material published in the exact order it appears in the collected volumes. "The story begins properly at 'The Black Swordsman'," is a common sentiment among the fandom, signifying a more coherent and consistent narrative direction compared to the very first, more experimental, pages. These early, disjointed chapters were later compiled and re-contextualized within the tankobon volumes, providing a more linear reading experience for new fans.
Guts' Evolution: From Prototype to Protagonist
The journey from that controversial first page to the Guts we know and love is perhaps the most compelling aspect of Berserk's longevity. "In 2021 with over 356 more chapters since that first page, it's a reminder that Guts, much like Miura, grew, changed and developed with experience and time." The early, almost one-dimensional "flesh-terminator" portrayal gives way to a character of immense depth, vulnerability, and resilience. The "tl;dr that first page isn't what" perfectly encapsulates this transformation.
Guts' character arc is one of profound suffering, growth, and the slow, painful process of healing. The initial brutality he exhibits is later understood as a coping mechanism, a shield against a world that has relentlessly brutalized him. Moments like "Seeing Guts crying like this in chapter 8 was one of the most shocking moments in my Berserk’s first time reading experience; I used to think that Guts is such a badass and..." illustrate this beautifully. It’s a powerful subversion of the initial impression, revealing a character capable of immense pain and, eventually, profound connection.
This evolution is what makes Berserk so much more than just a dark fantasy action series. It's a character study, a philosophical exploration of good and evil, fate and free will, and the enduring human spirit. The Guts of the first page is merely a shadow, a rough sketch, of the complex, multi-faceted protagonist who would anchor Miura's magnum opus for decades.
The Enduring Legacy and Re-reading Experience
Revisiting the first page of Berserk after completing the entire saga (or at least, what's been released so far) offers a unique perspective. It highlights the immense journey both the character and the creator undertook. It serves as a powerful reminder that even the most iconic figures and stories can have humble, and sometimes awkward, beginnings. The sheer volume of content available, whether in "tankobon volumes (41 of them at the moment) or the deluxe edition volumes (12 of them as of yet, 14 in total in a)" speaks to the vastness of the world Miura built from those initial, experimental strokes.
The initial shock of that first page quickly fades as readers delve deeper into the narrative, discovering the rich tapestry of characters, the intricate lore, and the emotional weight that defines Berserk. It becomes a quirky footnote, a testament to Miura's artistic evolution, rather than a definitive representation of the series as a whole.
Summary
In conclusion, the first page of Berserk is a fascinating, albeit controversial, starting point for one of the greatest dark fantasy sagas ever written. It introduces Guts in a jarring and unexpected manner, a far cry from the iconic "flesh-terminator" image that defines him. This initial inconsistency is a reflection of Kentaro Miura's evolving vision, as he himself admitted to the early events not fully aligning with the later narrative. Coupled with Berserk's peculiar early publication history, these initial chapters stand as a testament to a creator finding his voice and refining his masterpiece. Ultimately, the true power of Berserk lies not in its unconventional beginning, but in the incredible journey of Guts, who, much like Miura, grew, changed, and developed into a character of unparalleled depth and resilience over hundreds of chapters, proving that the first page is indeed not what defines the sprawling epic that follows.
Berserk comic book
Berserk (manga) - Wikiwand
Berserk deluxe volume 1 - lasopajazz
