Manga Review – Berserk Vol 33 by Kentaro Miura (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Fantasy
Length: 232 pages
Publisher: Dark Horse Manga
Release Date: December 8, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-1595823670
Stand Alone or Series: 32nd volume in the Berserk series
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5 stars

“Guts the Black Swordsman and his companions brave the open sea, hoping to reach Puck’s homeland, Elfhelm, and its powerful elven king, who might be able to restore the sanity of Guts’ former lover, Casca. But seeking out a sanctuary for Casca means that Guts must postpone his hunt for his ex-friend and leader, Griffith, who has been reborn as a demon lord hell-bent on conquest. The winds of change blow fast and hard across the war-torn lands of the Holy See, and if Guts waits too long to exact his vengeance, Griffith might attain his murderous goals before Guts can return to Midland to stop him!”

This is the 33rd volume in the Berserk series. Things are a bit slow in this volume as well (they have been for the last few volumes). However, something big happens at the end that makes me think things are really going to get interesting in vol 24.

In this volume we are back on the ship with Guts and crew when they are attacked by pirates (why this happens no one knows). Luckily Roderick is more than a match for them on the open seas.

After this we end up back with Ganishka, who after being defeated by Griffith, decides to ascend beyond Apostle-hood and become ultimate evil; in doing so he destroys his troops and start a rampages across the country. Everyone is hoping that the Hawk of Light, Griffin will be able to defeat him.

After that it’s back to the ship, where even on the open seas, Guts and crew realize that a terrible evil has been unleashed.

As I said things move pretty slow in this volume. The pirate attack seemed a bit random but maybe it will play into future volumes. I am curious to see what happens with this new evil godlike Ganishka and how Griffith deal with it. I mean Griffith is pretty evil on his own so….

Overall this was a good installment in the Berserk series. While still a bit slow, this volume does add some new and interesting elements into the Berserk series that make me curious as to where things are going. I would continue to recommend this series to those who enjoy action-packed horror fantasy manga.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge