Berserk (2016)
Synopsis
Now branded for death and destined to be hunted by demons until the day he dies, Guts embarks on a journey to defy such a gruesome fate, as waves of beasts relentlessly pursue him. Steeling his resolve, he takes up the monstrous blade Dragonslayer and vows to exact vengeance on the one responsible, hunting down the very man he once looked up to and considered a friend. Along the way, he encounters some unlikely allies, such as a small elf named Puck, and Isidro, a young thief looking to learn swordsmanship from the former mercenary. As the ragtag group slowly comes together after having decided to join Guts in his quest, they will face incredible danger unlike anything they have ever experienced before. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
The Berserk 2016 adaptation is highly controversial due to its significant departure in animation style, opting for poorly executed CGI that clashes with the source material's dark aesthetic. While some appreciate the attempt to adapt the Conviction arc and praise the soundtrack, the overwhelming consensus is disappointment. Many fans feel the adaptation fails to capture the essence of Berserk, due to poor visuals, cut content, and weak character development.
Strengths
- Faithful adaptation of the Conviction arc story
- Good characterization true to the manga
- Amazing soundtrack and sound design
- Retains the dark and raw atmosphere of Berserk
Weaknesses
- Awful CGI animation, stiff and unnatural movement
- Poor directing and inconsistent pacing
- Skipped crucial backstory and character development (Black Swordsman arc, Lost Children arc)
- Inconsistent tone, jarring shifts between serious and comedic moments
- Censorship of gore and nudity, undermining the gritty feel
- Uninspired and generic soundtrack compared to previous adaptations