Do you consider other characters to be as well written as Guts and Griffith?

Allow me to properly explain. Berserk has an impeccable cast filled with some of the best character studies and developments, out of which two stand supreme, the main protagonist Guts and main antagonist Griffith.
Now, there are also incredible characters like Farnese, Schierke, Ganishka. Do you consider them to be on the same echelon of characters like Guts and Griffith?

I personally do think that Farnese and Schierke are as well written as Guts and Griffith. Even Berserk's side villains (in the sense that Griffith is the main villain) can easily be quality antagonists of any other manga.
 
Short answer: yes.

Long answer: That's kind of an odd question. All the characters (and situations they go through) were written by the same author, so my perspective is it's either a well-written story or it's not, but I don't think there's much merit in trying to compartmentalize it like that. Especially since, by nature, not all characters can get the same amount of development and care. But major or minor, they all contribute to the story as a whole.

I also think it's debatable whether Griffith "stands supreme" as far as character development goes, given that we don't get to see what's on his mind for most of the story. He is a fascinating character to be sure and his rise and fall during the Golden Age is great, but as far as sheer evolution of the character goes, Farnese has him beat. Anyway, I do think Miura's writing was exceptional, and that applies to all aspects of Berserk. But then again this is a Berserk fan forum, so no surprise there.
 
Griffith's arc in the Golden Age is very compelling, but afterwards he becomes a relatively static character. I don't mean that as a criticism really; he's become a god-like being detached from human emotion, so while to the people of the world he's this messianic savior figure, from his perspective he's just going through the motions to reach an end he's assumedly already envisioned from the start. Throughout the Millennium Falcon arc and into Fantasia, the most interesting thing to do with his character imo is to read between the lines of what he's actually doing. Souls going to where "they become one" sounds nice until you remember they're probably sent off to a horrifying hell vortex lol.

Anyway, to actually address the question, yes, I think so. I just completed another reread for the first time in a few years, and was surprised to find Isidro of all characters really stuck out to me this time around. I'd previously considered him to mostly just be comic relief, but his big hero moments in the Conviction arc and subsequent struggles with self-worth finding a place for himself in a group of incredible people were all really memorable to me this go around. It's understated compared to some of the others, but it made me appreciate Miura's ability to humanize even his more comical characters.

Really, I think in general Miura was just very skilled at giving his characters depth and humanity, whether they be the series' main protagonist and antagonist, or even bit players. Half an episode dedicated to Ganishka's past was more compelling to me than some entire series lol. Even as far back as the slug count—the most basic antagonist character in the series short of the snake guy from the first episode—Miura could still pry some hidden depths with him having enough humanity left to not sacrifice his daughter, showing that even if the threads of causality bring you to a point, it's still a choice you yourself make. Like Aaz said, Miura was just an exceptional writer all around.
 
I think so, yes.
At the same time, I think some characters needed more time "with Miura" to reach their full potential by the end of the story. The perfect example of this - imho - is Serpico. He has an amazing characterization and introduction, but lately he was placed a little bit aside.
 
I think so, yes.
At the same time, I think some characters needed more time "with Miura" to reach their full potential by the end of the story. The perfect example of this - imho - is Serpico. He has an amazing characterization and introduction, but lately he was placed a little bit aside.

I agree here. I feel some characters were yet to reach their potential like Sonia which I could see Miura writing an exceptionally amazing conflict about her loyalty with Griffith. Even Rakshasa comes in my mind.

Anyway, I do think Miura's writing was exceptional, and that applies to all aspects of Berserk. But then again this is a Berserk fan forum, so no surprise there.
Miura's writing being exceptional is a universal knowledge really.
 
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