Episode 342

[Kaladin]

so exiting, love that double spread, we haven't had one in awhile, looks so great!

[Grail]

Oh man, oh man, OH MAN! What is there to say?

I am in tears.

Be strong, bro...!

Serious Puck is back.

I'm guessing that we'll be seeing a lot more of every type of Puck! It's a good time to be an elf fan.

I was literally trembling as I read this episode. I've been waiting for this moment for 13 years (I first read the series in 2002, so I haven't been waiting as long as those members who were reading it episodically back in 2001). I can't believe they're actually on Skellig.

Same (though I've been waiting about 5 years less). It's kind of surreal. I keep trying to look back on how I had imagined our first glimpse of the island, and I think I imagined the initial approach to the island being more drawn out. I was a bit surprised that we didn't get some sort of two-page spread of the island (in fact, I nearly missed it in my haste!). All the same, I'm glad that Miura decided to get us off the boat sooner rather than later.

That trio of magic users watching on all look as young as Schierke.

I was wondering about that, too! I also didn't imagine that they'd be dressed so similarly to her, I figured that magic users on Skellig would be dressed pretty elaborately. Even so, it's a little early to start speculating on that, I guess.

One thing that Gobs pointed out to be just now is that Guts is smiling a lot in this episode. Now he's got me smiling!

[Oburi]

WOW! Finally after so many years. This is a very special moment for anyone that's been reading since Puck first suggested that they travel to his home. This has been the mission since I've been reading Berserk since 2004. I really can't believe it.

[luizao]

Thanks to BigSwerve for this:
 https://www.reddit.com/r/Berserk/comments/3u2wlp/korean_scans_342/cxbjwm9

[MASTER-AMIR]

Wow
I cant express my feelings. So many years....
But something that bother me. Presence of Izama in group... I hope she dose not stay with them for long.

[Tama]

Thanks to BigSwerve for this:
 https://www.reddit.com/r/Berserk/comments/3u2wlp/korean_scans_342/cxbjwm9

Interesting, so it's possible we may see a time skip with our main characters if the translation is correct. I wonder if Skullknight used the way time works on the island to his advantage at some point in his life.

[Admiral_Yang_Wen-li]

Thanks to BigSwerve for this:
 https://www.reddit.com/r/Berserk/comments/3u2wlp/korean_scans_342/cxbjwm9

I still have a feeling that they'll be in Elfhelm for a while. If that's true there should be a major time-skip on the continent. Not so sure if I like this. When they return, Daiba should be dead. Rickert will be old, Luca will be old, etc. Hoping this was a poor translation or something happens to disrupt the flow of time.

[Aazealh]

I still have a feeling that they'll be in Elfhelm for a while. If that's true there should be a major time-skip on the continent. Not so sure if I like this. When they return, Daiba should be dead. Rickert will be old, Luca will be old, etc. Hoping this was a poor translation or something happens to disrupt the flow of time.

That translation seems to have a certain amount of inaccuracies, so readers beware. However it's true that time elapses differently on the island.

Exceptionally, because this is a momentous episode, here's a full transcript of what's being said. Keep in mind it's not from the original Japanese, so there might be errors. All the credit goes to puella as usual.

Title: Landing

Isidro: I can see it
Puck: Ohhh my lovely home!

Isidro: That is... Elfhell... Skellig island
Isidro: Lower the anchor, everybody prepare to land!
Guts: ...anwyay, we've arrived in one piece.
Roderick: What do you mean by that?
Guts: I thank you captain, we've had pirates, a ghost ship, sea monsters and merrows to top it off
Guts: It was a journey that was never boring

Magnifico: Uh uh, I can smell the veins of gold
Ivalera: Wait, wait, shouldn't you thank us first? Who do you think is to thank for our arrival?
Schierke: Ah, Ivalera...
Guts: Yes, it's true, honestly I can't imagine what would have happened without you. All I can do is cut my enemies in half.
Guts: You healed my wounds, took care of Casca while I fought. I can't do such wonderful feats. I thank you very much.

Ivalera: Ah, since you're so honest like that, I rather feel unexcited.

Isidro: Let's go
Schierke: Ah, be careful, you might fall

Puck: Ahhh my home, I missed it.
Isidro: Puck, why did you leave the island?
Ivalera: Now that I think of it, I never asked him that.
Puck: You want to know?
Ivalera: Eh, not that much.
Isidro: Meh.
Puck: Now I finally have the time to tell it to you. I'll tell you the first step of my journey... I, Puck, Elf Warrior.
Puck: On that day, I was fighting with the seagull Jonah, who was named after "the monster bird, Albatross", the boss of sea birds that had threatened the peace of the island.

Ivalera: Wait, who's this guy?
Isidro: Something has started.

Puck: For the pride of each of our tribes, on the land, in the sea and in the air, the desperate fight continued endlessly.
Puck: Give me the fish!
Puck: But soon I felt hungry... And though I had written him down as "my strong enemy", I got to read him as "my friend". So I came back home while riding on Jonah.

Puck: On the way, a tragedy happened.
Puck: The young man Puck went on a journey onto the unknown great ocean of life.

Puck: Berserk Prologue arc.

Isidro: It's really.... meh.

Isidro: I'm the first to land!

Merrows: We'll stay behind the island for a while
Isma's mother: Isma, take this. If you whisper into this shell, we can hear your voice. And if you put your ear to it, you can hear us. Use it if something happens.
The world of elves must be full of many interesting things for you, who've lived as a human. But be careful, and come back well.
Isma's mother: I have one thing to say however: on this island, time flows differently from the outside world.

Isidro: Time flow?
Schierke: Is it like the story? A child who was fascinated by elves, so he went to Elfhelm and enjoyed himself a lot, without noticing that time was passing. When he finally came home, decades had passed.
Isidro: Ah yeah, I've heard this story.

Roderick: Then the time between us and the Sea Horse?
Isma's mother: The time around the island flows the same way... But it's not good to stay long here.
Isma's mother: Because staying here means severance from the outer world.

Ivalera: Ah, did you know that? Of course you didn't.
Puck: ...

Farnese: Well, Guts... Ah, nothing.
Farnese: After you leave Casca here, you'll.... (go)

Serpico: You also accompany us?
Azan: I was asked to escort you because of my great skills.

Puck: Even the greatest adventure of my life, risking my life epically, can be just a moment here...

Isidro: How ridiculous!!
Ivalera: A life is just like a night's dream

Magnifico: By the way, Lord Puck.
Puck: Uh? What do you want Magnifico?
Magnifico: Please, I very politely remind you of what I asked you before.
Magnifico: Are you pretending not to know that? I'll put you on the throne, and you'll cooperate with me.
Puck: Ah! Right, I had forgotten.
Magnifico: Please consider it.
Puck: I'll grant it.
Ivalera: You'll pay dearly.
Isidro: He will.

Group: What are these?
Azan: Tombstones?
Isidro: These patterns... They look familiar

Schierke: Ah! This is...
Ivalera: Schierke, could it be...

Isidro: Huh! Let's not dwell on that and quickly get over this lame hill.
Isidro: If you're afraid of tombstones, how can we cope with evil spirits?

Schierke: Wait, you're being reckless again

Ivalera: He came back
Puck: Welcome
Isidro: Huh

Isidro: I came back?! But I went straight!

Isidro: Hey Puck, what's going on?
Puck: I don't know, these things weren't here before.

Schierke: They were probably made after that day, that of the "great change" of the world.

Schierke: This is a barrier that dazes those who enter this island and sends them back.

Schierke: I think this island were elves or magicians live originally existed in the astral world. However, it was merged with the real world on that day. That's why the inhabitants of this island created these defenses. So that humans from the real world can't approach.

Isidro: So what should we do? We've finally reached this place, but should we twiddle our thumbs?
Schierke: Don't worry. Puck, please help us.
Puck: What can I do for you?

Schierke: You'll be Ok. You were an inhabitant of this island, so this barrier won't work on you.
Ivalera: Hurry to guide us!

Schierke: Everybody, please make sure to hold this thread.
Isidro: Hm, will this be a good solution?

Ivalera: Quick quick! Go!
Puck: Will it really work?

Ivalera: Hey you! Are you doing it well?

Magnifico: He's really a golden goose.
Serpico: Actually, we don't look very good.
Guts: Heh. It's really Puck's home...
Isma: This is funny!

Witches: Humans came again. Are they pirates? No problem, normal humans can't get through the barrier.

Azan: I think we got out of it.
Isidro: Great job, Puck!
Puck: This was a piece of cake!
Schierke: Thank you very much!

Witch 01: They got through the barrier!
Witch 02: What? What's going on?
Witch 03: Bah, don't worry, we have the scarecrows. They'll be frightened by them and run away.

Isidro: What's next?
Isidro: A field?

Isidro: Is this a pumpkin field?
Isma: Great! These pumpkins are really big! Are they edible?

Schierke: No...
Ivalera: What's wrong?

Guts: ...It's not just a field.

Isidro: Well, there are uselessly many scarecrows
Puck: Don't approach, it's dangerous.
Puck: Now I remember it. This is a magic field. If you touch them recklessly...

Schierke: Everybody, get out of there!
Puck: ...you'll be attacked.

Isidro: Uuuaahh!

Isidro: Since when has this kind of thing existed?!
Puck: Déjà vu?

Guts: Can't you learn?
Isidro: Ahhh

[Aguirre]

Great episode, can't wait to read the translation. There's definitely something different about Miura's art but I can't put my finger on it. It's almost like it's digitally created.

[Julalien]

I've been following the series closely since 2003 and to echo what other people are already expressing: this episode is bringing out all sorts of emotions. It's been a long and amazing journey and I can't wait to see what begins to unfold in the story over the coming months. This is a very special time to be a Berserk fan.

Also, how fucking good is it to see the gang again? I've really enjoyed the Falconia episodes but it's been a very long time since we've last seen 'the family'. This episode is so full of cool moments (Puck's backstory, the magical stones, the scarecrows, and ending with the team facing down an encroaching threat) it's difficult for me to not feel as though this is a very nice 'love-letter' of sorts to the fans.

[Grail]

Exceptionally, because this is a momentous episode, here's a full transcript of what's being said. Keep in mind it's not from the original Japanese, so there might be errors. All the credit goes to puella as usual.

Wow! Big thanks to Puella for her hard work. To have any sort of translation on the day of an episode's appearance is a treat indeed!

[IcePuck]

ELFHELL! HELL YEAH!

I still have a feeling that they'll be in Elfhelm for a while. If that's true there should be a major time-skip on the continent. Not so sure if I like this.]

While I wouldn't bet on a huge time skip, I do like it.  20 years later... Griffith Jr is a thing now.

But wait, what is this? Is Rickert building a nuclear bomb?!

[Oburi]

Thank you Puella so very much! 

I love all the group shots. Get to see the whole gang interacting with each other and all the personalities of everyone that has joined up with Guts on this journey. Now they are all entering the island's trials and traps together. Should be awesome.

[Aazealh]

So, a few quick observations.

- Time flowing differently on the island makes sense in a lot of ways. It provides an incentive for the group to not stay too long. They'll either have to stay forever or leave after a relatively short while. That also means anyone staying behind could be lost forever... Besides that, it provides the perfect opportunity for a time skip. Whether the world ages faster or they do, something is definitely looming on the horizon in that regard. Lastly, nice shout-out from Miura to the origin of the Peekaf fairytale and its variations. Even so many years later, it somehow feels bittersweet.

- Farnese seems to believe Guts wants to drop Casca off and take his leave. No doubt she sees that as her chance to have him for herself. Drama incoming.

- I'm sure everyone caught on to that but just in case, the situation with the stones and the scarecrows reminds everyone of what happened at Flora's mansion. A similar twirling symbol was carved on trees to protect the place, and golems stood guard. And Isidro rushed into danger then, as he did now. Speaking of the symbols, these are a bit different, they feel somewhat celtic-like to me, which is fitting for an island.

- The whole scarecrows and pumpkins thing is so cool and is just another example of Miura featuring classic folklore in the story (almost in time for Halloween, too!). Same for the reference to the Golden Goose (a classic folktale that fits the situation perfectly).

- Puck's little story kind of reminds me of the Epic of Gilgamesh, especially the meeting with Enkidu.

- While the scarecrows likely don't pose too much danger to Guts, I'm curious to see how Schierke will deal with this. Especially with her peers, who seem as young as she is (maybe even younger?). IT'S ON! DUEL OF THE WITCHES!

[luizao]

Puella and Aaz da real MVP's as always great job today, thanks a lot 

[Rhombaad]

Exceptionally, because this is a momentous episode, here's a full transcript of what's being said. Keep in mind it's not from the original Japanese, so there might be errors. All the credit goes to puella as usual.

Thank you, Puella! You're the best!

[IncantatioN]

Thanks for the link Mangetsu, Aaz for the summaries & analysis and that super quick translation Puella! AMAZING!! Made my evening and there's a lot to process from this episode. I just went through it 4 times and I have to run out but the art, those panels, then reading Puella translated text, so much to take in!!!!

Speaking of the symbols, these are a bit different, they feel somewhat celtic-like to me, which is fitting for an island.

Just found this on a celtic website (http://www.celticfolklore.com/) and you're spot on!



Quote from the site - Geometric motifs have always been prominent in Celtic artwork. Some of the motifs or symbols date back to 3000 BC and can still be seen today on stone carvings. Newgrange in Ireland, is one of the oldest burial mounds in Europe and is highly decorated with stone (see picture on the right) carvings depicting spirals, lozenges, chevrons and key patterns.

And specific to this double spiral - A double spiral is used to represent the equinoxes, when day and night are of equal length.

Especially with her peers, who seem as young as she is.

Good catch, I thought of whether they'd be too old or young to say what they did and young fits better.

Magnifico: By the way, Lord Puck.
Puck: Uh? What do you want Magnifico?
Magnifico: Please, I very politely remind you of what I asked you before.
Magnifico: Are you pretending not to know that? I'll put you on the throne, and you'll cooperate with me.
Puck: Ah! Right, I had forgotten.
Magnifico: Please consider it.
Puck: I'll grant it.
Ivalera: You'll pay dearly.
Isidro: He will.

This whole exchange cracked me up

[Aazealh]

Just found this on a celtic website (http://www.celticfolklore.com/) and you're spot on!

Well of course I am.

[Lawliet]

As someone who started the manga this year and caught up one week before the monthly releases began (hence skipping all the hiatuses), I can only imagine what you folks are feeling right now.

Can't wait to see what's going to happen in  's homeland. Big thanks for the link and translation!

[Aazealh]

As someone who started the manga this year and caught up one week before the monthly releases began (hence skipping all the hiatuses), I can only imagine what you folks are feeling right now.

The fact the publication was irregular for a while isn't important. What matters is that this journey started in volume 22 and that we're now in volume 38. It has spanned more than a third of the series.

When it started, it was just Guts, Puck and Casca leaving Rickert and Erika at the Hill of Swords. That feels like a lifetime ago. And I don't think it's a coincidence that Miura managed to show us Rickert's encounter with Griffith in Falconia just before the group's arrival at Skellig.

[Grail]

- Farnese seems to believe Guts wants to drop Casca off and take his leave. No doubt she sees that as her chance to have him for herself. Drama incoming.

Yeah, I couldn't help but get stuck on that detail. I was honestly a bit shocked to read that. Is Farnese really that deep in denial? And I didn't think she'd just want to drop off Casca and leave herself, seeing as how they'd become rather emotionally attached.

[Gobolatula]

Puella, Aaz, you are fucking awesome. Thank you.

[Griffith]

To me the most exciting thing, by far, is the time lapse/skip potential. Not only for the awesome tension that creates for their visit, which is no longer such a nice potential rest stop, but that Guts could be returning to a post-Apocalyptic, God Handified World! Or, it might just be a few years later (maybe even 20 Years Later ). As opposed to a normal time skip, we wouldn't lose time with Guts and company, and the changes with time to the rest of the world we would discover with/through them instead of playing catch up (potentially awkward and alienating). Anyway, brilliant setup by Miura he could take in a lot of interesting directions, so I look forward to seeing which he chooses.

[m]

Great episode and momentous occasion. It indeed is a good time to be a Berserk fan (as if there really was ever a bad time to be one  )

With all the good stuff that's happening I can't get a certain song by Kool & The Gang out of my head. 

[NightCrawler]

Technically they set out for Elfhelm in 2001, leaving the continent in 2007.

Jesus...