Episode 263

[Jhot obs]

Now let's get back on topic: will Azan appear, when and how?

Definitely. Maybe not in volume 30 (3 episodes left), but in volume 31 I him being re-introduced in a less comical fashion. I'm assuming he's around the harbor and with all the daka/familiars there, he'd be aware of it. Perhaps he's helping escort civilians away from the harbor (I don't see him fighting familiars and winning) or even fighting a few daka; he was doing well fighting the possessed pagans back at Albion. And I hope when they do meet, Azan's will go with Farnese and Serpico in following Guts this time. 

Will Guts' group encounter enemies on their way to the ship (likely), how many and when?

Very likely and almost certain, judging by the numbers of familiars and daka already arriving. I'd like to think the Kushans learned from losing some tiger and crocodile familiars to Guts and company that they'll be more weary of any individuals who can fight their forces and try different tactics. But I can't see anything new in store for Guts with what was shown that he hasn't already dealt with and survived (Daka would be cool, but IMO they're just going to be humanoid trolls for the group). The one thing I know is that since Guts and company are trying to leave town, the longer they keep fighting in Vritannis, the more Kushan troops will enter and entice Guts' beast. And the less likely that warship they're heading to will remain safe. I don't know how long that warship will go unnoticed by the Kushans, even if it's not at the harbor that's being attacked; it would make a nice target for burning and pillaging. 

Will the trip to Elfhelm be long?

I hope so; plenty of time for character development/deconstruction on the cruise to Elfhelm (should they get the warship afloat and heading in the right direction). Guts' group has gotten bigger and who knows what Roderick's crew (I assume there'll be one) will be like. A whole new group of people that Guts can see as companions ala his old raiding team, but that's going too far ahead. There might be some sea monsters to contend with: it would be fun to see a makara get harpooned or blown away with cannon fire.

Will the Vandimions, Owen and the others survive, and how?

I think at least Owen will; his purpose/influence in the story could be enhanced, depending on what answer Guts gives him next episode. Not sure about the Vandimions: can't imagine them dying a gruesome death, but their chance of survival without Griffith's aide isn't high IMO.

Will the Neo Hawks intervene at some point, and when? Will the story switch to Griffith's side soon, and when?

Sonia got to Vritannis by herself, so the Band of the Hawk is nearby. Don't know when they'll appear, but I'm sure they will; they're around Vritannis for a reason for the war I think. I'll to take a wild guess and say the story will cut to Griffith to save the nobles/vanish the Kushans after Guts gets on the warship and sets sail. In the Millennium Falcon arc, every time it cuts from Guts to Griffith, it's when Guts is about to embark to a major place with someone/thing new in tow (off to Elfhelm with Casca, off to Enoch with Isidro, Farnese and Serpico, off to Vritannis with Schierke and the Berserk's Armor), but that pattern may be too generic to rely/apply here. Not since the Hill of Swords have Guts and Griffith been this close to each other, so I can't make a secure guess when the story will shift to Griffith.

Will we see Daiba in action, why, when and how? Will Ganishka manifest himself in Vritannis again? What do you think the message Roderick delivered was about? Etc.

I'm sure we'll see Daiba do something; what the time thing is, I don't know. Being the only Kushan commander seen with magical properties so far, I imagine him being the lifeline of all the casters and familiars for their magical fix. Maybe having an unknown familiar just for him to use in case Griffith (or any troublemakers) showed up that can't be dealt with normally. If Guts gets moving with the warship, I'm sure it'll be spotted by Daiba, who wouldn't expect any ship to leave Vritannis. I don't think Ganishka will show up unless it's to Daiba (so the general can give a status report to the emperor) or to Griffith (to talk smack to him face to face).

I have no idea what Roderick's message was: probably something like "We of Eath aren't going to help you, Vritannis. Too bad." 

I'll ask a question: What will the Holy See Alliance doing outside of Vritannis with the ill Sovereign Pontiff with them? How are they going to handle having to fight inside a city (as opposed to broad battlefields) or are they contending with the land general Daiba mentioned?

 

[incognitoX]

I just hope Guts doesnt simply respond with a "no" to Owen. It's time for Guts to open up to his new crew.

 

[SaiyajinNoOuji]

I'm still betting that Azan is in the area to seek forgiveness at his "failures" but I do believe that we will see him fighting some of the Daka and/or familiars.

 

[yota821]

He really didn't 'fail' at anything imo. At the end of the Albion arc, he made a decision, to receive the blame for the disaster at Albion (if that's the failure you're implying) and explain what happened. Do you think the Holy See really believed Azan? Maybe or maybe not.

Either way, he was probably made fun of, and sent out as a madman or disgraced knight. In my opinion, I don't think he feels guilt or shame at what has happened to him (though I'm sure he feels sadness and remorse for those who died around him).

Reading what he last said, I have almost no doubt that he is now a forward-looking man now, not someone who was running away to religion from the past that haunted him. I believe he has overcome whatever weight or guilt that plagued him in the past. The only reason he didn't join Farnese and Serpico is, as mentioned before, because he believed someone needed to receive the blame (himself) and explain what happened.

Of course, this is just one man's humble opinion. :)

 

[CnC]

I agree, yota (or is it zota? )

Anyway it just makes is eventual reunion all the sweeter.

 

[SaiyajinNoOuji]

Yar, don't get me wrong, im looking forward to when Azan and the group do meet up.

 

[Aazealh]

That's quite a post here Jhot obs.

(I don't see him fighting familiars and winning) or even fighting a few daka

Well actually, I do see him crushing a few familiars' skulls. While not held in great esteem until now, Azan is a skilled and fearsome fighter, I don't think he would have too much trouble if it's only a few of them.

(Daka would be cool, but IMO they're just going to be humanoid trolls for the group).

I think they're superior to trolls, even if not by much. It didn't show because Locus and his lancers slew them by the dozen, but they still managed to kill (or badly wound) one apostle at the time, and against humans I think they should prove to be more of a challenge. In all relativeness of course, I don't expect them to be an unsurmountable obstacle either. Locus and Guts should hold a Daka slaying contest.

I don't know how long that warship will go unnoticed by the Kushans, even if it's not at the harbor that's being attacked; it would make a nice target for burning and pillaging.

Hehe yeah, asmer and I were speculating about this earlier today in the Roderick thread. In the harbor or not, Guts & co better hurry in any case.

There might be some sea monsters to contend with: it would be fun to see a makara get harpooned or blown away with cannon fire.

Yup, the Kushans could pursue them, they could be attacked by pirates or some other warships, or encounter some magical creatures (mermaids? There was one in one of Flora's grimoire). The possibilities are many, why not sirens, or they might even have to choose between Scylla and Charybdis.

Not sure about the Vandimions: can't imagine them dying a gruesome death, but their chance of survival without Griffith's aide isn't high IMO.

Well, Owen's chances are the same, aren't they?

I'll to take a wild guess and say the story will cut to Griffith to save the nobles/vanish the Kushans after Guts gets on the warship and sets sail.

That's plausible, it's also what a lot of people (me included) have speculated would happen during the past months. The Hawks didn't seem to be on the move the last time we saw them though, so their appearance might not be as soon as some would expect (wouldn't be illogical either, since Vritannis is supposed to be destroyed).

I'll ask a question: What will the Holy See Alliance doing outside of Vritannis with the ill Sovereign Pontiff with them? How are they going to handle having to fight inside a city (as opposed to broad battlefields) or are they contending with the land general Daiba mentioned?

Hard to say actually, we haven't seen anything concerning them (or that "land general") for now but I don't think they'll try to fight in the city, it just looks too small for them to be able to fit all the soldiers in there. Besides it's not convenient to fight, especially not at night and with the fog, they'd have trouble swarming the monsters which is the best thing they can do at the moment IMO. We also don't even know exactly where the Holy See leader is at the moment, the reason he didn't come might not be just feeling bad (land general?).

The only reason he didn't join Farnese and Serpico is, as mentioned before, because he believed someone needed to receive the blame (himself) and explain what happened.

Exactly. I also don't think Azan really failed at anything, don't forget that he's a man of principles, he wouldn't just abandon his duty in such a situation (something Farnese and Serpico didn't hesitate to do). What he can't forget is the death of innocents and not being able to save them, but like yota821 I don't think he's the kind of man to stop at such a thing.

 

[Kart]

I could see the boat journey, for the most part being a time to develope the characters and perhaps expand on Magnifico and Roedrick.

 

[Rhombaad]

I could see the boat journey, for the most part being a time to develop the characters and perhaps expand on Magnifico and Roedrick.

If Guts doesn't tell his story to the group after Owen recognizes him, then it could be used as a good time for Guts to tell his group about his past and/or for everyone to take in what he tells them. I have a feeling Farnese and Shierke, as much as they admire Guts, will be the most affected by his story. It'll probably give Isidro something to think about.

 

[silentmoon]

Yea, it's a matter of time Guts' band finds out who they're really travelling with =). I just hope it's soon (sometime in next four episodes), cause everytime they talk about the stuff Guts did in the past right in front of his face I feel like smacking them in the face and telling them "he's THE legendary swordsman!" Of course then I realize they're just a bunch of drawings, so I really can't smack them... but I sure wish I could!

BTW new guy here, just found out about Berserk this friday... so yea there went my weekend... anyways excellent job you guys doing here, it's ppl like you that will improve and expand the Berserk community, keep up the good work!

 

[SaiyajinNoOuji]

As much as we would all like Gut's to start a camp fire and talk about the good ol' days, I dont think this is the time nor the place to do so. Im pretty sure it will be a very quick responce and before he would get into detail and attack or interuption will happen. Just makes sense since the area they are in is quickly turning into a war zone.

 

[Jhot obs]

That's quite a post here Jhot obs.

Yeah; I thought I'd make it worth your while to type as much as possible after the last half page went to shit.

Well actually, I do see him crushing a few familiars' skulls. While not held in great esteem until now, Azan is a skilled and fearsome fighter, I don't think he would have too much trouble if it's only a few of them.

I'm not sure on that, mostly because I haven't seen Azan go toe to toe with anything more then superstrong savage humans, a near dead Guts and a Bakiraka man. Did he seriously fight against the demons swarming the tower's base in Albion? His iron staff he wields quite fast must be heavy, but other then that, I can't imagine how he'll handle large tigers and crocodiles on his own. Has Azan ever shown any sign he's fast enough in full armor to dodge attacks like spears chucked by giant crocs or fangs/paws from pouncing tigers? I'd like to be wrong though and it would be great to see him using a non-magical weapon to combat the supernatural ala Guts (though his isn't exactly normal anymore either).

I think they're superior to trolls, even if not by much. It didn't show because Locus and his lancers slew them by the dozen, but they still managed to kill (or badly wound) one apostle at the time, and against humans I think they should prove to be more of a challenge. In all relativeness of course, I don't expect them to be an unsurmountable obstacle either.

All those pishacha and daka, and only one apostle get screwed royal? I can't say the daka resume is that impressive. Still, using that many apostles (with a hotshot like Locus) to gouge their strength isn't fair. We'll see how hardcore they are when we see them fighting Azan.

Locus and Guts should hold a Daka slaying contest.

Or Guts with Serpico (and maybe Isidro and Azan) charging headfirst to the warship through a platoon of daka, hacking them up like Locus and his demon lancers.

Yup, the Kushans could pursue them, they could be attacked by pirates or some other warships, or encounter some magical creatures (mermaids? There was one in one of Flora's grimoire). The possibilities are many, why not sirens, or they might even have to choose between Scylla and Charybdis.

Good call on Scylla and Charybdis. I'm hoping for an appearance from a kraken, Leviathan or even a sperm whale apostle.

Well, Owen's chances are the same, aren't they?

I was thinking story-wise. Here Owen, who was with the story since the Golden Age, is on the verge of finding out if Guts is who he thinks he is. IMO it would be awkward if he died right after he confirmed if Guts' is Guts. That knowledge and his connections (not to say the Vandimions have no influential network; they do know a lot now from what happened at the ball) could affect certain people into being wary of Griffith (if they don't fall head over heels for him ala Mule) or at least inform Griffith Guts is in town should the Falcon arrive. You're right in that, logically, Owen's got the same chance of dying as the Vandimions. But I'm unclear on the Vandimions; their role in the story (helping/showing Farnese's growth), seems to have been fulfilled. I can't imagine them biting it like Gambino, Flora or Serpico's mom, but I can't imagine much else either.

Minor edit...again..

 

[SaiyajinNoOuji]

I'm not sure on that, mostly because I haven't seen Azan go toe to toe with anything more then superstrong savage humans, a near dead Guts and a Bakiraka man. Did he seriously fight against the demons swarming the tower's base in Albion? His iron staff he wields quite fast must be heavy, but other then that, I can't imagine how he'll handle large tigers and crocodiles on his own. Has Azan ever shown any sign he's fast enough in full armor to dodge attacks like spears chucked by giant crocs or fangs/paws from pouncing tigers? I'd like to be wrong though and it would be great to see him using a non-magical weapon to combat the supernatural ala Guts (though his isn't exactly normal anymore either.)

Well on the flip side we haven't seen a reason on why he "couldn't" handle them. Like you had said, he hasn't fought to many super natural things like demons/apostles (Those blobs don't count). I'm thinking he could hold his own, but in any discussion about this particular subject, its only speculation.

 

[Opie]

Anyone else think Griffith's plan is to save the ill Pontiff from Kushan attack,rally a severely beaten and downtrodden group of soldiers to his cause and then go out and play the savior without having to even explain himself because of the lack of ordered Government with the fall of Vritannis?

I mean since when do medieval believers ask questions?

 

[Jhot obs]

Anyone else think Griffith's plan is to save the ill Pontiff from Kushan attack,rally a severely beaten and downtrodden group of soldiers to his cause and then go out and play the savior without having to even explain himself because of the lack of ordered Government with the fall of Vritannis?

I don't think Griffith planned for the Sovereign Pontiff to fall ill, but I can see it being worked in Griffith's/Idea's favor. And it's more then likely apostles are needed to deal with the supernatural forces the Kushans have deployed. As Aazealh mentioned, normal soldiers running into a foggy city at night to fight monstrous familiars and demon soldiers aren't going to even each other out.

People have heard rumors of the Band of the Hawk showing up after a few years absence to drive out the Kushan forces and this would be a great opportunity to put those rumors to rest and win more supporters.

 

[Aazealh]

BTW new guy here, just found out about Berserk this friday... so yea there went my weekend... anyways excellent job you guys doing here, it's ppl like you that will improve and expand the Berserk community, keep up the good work!

Hey there silentmoon, welcome to the board.

Did he seriously fight against the demons swarming the tower's base in Albion? His iron staff he wields quite fast must be heavy, but other then that, I can't imagine how he'll handle large tigers and crocodiles on his own. Has Azan ever shown any sign he's fast enough in full armor to dodge attacks like spears chucked by giant crocs or fangs/paws from pouncing tigers?

He survived Albion and he was outside, and he did go to fight the mass of specters. As for his skill and speed, is there even a need to see him fight against more monsters? It's not like the familiars are incredibly powerful, the tigers are agile but that's it. He defended a bridge against a hundred men, that says enough about his ability IMO. Remember when Azan first fought Guts? We saw him crushing rocks and trees with his quarterstaff. And he didn't look like he had trouble wielding his weapon either:

All those pishacha and daka, and only one apostle get screwed royal? I can't say the daka resume is that impressive.

It was only Daka that killed it, and Serpico, Schierke and Isidro sure weren't impressive at Flora's place when fighting apostles. The comparison just isn't pertinent, like you said.

a sperm whale apostle.

Well, we've already got the Makara, so a whale apostle could be a little redundant (though definitely cool to see).

You're right in that, logically, Owen's got the same chance of dying as the Vandimions. But I'm unclear on the Vandimions; their role in the story (helping/showing Farnese's growth), seems to have been fulfilled.

Owen's role in the story until now was never really essential you know... I wouldn't rely on that kind of things to speculate whether he'll live or not. And the Vandimion family shows a lot more potential as future allies than Owen if we consider how the world we know was enlarged (new nations, etc). Anyway, I see them all getting out of Vritannis alive, but the contrary is certainly possible.

Anyone else think Griffith's plan is to save the ill Pontiff from Kushan attack,rally a severely beaten and downtrodden group of soldiers to his cause

Not sure about saving the Pontiff, but rallying more troops wouldn't hurt him, that's for sure. However, these armies are from a conglomerate of nations, they're not just from Midland, so for Griffith to integrate them in the Hawks would mean getting authority over a lot of countries, and overriding the Holy See.

If what you said were to happen I would see him more as leading them against the Kushans (organizing the strategy, telling the different generals what to do, etc), rather than taking complete control (they'd become a friendly support to Midland against the Kushans, rather than vultures). That would be an easy way to gain support from a lot of people at once, he'd then be plebiscited as the new king by virtually everybody.

 

[HawaiianStallion]

Just a bit of speculation but I keep seeing people noting the massive amounts of fog surrounding the city and I wonder, could it be a possible extension of Ganishka himself like what he's done to the capital? No real reason to believe any which way but I guess its possible since it seems to have gotten a lot worse with the arrival of the daka and familiars en masse. Perhaps this is one of the reasons his forces often seem unstoppable to most except for the Neo Hawks, he just consumes the battlefield in himself giving his forces an incredible advantadge.

 

[Aazealh]

Just a bit of speculation but I keep seeing people noting the massive amounts of fog surrounding the city and I wonder, could it be a possible extension of Ganishka himself like what he's done to the capital? No real reason to believe any which way but I guess its possible since it seems to have gotten a lot worse with the arrival of the daka and familiars en masse.

This is magical fog, no doubt. It was the same on the beach when Guts' band was attacked though. Whenever familiars come, there's fog. Now whether it's a part of Ganishka or not is hard to say. We know that Ganishka controls the fog and knows about what happens in its midst, that he uses the fog to give power to his minions and that he can transform himself in fog. I don't think the fog is really a part of him (there's a lot of it, so that would be a bit much to me), but he's definitely got an affinity with it.

 

[HawaiianStallion]

oh well I didnt literally mean he uses his body parts to create the fog, just that its "his" fog, sort of like an extension of himself. I just wasnt sure if if was just normal fog or if it might actually be his supernatural fog like that of wyndham and found inside the remains of slaughtered familiars and their controllers.

Though if it is, how it would work? Is it simply for control, initimidation and the like, or could he physically manifest himself in a similar manner to what he did against the Neo Hawks or is more like how he did so after Guts slaughtered the tiger familiars? Just speculation again but that would be interesting.

 

[CnC]

oh well I didnt literally mean he uses his body parts to create the fog, just that its "his" fog, sort of like an extension of himself.

Yea, thats pretty much how I understand it at this point. He seems to have an awareness of what goes on in the fog. The fog may or may not be "him", but he does seem to control it or manifest in it.

 

[Aazealh]

I just wasnt sure if if was just normal fog or if it might actually be his supernatural fog like that of wyndham and found inside the remains of slaughtered familiars and their controllers.

Well, it's the same supernatural fog (like I said earlier, familiars don't show up without it), and he used it recently to make his declaration of war at the Ball. It shows that he can apparently use it regardless of the distance too, assuming he's in Wyndham (and I think he is). It probably acts as some sort of conductor between him and his casters, and they could themselves be like relays for him to manifest himself when he needs to.

Though if it is, how it would work?

I think for now we can't really answer. We just don't have enough information about the properties of the fog, and we don't even know how it's created, deployed, manipulated, etc. I stated the uses Ganishka has had of it until now in my previous post, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was more to it. Same for how exactly it relates to Ganishka, just as a magic tool or "more".

 

[GoHF]

Until Miura tells us otherwise, think of the fog as a sort of Kushan intranet. Where there's (magical) fog, you can run your spells, use fog-chat, (play familiar-fps...) etc. The cablemen extending/deploying the fog are the Kushan wizards, initially powered up by Ganishka, most likely.

Now, wether Ganishka's fog-form is his true apostle form or a product of his magic skills, that much I can't even begin to speculate on (unless I missed the speech bubble explaining it).

 

[CnC]

Now, wether Ganishka's fog-form is his true apostle form or a product of his magic skills, that much I can't even begin to speculate on (unless I missed the speech bubble explaining it).

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it IS his apostle form.

It's only natural god hand give him a great amount of power for him to ruin the world and make Griffith's coming all the more glorious.

 

[Walter]

Based on Ganishka's use of familiars, I think it's clear his powers go beyond traditional, Apostle-inherited powers. That being said, we won't know if he has another form until (or if) he transforms further.

 

[fuxberg]

heck..
it has to be Griffith to kill Ganishka, because no one else can fight fog... lol
Seriously, there is no man/apostle capable to do damage to Ganishka in his apostle form. So.. It has to be Griff.. Godly powers