Well, I'm only late to the party by a little over a year, so not sure this will even be seen, but I just listened to this episode and had a few thoughts, so guess I will throw them out there anyway. I very much enjoyed your discussion, as always!
To me the scene where Shisu is dying and Guts is by her side is so significant in what it says about Guts' character. Not only does it show that he is brave, but also that he cares deeply for those he loves. Shisu looks hideous and terrifying with the disfigurement to her face and Guts is shown as being so frightened that he is shivering. Knowing she is dying and probably in considerable pain, Shisu herself is also afraid and alone in that moment. She calls out to the person she loves best, Guts. It shows what a selfless and bighearted person Guts is when he overcomes his fear and goes to her side in her time of need to comfort her. Every time I read through this I find it very touching.
You all were contemplating how on earth Guts could be a decent human being after all the shit he's been through. I remember learning in a psychology class that birth to 1 year is a crucial time in a person's development of trust and attachment to others. We aren't shown anything much of Guts' life with Shisu, but it is clear from the beginning that she is protective of him and since it is Guts that she calls out to on her deathbed I would think that she loved him very much. Guts probably had a reasonably loving adoptive mother in Shisu for those first 3 years of his life, so you can probably thank her, in large part, for him not being a complete sociopathic monster.
I always thought of Gambino's dog as a comparison to Guts. Guts is like a little lost puppy following after Gambino. Through Guts' childhood he has a blind faith and loyalty to Gambino that is much like a devoted dog's to its master. In one panel Gambino is shown kicking the dog, but even though he abused it, the dog still follows him. This is just how Guts acts. Gambino has mistreated Guts many times and hasn't shown him much love, but Guts desperately wants his approval. Any scant praise that Guts receives from Gambino clearly means the world to him. This is completely understandable since Gambino is Guts' only father figure, but unfortunately Gambino is a pretty horrid person and fails miserably at being a dad.
Anyway, thanks for the podcasts! They are a lot of fun to listen to and you always point out something interesting or have some thoughts that I hadn't considered before.
Oh! One more thought on Gambino's dog. Since to me it is a comparison to Guts, I think it could be an early foreshadowing to the Beast of Darkness. The once tame, faithful dog has been twisted by pain and rage into the feral, vicious beast!
