Kentarou Miura had a lot of talents, one of which was his ability to keep things fresh and surprise the reader, even when he had foreshadowed what was to come. This makes me curious to know about things that surprised people when they first read Berserk, elements they didn't expect. It could be the development of the characters, the evolution of the narrative, anything really.
To start it off, I'll list two of the things that immediately come to my mind, one a minor detail, the other a major development. During Guts' fight against Boskone, he reflects on how tough of an opponent he is, and how that fight is more difficult than the one against the hundred mercenaries. But then he recalls his encounter with Zodd and that heartens him (which Boskone notices), because it's not as bad as it was then. All these years later I'm still amazed at what a thoughtful detail that is.
It just feels so real, like an actual thought someone in that position would have. And it's unusual, because the common thing to do when introducing a new enemy in a story is to dramatize it, to say they're the strongest ever (yet), so as to ramp up the tension. But here Miura defuses it somewhat by having Guts calm himself. Of course it's countered right afterwards by the fact Guts' sword breaks, and then is capped by Zodd intervening in the fight. A brilliant sequence from beginning to end.
My second example is the advent of Fantasia. By the time that battle occurred, I had been telling people for years and years that there was more to Griffith's objectives than just retaking Midland. I'd explained countless times that as a member of the God Hand, as their vanguard into the corporeal world, there was no way he merely wanted to take the crown as if he were still human. There had to be more to it than that, there had to be a bigger plan.
But for all that I understood and had anticipated, I didn't quite know what was in store, nor what form it would take. From Ganishka's final, gigantic form to the Great Wave of the Astral World, I didn't expect the sheer magnitude of the events that took place, nor the extent to which the world would be changed. It's a great example of the limits of conjecture, and how a skilled storyteller can surprise and delight even though he's hinted at what's to come.
There are many more examples I could give, but now I'd like to hear from you!
To start it off, I'll list two of the things that immediately come to my mind, one a minor detail, the other a major development. During Guts' fight against Boskone, he reflects on how tough of an opponent he is, and how that fight is more difficult than the one against the hundred mercenaries. But then he recalls his encounter with Zodd and that heartens him (which Boskone notices), because it's not as bad as it was then. All these years later I'm still amazed at what a thoughtful detail that is.
It just feels so real, like an actual thought someone in that position would have. And it's unusual, because the common thing to do when introducing a new enemy in a story is to dramatize it, to say they're the strongest ever (yet), so as to ramp up the tension. But here Miura defuses it somewhat by having Guts calm himself. Of course it's countered right afterwards by the fact Guts' sword breaks, and then is capped by Zodd intervening in the fight. A brilliant sequence from beginning to end.
My second example is the advent of Fantasia. By the time that battle occurred, I had been telling people for years and years that there was more to Griffith's objectives than just retaking Midland. I'd explained countless times that as a member of the God Hand, as their vanguard into the corporeal world, there was no way he merely wanted to take the crown as if he were still human. There had to be more to it than that, there had to be a bigger plan.
But for all that I understood and had anticipated, I didn't quite know what was in store, nor what form it would take. From Ganishka's final, gigantic form to the Great Wave of the Astral World, I didn't expect the sheer magnitude of the events that took place, nor the extent to which the world would be changed. It's a great example of the limits of conjecture, and how a skilled storyteller can surprise and delight even though he's hinted at what's to come.
There are many more examples I could give, but now I'd like to hear from you!
Like Puck said, this kind of character had never been shown in Berserk. I'd even say Magnifico is really a unique character. It represents well Miura's great characterization.
