Speaking of Guts lineage, lets look at his actual pedigree, or Guts' "father figures"/male role-models, ranked:
1. Godot - They didn't know each other long, but Godot is like Guts' father in adulthood when he still lives at home, and though Godot would like the young punk to move out of gaddam house already, he also cares about him. More importantly, in addition to being a good and decent man where it counts, Godot has no room for bullshit, and will call Guts out on his. He pretty much was there for and turned Guts' life around on multiple occassions. It wasn't ideal or even formal, there was almost no show of affection either way, but Godot was the best father Guts ever had.
2. Skull Knight - They're the two most badass fighters in the series following the same path to hell. They have a strong, if somewhat stilted, mentor/mentee relationship and are largely fighting the same fight, with Skull Knight showing Guts the way and saving his ass since he left Griffith's side. Skull Knight is pretty much the only character with the clout to act like Guts' daddy and get away.
3. Griffith - Shocking? Only that he's not higher, since arguably nobody has had a more profound impact on Guts and his life, for better and much, much worse. Griff "gave" Guts a place to belong, real friends and friendship, and a new way of looking at himself and the world. He influenced him a little TOO MUCH for their own good as it turns out, even turning the big lug into something of a warrior poet for a time. And then Griff took, almost, all of it away. Bad friend and another heartbreaking betrayel. No wonder Guts doesn't want to get close to anybody!
4. Gambino - Was Guts' actual, albeit begrudging, adoptive father of course. Raised, provided for, and taught Guts how to fight and survive despite being a big asshole that also imperiled him in the process. Then Gambino sold him out to a pedophile, tried to killed him, died by his sword, and got Guts ostracized by their band. Verdict: one bad dad, so despite the fatherly bonifides dropped to #4. You should be last, asshole.
5. Zodd - Time for some tough love! You might think I'm joking, but nobody has provided Guts a better example and measure on the battlefield. He also clearly admires and may even be... proud of Guts? He's even helped, fought alongside, and spared Guts on a few occasions, once after Guts basically threatened his master (tell me he doesn't have a soft-spot for him =). So, despite trying to kill him on multiple times, Zodd has otherwise displayed a surprising amount of fondness and even concern for Guts. Basically, Zodd would be proud to have a son like him.
6. Guts' Biological Father - ???, was he a warrior, a heretic, did he meet a similar fate as Guts' mother or did he victimize her as well? Nothing but questions we'll probably never know the answer to.
Honorable Mention: Azan is a good and admirable man, but more like a peer to Guts than a mentor despite their difference in age and Azan's wisdom. Just not the right time and place for these two to have that sort of relationship.
Bonus: Grunbeld - Why's he on here at all besides a superficial resemblance resulting in lazy theory? Well, because he's a cautionary example, the "do as I say, not as I do" lecturer with nothing more to offer. A lame wannabe stepdad Guts should mouth off to and rebel against, and he did! You suck, Grundad!
