Yeah, tone has definitely changed in Berserk, but I can't bring myself to make an honest judgment of the series as a whole since I have only made a single read through of the entire thing and I stopped reading new chapters as they drop because, you know, who likes suffering.
I know that it's one of my favorite things ever, and Guts and Griffith are probably the most interesting and layered characters in manga, anime, even media in general. The world established by Miura is also irresistible in its mystery. Art is different, yes, but we still get those superlative spreads full of detail every now an then and I generally like the look of the series (even if it has peaked a while back). The pacing... Well, I don't know about the pacing, we're waiting months upon months for a single chapter, so it's kinda hard to really know, at least for me. I'm as tired of waiting as everyone else.
But even if the tone has changed, you know that the world of Berserk is dark (its inner trappings, too), Falconia is some facked up shite and the ending probably won't be all happiness and sunshine. Well, I say probably, but who knows, I think Guts deserves a break, so I'd love a happy ending for him.
I think I read we're close to the endgame, too? I hope so.
More years ago than I can count, I ordered all of Berserk that was available and binged it. That really drove home how much series changed, after the conviction arc, once magic entered the picture. I'm sure it'd be jarring especially for anyone else that tries to read without long hiatus gaps in-between.
I'll always love the main trio's dynamic as they developed in-tandem and some of the other older characters, like Judeau. The writing was wonderful. Heck, the 1997/8 anime will forever be one of my favourite anime of mine since it captured Berserk in its prime, timelessly, with Hirasawa's hunting music, and that foreboding 'hand of God' warning before the intro...
There are still definitely some plot threads I'd like to see through to conclusion: namely, Skull Knight and his past with the head honcho of God's Hand; whatever the name of 'Brain' the leader is. It's heavily suggested/all but confirmed he was the same G-sumat skull masked emperor that ruled Midland, 2000 years ago, and that 'angels' came down to thwart him.
The only hope Guts has of killing Griffith is with the Skull Knight's help, on a semi-related note. Don't see where else he can get a power-up at this point, being as the berserker armour was not even enough for Guts to beat one of Griffith's generals. As it stands, all five of God's Hand are alive, along with Griffith's army of apostles. Skull Knight can't kill the leader of God's Hand or Femto, either, so not even sure how he could help much. This is what I meant by Miura having wrote himself into a corner: in something like Naruto, or a shounen, you can power up the lead with new forms over and over, logic be damned. Berserk is more gritty and serious, so he has to work out how human Guts can kill demi-Gods. Not like Guts can become an apostle either, so...
I can't see it ending happily for Guts, or him.. forgiving Griffith. I think the Gungrave ending was out the window with v14.
Geez I wonder why.
Edit: Anyway I've blocked this guy, I can continue talking berserk.
That's a pity, then, for I haven't blocked you~
I'll let you have your thread back, free of the sort of tame still-buying-deluxes criticism that triggers you so, after this. But, to clarify since you remain ignorant: autism is a spectrum, much like Berserk isn't black & white to the extent it comes down to fanboys and haters; the pages aside, that is. I has Assburgers, rather than autism, which allows me to debate with intellectuals such as yourself quite easily. You went for an easy retort, assuming blindly, as you did regarding my views on Berserk. I lack the kind of social graces you displayed by introducing yourself with an insult, before suggesting you couldn't bring yourself to argue with one such as myself, but fret not.
First you insult me, then you discriminate against me, and now you blocked me after assuming my gender. I should report you but, just this once, I'll let you off with a warning. This is sarcasm, btw. No, really!
Fighting evil by eclipse light.
fighting evil by moonlight