No Guts, No Glory: the Berserk Podcast

New love has given way to death…horrific…cannibalistic death. Can Rickert slap his way out of being devoured by some impatient apostles? Can Guts, Casca and crew actually find Griffith’s torture cell at the bottom of a thousand year old hole? Can ANYONE actually claim that Skull Knight isn’t Supreme King Gaiseric? All that and more on this intrepid episode of your favorite new Berserk podcast! Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Guts and Casca confess their traumas, confess their feelings for each other, and, of course, consummate those feelings beautifully in these iconic chapters. We get little glimpses of Godo the blacksmith and the Count of Coka Castle as well - foreshadowing the very dark, fantastical events to come. Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Hawks are on the run with Harrison Ford as fugitives. Guts is fighting a beautiful ribbon dancer from the middle east at a tournament. Judeau is feeding Casca sleepy-ass soup so she gets some rest; and Guts saves his old pals at just the right time and the exact day that the Hawkers received intel about where Griffith has been this whole time! Coincidence?! No…Causality my friends. Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

(Sorry about some sound wonkiness! You can hear everything fine but we got some strange muffling effects depending who was talking so bare with us while we work out a slightly new setup) This Guts-light set of chapters does feature our berserky-boy in a major way in the opening scene however - with the FIRST APPEARANCE OF SKULL KNIGHT!!! Skull Knight starts yelling at ol’ Guts himself without even introducing himself, yakking on about something called the “eclipse” scary horror movie stuff, but he also thinks Guts is pretty cool and says to wriggle and struggle and hold broken swords even when you’re about to die. The rest of the chapters are about Griffith’s own struggle to stick to his plan, moving up his timeline with princess Charlotte because he has to hide his feelings of losing Guts and losing a grip on his goals. Charlotte and Griffith get it on, Charlotte’s dad TRIES to get it on (with her!), Griffith is about to be tortured for a full year, and the Band of the Hawk gets sneak-attacked because the king now wants them dead for what Griffith did too. Phew! As usual, this one’s a dark-ass doozy of an ep! Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Wow. This one is a doozy. So many iconic Berserk moments from the Golden Age Arc here, but it's all been leading up to Guts leaving the Band of the Hawk to find his own dream...and become a better man to be worthy of a woman like Casca. This episode is extra-beefy but these chapters, and you, deserve it!

Guts’ massive sword gets cracked in half but ol’ Nosferatu Zodd saves the day by throwing down demonic weapon to keep our Berserkin’ boy on a winning streak! The battle for Doldrey is won, peace can be had in the land, and all eyes are on Griffith at the center of these victories. Promotions and knighthood are on the horizon for the Band of the Hawk, but there’s yet another plot against Griffith stirring. Will the legs be cut out from his victory before he can even enjoy it? Will Guts get a new, bigger sword? Will anyone be able to handle how hot Casca looks in her party dress?! Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

(Yes, I fucked up the chapter numbers again in the intro - the one's written here in the title are correct, sorry!) Is Guts leaving the Band of the Hawk?! Casca begins to suspect after waxing philosophical with our large-sworded lad in Campfire of Dreams, but the Battle for Doldrey begins before she can confirm, and Griffith must face his old patron/lover in the form of Genneth, who holds the fortress of Doldrey with his Holy Purple Rhino Knights who, until now, remain undefeated. Whose cuisine reigns supreme?! I sincerely hope it’s not Genneth’s… Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

We're back and Ryan's car battery is purring like a kitten that greased itself through a goose's ass! These chapters have some major character growth for Casca and even more embers are starting to light up between the burgeoning love that Guts and Casca will share for each other. The men are also starting to doubt Griffith a bit - as is Casca - and Guts earns his name as the "100 Man Slayer."

Hey there strugglerinos - Ryan had some car trouble and we felt these chapters deserved all three of us so we are postponing our record until next Monday - sorry about that! If you still want some Steve and Joey action, however, we just posted up our latest Probing Gaia episode over on our other podcast feed, so we hope that can satiate your appetite until all three of us are back in the saddle.

We go extra deep into Casca in this episode...wait, that didn't sound right SORRY!!!! We go extra deep INTO HER MIND in this episode, as she regails us with horrifying tails of her childhood, her first meeting with Griffith, and Griffith's infamous liaison with a certain fuedal lord with sordid tastes. Some beautiful writing and character work done by Miura here, even to the point of bringing Ryan and Joey to tears at some points. Enjoy!

This one is a doozy, little strugg-struggs! So many iconic lines and massive character dynamic shifts have their big reveal here, as we learn what Griffith’s definition of a friend is (withOUT benefits!), his grooming of Princess Charlotte, and Guts reacting like a newb after killing someone. Open those mind-holes as we dive in, Scrooge McDuck style, to the riches that are these four chapters. Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The first three chapters of volume 6 bring the world of Berserk into its political phase, with the clash of Griffiths battle prestige and the knightly class’s blood-status and wealth taking center stage. Another creepy bald man enters the scene as well, this time manipulating events that will have world-changing ramifications for the series forever after…starting with an assasination attempt on Griffith himself! Oh, and plenty of dick and fart humor abound, as usual. Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The fight with Zodd ends just as unpredictably as it began: with the bull-horned apostle recognizing, and even fearing, the crimson behelit around Griffith’s neck. A prophecy is made, and Griffith inches ever higher up the corporate ladder of the kingdom of Midland, while Guts and crew deal with the aftermath of their world changing forever. Oh, and plenty of poop and pee jokes. Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

An action-heavy, yet still poignant, set of chapter here, as ol’ Guts is ripping up Tudors and facing off against his first apostle - Nosferatu Zodd - without even knowing what the heck an apostle is! The fight is pretty apostastic if we do say so, ourselves (and we do). Plus, Griffith gets one step closer to his dream with his promotion as “viscount,” which I think is the head of counting Viz media published manga and anime for the king. Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Golden Age is over faster than we expected, but these two final chapters are chock-a-block full of the perfect blend of action, exposition, character insight, and growth in our trusty protagonist, Guts! Plus, Griffith gets nude and has a homoerotic water bucket fight with the black swordsman himself in a ludicrous display that would put the volleyball scene from Top Gun to shame! Enjoy! Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

(Disregard the intro where I say chapter 14! It’s chapter 13! Sorry I’m terrible with numbers.) Guts is initiated to the Band of the Hawk, much to Corkus and Casca’s chagrin, and his first battle with the motley crew impresses him, to his own surprise. This chapter is so rich in action and the deepening character dynamic between Guts and Griffith, so there’s much to discuss. Plus, Steve provides a little education on classic black metal and death metal bands, and Ryan reveals he has a movie review website despite claiming that he hasn’t seen a lot of movies! Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The trio of beautiful boys is back in full effect, baby! Ryan was living in a pool of bronchial butter after coming back sick from Anime Expo, but he’s swordin’ and recordin’ again, just in time to talk about the introduction of everyone’s favorite gender-fluid villain - Griffith! And his merry Band of the Hawk/Falcon, of course. As usual, sexual motifs and innuendo abound in these two chapters, so whip out your literary theory mindset and…something else…and enjoy! Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

We’re back after a much longer break than we anticipated, but we took off for the 4th of July and unfortunately, Ryan got super sick after his trip to Anime Expo, so it’s just me (Joey) and Steve tonight, and Ryan shall return next week, so wish him a speedy recovery! As the Golden Age Arc continues, we see the existential fallout after Guts experiences his horrible night at the hands of Donavan, but we also see Guts reborn as the Kuroi Kenshin that we know and love from the first, and future arcs, of the series. Enjoy! Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

No new episode this week since Ryan, Steve and myself are scattered to the winds for the 4th of July here in the United States. We'll be back next with the next chilling chapter of the Golden Age arc, as well as a BONUS episode with Ryan to talk about his Anime Expo experience here in beautiful Los Angeles, CA. Stay safe and have a great Independence Day to all our US listeners, and obviously we hope all our listeners have a great week!

As Hughy Lewis and the News once said: “Gotta go BACK in TIIIEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIME!” And by the bald head of Donavan, do we EVER go back in time little strugglers! The Golden Age Arc has officially begun, and this first chapter introduces us to the first 9 years of Guts’ life, with Gambino-daddy being a completely toxic father figure, Guts losing his “mother” to the plague - a plague that seems to kill you by growing clods of mud on your face - and the first appearance of the infamous scar that adorns our intrepid hero’s nose-bridge. And of course…those final few pages. *shiver* Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Well, strugglers, if you get bored of being over-lore’d - then this chapter might just bore you to death! We, on the other hand, love gettin’ DEEP into the inner workings of The God Hand, the Invocation of Doom, how the Brand of Sacrifice works, what color are Void’s, Ubik’s and Conrads eyes under their various slits, stitches and goggles?! It’s an all supernatural extravaganza, with a special appearance by Hell itself in these final chapters of “The Guardians of Desire” sub-arc. Plus, we perfectly set the stage for The Golden Age Arc beginning next episode! Griffith here we COME. Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Oh we’re REALLY gettin’ into it now little strugglers! Guts might actually be starting to feel affection for Puck, he tortures a child’s father in front of her for laughs, and we get the first true appearance of the God Hand in this chapter. Now we got ourselves a manga! Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

ANOTHER weak old man gets kicked by Guts this chapter…and we’re here for it! This action-packed sub-chapter gets into the regenerative slug-meat of Guts’ battle with “The Count,” and we learn more about who that mystery girl at the window was from the previous chapter. Does her daddy make her happy, or saddy? There’s only one way to find out - listen up and enjoy! Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Guts and Puck are back to kick old disabled men and feel sorta bad for it…kinda. The evil Count (aka Slug-Man) is PISSED that Guts almost murdered his beloved Zondark, so with a fairytale kiss, Zondark is back with a vengeance and most of the chapter is a battle in Vargas’ finished basement at his mom’s house. There’s also some great foreshadowing of the themes that will permeate the entire series and keep us strugglers coming back for more. Enjoy! Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

We dive into part one of the three part sub-arc: ‘The Guardians of Desire’ this week, where Guts and Puck go up against the Cartman-esque “Count,” who’s beheading fools left and right for being heretics! And as chapter 1 introduced the world and characters, and chapter 2 introduced the gravity of Guts’ daily existence, chapter 3 introduces the “macguffin” (of a sort) that will haunt the characters of Berserk forever after: the Behelit. Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

We’re back to cover Berserk vol. 1, chapter 2: ‘The Brand,’ and it’s a lot more nuanced than we expected during our initial read! Guts battles viking skeletons, gets some hentai tentacle action on his face, and insults a priest - what more could you ask for out of Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece?! Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’ Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The first episode of No Guts, No Glory: the Berserk Podcast is here! Resident fans Ryan (an artist and musician), Steve (a long time deep cover agent in the world of nerd culture and collectibles) and Joey (a writer and martial artist / sword fighter) discuss, critique, and expound on the themes, the artwork, the patterns, and the subtext found in Volume 1., Chapter 1: The Black Swordsman. Many jokes will be cracked - as will your innocence - as we break down Kentaro Miura’s inaugural effort in his now decades long running manga. Enjoy, strugglers! Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647 https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast: https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens