No Guts, No Glory: the Berserk Podcast

Just a quick update from Joey on the imminent return of new episodes!

-- SPOILERS BEGIN AT 1HR, 5MIN MARK (1:05) -- Our review is Spoiler Free up until that point, so enjoy, watch the show and come back for the rest! Steve is recovering from a long weekend out of town, so Ryan and I decided to cover another massively critically acclaimed manga/anime by Naoki Urasawa that really made an impact on us: Monster. We cover Dr. Kenzo Tenma's journey to "right" the "wrong" that he feels he committed with a young-boy-turned-serial-killer: Johan Liebert. Monster is overflowing with rich themes, motifs, and challenging moments of characterization, all while turning, what is essentially, the classic tale of a wandering, vengeful samurai, on it's head, while exploring themes of generational truama, fascism vs. freedom, East vs. West, Healing vs. Killing, and what is the true nature of evil...ust to name a few. This bad boy comes in at a whopping 3 hours and 18 minutes, so we hope you enjoy this alternative to No Guts, No Glory: the Berserk Podcast! We'll be back with a new episode asap, but in the meantime, let us know what you thought of this episode, since we all consume a decent amount of content - anime or otherwise - and we're happy to do more of this if you all enjoy it.

Visions in hypnagogic states, deep introspection, and the ouroboros of prophecy vs. causality abound in these chapters as we learn more about Farnesse’s religiously driven sexual repression, Zodd’s first interaction with his new and future master, and Guts getting an emotional truth-bomb dropped on his face for leaving Casca and Rickert alone for two years so he could selfishly focus on revenge. Miura never lets you feel exactly the same about characters for very long…even the ones we’re supposed to love. It’s part of his mastery, and part of what makes Berserk so damn compelling chapter after chapter. 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 Holy Iron Chain chapters of the Conviction Arc present some really cool dynamics into the characters, story, and world building of Berserk - namely the almost “anti-Casca” that is Farnesse. We also get the juxtaposition of the Holy See’s perceived religious mythology with Guts and Puck’s very much lived experiences. Faith vs. Horror, Light is Dark, Dark is light, etc. Very rich stuff here. Ooooooooooh…and we get the infamous FARNESSE HORSE SCENE!!! Honestly that’s all you needed to know to listen. 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

Rosine bears down on Guts at supersonic speeds (literally) and their final showdown begins! These chapters (that were too long to list in the title of the podcast: A BLOODY NIGHT SKY, THE SPACE BETWEEN DEMON AND MAN, FIREFLY, THE WAY HOME, BLUE SKY ELF, THE BEAST OF DARKNESS), cover Guts' triumph over Rosine, Jill's triumph over her fears of living in her abusive home/town...and the Beast of Darkness' triumph over Guts very soul. From here on out, Guts will have to contend with his own literal inner demon, built and fueled by the hatred and murderous intent of ever kill he's ever made...and ever will make.

The battle against Rosine (and her child-elf minions) continues, with Puck trying to convince Jill to not succumb to Rosine’s fanciful temptations…and Guts just killing more and more children with murderous glee. We get some of the raddest and goriest scenes thus far, plus the appearance of Guts’ signature Super Cannon Sword Whirlwind Attack to deal with those Ugly Buglies once and for all. 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

Boy have we got some sceeeeeenes with Queeeeeeen Rosiiiiiiiine! Rosine full reveals herself (and it’s definitely disturbing) to Guts, Jill and Puck, and she’s pretty ticked off that Guts has been killing her little “Ugly Buglies,” as we have dubbed them. The horrific realization that the Ugly Buglies might be (now former) “Kuddly Kiddos” is a shock to Guts, for sure…but does that stop further child-killing in these chapters? Listen up to our next intrepid episode, gumshoes! 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 Conviction Arc begins!!! We have finally struggled through the Eclipse and the world-establishing epilogue immediately after, and now we are back to Black Swordsman Guts wrecking shop with the dragon slayer! Puck and his beautiful butt cheeks are back, as well as his cheeky comic relief, as Guts faces off with the fairy-like denizens of The Misty Valley, where helps an abused girl named Jill. Also, special first appearance by Farnesse, Serpico, and Azan of the Holy Iron Chain Knights!

In the aftermath of The Eclipse, Guts must choose how to move forward with new limitations and truths. These chapters are exposition-heavy, but fascinating in how they establish the “new normal” of Berserk from here on out. The Golden Age Arc is the most well-known arc for sure, and the story becomes much more dynamic as new challenges and characters are introduced into Guts’ merry band of travelers. But let’s not put the cart before the proverbial Farnesse-horse! In this episode we get the first (chronologically) appearance of Guts black armor, his throwing knives, his metal cannon arm, and, of course, The Dragon Slayer. We also get a deeper artistic focus on the natural world as opposed to the technological wonders of man, further showcasing the shift in Guts and Casca’s existence. 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

(COVERS THESE CHAPTERS: STORM OF DEATH, GOD OF THE ABYSS, LIFEBLOOD, QUICKENING, BIRTH, AFTERGLOW OF THE RIGHT EYE, ESCAPE) We have arrived. The "main events" of the Eclipse transpire during this episode, and we basically go page by page and find (in our humble opinion) a ton of nuance that tends to be missed because these sections tend to be...read "quickly" for lack of a better term, and for obvious reasons. There is so much rich existentialism here in the writing/characters despite the horrific (and literal) existential crisis that's happening in the plot, and we feel that this episode does the late Miura-san justice in what The Eclipse is supposed to represent in the series. Or at least, our personal takes on what he might be representing. Enjoy! ...as much as you can, anyway.

(COVERS THESE CHAPTERS: The Promised Time, Advent, The Inhuman Host, The Castle, Parting, The Feast) We’re in the thick of it now ladies and gents: these chapters ultimately form the first half of the events of The Eclipse in all it’s betrayal and blood filled glory. This chunk of chapters focuses on the reveal of the Godhand, the lore of The Eclipse and the Crimson Behelit, and ultimately Griffith’s inner struggle to keep alive the parts of him that love Guts and the people that got him the successes he’s won, or letting his love, loyalty, and empathy burn to become the Femto he is destined to be. 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

Sorry there's no new episode this week! It was Memorial Day here in the states and we tried to record over the long weekend but our schedules just couldn't line up. Sorry for the delay, but we'll be back this Monday to dive deep into the Eclipse proper - Love you, and struggle on!

Welp, here we are: the precipice of The Eclipse. These chapters are the (in our opinion) the true final pages of The Golden Age Arc, before the skies go dark on our intrepid hero, Guts, and his followers…forever. We see the end of Wyald at the hands of Zodd; Casca and Guts acquiescing to their guilt and vowing to stay behind to take care of our disabled “Hawk boss;” and Griffith taking the reins (literally) of his destiny and setting off the behelit to get the balls of causality really rollin’ into the events that we know…and love? 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

It’s time to get WYALD…AGAIN, baby! This apostle fight is a long one, but Miura is using our monkey-fied friend in dynamic fashion: to give Guts something more monstrous to fight than even 100 men, sure, but also as an intricate foreshadowing tool for a forthcoming major sun-darkening event, as well as a major mouthpiece for exposition and lore. We definitely had some technical issues with this one, so apologies for any pops, crackles or quality loss. We’re attempting to fix it by next time! 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

Canonical Berserk Chapters: 059, 60, 61, 62, 63. It’s time to get WYALD baby! The Black Dog Knights have been sent to pursue the core members of the Band of the Hawk as they whisk away Griffith back to safety. Something is a bit…off…about Wyald, the BDK’s leader. Guts suspects he’s an apostle, thought maybe his horrific ape like appearance might have given that away initially? This is a long battle, ladies and gents, but we leave off Guts and the gang right when Wyald transforms into…bigger Wyald! 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

The Band of the Hawk's key players (minus Rickert) find Griffith in his sorriest state at the bottom of the pit under the Tower of Rebirth, and the escape plan is on! The king sends feared Kushan assassins - the Bakiraka - to take them down, as well as dozens of his own knights. The pain of seeing Griffith mangled beyond belief activates, for the first time, Guts' true rage, and we see Miura's first depiction of the vengeful rampages we will grow so used to in this series. Enjoy!

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