History Berserk / TropesQToT

* ShownTheirWork: Also has [[ShownTheirWork/{{Berserk}} its own page.]]

** Guts all the way, since he was not only [[ChildSoldier forced to kill people since the age of five or six]], but [[HarmfulToMinors every event that]] [[DarkAndTroubledPast happened in his childhood]] just [[UsedToBeASweetKid hardened him even more]]. Now in his adult years, killing people is as natural as breathing to this guy.

* SexIsEvil: In ''Berserk'' having sex can literally give birth to evil, [[spoiler:mainly due to demonic entities raping and impregnating human women with their spawn.]] Heavily related to damn near every rape example in the series, but even when its not rape, [[APartyAlsoKnownAsAnOrgy sex is used to show how depraved and twisted humans can be]] and makes us want to [[FanDisservice barf more than get it on.]] Exceptions are rare but notable: Casca was thoroughly satisfied with losing her virginity to Guts (to the point that she kept talking about it the next morning) and [[AManIsAlwaysEager Guts was just as happy]], and it was seen that making love [[SexEqualsLove strengthen their relationship]] [[IntimatePsychotherapy and healed old wounds.]] So for once, [[GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex two people have sex and and are happy both physically and emotionally]] at the end with no negative outcomes [[spoiler:except that Casca became pregnant, but even then it only turned bad when Femto did things to her, and was subtly implied that had nothing bad happened, [[BabiesMakeEverythingBetter it would have all ended well for once.]]]]

* RoleReprisal: While the voice cast for the Japanese anime was [[TheOtherDarrin Darrin'd]] out, the main cast of the English dub returned. VocalEvolution ensues as Creator/MarcDiraison, Kevin T. Collins, and Creator/CarrieKeranen, the respective voice actors of Guts, Griffith, and Casca, have gotten at least a decades worth of additional voice acting experience under their belt.

** Notably, several decades after the manga's debut, there's a lot of suspicion that a once-universally accepted translation was in error; with all the recent talk of "Falconia" and Miura's indication that one arc should be called "Millenium Falcon" (for the [[StarWars obvious reference]] on several levels), many people suspect the proper name of Griffith's mercenary company should be "Band of the ''Falcon''", not "Band of the ''Hawk''". (This was caused by the word for both birds being the same in Japanese.) Two decades of fandom inertia make it basically impossible to correct in the zeitgeist at this point, however, and Band of the Hawk remains as the official translation.

* TragicBromance: Guts and Griffith to a T, much in the same vain as [[StarWars Obi-Wan and Anakin]] or [[Franchise/XMen Professor X and Magneto.]]

* RousseauWasRight: Arguable. When you really look at it, none of the characters, [[HumansAreFlawed who all have their share of flaws]], start out [[CardCarryingVillain downright evil]], despicable, or [[BreakTheCutie messed up.]] You have kids like Guts and Rosine [[UsedToBeASweetKid who were sweet-natured]] and just turned sour [[DarkAndTroubledPast after years of abuse from their parents]], girls like Casca who eventually [[ApatheticCitizens turned apathetic]] after repeatedly seeing their homes taken advantage of, girls like Farnese [[LonelyRichKid who suffered backlash]] from ParentalNeglect, and we only saw hate in Teresia's eyes after she saw all that she knew and loved destroyed. Hell, even Emperor Ganishka had [[FreudianExcuse a sappy childhood that set him on his road to totalitarian paranoia!]] As stated elsewhere, the [[DespairEventHorizon despair event]] and [[MoralEventHorizon moral event horizons]] are enforced in this universe, since in order to have obtained a behelit in the first place, you had to have been a halfway decent person who had loved ones from the start.

** Similarly to both of the above, Jill first met Guts when he rescued her from a band of kidnappers and the tree that came to life because of the brand. She became so attached to him that despite his JerkassFacade she refused to stop following him, and tried to stop him from fighting Rosine.

* RescueSex: Guts prevents Casca from committing suicide by falling off a cliff. Moments later, love-making ensues.
** Their moment could also constitute as GladToBeAliveSex, since the two had just won a victory over a group of soldiers who tried to thwart the Band of the Hawk, not to mention Casca wasn't thinking of suicide anytime afterward.

* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Anyone who says that Guts isn't this personified is either a liar or has never read the series.
** The Black Dog, the manifestation of Guts' anger and hatred, gets pretty pissed when Guts tries to stop being, well, a Berserker, and tries to tempt him back into this, saying that if Guts were to just rape and kill Casca (and not necessarily in that order) they could go back to brutally murdering every apostle they come across and anyone who tries to stop them.

* TransformationIsAFreeAction: Usually played straight but once amusingly subverted by Guts when fighting a group of Apostles.
-->'''Apostle:''' ''[just before Guts cuts him apart]'' No... no fair! Attacking while we're transforming!

* TalkingIsAFreeAction: Usually played straight but once amusingly subverted by Guts when fighting a group of Apostles.

* SexIsEvil: In ''Berserk'' having sex can literally give birth to evil, [[spoiler:mainly due to demonic entities raping and impregnating human women with their spawn.]] Heavily related to damn near every rape example in the series, but even when its not rape, [[APartyAlsoKnownAsAnOrgy sex is used to show how depraved and twisted humans can be]] and makes us want to [[FanDisservice barf more than get it on.]]
* SexIsGood: However, Miura has depicted that sex can be a good thing. Casca was thoroughly satisfied with losing her virginity to Guts (to the point that she kept talking about it the next morning) and [[AManIsAlwaysEager Guts was just as happy]], and it was seen that making love [[SexEqualsLove strengthen their relationship]] [[IntimatePsychotherapy and healed old wounds.]] So for once, [[GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex two people have sex and and are happy both physically and emotionally]] at the end with no negative outcomes [[spoiler:except that Casca became pregnant, but even then it only turned bad when Femto did things to her, and was subtly implied that had nothing bad happened, [[BabiesMakeEverythingBetter it would have all ended well for once.]]]]

* ShamefulStrip: Played for horror during the Eclipse with - you guessed it - Casca. Her humiliation only got worse.

%%* ShiningCity: [[spoiler:Falconia.]]

* ShipperOnDeck: Evarella for Guts x Schierke. Earlier, Judeau for Guts/Casca...and funnily enough, [[HarsherInHindsight Guts for Casca/Griffith.]]

* ShowDontTell: Miura is extrememly talented when it comes to communicating without text via the subtle expressions of his characters. You could say this series has exellent actors, even tough they are ink on paper...

* SexIsGood: However, Miura has depicted that sex can be a good thing. Being neither [[AllWomenArePrudes a prude]] nor [[AllWomenAreLustful entirely lustful,]] Casca was thoroughly satisfied with losing her virginity to Guts (to the point that she kept talking about it the next morning) and [[AManIsAlwaysEager Guts was just as happy]], and it was seen that making love [[SexEqualsLove strengthen their relationship]] [[IntimatePsychotherapy and healed old wounds.]] So for once, [[GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex two people have sex and and are happy both physically and emotionally]] at the end with no negative outcomes [[spoiler:except that Casca became pregnant, but even then it only turned bad when Femto did things to her, and was subtly implied that had nothing bad happened, [[BabiesMakeEverythingBetter it would have all ended well for once.]]]]

* RapeAndRevenge: The three main characters have all been sexually abused or assualted at one point in their lives, and they all exacted revenge/justice on their assailant later. Also, Guts' RoaringRampageOfRevenge had undertones of this, since [[spoiler: Griffith raping Casca and driving her insane was what drove Guts to revenge the most.]]

* RapeAsDrama: Multiple occurrences throughout the series [[spoiler: including child Guts being raped by a mercenary, scarring him for life]], the most heinous example happening to [[spoiler:Casca]].

* RapeLeadsToInsanity: ... [[spoiler: [[TheWoobie Poor,]] [[BreakTheCutie poor]] [[GoMadFromTheRevelation Casca]]]]...

* RepressiveButEfficient: [[spoiler: Griffith]] creates a veritable {{utopia}} on Earth with [[spoiler: [[ShiningCity Falconia]]]]. The amount of bureaucracy necessary to manage a constant influx of refugees is staggering, but it's all managed effortlessly. Everyone has perfect safety, plenty to eat, a roof over their heads, free medical care, and fulfilling work suited to their talents. While most of the inhabitants are in some degree of mourning from losing loved ones in the recent wars, the fact that those loved ones' spirits can give them an in-person goodbye before moving on to the afterlife takes a lot of the edge off. [[spoiler: Being a RealityWarper literally empowered by God really helps when running a country.]] Unfortunately, it's all based around a CultOfPersonality dedicated to someone who in the past hasn't hesitated to [[spoiler: betray those closest to him and even subject one of his most devoted supporters to a horrifying rape in order to perpetuate his own power]]. There's also the fact that the city was founded [[spoiler: thanks to the efforts of a horde of demons, each of whom perpetrated [[DealWithTheDevil some horrible betrayal in exchange for power]], and whose bloodlust is only barely held in check.]] It may well be one of the most benevolent dictatorships in the history of fiction, but make no mistake that it ''is'' a dictatorship.

* RescueArc: The latter half of the Conviction/Retribution arc focuses on Guts's quest to rescue and reunite with Casca after [[spoiler: she wanders away from the safety of the cave and is captured first by pagans who wanted to initiated her into their cult and then by Holy Iron Chain Knights who want to [[BurnTheWitch burn her at the stake as a witch]].]]

* RescuedFromTheUnderworld: The Skull Knight pulled one of these [[spoiler: upon saving Guts and Casca from the Godhand's clutches during the Eclipse]].

** Their moment could also constitute as GladToBeAliveSex, since the two had just won a victory over a group of soldiers who tried to thwart the Band of the Hawk (not to mention Casca wasn't thinking of suicide anytime afterward).
* {{Revenge}}: Oh boy...

* RobeAndWizardHat: Schierke, of course.

* RunningGag: Several characters throughout the series have made basically the same comment on how Guts' {{BFS}}s, primarily the Dragonslayer, aren't really swords, but more like big slabs of iron.

* SaveThePrincess: While Guts' mission is to FindTheCure for his lover, one of Griffith's missions upon being [[spoiler: reincarnated in the physical plane]] was to save Princess Charlotte from Ganishka.
* SayMyName: '''"GRIFFITH!!!"'''

* ScarSurvey: Rare gender-flipped example with Guts inspecting Casca's scars [[spoiler: when they are about to make love.]]

** In the edited version of ''Descent'', some ferns are used to obscure Guts' and Casca's nether regions when they prepare to have intercourse. The unedited version doesn't reveal that much more... [[spoiler: but it's pretty obvious what Guts is doing with his hand down there.]]

** Played for tragedy during the Eclipse. First, [[spoiler: Guts screams in rage, anger, and sadness after seeing the slaughtered remains of his friends and comrades in a lake of blood. Then, after going through the immense horror of being forced to watch Casca get raped by Femto, Guts howls a scream that we can only describe as ''[[EmotionalTorque sheer pain]]'' when he watches her fall limp and broken after Femto is done with her.]]
** Although she tends to scream a lot in her insanity, newly insane Casca gives a truly painful and mournful scream when [[spoiler: she miscarries her deformed child and it disappears at daybreak.]]
* ScrewDestiny: "''THIS IS'' '''MY DECLARATION OF WAR!!!'''"

* ScrewYouElves: See ShutUpHannibal.

** ShutUpHannibal: Before the final fight of the Birth Ceremony Chapter, Mozgus reproaches Guts for trying to save Casca, [[BurnTheWitch whom he accused of being a witch]] who is drawing evil spirits and demons to St. Albion that threaten to devour the inhabitants. And technically, he's correct, since the combined effect of both Guts' and Casca's brands are drawing in demons from all around, and for all of his horrendous acts, Mozgus was trying to save the people of St. Albion. However, Guts' only response to this ReasonYouSuckSpeech is that the people in St. Albion are mindless sheep who are deluded by religion and being manipulated by the PowersThatBe, and that he is going to [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl save his girl no matter how many people have to die in the process]].

* SecurityBlanket: Ever since Guts was a small child training as a mercenary, he was often seen sleeping with his {{BFS}}. He kept on this tradition into his adult years, saying that he gets restless if he sleeps without it.

* SenselessSacrifice: Despite the [[HeroicSacrifice heroic efforts]] of [[SacrificialLion Judeau]] and [[SacrificialLion Pippin]] in order to save Casca, it was all horribly [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructed]] in the end. We don't think we need to tell you how.
** Why not go further with adding insult to injury by mentioning how [[spoiler: Guts sacrificing his arm to save Casca didn't do shit in the end? Ouch.]]
** However, [[spoiler: the {{ArmCannon}} has been a crucial tool for Guts ever since, so hacking off his arm may have had it's purpose after all even tough it was definitely not what Guts had planned.]]

* SexIsEvil: In ''Berserk'' having sex can literally give birth to evil, [[spoiler: mainly due to demonic entities raping and impregnating human women with their spawn.]] Heavily related to damn near every rape example in the series, but even when its not rape, [[APartyAlsoKnownAsAnOrgy sex is used to show how depraved and twisted humans can be]] and makes us want to [[FanDisservice barf more than get it on.]]
* SexIsGood: However, Miura has depicted that sex can be a good thing. Being neither [[AllWomenArePrudes a prude]] nor [[AllWomenAreLustful entirely lustful,]] Casca was thoroughly satisfied with losing her virginity to Guts (to the point that she kept talking about it the next morning) and [[AManIsAlwaysEager Guts was just as happy]], and it was seen that making love [[SexEqualsLove strengthen their relationship]] [[IntimatePsychotherapy and healed old wounds.]] So for once, [[GoodPeopleHaveGoodSex two people have sex and and are happy both physically and emotionally]] at the end with no negative outcomes [[spoiler: except that Casca became pregnant, but even then it only turned bad when Femto did things to her, and was subtly implied that had nothing bad happened, [[BabiesMakeEverythingBetter it would have all ended well for once.]]]]

* ShiningCity: [[spoiler: Falconia.]]

** The TV series focused a lot more on the characterization between the main characters themselves AND between minor characters and was more linearly true to the manga timeline (up to and including the fact that the story starts InMediasRes). The theme of camaraderie is much more pronounced since the TV series spanned 25 episodes, thus giving it much more time to expand on these elements. Though there were a lot more battle sequences in the TV adaptation than there were in the manga, it's still not action-dominant as these scenes were used to, again, expand on the theme of [[ThePowerOfFriendship friendship]] and [[ThePowerOfTrust teamwork]]. The supernatural elements, however, were downplayed, examples being how many supernatural characters were not introduced until the last few episode during the prelude of the Eclipse (many of the apostles) or were not featured at all (Puck, Skull Knight, Wyald). Also, [[{{Bowdlerise}} gore and sexual violence was downplayed a substantial degree]], possibly since it was aired on TV [[spoiler: though [[NippleAndDimed female nudity]] and [[RapeDiscretionShot rape]] was still present]].
** The movie trilogy is also pragmatic, but acts much like a non-comical abridged version of the source material. [[CompressedAdaptation Since there are only three movies that are only about an hour or so long]] (the third film is a bit longer) [[AdaptationDistillation a lot more had to be cut or re-arranged]] and characterization is largely limited to that of the three main characters; some newcomers to the series might be unaware of some concepts and themes without being referred to the source material. Though some important scenes were cut or downplayed [[spoiler: naked water fight, Griffith's history with Gennon, and the campfire of dreams scene to name a few]] the creators did add other tidbits [[spoiler: Puck and Skull Knight not only made their animated debut finally, but Farnese, Serpico and Azan are seen at the ball scene!]] and made other scenes a lot more emotional [[spoiler: having Guts and Casca dance together at the ball; Griffith's sex scene with Charlotte]] making these changes and additions all over worthwhile. Since these are theatrical releases, gore is played exactly how it was in the original manga (bloody battle sequences are featured primarily because [[BloodierAndGorier newer animation techniques allowed for more graphic detail]]), and more disturbingly, sexual violence is ''played up'' in the movies. Some fans even go as far as saying that the third movie, which covers the infamous Eclipse event, is actually '''worse''' than the manga depiction.
* SlidingScaleOfBeauty: Griffith was a [[StupidSexyFlanders World Class Beauty]] before the eclipse, and definitely becomes [[LikeAGodToMe Divine Level Beauty]] after his [[spoiler: reincarnation]]. Oddly enough, the guy is so damn beautiful in his divine form that he even straddles UncannyValley. Casca seems to toggle anywhere between [[WhatBeautifulEyes Cool]]/[[SheCleansUpNicely Special Average]], [[BeautifulAllAlong Common Beauty]], and unfortunately for her, sometimes [[SoBeautifulItsACurse World Class Beauty.]]
* SlidingScaleOfComedyAndHorror: Definitely horror dominant. Most often, whenever comedy is presented during a suspenseful moment, it does not take away from the mood. Some examples take place immediately after the Eclipse, such as when [[spoiler: Rickert, upon receiving the unconscious, mutilated, and violated bodies of Guts and Casca from the Skull Knight, makes a brief SD face at the sight of Nosferatu Zodd,]] or when [[spoiler: Erika trips down the stairs in the elf cave where Guts and Casca are recuperating after the Eclipse,]] causing quite a moment of MoodWhiplash, but the drama returns moments later when [[spoiler: Guts sees Casca's post-Eclipse state and has a FreakOut as a result]]. It's otherwise interesting to point out that ''Berserk'' does not rely on BlackComedy for its humor, rather opting for [[WorldOfSnark sarcastic comedy.]] That said...

** The manga has become a fair amount lighter than it was in the past. It was oppressively dark back after the Golden Age arc, but more recently it has felt a fair amount lighter. The addition of multiple kids to the gang probably helped...heck, the fact that Guts is no longer travelling alone is enough to make it easier to take. This is not to say the comic is not dark. It still very much is. But not quite as dark as it was.

** You're on the side that believes that though his actions during the Eclipse were heinous, Griffith's choice of becoming a member of the Godhand at the expense of his friends was [[IDidWhatIHadToDo for the greater good of the world]], since the people are in dire need of a [[MessianicArchetype savior]] and that [[spoiler: Griffith's new kingdom of Falconia]] can give the people that solace, since they have to live in such a [[CrapsackWorld cruel, unforgiving world]] and this was, perhaps, [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve what the people wished for the most.]] And even if Griffith [[DealWithTheDevil did sell his soul to evil]], [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans utopia will justify the means in the end!]] TheNeedsOfTheMany (this case, the entire world populace) [[TheNeedsOfTheMany outweighs the needs of the few, or the one]] (which would be Guts and his need for revenge against Griffith for what he did to the Hawks, Casca, and their friendship).
** Or, you're on the side that believes that Griffith made a BIG NO-NO during the Eclipse, [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope and went waaaaaaaaay off the slippery slope]] for his actions to be justified. He has jumped '''WAY''' [[MoralEventHorizon past the zone of forgiveness]], and for crying out loud: he became a GodOfEvil, dictating the way of causality unto others through cruel [[SadisticChoice sadistic choices]]! Plus, his presence in the physical world - which is now really messed up because of him - [[DarkMessiah might do more harm than good]] [[TotalitarianUtilitarian in the long run]], as it has already been shown that he will eliminate anybody [[AmbitionIsEvil whom he sees as a threat to his power]] (example, he [[spoiler: got his Apostle mooks to kill Flora, who was a very powerful good witch]]). And to top it off, his intent wasn't for the sake of the people, [[ItsAllAboutMe but for himself.]] Griffith already has one kingdom: [[TheDarkSide will he want more?]]
*** In the end, '''''you''''' have to decide.

* SnowMeansLove: Combined twice with SnowMeansDeath. Once when Casca tries to dissuade Guts from leaving the Hawks, right before the Guts vs Griffith showdown. Also [[spoiler: when she screams Guts' name upon watching him walking away after defeating Griffith]]. The second time [[spoiler:when Guts fights off snow demons in order to protect [[TheOphelia post-eclipse Casca]]]]. Even before that, Guts makes his vow that he would never leave Casca like he did two year prior again as they leave Godo's house for the last time as it begins to snow.

** SwordOfPlotAdvancement: Guts wielding the Dragonslayer for the first time pretty much wrapped up the [[ThreeActStructure second-ish act that was the Golden Age Arc.]]

* StandardHeroReward: Griffith would have been rewarded for saving Midland with Princess Charlotte's hand in marriage and rule over the kingdom if all had gone according to plan, but he [[SubvertedTrope completely blows his chance]]. Later on, [[DoubleSubversion it pretty much happens]] [[spoiler: when Griffith defeats Emperor Ganishka with his Apostle army and founds his city of Falconia, such that he's all set up to marry Princess Charlotte and be crowned by the pope.]]

* StuffedIntoTheFridge: One of the rare cases where the target ''survives''. [[spoiler: Casca is raped into insanity, and now has the mental abilities and speech of an infant. She requires constant babysitting, whereas before she was once one of the leaders of the Band of the Hawk. [[note]]Doesn't count as {{Chickification}} because we ''saw'' all of this ''brutal'' BreakTheCutie happen '''with all kinds of details''', whereas Chickification is an invisible and unjustified shift in the story.[[/note]] As a result of her insanity and depowered status, Guts uses her fate as [[RapeAndRevenge the greatest justification for his revenge against Griffith and the God Hand]] and her [[TheLostLenore condition continues to anguish and cause great pain for Guts.]] The trope was played straight a few weeks after the Eclipse, as Guts was so consumed in his sadness and anger over the event that he [[ForgottenFallenFriend actually abandoned Casaca and disregarded the trauma that she herself was going through]] and left to pursue his revenge for two years. The trope was later [[DiscussedTrope discussed]] when Godo confronted Guts on the matter, which actually resulted in Guts giving up his revenge on Griffith in order to stay near Casca (though the trope is still occasionally discussed by the Beast who torments Guts). The overall use of the trope in the story has drawn some criticism from fans, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter since Casca's character arc was greatly diminished when she became insane]] and many events surrounding her status (an example being the demonized child that Casca bore) serve to aid in Guts' and even Griffith's character arcs more than her own.]]

* SurprisePregnancy: Played tragically straight after the Eclipse concerning Guts and Casca's unborn child being miscarried. [[spoiler: However, [[{{WMG}} some fans think]] that [[MySecretPregnancy Casca might not have been so oblivious about her pregnancy...]]]]

* TakeThatKiss: Once again, this was mixed with the ForcefulKiss trope on page 2 and the SpitTrailKiss stated earlier during the eclipse, as [[spoiler: Griffith/Femto kisses Casca twice in front of Guts while raping her just to spite and hurt Guts.]]

--> Apostle (just before Guts cuts him apart): No.. no fair! Attacking while we're transforming!

* TeamKiller: Both Guts and Griffith are guilty of this. [[SympatheticMurderBackstory Guts' case was more sympathetic,]] in that he [[spoiler: first [[RapeAndRevenge killed the man who raped him]] the previous night, and then later on, [[AccidentalMurder he accidentally killed]] his adoptive father out of self defense.]] Griffith, on the other hand, [[spoiler: sold out all of his comrades during the Eclipse in order to gain nigh invulnerability.]]

** Guts during the [[spoiler: rape of Casca]], where his undamaged eye cries normal tears and his ruined eye cries tears of blood (although this isn't tears so much as the punctured eyeball pouring out blood). The same during his recovery as he recalls all of the friends he has lost (actual blood tears this time).

---> '''Pirate Captain''': Ghosts?! Monsters?! Superstitions, mates. Superstitions! Listen up, ye scallywags! Yer all outrageous! Look at me, livin the pirate life for all these 25 years! Lively as can be right before ye all! If all that garbage be true at all, I'd be the first one ter be haunted, wouldn't you say?! *ghosts come up right behind him*
* TenderTears: Subverted in a particularly twisted way. Slan tears up upon [[spoiler: witnessing the brutal rape and torture of Casca at Femto's hands while Guts is watching helplessly, held down by three demons right after hacking off his own arm and righ before [[EyeScream getting his eye clawed off in the process]]]]. [[NightmareFetishist She found the scene to be an epiphany of beauty...]]

* ThatThingIsNotMyChild: Guts immediately rejects the deformed fetus as his own (at first thinking that [[spoiler: [[MamasBabyPapasMaybe Casca was impregnated by a demon hellspawn when Femto raped her]]]]) even after he found out that it is his and Casca's child. Although, to be a bit more sympathetic on Guts' part, it could be that he doesn't hate the child in itself, but rather what the child represents: [[ChildOfRape the byproduct]] of a horrible event that [[MyGreatestFailure he failed to prevent from happening to Casca]], an event that pretty much [[StarCrossedLovers quashed any chances that Guts and Casca]] could have had of actually having a real family (since it was implied from [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic their interaction with the mysterious child]] on the beach [[GoodParents that the two would not have made bad parents]], and Guts is later seen having a somber look on his face when remembering he and Casca's child [[spoiler: though it has been suggested that the fetus and the boy on the beach are the same]]).
** Also related to the [[spoiler: ChildOfRape]] trope is the treatment that Rosine received from her father, since it was strongly implied that she was [[spoiler: conceived through her mother's rape]].

* TheyDo: Guts and Casca [[spoiler: but not for long.]]
* ThirdActMisunderstanding: Subverted. Crap began to build up in volume 8 when Guts hinted to Casca that he was planning on leaving the Hawks and [[TimeSkip a good month]] goes by without ''anybody saying anything to anyone else on the matter.'' When the time comes, [[SneakyDeparture Guts tries to leave the Hawks without telling anyone]], [[NiceJobBreakingItHero Casca finds out and blabs to Griffith]], and Griffith - man, [[ControlFreak he didn't take it too well.]] Perhaps if the three had actually talked to each other about '''practically everything''' that went on in their lives (from Guts telling Griffith that he wanted to be his equal so he could be a true friend to Guts and Casca telling each other that they had feelings for one another), [[PoorCommunicationKills then this whole conflict could have been avoided]]... [[YouCantFightFate or maybe not]] because it's what [[spoiler: the Idea of Evil]] had planned for Griffith anyway, regardless what any of the three had to say about it. Given the strength of Griffith's reaction to Guts' leaving, it's doubtful that any amount of explanation could have convinced him to let him go peacefully, and for Guts' part, he lampshades the inevitability of the falling-out when he asks Casca, "[[ArmorPiercingQuestion What should I have done differently?]]"

* ThisWasHisTrueForm: Apostles and everything that was once human are all into this. Since Apostle-dom is acquired in moments of extreme despair, it is not rare that their original forms are highly weakened/disfigured (e.g. [[spoiler: Wyald, Griffith]]). The trope causes problems for Guts sometimes.

* TookALevelInBadass: Guts takes nothing but levels in badass all his life: as a child, he trains with a sword nearly twice his size that he takes into combat. After [[spoiler:Griffith]]'s FaceHeelTurn, he is marked as a target for demons and ends up just taking more levels into the epic class of badass by getting a sword the size of his body that is a slab of iron with sharp edges and a mechanical arm that doubles as a ''cannon''. After he gets his TrueCompanions, he receives the Berserker Armor, [[spoiler: which was once worn by the Skull Knight]], which increases his physical abilities [[spoiler: by making him immune to pain and reinforcing his body when it's wounded. It also makes him attack everything around him, friend or foe.]]

* TraumaInducedAmnesia: Thanks to [[spoiler: Griffith and what he has done to her]] Casca was so traumatized by the events that her mind has regressed to the mind of a child, but shows no clear memory of the events that transpired beforehand. The only time that she is shown to remember anything at all is when [[spoiler: she is on the verge of being raped, as she has visions of what had happened to her during the dreadful Eclipse.]] Fortunately, this also brings back memories of her fighting skills, at least temporarily.

* TraumaButton: Given their experiences with sexual violence and abuse, both Guts and Casca have shown signs of this throughout the series. In general, both have had a strong aversion to being touched (definitely Casca when she's touched by members of the opposite sex). Guts in particular was triggered by memories of his [[spoiler: anal rape as a child when he tried to make love to Casca from behind]] and promptly almost [[spoiler: choked Casca in a post-traumatic fit of fear.]] Later, the memories of [[spoiler: having to watch Casca be raped to insanity]] doubles as Guts' BerserkButton, so whenever he sees a young woman in danger of being raped, he promptly becomes TheBerserker that he is and kills nearly everything in sight. Casca's trigger moments are much more conflicting and appalling, since after her horrific ordeal, Casca is totally amnesiac and can't remember her former life, but it's only when she's being assaulted that she is shown to have ''any'' memories - and they're of the worst moments of her life.

* TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior: Guts all the way, since he was not only [[ChildSoldier forced to kill people since the age of five or six]], but [[HarmfulToMinors every event that]] [[DarkAndTroubledPast happened in his childhood]] just [[UsedToBeASweetKid hardened him even more]]. Now in his adult years, killing people is as natural as breathing to this guy.

** Guts is a [[TallDarkAndHandsome tall]], [[RatedMForManly masculine]], [[HeroicBuild heavily muscled]], crew-cut, black-haired, brown-eyed [[TheBigGuy giant of a man]] who's preferred weapon is a {{BFS}}, whilst Griffith is a sleek, [[{{Bishonen}} androgynous]], white-heaired, blue-eyed PrettyBoy who uses a saber like a scalpel. In terms of personality, Guts is straightforward, violent, passionate, impulsive, somewhat thick about non-combat matters, and doesn't think too far ahead, while Griffith is mysterious, charismatic, intelligent, well-read, and introspective. Their only truly shared trait is their incredible mental drive to accomplish their goals; even then, Guts really doesn't want to hurt innocent people at the expense of his goals, but Griffith doesn't mind manipulating people in order to accomplish his. The 2012-13 movie trilogy even [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience color-codes]] them to match their personalities, outfitting Guts with a red cape and Griffith with a white one that's blue on the inside.

* SlidingScaleOfAdaptationModification: For this, let's focus on the Golden Age Arc, since it's the only arc of the story to receive animated adaptations thus far: the 1997 animated TV series and the 2012-13 movie trilogy. To start, both adaptations can be considered [[PragmaticAdaptation pragmatic]], since both aren't 100% accurate to the source material but remain accurate and recognizable enough. The difference lies in how each medium arranges events, themes, and characterization.
** The TV series focused a lot more on the characterization between the main characters themselves AND between minor characters and was more linearly true to the manga timeline (up to and including the fact that the story starts InMediasRes). The theme of camaraderie is much more pronounced since the TV series spanned 25 episodes, thus giving it much more time to expand on these elements. Though there were a lot more battle sequences in the TV adaptation than there were in the manga, it's still not action dominate as these scenes were used to, again, expand on the theme of [[ThePowerOfFriendship friendship]] and [[ThePowerOfTrust teamwork]]. The supernatural elements, however, were downplayed, examples being how many supernatural characters were not introduced until the last few episode during the prelude of the Eclipse (many of the apostles) or were not featured at all (Puck, Skull Knight, Wyald). Also, [[{{Bowdlerise}} gore and sexual violence was downplayed a substantial degree]], possibly since it was aired on TV [[spoiler: though [[NippleAndDimed female nudity]] and [[RapeDiscretionShot rape]] was still present]].

** Unless you count [[http://img1.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spire3/15d51f2b087db9df02a0b827efadff111359469666_full.jpg concept art]] for the 2010s anime movie series.

** In the first movie, when Griffith reveals how the crimson behelit stopped the assassin's bolt, Guts says in astonishment, "It's the Egg of the King!"

** The movie trilogy is also pragmatic, but acts much like a non-comical abridged version of the source material. [[CompressedAdaptation Since there are only three movies that are only about an hour or so long]] (the third film is a bit longer) [[AdaptationDistillation a lot more had to be cut or re-arranged]] and characterization is largely limited to that of the three main characters; some newcomers to the series might be unaware of some concepts and themes without being referred to the source material. Though some important scenes were cut or downplayed [[spoiler: naked water fight, Griffith's history with Gennon, and the campfire of dreams scene to name a few]] the creators did add other tidbits [[spoiler: Puck and Skull Knight not only made their animated debut finally, but Farnese and Serpico are seen at the ball scene!]] and made other scenes a lot more emotional [[spoiler: having Guts and Casca dance together at the ball; Griffith's sex scene with Charlotte]] making these changes and additions all over worthwhile. Since these are theatrical releases, gore is played exactly how it was in the original manga (bloody battle sequences are featured primarily because [[BloodierAndGorier newer animation techniques allowed for more graphic detail]]), and more disturbingly, sexual violence is ''played up'' in the movies. Some fans even go as far as saying that the third movie, which covers the infamous Eclipse event, is actually '''worse''' than the manga depiction.

* {{Trigger}}: Given their experiences with sexual violence and abuse, both Guts and Casca have shown signs of this throughout the series. In general, both have had a strong aversion to being touched (definitely Casca when she's touched by members of the opposite sex). Guts in particular was triggered by memories of his [[spoiler: anal rape as a child when he tried to make love to Casca from behind]] and promptly almost [[spoiler: choked Casca in a post-traumatic fit of fear.]] Later, the memories of [[spoiler: having to watch Casca be raped to insanity]] doubles as Guts' BerserkButton, so whenever he sees a young woman in danger of being raped, he promptly becomes TheBerserker that he is and kills nearly everything in sight. Casca's trigger moments are much more conflicting and appalling, since after her horrific ordeal, Casca is totally amnesiac and can't remember her former life, but it's only when she's being assaulted that she is shown to have ''any'' memories - and they're of the worst moments of her life.

* RoleReprisal: While the voice cast for the Japanese anime was [[TheOtherDarrin Darrin'd]] out, the main cast of the English dub returned. VocalEvolution ensues as MarcDiraison, Kevin T. Collins, and CarrieKeranen, the respective voice actors of Guts, Griffith, and Casca, have gotten at least a decades worth of additional voice acting experience under their belt.

** Due to being a GadgeteerGenius, Rickert makes things even more schizo. He put together Guts' prosthetic hand, which has articulated fingers[[note]]Which [[AccidentallyAccurate accidentally]] fits into the the aforementioned 15th century sophistication, as Götz von Berlichingen used a similar prosthetic in our world, a fact that Miura was wholly unaware of when he finalized Guts' character[[/note]] a built-in magnet to help him grip a sword, and an ArmCannon. He's also made a wrist-mounted AutomaticCrossbow, miniature bombs, an upscaled version of said crossbow that makes it something of a [[GatlingGood proto-Gatling Gun]], and as of the Fantasia arc, [[spoiler:an early rocket launcher.]]

* SoundtrackDissonance: Having to hear the SolemnEndingTheme "Waiting so Long" right after seeing [[spoiler: Guts in utter physical and emotional agony from having to watch Casca get raped to insanity]] is REALLY unsettling.
** The upbeat melody of "Tell me Why" by Penpals sharply contrasts with the dark and violent plot of the original anime series. Especially in the final episode.

* SexEqualsLove: Can be applied to a minimal degree with Guts and Casca after they are reunited after a year and consummate their relationship no more than 24-hours after Guts' return, thus becoming [[OfficialCouple official]]. They were falling for each other prior to their separation though, [[ObliviousToLove but neither of them acted on it]] until it was too late. When they do get together, it's quite convincing, since they aren't spouting love sonnets to one another, but the love and affection is there. Also, given that both of them have had some very bad experiences regarding sex, [[JustifiedTrope it makes perfect sense that they would treat it very seriously, and only do it with someone they truly loved.]]

** Guts is a [[TallDarkAndHandsome tall]], [[RatedMForManly masculine]], [[HeroicBuild heavily muscled]], crew-cut, black-haired, [[BrownEyes brown-eyed]] [[TheBigGuy giant of a man]] who's preferred weapon is a {{BFS}}, whilst Griffith is a sleek, [[{{Bishonen}} androgynous]], white-heaired, blue-eyed PrettyBoy who uses a saber like a scalpel. In terms of personality, Guts is straightforward, violent, passionate, impulsive, somewhat thick about non-combat matters, and doesn't think too far ahead, while Griffith is mysterious, charismatic, intelligent, well-read, and introspective. Their only truly shared trait is their incredible mental drive to accomplish their goals; even then, Guts really doesn't want to hurt innocent people at the expense of his goals, but Griffith doesn't mind manipulating people in order to accomplish his. The 2012-13 movie trilogy even [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience color-codes]] them to match their personalities, outfitting Guts with a red cape and Griffith with a white one that's blue on the inside.

** The God Hand and their Apostles like to try to invoke OmniscientMoralityLicense to justify their right to commit atrocities or just explain why their victory is inevitable, but Guts doesn't care. He'll tell you exactly where to shove [[FreudWasRight your peculiar extremities.]] In fact, [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu he'll do it for you.]]