First I want to say, RIP to the legend that is Kentaro Miura.

I can't really sum up the way this author changed my life. When I was getting into anime at a young age I never quite came across something as monumental as Berserk in terms of adult-like anime. I mean sure, I got into Guyver and such but Berserk was on a different level in terms of storytelling. When I was 11 or 12 (Around 1999-2000 I watched this anime and was blown away. A man who was told he was nothing, used, and abused found a family in a band of misfits and whom he thought was a brother, and when he finally was proud of himself he got it all torn away from him.

The story of Berserk itself is violent, dark, fucked up, whatever gritty dark word you want to use for it. But it is also about acceptances, love, overcoming fear, and much more. And while the anime changed my life it was the story itself by Miura who really got me into the dark fantasy genre. Without him I doubt I'd ever give things like Game of Thrones or Dark Souls or many more in the genre a chance.

So anyway, back to volume 3. Volume 3 explores Guts realization that he MUST move on to become his own person. Before he's ready to leave the band of hawks he decides to help Griffith take what he wants. But working with him once more they fight a brutal war that gives Griffith the chance to become something bigger than just a Mercenry leader. But when Guts is ready to move on, things get dicey and Griffith must face his greatest fear, not getting what he wants.

The last few chapters is what really worked for me in this volume. Don't get me wrong, the battles are wonderfully drawn, brutal, and work really well. Watching Guts and Casca work together was just amazing. But it really is the fall of Griffith and his decent into madness and Guts rising up to be a person he is proud of. Of bearing his soul to the woman he loves and letting her see him for the first time ever fully.

Nudity is done with such purpose in here I love it so much. It isn't just "Fucking" it's love making, it's pain, rape is not used for you to enjoy or even hate the character but to deal with the PDST after, and so many sadly can relate to it. The love making is beautiful, messy, and scary, and again, so many people can relate as well. And this is hands down one of the best ways to handle it all here.

But yeah, Berserk really shines in this volume and I remember as a kid I kind of got it but the brawl, the fight, the killing was my main "whoa so cool." and now when I'm older it is the silent moments, Casca holding Guts, Griffith looking into the abyss, that really resonate with me as an adult.

Fuck...I feel sad just writing this knowing Kentaro Miura wrote this and he won't get to finish his epic. But I also smile, because he wrote something that can resonate with me so much, touch me in my soul, and it might sound corny but I just can't help but think it speaks to me on some level. You will ALWAYS be a legend in my mind Kentaro, and probably millions of others. I mean to be relevant piece of work 30+ years after creation says enough.

A obvious 5 out of 5. RIP to one of the GREATEST writers/artist of all time.