5/5 Dark Fantasy Part 5
  by Antonio D. Paolucci (Beaver Falls, PA)
As I predicted would happen in my review of volume four, the volumes continue to get better and better. And in this volume, at the very end, we finally see the demon that we see in the very first episode on volume one.

In volume five, Guts finally has his independence from the Band of the Hawk, independence earned with some difficulty, as he had to lose his friendship with Griffith and ultimately turn his back on the other members of the the Band. What he doesn't know, however, is the damage he has done to the band at his departure. He's gone for a year, training himself at a small cottage in the woods owned by a blacksmith and his granddaughter, when rumor comes of a group of bandits in the nearby area who were said to have played in role in ending the 100-Year War of a year back. Guts, hearing that the bandits are being led by a woman, seeks them out and is finally reunited with old comrades, all but one. Griffith has been captured, and suffers terrible tortures. Guts, after hearing of this, decides to rejoin the Band long enough to free Griffith from his prison, and by the end of the fifth volume, the Band is on their way to do just that.

If not for the ending of this volume, I would have been sure that the series would never had reached that promise they made with the first episode. I've since learned that this series will never exactly reach that point since it is only the first season, but I'm happy that at least they are taking the steps in that direction. This volume is key to the series, as it contains some of the most important story elements yet. I wouldn't miss it if you've already started collecting the series.

5/5 The most important one of em' all
  by Robert evans (USA)
Why? You watch for youre self and you'll see why.
It's also the DVD were Gutts chooses to Leave the Band of the Hawk. This is the most exciting conclusion of the Berserk Series. Poor Griffith. You'll feel really bad for him in these set of episodes.
This is by far my Favorite Berserk DVD...well for now...

As we get closer and closer to the end of the series it go's to show you this is a really exciting series.

I cannot wait for DVD 6. Then I will finally complete the Berserk dvds and all the episodes.

Gutts is becoming more and more human in these set of episodes and you'll feel the emotion he has with the hawks and Caska.
Put simply This series rules and is the best.
...Im ooozing with excitement for the last DVD

Well Thats all I gotta' say

Later

5/5 Will this be goodbye for Guts?
  by Sebastian Fernandez (Tampa, Florida United States)
Throughout the last few episodes, Guts has been toying with the idea of leaving the Band of Hawks. It is amazing how well the creators have developed this character; from a kid that only wanted to fight, to a grown-up following somebody else's dream, to a disillusioned man that lost all desire, to a mature warrior that realizes he should follow his own path. Of course, this all leads to one conclusion, Guts has to abandon his friends and take command of his destiny.

In the meantime, Griffith has learned how to play the politics and conspiracy games, and has outsmarted the queen and her partners in crime. Not only did Griffith prevent the queen's ploy to assassinate him, but he also devised a stratagem of his own to kill her and her cohorts when they were celebrating what they supposed was the success of their mission.

Caska, the third main character in this series, is having trouble with her mixed feelings between Griffith and Guts. The love triangle that was suggested in the first episodes finally becomes a closer reality. Caska has been opening up to Guts lately, and now she has to face the fact that he is leaving them. What should she do? Follow the man who gave her hope at an early age, but now is wooing the princess, or follow her new glimpse at hope? Not only Caska is having trouble with Guts's decision, most of the members of the Band of the Hawks see this as something personal against them, instead of what it is, a quest for something more important.

The tension and expectative are building rapidly and now that the end is near I wish that this series would last for a dozen more episodes, instead of just four. I feel extremely lucky for picking Berserk as my first incursion into the anime genre.

5/5 Finding One's True Path in Life...
  by Michael Crane (Orland Park, IL USA)
The exciting series of "Berserk" never seems to lose its spark or appeal. Just when you think that it can't possibly get any better, it does. "Berserk 5: Requited Desires" is no exception as it successfully continues this ongoing action/fantasy epic of warriors and gods. There are things that begin to move in motion that cannot be undone in these four revealing episodes.

When an unsuccessful attempt to end Griffith's life by high-class people who despise him, an unstoppable chain-of-events is unleashed. Staying until the perpetrators of the horrible act are severely punished, Guts decides it is his time to take leave and find out his true destiny and his purpose. However, Griffith is none too pleased with the decision and is prepared to fight Guts for his freedom one last time, as it was years ago. No matter what happens, Guts is determined to find out who he really is, even if it means fighting his long-time friend for his freedom. Whatever the end result, things are set into motion that cannot be undone.

This volume isn't filled with non-stop action like the past volumes, but the character development is what makes these episodes unique and intense. These four episodes are crucial turning points for Guts, Caska, and Griffith. It is clear that the last remaining episodes will lead into an uncertain darkness that could consume them all. It's still not very clear of how things will end, but the foreshadowing of death and destruction is unquestionable. Guts is a big part of these four episodes as he changes in a way he never thought possible; he finds what he cares about the most and discovers who he really is.

I know I've stated this in the past reviews of the other volumes, but it must be stressed that this is no animated feature for children. These episodes contain strong and brutal violence, extreme blood and gore, a scene of torture, nudity, mature situations, language, and dark and disturbing themes and imagery. Extras included are outtakes, trailers and a video interview with the producer of the series, Toshio Nakatani.

"Berserk 5: Requited Desires" is a powerful chapter in this anime saga that continues to grow. It's sad that the end is coming near to the series, but it's a journey that I look forward into taking. With only a few more episodes to go, these 21 episodes have been exciting and thrilling. "Berserk" is a fantastic saga that is about to be concluded with the final volume.

5/5 The Brutal Reality
  by Seagull_123 (Boston, MA USA)
This is the best anime I've seen in my life. It has a deep storyline, well-developed characters and inspiring theme. It is dark, bloody and brutal, just like what you will expect from a world of chaos. Nothing can compare with the brutality of Berserk, for it is a brutal enough to give us the truth. Although the story happened in a fantasy land, but the emotions of characters, the conflicts, the ambitions, the dreams are all very realistic. This is no ordinary hero saving the world kind of anime. It is neither idealistic nor heroic. It is a brutal struggle for power and dominace, everything is calculated mathmatically. Be it love, friendship or comradeship. Glory is wrapped by deceit, honor is abandoned, and dream is shattered. The final conflict become inevitable and it is tragic.