Berserk: An Alchemical Finale for the Journey of Guts and Griffith
The Absence of an Ending: The Mystery of Berserk
Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece, Berserk, remains an unfinished work, leaving us with unanswered questions and a lingering sense of suspension. However, the journey of Guts, Griffith, and the world of Midland offers profound insights to imagine an ending that embraces the symbolic and philosophical essence of the saga. Through an alchemical lens, we can reconstruct a possible epilogue consistent with the central themes of the work.
The Alchemical Journey of Berserk
Berserk can be interpreted as a grand alchemical initiatory journey, where the main characters embody the phases of the Opus Magnum (the Great Work). This symbolic process leads to spiritual transmutation, represented by the transformation of “lead” (the basest aspects of human nature) into “gold” (perfection).
Nigredo – Dissolution:
Primordial darkness dominates the beginning of the journey. Guts, born into chaos and violence, represents raw lead. The Eclipse, the darkest moment of the saga, destroys the Band of the Hawk and marks the symbolic “death” of Guts and Casca, reducing them to fragments of who they once were.
Albedo – Purification:
After the Eclipse, Guts embarks on a path of purification, learning to balance his thirst for revenge with the protection of Casca and his newfound companions. The introduction of magic and the astral world signals a transition toward higher awareness.
Citrinitas – Illumination:
The search for Elfhelm symbolizes the phase of illumination, where Guts begins to understand the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. Casca regains her memory, heralding the “alchemical marriage,” the union of opposites.
Rubedo – Transmutation:
Rubedo is the fulfillment of the journey. For Guts, this means abandoning hatred and accepting the necessary sacrifice to break the cycle of vengeance. Griffith, on the other hand, faces the weight of his actions, revealing himself as the “false gold” of Citrinitas, devoid of true spiritual substance.
A Possible Alchemical Ending
In the absence of an official conclusion, we can imagine an epilogue that reflects the deep themes of the series:
The Final Clash Between Guts and Griffith:
Instead of a physical fight, the confrontation becomes a spiritual battle. Guts realizes that destroying Griffith is not the real solution: his hatred is merely a bond keeping him trapped. By letting go of vengeance, Guts breaks the karmic cycle of pain.
The Sacrifice of Guts:
Guts offers his life to free the world from the influence of the God Hand, transmuting himself into a symbol of hope. This act completes the Rubedo: the warrior consumed by hatred becomes the alchemist who transforms the world.
The Fall of Griffith:
Deprived of the God Hand’s support, Griffith dissolves into nothingness, unable to bear the weight of his betrayal. The astral world disintegrates, allowing the physical world to be reborn.
A New Beginning:
Casca, along with the survivors, represents hope for a regenerated world. Guts’ sword, planted in the earth, becomes a monument to the past, a symbol of peace achieved through sacrifice.
The Eclipse: The Alchemical Heart of Berserk
The Eclipse remains one of the most emblematic events in Berserk. In an alchemical reading, it represents the “black sun,” a symbol of death and rebirth. Light (idealism) is devoured by darkness (ambition and sacrifice), but from this destruction arises the possibility of transformation. It is the point of no return for both Griffith and Guts, a moment necessary to initiate the process of transmutation.
Conclusion: An Eternal Legacy
The alchemical journey of Berserk is not just a tale of battles and revenge but a profound reflection on human nature, sacrifice, and the possibility of redemption. Even without an official ending, Kentaro Miura’s work invites us to explore our inner shadows and seek the light, much like Guts on his unending path.
What do you think would be the ideal ending for Berserk? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Alessio Puppi's 