Although unlikely, Berserk has been subtly suggesting that Guts’ journey could end before the manga itself concludes. With the series now officially returning later this month, fans can now speculate on what that means for the late Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece. And the character who could replace him may have already been identified as well.
In what is undoubtedly the most epic flashback in all of manga, the Golden Age made it clear in Berserk that what drives the hero Guts is his insatiable desire to seek vengeance on his former friend Griffith for betraying him and their comrades in the most brutal way imaginable. Readers have therefore understandably thought for decades that that only vanquishing Griffith would quell the interminable rage that has been consuming Guts since the first chapter. But the latest chapters are creating the impression that Guts is moving past his hatred of Griffith, a surprise that is later reinforced when the mysterious Skull Knight tells Guts that his journey is nearing its completion. What does that even mean?
Although Guts has been traveling with a number of comrades for quite some time, all of them are dismissed as potential replacements in chapter 339. It all happens when Rickert of the original Band of the Hawk decides that he must leave Griffith’s capital city of Falconia after he’s attacked by the mysterious Raksas. Because he’s been traveling with Erica, the daughter of a man whom Rickert has been working and living with for years since the bloody Eclipse, Rickert decides to take her with him so he can protect her. Then he says, “Long ago, a friend left on a journey for the same reason I am now. A dangerous journey, with someone dear to him.“
It’s clear by later comments that Rickert is referring to Guts, who did the same thing with his beloved Casca. What makes this comparison even more perfect is that, besides Guts and Casca, Rickert is the sole survivor of the Band of the Hawk from the Golden Age. Rickert wasn’t present during the bloody Eclipse, so he didn’t suffer the same fate as his comrades. If Guts were to ever take a step back for whatever reason, Rickert would therefore be the perfect replacement, especially as he’s following the same path as Guts. Every battle would be much more perilous if this did indeed occur as a result. Although he has his limits, Guts’ absurd aptitude for swordsmanship, along with his ability to control the Berserker Armor with the help of Schierke, make him an unstoppable force. He’s also proven time and time again that he’s able to overcome any obstacles, even defeat god-like monsters. Meanwhile, Rickert is much less experienced with slaying apostles. Making Rickert the new Guts would therefore add more tension to any confrontation and force him to rely more on Guts’ current crew than Guts ever did himself, yielding more complex battles in the process. The manga would also become even bleaker than it already is, if that’s even possible.
Berserk would undoubtedly never feel the same if Guts were ever replaced as the main hero. Aside from the attachment fans have made with him over the decades, Guts has served as the face of Berserk for more than 300 chapters and taking that away would make the manga feel as though it were a completely different series entirely. But there is some poetic justice to Guts finding peace and retiring his sword, no longer allowing the hate that has driven him for so long to fully consume him. Moreover, mangaka Kentaro Miura’s assistants conveyed a strong sense of hope for Guts and Casca’s future when they finished what was originally thought to be Berserk‘s final chapter. But now that it’s no longer the end, any development should be acceptable. Guts is still alive, and through him, the legacy of the late Kentaro Miura lives on in Berserk. That’s what matters.