Welp, I've really enjoyed this season, and I think maybe more so than the first.
The main reason? It felt similar to the Golden Age of the Band of the Hawk in the original anime. Because Guts has finally found comrades again in his life, made very evident as season 2 progresses. He's no longer all alone (well, he has Puck, but...) Serpico and Farnese, his enemies for most of season 1, end up flipping around and joining him (Farnese actually has an enjoyable character progression, I think; her reasons for joining Guts are well done). Isidoro, of course, then Casca <3 And lastly Shierke and her fairy (Ivalera?)
I've ended up liking them all to some degree. Shierke is adorable and plays a pretty big part in this season, especially when she becomes the only one capable of bringing Guts back when he goes berserk from the new armor. And her crush on Guts is great.
Idk it's awesome seeing Guts soften up again, and there's epic battles, and character progression, and comrades again finally. I was a big fan of the original Band of the Hawk's comrades and how they all bonded. This feels pretty similar.
The last scene in the final episode of the season really hit that home too, reminded me a lot of when the Band was dining in that inn, close to the height of their Golden Age (and maybe that's when Casca was in a dress, I forget).
Oh, and this new girl, Sonia. I like her. <3 Her story and such that she told Shierke on the docks was a nice summary of herself; I like the way the two bonded. I'm very interested in seeing where this goes, I mean Sonia obviously has a thing for Griffith (not just a crush but a lot of emotions for him, for good reasons, as her story highlights), Shierke has a thing for Guts, they're both very attached to both men. They're also 'different' and like no one else. It sort of mirrors Guts and Griffith when they first met... except this meeting had a lot less violence.
There's some interesting parallels.
Wonder what they'll do when they realize that the men they care about hate each other and will likely end up battling to the death.
Likewise, what'll Guts and Griffith think of their special comrades being besties
probably nothing
Speaking of Griffith, he's got his human form back. yay
I stopped reading the manga right around this point so, it's now basically all new stuff. And it's been so long I kinda forget some of it anyhow. So, I have no clue what he's going to do now. Seems like he's rescued Charlotte and now everyone wants him to finally marry her or something. I'd love to see more of his story and Sonia's. More characters to follow is a good thing, I think.
I always felt that, because Griffith was revived with that egg took in Gut's and Casca's disfigured child, that some of the child's feelings transferred to Griffith. It's just an idea, but iirc there were some moments with him in the manga on the hill near Godo's place, when he saw Casca and Guts again for the first time since the Eclipse (???). I'm pretty positive he had some thoughts about being unable to harm Casca at least or something?
Anyhow, I feel pretty convinced that he absorbed the child's love for it's parents. I feel like that's gonna affect him later on (if it hasn't already), making him have inner conflicts about things. At least i hope so
The verdict, well, despite my initial meh feelings about the cgi, it's not so much a big deal anymore. The end of ep 24 with them in the inn was also delicious normal anime <3 The story of Berserk is getting better and better, and I'm really satisfied and happy with where it's going so far. I hope they continue to make more seasons.
Ep 24 was really, really good.
Oh, and before I forget, I love mr. skeletal horseman.
That he had a close relationship with the forest witch lady was nice to see as well. Seems to be also a parallel to Shierke and Guts.