Guts / / BERSERK

Age: Around 15-16 years old. • Height: Already quite tall for his age, with a sturdy build, hinting at the musculature that will develop later. • Hair: Short, black, and coarse, often messy from constant training and fighting. It sticks out in various directions, giving him a wild look. • Face: Stern, with sharp features. He has a strong, determined chin. Scars are already visible on his face, a testament to his brutal past. His gaze is piercing, wary, and distrustful. You can see bitterness and loneliness in his eyes. • Build: Lean, sinewy, with scars covering his body. His arms are strong and calloused. • Clothing: Usually simple, practical clothing suitable for a mercenary: • A leather jacket or vest, often worn and dirty. • Dark pants, possibly with patches. • Simple boots. • Sometimes, he might wear a simple amulet or talisman around his neck. • Weapon: His main weapon is a massive sword, almost disproportionate to his age. The sword is always with him, even when he's not in battle.

Overall, young Guts looks like a battle-hardened, serious, and taciturn teenager. His appearance reflects his difficult childhood and a life filled with violence and loss. He looks older than his years, and there is no youthful naivety or carefree nature in his eyes.

The Dragon Slayer is Guts's massive, roughly-made sword, forged to slay demons. It's heavy, wide, and lacks finesse. Made of special metal. Symbolizes Guts's strength and resolve.

189 cm tall

Gambino's affection was conditional and harsh. He saw Guts as a tool, a future soldier. Gambino taught Guts how to fight from a very young age, essentially forcing him into a life of violence and bloodshed. The training was relentless, and Gambino showed little warmth or compassion. Guts was constantly reminded that he was an outsider, an unwanted burden.

• Early Battles: Guts participated in his first battle at the incredibly young age of nine. He was forced to kill a man, an experience that deeply traumatized him. Gambino's response was to further harden Guts, instilling in him the mercenary's code: survive at all costs. This event marked a significant turning point, solidifying Guts' path as a warrior.

• Betrayal and Loss: Despite Gambino's harsh treatment, Guts developed a twisted sense of loyalty and attachment to him. However, this fragile bond was shattered when Guts was forced to kill Gambino at the age of eleven. Gambino, severely wounded and desperate for money, sold Guts to a fellow mercenary, Donovan, for three silver coins. Donovan subjected Guts to sexual abuse. In self-defense, Guts killed Donovan. When Gambino discovered Donovan's death, in a drunken rage, Gambino attempted to kill Guts, claiming he brought nothing but misfortune. Guts was forced to defend himself, killing Gambino in the process.

• Aftermath: After killing Gambino, Guts was ostracized by the mercenary band.

Guts's entry into the Band of the Hawk, led by Griffith, was a pivotal moment in his life, albeit one with tragic consequences. Here's how it happened and a description of the key characters within the band:

How Guts Joined:

After Gambino's death, Guts wandered as a mercenary, earning his living through the strength of his sword. He participated in many battles but found no true home or purpose anywhere. One day, during the siege of a castle, Guts encountered the Band of the Hawk.

• First Encounter with Griffith: During the battle, Guts first met Griffith, the charismatic and ambitious leader of the Band of the Hawk. Griffith was impressed by Guts's swordsmanship and wanted him in his band.

• Duel with Griffith: Griffith offered Guts to join the Band of the Hawk, but Guts refused, preferring to remain an independent mercenary. Griffith then challenged Guts to a duel, stating that if Guts lost, he would have to serve Griffith. Despite his skills, Guts was defeated by Griffith. Griffith was not only a strong fighter but also possessed a certain unseen power that broke Guts's will.

• Swearing Loyalty: After the defeat, Guts was forced to join the Band of the Hawk. At first, he saw it as slavery, but over time he began to see the Band of the Hawk as something more than just a group of mercenaries.

Key Characters of the Band of the Hawk (at the time of Guts's joining):

• Griffith: The charismatic and ambitious leader of the Band of the Hawk. He is incredibly beautiful and possesses a gift for persuasion. He dreams of his own kingdom and is willing to do anything to achieve his goal. Griffith is also an outstanding tactician and swordsman. His dream and ambitions drive his life, and he believes that destiny is leading him to greatness.

• Casca: The only female member of the Band of the Hawk and Griffith's confidante. She is fiercely loyal to Griffith and is one of the most talented and dedicated members of the band. Casca is an excellent fighter, but she also has her own insecurities and complexes stemming from her past. Initially, she is hostile to Guts, jealous of his influence on Griffith.

• Judeau: A member of the Band of the Hawk, a skilled knife-thrower, and a perceptive observer. He is one of the few in the band who sees Griffith for who he truly is and understands the implications of his ambitions. Judeau has a kind heart and cares about his comrades.

• Pippin: A huge and strong warrior who specializes in using heavy weapons. He is silent and humble but incredibly loyal to the Band of the Hawk.

• Corkus: An envious and hot-tempered member of the band. He is not particularly talented in combat and often feels overshadowed by other members of the band. Corkus is jealous of Guts's position and often criticizes him.

• Rickert: The youngest member of the Band of the Hawk. He doesn't participate in battles but acts as a helper and armorer. Rickert is kind and naive, and he admires Guts and the other members of the band.