Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King

Guts is a legendary mercenary whose blade cuts through the toughest foes with little purpose beyond the next fight. His life shifts when he encounters Griffith, a charismatic young leader who dreams of forging a new kind of army. Impressed by Guts's skill, Griffith offers him a place among the Band of the Hawk, and the two men quickly form a tense bond that redraws their fates. Casca, a fierce and capable spearwoman within the band, skeptically watches this rivalry and alliance unfold. As Griffith's ambitions grow, the trio becomes inseparable on the battlefield, drawing both awe and danger. The story probes friendship, power, and the price of ambition, while Guts navigates a new social order on screen for viewers.

Released in 2012 and directed by Toshiyuki Kubooka, this film adapts Kentaro Miura's Berserk manga for the screen with a script by Ichiro Okouchi, translating the early Golden Age arc into a cinematic experience that emphasizes character clashes and spectacle.

The movie earned about 2,152,610 dollars worldwide, reflecting a modest box office for a niche fantasy anime feature that appealed to dedicated Berserk fans. It played in a limited number of theaters and found audiences in markets with manga followings.

The Egg of the King helped bring Berserk to broader anime audiences with brutal battles and a stark mood that fans immediately recognized. Its focus on ambition, loyalty, and a volatile friendship echoed through later dark fantasy works and sparked lively discussions among viewers, though some critics noted pacing issues.

Critics generally praised the film for faithfully translating the manga’s mood into cinema while sharpening key themes. They highlight the fragile bond between Guts and Griffith, the allure and danger of power, and the toll ambition takes on friends and allies. Some reviewers noted pacing flaws but praised the visuals.