Berserk: Why Guts Is To Blame For Griffith Turning Evil - Screen Rant

One of the elements that makes Berserk's story so enduring is its exploration of the relationship between Guts and Griffth. Indeed, at its most basic level, the manga is the story of the two main characters. Initially, both fit the role of the anti-hero that nevertheless saves the day, but while Griffith already had the personality traits that would eventually lead him to the dark side, it was not a given that he'd turn. What beat down his "better angels" were the deliberate actions of Guts.

Early on, Griffith developed a life goal to one day establish a kingdom of his own. He was in the process of establishing the means to do this when he met Guts. Seeing in Guts a powerful soldier who would make reaching his goal easier, Griffith naturally did what he had to to keep him under his control. At first, the relationship was a purely master-servant dynamic, where Guts served at the pleasure of Griffith. However, a funny thing happened on the way to creating his kingdom: Griffith and Guts became friends. Indeed, Griffith said himself that Guts was the only person who made him forget his dream. It was in these delicate circumstances where Griffith might just have avoided his fate and become the true hero he always could have been... but for the actions of Guts.

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The first push Guts gave Griffith from the path of the light to the void of darkness occurs in Berserk, vol. 6 #12 when he overhears Griffith telling Princess Charlotte that he did not consider any member of the Band of the Falcon his friend until they become his equal. Naturally, Guts was hurt by the comment, as it went against what Griffith had intimated to him about their relationship. But rather than giving him the benefit of doubt, as a true friend would, he immediately jumped to the conclusion that Griffith not only disrespected him but also was disingenuous. This set up his decision to leave the Band. What might have saved a "break up" would have been to confront Griffith and ask him what he meant in his conversation with the Princess. Griffith might have provided a reason, such as he was lying to the princess to win her affection, that would have confirmed his dedication to Guts and the Band, and deepened Guts' faith in Griffith.

The second push occurs when Guts decides to leave the Band despite everyone's request that he stay. As the only member of the Band who, despite his comments to Princess Charlotte, Griffith treated with respect, there is no other way for him to see this than as a betrayal. Moreover, unlike Guts, Griffith directly confronted him on the issue, even going as far as to fight him to stay. Finally, after returning and seeing the condition that Griffith was in, Guts should have realized how much circumstances had changed and that Griffith could never return to his former self.

While Griffith must bear the weight of his own decisions, Guts had every chance to prevent his friend from becoming a true terror. Griffith was poised to give up on his dream thanks to his friendship with Guts, and it was the dissolution of their relationship which transformed him forever. While Guts' hatred is of course justified, this perspective may be one which allows him to begin reaching for forgiveness - an outcome the hopeful final chapters by Kentaro Miura seemed to suggest might be possible, and could avoid a tragic ending. In failing to trust Griffith and establishing then abandoning such a vital relationship, Guts guaranteed a fall that ended up changing the Berserk world.

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