Berserk, by the late Kentaro Miura, is far more than a story of Guts and Griffith — it’s a layered universe teeming with dark, supernatural forces that bend fate and fuel despair. From the enigmatic God Hand to the metaphysical Idea of Evil, Berserk asks: who or what truly holds the reins of destiny? Let’s unravel the deepest powers at play and examine the cosmic forces behind this haunting saga.
The Major Supernatural Forces in Berserk
Idea of Evil – The Ultimate Will?
- Nature: The Idea of Evil (Chapter 83 – removed from official print) is a metaphysical entity born from the collective consciousness of humanity — from fear, pain, and the desperate need to rationalize suffering.
- Power: Though never directly seen in the canon manga, it is said to control the flow of causality and shape major events, such as the birth of Griffith as Femto and the cataclysmic Eclipse (Chapter 86).
- Role: It is believed to be the one that created the God Hand, operating behind the curtain to perpetuate suffering and maintain the cycle of despair.
God Hand – Executors of Darkness
- Members: Void, Slan, Ubik, Conrad, and the reborn Griffith as Femto — all former humans who transcended mortality through the horrific Eclipse ritual (Chapter 86).
- Abilities: They can warp reality, command Apostles, and reshape the world — as seen with the merging of realms in Fantasia (Chapter 306).
- Purpose: They serve the will of the Idea of Evil, manipulating fate and spreading chaos — particularly through Griffith’s messianic role in Falconia (Chapter 307).
Skull Knight – The Lone Rebel
- Origin: A mysterious, skeletal warrior who has battled the God Hand for centuries. Hints suggest a possible connection to Void — perhaps once human (Chapter 362).
- Strength: Wields the Beherit Sword, capable of slashing through layers of reality and disrupting causality. He saves Guts and Casca from the Eclipse (Chapter 88).
- Role: A symbol of resistance, but limited in power — unable to overthrow the larger cycle of causality or defeat the God Hand outright.
Spirits and the Astral World
- Spiritual Beings: Characters like Puck, Schierke, and the Four Kings of the World represent the astral realm, using light-based magic to oppose evil (Chapter 201).
- Fantasia: After the Great Roar of the Astral World (Chapter 306), the spirit and physical realms merge — spawning monsters and new uncertainties, complicating the battle between good and evil.
Who Truly Controls the World of Berserk?
Idea of Evil – The Hidden Puppet Master?
- Existential Theory: The Idea of Evil appears to be the supreme entity — born from humanity’s suffering, it guides fate through the God Hand. Events like the Eclipse and Fantasia seem to serve its will (Chapter 83).
- Limitations: However, it does not act directly. It relies on intermediaries and the natural flow of causality, raising doubts about its actual omnipotence.
God Hand – The Active Force
- Direct Manipulation: God Hand shapes the world through Apostles, the Eclipse, and Fantasia. Femto (Griffith) is actively restructuring humanity in Falconia (Chapter 307).
- Not Invincible: They are bound by causality and can be challenged — Skull Knight has disrupted their plans (Chapter 86). They may be powerful, but they’re still instruments of a higher will.
Causality – The Invisible Rule
- The Flow of Fate: Berserk emphasizes that everything — Guts’ torment, Griffith’s rise — unfolds within a preordained flow of causality. Neither the God Hand nor the Idea of Evil creates it; they only exploit it.
- Ultimate Force? This raises the question: Is causality itself the true ruler of Berserk’s universe? A law that not even divine beings can break?
The Reality of Berserk’s Universe
A World Without True Gods
- No Absolute Good: Unlike many fantasy worlds, Berserk lacks a benevolent deity to counterbalance evil. The astral entities and Skull Knight resist darkness, but lack the power to reverse it.
- Evil Born from Humanity: The Idea of Evil originates from human minds — suggesting that mankind itself is the root of all suffering in this world.
The Roles of Guts and Griffith
- Guts – The Disruptor: Guts, with his will to fight against destiny, is the anomaly in the system — the one who dares to challenge the flow (Chapter 88).
- Griffith – The Instrument: Griffith, now Femto, embodies human ambition. He is the vessel through which the God Hand executes their divine blueprint.
Comparing the Major Forces
| Force | Power | Role | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idea of Evil | Metaphysical, manipulates fate | Originator of God Hand | Indirect, passive |
| God Hand | Reality-altering | Enforcers of chaos | Bound by causality |
| Skull Knight | Temporal disruption, Beherit Blade | Rebel warrior | Lacks power to destroy system |
| Spirits | Astral magic | Support, defense | Limited influence |
Conclusion
The world of Berserk is governed by forces far beyond the mortal eye. While the Idea of Evil appears to be the architect behind despair — and the God Hand its enforcers — the true master may be the inescapable law of causality itself. From Guts’ endless struggle to Griffith’s ascension, the world turns on a cycle of pain born from humanity’s own darkness. Whether this cycle can be broken remains the series’ greatest mystery.
Who really controls it all? Keep following Berserk to uncover the chilling truths behind its shadowy universe — and whether Guts can truly break the wheel of fate.
