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GATTS
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The big, bad, buff protagonist of the series, Gatts may seem to
embody the "big, bad, buff protagonist" archetype to a T (e.g. Fist of
the North Star, Kenshiro). However, there’s far more to the Black Swordsman
than his scowling demeanor implies. As the series unfolds, the audience
witnesses his transformation from earnest little boy to fierce, standoff-ish
adolescent to slightly wiser, though still bad-ass adult. When Gatts is
fifteen, he is randomly ambushed by the White Hawk Band and beaten by
the head of the group. Humbled by his loss, he is forced to become a member
of the mercenary band, setting the story in motion.
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GRIFFITH
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The first person to ever defeat Gatts in battle, the enigmatic,
charming, bishie leader of the Band of the Hawk instantly “claims” the
other boy as his. Highly ambitious to a (very, very big) fault, Griffith
dreams of rising from his humble beginnings as a commoner and someday becoming
king over his own land. Nothing- not even his own men- is too precious to be
sacrificed to achieve this goal. However, Berserk ain’t a happy series,
and his dream soon comes crashing down on him… (You know the saying “Pride
goeth before a fall?” Multiply that by a thousand, throw in some major
de-bishie-fication, and you have a general foreshadowing of the events
to come.)
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CASKA
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The only female and second-best fighter in the Band of the Hawk
(before Gatts’s arrival), Caska is fiercely devoted to Griffith, on
account of him saving her from a horrid fate several years ago. She is quite a
capable leader and is well-respected among her troops. When Gatts
enters the mercenary band and neatly occupies her former spot of Griffith’s
right-hand man, she becomes extremely jealous of him. Even three years after they
first meet, she seems to still scorn Gatts with a passion. Will Caska ever
warm up to our hero and- gasp- maybe even develop a romantic attachment to him?
(Is the sky blue?)
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JUDEAU
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Possibly the most well-adjusted of the Hawk Band commanders
(Gatts, Caska, Corky, Griffith, etc.), Judeau has the considerably difficult
task of being the peacemaker among the motley crew. A decent fighter and loyal
comrade, he befriends Gatts relatively quickly. He is very perceptive
when it comes to people, and seems to be the first to notice the budding
attraction between Gatts and Caska…
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CORKUS
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A senior member of Griffith’s band, our boy Corky’s main
purpose seems to be antagonizing Gatts, like Caska. However, unlike Caska, who
gradually grows closer to Gatts, Corky remains skeptical of our hero’s
appeal among the Hawk Band. He generally gets along well with the rest
of the people in the group, although he is inclined to bolt at any sign of
real danger. He does have his redeeming qualities, though. No clue as to
what they are, though.
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PRINCESS CHARLOTTE
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a.k.a. "C.t.H.", or "Charlotte the Harlot", this dainty
blossom of aristocracy serves two purposes: first, to provide Griffith
with adoring, fashion-impaired arm-candy, and second, to cause winces among
empowered female viewers. C.t.H. is simply infatuated with Griffith,
her proverbial "knight in shining armor." Alas, their (rather one-sided)
relationship is not meant to be; the naïve C.t.H. is merely a stepping
stone to Griffith’s goal of reaching the throne. (Ha!- er, how tragic.)
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