Before there was Cloud there was Guts. To understand what this means you need to be a fan of at least two popular art forms: video games, specifically JRPGs and manga and/or anime. Berserk is a popular seinen anime that started sometime in the late 1980s and has continued its shelf-life ever since. A story that follows the exploits of a young mercenary named Guts. And true to his name, Guts spills a lot of guts.
One of the most iconic features of this manga and anime character is his distinct sword. It is not just any sword, but a buster sword. A weapon with a distinct look owing to its vast size and potential. Whilst for many this weapon is often associated with the character Cloud Strife, the protagonist of Final Fantasy VII, the original wielder of this weapon, at least in pop cultural terms is Guts. Here we will take a look at this iconic weapon and explain why the wielder is brutally awesome at it.
What Is a Buster Sword?
Let’s start by getting the basics out of the way. The buster sword can be classed as a broad sword. But that would be an understatement. The blade of a buster sword is huge. Its vast middle and extended edges together make the weapon as big, if not bigger than the wielder himself in terms of its total length. A sword that features an extended hilt that is both longer and heavier than ones found in traditional swords, including two-handed ones.
As a two-handed weapon, the buster sword is all about power and using the advantage of its reach to cut, smash and drive down opponents. Here Guts’s powerful arms and skill come into play. Admittedly this weapon requires almost superhuman strength to be wielded with the speed and precision of the hero. But that is a fantasy for you.
Why Guts Is Brutally Awesome
Two words, brutal and awesome. For fans of the Berserk manga and the anime, the sheer brutality of the hero is unmissable. There is little compromise in the life philosophy of Guts when it comes to war and combat. When the guy identifies a foe, then everyone else better stay the hell out of it. Everything else in between is going to get cut down fast.
A unique feature of this weapon is that there is only one man, or at least one man who is widely known, who can wield it. Guts’s sheer power is matched by years of gruelling training with the weapon, one that has in some respects become one with him. It is impossible to separate Guts from his buster sword, the character and the weapon he wield share a bond that is both powerful and terrifying.
Guts’s Significance in Popular Culture
There is a lot that can be said about the seinen Berserk, written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura who sadly passed away in 2021 at 54. From its dark, brooding world, terrifying enemies and complex characters Berserk is a standout. However, the one factor that holds it all together is the protagonist Guts. A complex anti-hero who does not fear to do what is needed as opposed to what is ‘right’. This makes him likeable and cold at the same time. But that, an argument can be made, is the nature of the world he is in.
Whilst the connection may not seem obvious there are elements of Guts that have permeated the pop cultural landscape, at least as far as Japanese entertainment is concerned. From Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy VII to Full Metal Alchemist in the shonen world, the power fantasy of wielding a huge sword to the unforgiving world filled with dark terrors can be traced back to the success of Berserk and its hero Guts.
For More Great Content
Total Apex is an all-encompassing content producer. We provide heavily detailed articles every day on entertainment, gaming, sports, and so much more! Check out all our great sports content Total Apex Sports. Check us out on X @TotalApexEandG and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
