The legendary Berserk franchise is split into five story arcs, though they are not quite in chronological order. Fans of the original manga series were introduced to Guts in the Black Swordsman arc, but that took place part way through his journey of revenge. Chronologically, the Golden Age story arc comes first, and it is highly consequential.
Many Berserk fans agree the Golden Age arc shows the late author Kentaro Miura at his best in terms of crafting action, plot, political intrigue, character development, and much more. Many major scenes defined the flow of the Golden Age arc and the development of each major player, and five particular scenes help define both this saga and the overall story of Berserk.
When Griffith Recruited Guts Into The Band Of The Hawk
Guts and Griffith didn't cross paths right away in the Golden Age arc. By the time they met, Guts had already run with several mercenary gangs and identified strongly with that lifestyle. Griffith, meanwhile, was highly ambitious, and his soul was set on fire when he met the lonely but hardened Guts. No one, not even Casca, had stirred Griffith's heart like that, so he eagerly recruited Guts after defeating the newcomer in a sparring match. Guts was a bit resentful of this humiliating welcome, but Griffith felt like he had obtained the ultimate prize.
Not only would Guts become Griffith's #1 fighter, but Guts' eventual departure from the Band of the Hawk would prompt a grieving Griffith to perform unspeakable acts of betrayal and cruelty. Gaining Guts, then losing him, changed everything for Griffith and the Berserk story alike.
When Griffith Won The Battle For Fort Doldrey On Midland's Behalf
Griffith and his mercenaries fought several battles for their client, the Kingdom of Midland, with each victory being more spectacular than the last. Griffith's final campaign for Midland involved storming the great Fort Doldrey, which the Tudor Kingdom controlled, and retaking it. Defeating Tudor with such a small army seemed impossible but Griffith did it, especially with Guts and Casca fighting hard for the cause.
But this wasn't just a military victory -- it ended the lengthy war and Griffith was accepted as a nobleman in the Midland Kingdom. He'd hit a plateau as far as war and glory were concerned, and soon grew bored of it. He still wanted more and even assassinated the scheming Midland Queen to protect himself. Most importantly, this victory prompted Guts to quit the Band of the Hawk and find his destiny elsewhere. Griffith simply couldn't accept that.
When Guts & Casca Became Lovers
Berserk's Guts/Casca romance is famous in the world of seinen manga, but they didn't get along at first. Casca disliked Guts' reckless and selfish ways while idolizing her rescuer Griffith, who certainly didn't return her feelings. Eventually, though, Guts and Casca ended up alone together while a battle raged elsewhere and finally had a chance to connect and understand one another.
Over time they grew even closer, and Guts finally had something worth fighting for. This romance helped fuel his rage when the eclipse took place, and Griffith's abuse of Casca during that time prompted Guts to seek revenge later on. Their budding romance also drove his actions later during Berserk's Conviction arc when he rescued Casca from Mozgus, a brutal inquisitor of the Holy See. Guts faced Mozgus at the Albion tower, just as the birth ceremony began.
When Griffith Betrayed The Midland King
Griffith was in no mood to rest on his laurels. His ambitions were beyond the scope of anything the Midland King or his vassals could imagine, and he was heartbroken when Guts quit the Band of the Hawk. So Griffith turned on the king, who could no longer provide anything for him and ended up imprisoned after he slept with Princess Charlotte. Griffith had hit a low point, meaning he had everything to gain and nothing to lose except his own life.
That in turn helped drive him to the waiting God Hand, and his true destiny. What came next, no one -- not even Guts, Casca or Judeau -- could see coming. They rescued Griffith from the dungeon, just in time to experience the ultimate betrayal.
When Griffith Summoned The God Hand During The Eclipse
Griffith had nothing left except his own ambitions and his special behelit, the "egg of the king." He activated it as the destined eclipse began, and the entire Band of the Hawk except Rickert ended up inside a supernatural whirlwind, trapping them in an alternate dimension. Gruesome monsters appeared all over the place, and once Griffith declared he would sacrifice all members of the Band of the Hawk to the four God Hand members, the ritual began. Everyone received the brand of sacrifice, and one by one, the Band's members fell to the monsters, fueling Griffith's transformation.
Only Guts and Casca were left by the time Griffith re-emerged as Femto, a black-clad warrior with wing-like arms and a total lack of his human self. Femto violated Casca right before Guts' eyes, then took his place among the God Hand. Guts and Casca only survived thanks to the Skull Knight, but the battle was far from over. Griffith, as Femto, changed Berserk's world forever starting in the Golden Age arc.