Berserk has made a name for itself as one of the darkest series in anime, but one of the things that distinguish it from a pure horror series is that its characters are well-developed and go through all the ups and downs involved in being human. In fact, those high points often make Berserk's lows hit even harder.
While the good times are few and far between, the Golden Age Arc is still one of the happier periods in Guts' life before it all comes to a catastrophic end during the eclipse. Even during the good times, Kentaro Miura takes care to remind the reader that in the end there are no happy endings — only happy moments that serve to break up instances of pain.
10 Guts Earned Some Quick Cash
When Bazuso "The Thirty-Man Killer" appears in the middle of a fierce battle, none of the opposing soldiers are willing to step to face him — at least until Guts shows up. Guts is offered seven silver coins if he can take Bazuso down, and Guts isn't the type to back down from a challenge.
Wielding his characteristically huge sword, Guts makes short work of the giant warrior and turns the tides of the battle. Not only did Guts make good money from the victory, but he also made a name for himself as a warrior worthy of joining the Band of the Hawk.
9 Nosferatu Zodd Let Guts And Griffith Live
When he first encounters the legendary Nosferatsu Zodd, Guts can't believe what he finds. Not only is Nosferatsu a gigantic beast, but he is essentially indestructible, and that's all before transforming into his most terrifying form.
This encounter serves as foreshadowing for some of the events to come as Nosferatu Zodd only allows Guts and Griffith upon seeing Griffith's necklace. Though no one truly understands it at the time, that same necklace which was their salvation would also soon become the Band of the Hawk's downfall.
8 Guts & Casca Danced Together At The Ball
After winning the battle of Doldrey, The Band of the Hawk is promoted to become the White Phoenix Knights and essentially granted the title of nobles. At the celebration ball, no one feels more out of place than Guts and Casca, two people that became used to struggling and fighting their whole lives.
Still, Guts and Casca found solace in each other's companionship, and the two even shared a dance. The genuine looks of joy on both of their faces underlined the well-deserved happiness they'd earned together on the field of battle.
7 Griffith & Charlotte Shared A Moment
Though their love is clearly forbidden, Charlotte can't seem to help but fall for Griffith. Ever since their first meeting, Griffith was willing to go out of his way to help Charlotte, and Charlotte took notice. Not only did he rescue her more than once, but their smaller shared moments added to the depth of their relationship.
Griffith clearly feels he can confide in her, despite the fact that he is ultimately using her to get one step closer to his goal of becoming royalty. While their relationship would inevitably lead to ruin for Griffith, the early moments they shared were nonetheless heartwarming.
6 Guts Saved Casca's Life
After she and Guts fall off a cliff to seemingly certain doom, Casca is left blisteringly cold and unconscious. To top things off, it begins to rain, only adding to the precariousness of their circumstance.
Doing what he has to do for her, Guts stays by Casca's side and keeps her warm through the night. This is a moment of weakness for Casca, which she is ordinarily not used to showing as the lone woman in the band of the hawk. Though she reacts angrily at first, Casca comes to appreciate Guts' softer side and sees him as someone she can trust.
5 Guts Became The Hundred-Man Slayer
After saving Casca's life and nursing her back to health, Guts' job isn't done. On their way back to find Griffith, Casca and Guts are intercepted by a large group from the opposing army. Because Casca is still weak from her injuries, Guts stays behind to face them all alone so that she can escape and find help.
Not only does Guts kill them all himself, but he's left still standing when all is said and done. This incredible feat earns him the title of "Hundred-Man Slayer Guts" among his group, and increases their respect for captain Guts even more.
4 Guts & Casca Finally Sealed The Deal
It would be an understatement to say that Casca and Guts got off to a rocky start: their first meeting was during a fight to the death after all. However, after he risked his life more than once to save her, Guts began to grow on Casca.
Though the seeds of their feelings for each other were planted long prior, they would finally consecrate their relationship once and for all after Griffith's capture. Though Gut's personal demons ended up coming to the forefront, the fact he felt that vulnerable at all only served to deepen the reality of his feelings for Casca.
3 Guts Found His People In The Band Of The Hawk
After being officially titled the Hundred-Man Slayer by the rest of the Band of the Hawk, Guts is able to enjoy the fruits of his labor in a celebratory campfire with the rest of his men. Though it's a short reprieve from the fighting, it's nevertheless a welcome one.
Guts even has a moment to share with Casca and reflect on what allowed him to survive thus far, and at least raise the question of what it is he may want out of life. While he never arrives at a solid conclusion to that question, the simple fact that Guts finds a moment of peace from the fighting to even think about it is a beautiful thing.
2 The Band Of The Hawk Won The Battle For Doldrey
As the Band of the Hawk rides into town welcomed by a huge welcoming party of cheering people, fans can't help but feel this is a high point for Guts. Still, Guts doesn't initially seem amused by the situation and displays an utterly disinterested look on his face.
The rest of the Hawks enjoy every moment of it though, and even Casca blushes at the crowds of young women cheering for the inspirational heroine. However, after thinking back on Griffith's goal to have his own kingdom, Guts can't help but smile at the thought of his friend seemingly getting one step closer to his dream.
1 Guts Finally Made A Friend In Griffith
Despite all the struggle that Guts went through in his life, meeting Griffith made him happy — even if it was only for a short period. Griffith explains to Guts that a true friend in his eyes is someone who is his equal. That's why it broke Griffith so deeply losing to Guts in battle: he psychologically felt that he was no longer Guts' equal, and thus no longer worthy of being his friend.
Only by one-upping Guts once again could he regain his equal footing, and that may be what truly led to the events of the eclipse. In true Berserk fashion, for every good moment, an unequivocally worse one tends to come of it.