Berserk: Will Silat Join the Black Swordsman Party?

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The tension in the Berserk manga has been intensifying for the Black Swordsman, Guts. In the upcoming issue of Young Animal next month, the Kushan Empire will be trying to extricate itself from its current predicament. For a significant part of the series, Silat, a prominent figure from one of the Eastern nations, has held the position of head of the Kushan’s Bakiraka clan. As Griffith and his fearsome Band of the Hawk are turning former adversaries into allies, could it be that Silat is now poised to join Guts’ company as a trusted ally?

Surprisingly, Silat wasn’t included when the original anime version of “Berserk” was produced. In the manga, Silat, a warrior from the Kushan Empire, appeared during the Golden Age Arc and attacked Guts in a tournament before Guts embarked on his renowned mission to save Griffith’s life. However, in the 1997 animated series, Silat was absent, much like Skull Knight, as both characters were omitted from the final production. Fortunately, Silat was included in both the 2016 “Berserk” anime adaptation and the “Berserk: Memorial Edition” trilogy of films.

Silat & Guts: Frenemies

Recently in the latest installment of “Berserk,” I’ve been finding myself identifying closely with the Black Swordsman, Guts. Though his body appears unscathed, the emotional scars he bears are as raw and painful as ever. The haunting memory of his failure to rescue Casca from Griffith’s grasp continues to weigh heavily on him, causing him to struggle even with picking up the Dragon Slayer, a weapon he once wielded effortlessly. Sadly, Griffith’s forces show no signs of giving Guts the time or space needed to regroup and return to his former self.

Towards the closing scenes of Chapter 381, the malevolent Rakshas advances towards Guts within his confinement, intending to extinguish the hero forever. Just in the nick of time, Silat subdues the Apostle; however, he is taken aback when Guts shows minimal response to the impending peril. Assuming him a coward, Silat must be physically restrained by his comrades among the Kushians as he continues to berate Guts throughout this altercation. Despite their initial disagreement, it appears that the union of the Kushan group and Guts’ band is destined before Berserk concludes.

The Grand Finale Team-Up

In a new twist of events, both Guts’ group of adventurers and the Eastern Empire share a mutual adversary: Griffith and his troops. Their objective is to annihilate Griffith and his forces from the world. Although Silat may not officially join the heroic band of warriors, it seems likely that he and Kushan will offer them crucial assistance as the climax of Berserk unfolds.

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2025-05-24 22:39