Remember, a while ago we presented the light novel Berserk of Gluttony. Today, we are going to present to you its manga adaptation, soberly titled in the same way. If your memory is good, you probably remember that our opinion on the novel version was rather positive and this adaptation therefore comes to us with a priori of the same ilk.
Still edited by Mahô, the manga is inspired by the work of FAME in order to offer a completely colorful story, respecting the screenplay frame imagined by Ichika Isshiki in the original series. Given the content of the basic scenario, this adaptation starts with good foundations to offer something gripping and pleasant to discover.
Nevertheless, we are still going to embark on this discovery by making a clean sweep of the medium from which this series draws its content in order to be able to provide the most objective feedback possible.
With respect to the light novel
As a reminder, Berserk of Gluttony plunges us into a world similar to our favorite video games. Humans have skills there and the world is populated with dangerous creatures such as goblins, dragons and many more. In this universe, the reader follows Fate Graphite, feeble at first sight, he has only one skill: Gluttony. The latter is considered useless since it brings him no added value, except to be constantly hungry.
A simple substitute guard, Fate works for a family of knights in order to earn some money. The latter tend to mistreat him, but Fate can count on Roxy, a member of another important family, to protect him against these bullies. One evening, after being helped by the latter, he decides to return the favor by informing her that bandits have entered the places she is watching. Attacked by one of the bandits, our hero ends up killing the latter with a stroke of luck.
And this is where it gets interesting! His gluttony skill finally awakens and steals the deceased’s soul. Fate then steals his characteristics, the latter thus discovering that his skill hitherto considered useless in fact allows him to increase his power each time he kills. How to become overpowered.
If you have read the light novel, you will have understood that this adaptation scrupulously respects what was revealed in the first volume of the original support. Except that the relationships between the characters are less developed, which is a bit of a shame. This is a point that we hope to see corrected in the sequel, especially with regard to the link between Fate and Greed.
A horizon of improvement
But since we’re talking about a manga, it’s not just about the scenario. This one, we already know. It is therefore important to pay close attention to all that is added to that, namely drawing and rhythm. For the first, let it be said, it’s very classic. The mangaka, here Daisuke Takino tries to propose a visual adaptation as respectful as possible of the work of FAME, which blocks the originality that the latter could have added to his manga.
Moreover, except for a few rare shots and pages, the backgrounds are empty, very empty. Daisuke does not seem to have paid attention to this “detail”, preferring to emphasize the facial expressions of his heroes. It must be said, this choice was the right one since these famous expressions are very successful, making the exchanges between the characters real, alive. We thus appreciate discovering the reactions of the heroes as they meet and exchange.
In addition, Daisuke also offers us the first fights of Fate, especially against goblins, but also against humans, including the kidnapping of orphans. If our artist is not afraid to inject hemoglobin into his drawing, the action phases still lack impact, struggling to transcribe the violence of the clashes in which our greedy hero takes part. But let’s not worry too much for now, this is a first volume, and the mangaka still has plenty of time to take control to offer us a little more visual spectacle.
For the rhythm, the latter is much faster in the manga than in Ichika Isshiki’s book. Some things are left out in order to go faster in laying the groundwork, as well as the overall plot. This does not necessarily impact reading, since the two media involve different rhythms. Note, however, that the two manage to find their own rhythm without the readers of either being lost.
Should we fall for the manga adaptation of Berserk of Gluttony?
Thus, we can say that this manga adaptation of Berserk of Gluttony respects the original work quite well. Whether in the chara-design or the scenario, the mangaka behind this series has decided to follow the work of Ichika Isshiki almost to the letter. It’s not necessarily a bad choice, although it ultimately shows in the rather poor backgrounds, much like the light novel which lacked set descriptions.
Nevertheless, the reading remains very pleasant thanks to a drawing of rather good quality, all on a paper medium of good quality. Mahô went to great lengths for this new series and it’s a pleasure. The translation is also successful.
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Therefore, we can conclude by saying that this adaptation of Berserk to Gluttony is successful and fans of the original work will quite easily appreciate this format. The second volume is coming out soon and we can’t wait to see if Daisuke Takino manages to stay on his good momentum while improving what needs to be improved!