I always thought where Berserk started off was perfect as it was. I've read of people skipping the first few volumes and jumping straight to Golden Age, and the fantasy and demonic elements that happen later on come as a big surprise. To me there's less build up and pay off when it comes to anticipating and seeing all the events unfold that were hinted at during those early volumes. I mean from the way Guts was in that arc and his actions, you knew something ****ed up had have to have happened in his past and I don't think many were expecting it to be that bad.
Reading it at the time, I thought what he did to Count - whom I actually sympathised for a bit - was a bit too far even if he was grotesque creature. That feeling completely and utterly shredded by the time the eclipse comes around (that panel has stuck into my mind ever since). I said **** the Count after that. Basically, I experienced many 'Oh, now I understand' moments reading it properly from the beginning and seeing them play out. Golden Age doesn't justify the 'how' but the 'why', and by the end of the Golden Age you fully understand the framework of Guts' character that was touched upon in those early chapters. Having that fed to me in the other way, I just don't think it would have the same emotional impact that I experienced when I started reading this series six years ago.
End of volume 3 is the beginning of Guts' backstory. And it is rough as ****. If you get past volume 5 and still don't find enjoyment, then I'm not sure if this series is for you I'm afraid.
