Griffith, later known as Femto, is the main antagonist of Berserk and is often considered the most tragic and complex figure in the series. His journey from a charismatic, visionary leader of the Band of the Hawk to the demonic Apostle Femto is marked by betrayal, personal ambition, and the pursuit of god-like power. Griffith’s story is one of intense internal conflict, as his dream of creating a kingdom requires unimaginable sacrifices — including the lives of his closest friends and comrades. His transformation into Femto and subsequent rise as a member of the God Hand marks the most pivotal and devastating event in Berserk, reshaping the world and influencing the fates of many characters, particularly Guts and Casca.
Griffith’s fall from a promising hero to a ruthless apostle serves as the narrative’s primary tragedy, exposing the dark cost of ambition, the loss of humanity, and the price of betrayal. His story intertwines with that of Guts, as they both begin as allies in the Band of the Hawk but become enemies as Griffith’s thirst for power leads him down a dark, unredeemable path.
Appearance[]
Griffith’s appearance undergoes significant transformations throughout the series, evolving from a graceful, heroic figure to a demonic, god-like being.
- As a Human: Griffith’s human form is that of a young, strikingly handsome man. His appearance is ethereal and almost angelic, with silver-white hair and a calm, regal demeanor. His facial features are sharp and handsome, often conveying confidence and charisma. His eyes are often described as piercing, conveying an almost mystical aura. Griffith is usually seen in his military attire, with his iconic white cape symbolizing his nobility and leadership of the Band of the Hawk. He carries himself with dignity, always in control of his emotions and actions. His human form embodies his status as a leader, a symbol of hope, and a figure of almost supernatural allure to those around him.
- As Femto: Griffith’s transformation into Femto, his Apostle form, is one of the most grotesque and tragic aspects of his character arc. When he sacrifices his comrades during the Eclipse, his appearance shifts drastically. Femto retains Griffith’s general facial structure but becomes far more demonic and disturbing. His once-human body is transformed into a demonic figure, covered in black, plated armor with a pair of large, angelic, black wings. His features become sharper and more grotesque, with his eyes now glowing red. His expression is cold and devoid of empathy, marking the complete loss of the charismatic leader who once inspired his followers. Femto’s final form exudes a terrifying presence, not only from his appearance but also from the aura of god-like power he commands.
Femto
Personality[]
Griffith’s personality is multifaceted and complex, shaped by his ambitions, personal desires, and the choices he makes throughout his life. As the leader of the Band of the Hawk, Griffith is a natural-born leader, possessing an aura of charisma that draws people to him. He is an excellent strategist and a skilled tactician, capable of rallying and inspiring his troops even in the most dire of situations. His ambition is the driving force of his character: Griffith dreams of creating his own kingdom, one that is marked by glory, prosperity, and dominance. He is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to achieve this goal, displaying a single-minded determination that borders on obsession. Griffith's charm masks his manipulative nature. He is extremely calculating and willing to use others for his benefit, though he hides his true intentions behind a façade of grace and benevolence. He sees people, including his closest allies, as tools to help him achieve his lofty ambitions. He understands the power of perception and uses it to his advantage, often manipulating those around him into believing in his cause or aligning with his vision. However, his manipulations are not always malicious in intent; he genuinely believes that his dream of a kingdom is worth any cost, including betraying and sacrificing his friends. His ambitions grow, so does his emotional detachment. He no longer values human life the way he once did, viewing people as mere stepping stones in his quest for power. His true coldness emerges when he sacrifices the Band of the Hawk during the Eclipse to achieve his ultimate goal. By sacrificing his closest friends, Griffith demonstrates that no one, not even his most loyal companions, are exempt from his relentless pursuit of his dream. Despite his villainous actions, Griffith’s story is tinged with tragedy. He is not simply an evil character; he is a man who has suffered immense personal pain and loss, and his tragic past contributes to his unyielding ambition. His transformation into Femto, the apostle, is an irreversible consequence of his pursuit of power, and his inability to achieve his dream as a human leads him to make the fateful decision that results in his descent into darkness.
Powers and Abilities[]
Griffith’s powers and abilities evolve over time, especially following his transformation into Femto.
- As a Human:
- Leadership and Charisma: As a human, Griffith’s greatest strength lies in his ability to inspire and lead people. His charisma allows him to create strong alliances, motivate his troops, and manipulate others into following his cause. His leadership skills make him a formidable tactician and strategist.
- Combat Skill: Griffith is a skilled fighter, capable of holding his own in battle. He wields a sword with exceptional precision, though his true strength lies in his ability to lead and command his soldiers in battle rather than relying solely on personal strength.
- Strategic Genius: Griffith’s greatest asset as a human is his intelligence and foresight. He is a brilliant strategist, able to predict the movements of his enemies and manipulate the battlefield to his advantage.
- As Femto (Apostle):
- Superhuman Strength: As Femto, Griffith gains god-like strength, far surpassing that of any human or ordinary Apostle. He can easily overpower most opponents, and his ability to manipulate and control others reaches terrifying heights.
- Foresight and Manipulation: Femto possesses a supernatural ability to perceive the emotions, desires, and intentions of those around him. This allows him to manipulate people on a psychological level, influencing their actions and desires to serve his will.
- Reality-Altering Powers: As a member of the God Hand, Femto possesses reality-warping abilities that allow him to manipulate the world around him on a metaphysical level. This includes controlling aspects of fate and the future, altering the very fabric of existence to suit his needs.
- Immortality: Like all members of the God Hand, Femto is immortal and cannot be killed by conventional means. His existence transcends normal human concepts of life and death.
Story[]
Early Life and Origins[]
Griffith’s early life is marked by his humble beginnings and a sense of destiny. He was born to a poor, peasant family in a small, desolate village. Griffith’s mother, a young woman, abandoned him at birth, leaving him in the care of strangers. The details of his early years are not fully revealed in Berserk, but it is implied that Griffith was exposed to hardship, neglect, and abandonment from a very young age. Some theories suggest that this early trauma, as well as his lack of a parental figure, deeply impacted Griffith’s psyche, making him extremely driven and ambitious.
Griffith’s unrelenting ambition seems to have formed from these early years of abandonment. Believing he was destined for something greater, Griffith set his sights on creating his own kingdom, something far beyond the station he was born into. His resolve to rise above his humble origins shaped his entire worldview and led to the birth of his relentless dream.
At a certain point, Griffith began to gather followers, a group of misfits and outcasts, who would later form the Band of the Hawk. He was seen as a charismatic leader, a figure of strength, vision, and mystery, and quickly rose to prominence, attracting those who sought purpose and belonging. Despite his humble beginnings, Griffith’s overwhelming self-confidence and uncanny ability to inspire people suggested that he was meant for something extraordinary.
The Eclipse and Femto's Birth[]
As Griffith’s dream to build his own kingdom grew, he began to attract the attention of powerful figures. He eventually became entangled in a corrupt political system, where he was manipulated and imprisoned by the King of Midland, who sought to control him for his own gain. During his time in captivity, Griffith suffered intense physical and emotional torment, which led to his eventual despair.
At his lowest point, Griffith, desperate to reclaim his power and pursue his dream of a kingdom, found himself in a situation where he made a decision that would forever alter the course of his fate: the Eclipse. In exchange for the power to achieve his kingdom, Griffith sacrificed his beloved comrades, the members of the Band of the Hawk, offering them as a blood sacrifice to the God Hand, a group of Apostles who represented the darkest forces of fate. This act of betrayal transformed Griffith into Femto, a demonic being of immense power and cruelty.
The Eclipse was the key turning point in Griffith’s story: his transformation into Femto meant he gave up his humanity and became part of a group of Apostles that transcended the human realm. From here, he was reborn not as a man but as an entity that was capable of shaping the fates of entire nations, and ultimately, he became one of the most powerful figures in the series, a dark god-like being with no regard for the lives of those around him.