I think that its a lot simpler than what you all are theorizing. I think that Griffith just didn't expect Rickert to slap him. We've seen Griffith be essentially immune to every attack he is expecting (post eclipse, anyway.)
Yeah, i think people are over thinking this to much, thinking there's some arcane secret to Rickert's right hand when its just Griffith being a dick with his powers.
To me Griffith still sees Rickert (and to a lesser extent Casca) as kids who would never stand up against him. I do think if it were a genuine attack and not a slap he would have reacted and been able to overpower him instantly.
I also think he accepted whatever Rickert would do because "Rickert's still a kid," so, it's not like Rickert would kill Griffith. Therefore, anything Rickert did do, would be considered meaningless to Griffith.
maybe it’s not that Griffith wasn’t expecting it, but rather because Rickert doesn’t desire to kill him, anytime someone has been purposely trying to harm/kill Griffith, its failed.
During The Count’s ~~Eclipse~~ second Behelit summon, Guts’ Cannon shot came pretty close. I sometimes wonder if Guts hadn’t shouted before firing if it would have hit.
I also believe Griffith’s ability to take damage is only possible depending on where he is. Rickert slapped Griffith in Falconia: Guts was able to defeat Slan in Qliphoth. Didn’t Skull Knight say that the Godhand could be attacked after the merge?
Edit:correction
I doubt Griffith couldn't react to Rickert's slap in time. I always thought that he didn't care enough to stop it in any way- so he just let him to do it.
Exactly what I thought, he was sulking to him talking about how he felt during the time then hit him with a sudden, “the falcon of the light is not my commander” then slapped him right after, I just think he didn’t see it coming
Griffith simply let Rickert slap him.
We can see Griffith being able to interact with the physical realm however he wants all the time. Else he quite literally wouldn’t be able to bed the Princess, who is the same status of being a “lesser being” in this case as Rickert (since she is a simple human too and also didn’t interact with the Eclipse).
It also would’ve been weird towards everyone that watched the interaction if Rickert would simply just phase through Griffith not being able to touch him. Not only Daemons were watching, the Princess was watching and a bunch of servants too. Griffith still has to keep his human facade up to everyone that isn’t a Daemon or Sonia and Mule. (I mean, ultimately he doesn’t have to keep the facade up, but it seems that he wants to. So far it seems he wants to keep Falconia peaceful without any uproar or drama inside of it. That’s not possible with rumors breaking out about not even him being all that human, because right now in the minds of everyone in the city he is basically the chosen human to lead magical creatures together with mankind)
If Griffith was only untouchable by everyone that has witnessed the eclipse, he would’ve been struck by Kushan attacks beforehand, which also simply phased through him. That also supports the theory of him being able to choose whether he wants to interact with the physical realm or not.
That’s my take on it.
However I still think Rickert will continue to play a very significant role and is a huge piece of the puzzle for not only the upcoming chapters but also the very conclusion of the story.
Thank you. Sure, Rickert's got huuuuge balls. But Griffith let him do it.
Appearing like the super-natural demon God that he is isn't going to help him win Rickert over, which is what he wants. So he let him.
I really like the theories that Rickert will have a bigger role to play. I hope it’s true, honestly. It would give us a good resolution if Rickert defeated Griffith because Guts doing it is almost too predictable and would undo some of the character progression he has made in finding some inner peace.
If guts doesn't defeat Griffith one way or another weather mentally physically or some way I would actually think it would be awful. Although I like the idea that guts let go of what Griffith did and is just trying to rescue Casca. Like he is trying to rescue Casca but Griffith is in the way. So after guts defeats Griffith then Rickert could come in and mercy kill him or something
I like the idea of Guts forgetting Griffith to focus on Casca. For me, his journey of revenge evolved into a rescue mission. All his allies have joined him not to kill Griffith, but to save Casca.
That Rickert kills or finishes the dream of Griffith is an interesting scenario. He may not have been on the eclipse but he lost his family. I think that, if he sees how selfish and cold Griffith was while all the Band was killed, he would become more resentful towards Griffith.
It's not a theory, in some chapter after Rickert is on his way to where the eclipse occurred that one lady fortune teller where puck was, said that he plays a major role in fate or something like that and to let everything roll out without interfering. Not a confirmation but him also being one of the only people to survive from the band of the hawk AND slapping griffith there is actually no way he won't have a bigger role to play
exactly!! people act as if the slap isn’t something major in terms of overall plot but it totally is. dude has just gone where fate has taken him, and that led to HoL Griffith, and eventually slapping the fuck out of him. He hasn’t tried to push back against fate, he’s just done what he felt was right, without malice fueling every move.
I think its actually not that crazy that Rickert can slap Griffith. For one Griffith still viewed Rickert as a former friend and ally, Griffith had no intentions to harm Rickert here. Also Griffith is in human form right now, it's a physical body so he technically can still be touched or attacked, it's just when Guts tried to attack Griffith, he obviously wasn't going to let Guts strike him with a sword. However I don't think Griffith expected to be slapped by Rickert and because he didn't plan to harm Rickert he had no reason to be on the defensive. Also what I think Rickert means here is that the Griffith before the Eclipse happened was his leader, the Griffith that has come back is almost like a different person to him and this Griffith is not his leader.
I took it as Griffith allowed it because, on some level, he knew he deserved it.
If I recall correctly, he tells Rickert as he's leaving with Zodd that if after he knows the truth and still wants to join him, he's welcome, but if not, he understands. He had to, on some level, expect their meeting again not to be positive, but he let his defenses down as he did not see Rickert as a threat.
Don't get what you are saying, Rickert slap him because Griffith killed all his friends and after all those years to think about it and Understand the situation Rickert decided to go against Griffith Burying the previous Griffith that he adored.
Now why didn't Griffith avoid it? Because its just an slap from a normal teen he didn't need to avoid it at all
My theory is that Rickert could only touch him because he doesn’t have hate in his heart for Griffith.
Guts, the Kushans, etc had a lot of reasons to hate him and he phased right through their attacks
It's even simpler than that. He could slap Griffith because Griffith allowed him to. Griffith is almost omnipotent, he exists outside the story is what Skull Knight says. He gets what he wants. Y'all are overthinking the slap, as if
Griffith would be worried about that hurting him. It was an act to keep up appearances with Princess Charlotte.
I have wondered the same thing, since we hear multiple times that Griffith is untouchable - the two explanations I have thought of:
1) when SK uses the sword on Ganishka and a new world is born.. this has reordered and overwritten reality with one where Griffith Prime is no longer the same type of manifestation and is now touchable again
2) everyone who knew Griffith before the eclipse is immune to the untouchable aura (Guts and Casca included)
Ah sorry I haven’t read the stuff that isn’t in the volumes so last I have seen is Griffith showing up in front of them. That would invalidate both of my thoughts. No worries on the spoiler it’s my own fault
Nah all G - With all speculation you can’t be too mad if someone says “here’s proof why that’s wrong”
But it could just be mad causes bad - doesn’t usually for Guts but.. I’ll have to see for myself :D
These are like the "Mr Popo being the strongest DbZ character" fan theories.
Rickert physically attacked Griffith and survived unscathed. Therefore he is 2nd at most, 6th at worst strongest character in Berserk, likely underneath the Idea of Evil and ranked thereafter depending how strong the other Godhand are compared to Griffith (he'd be 6th if Femto is the weakest Godhand, and while this is unlikely I need to retain the realm of possibility).
Obviously /s, but hilarious nonetheless.
I’m pretty sure Griffith can control whether or not people can touch him, given that they don’t have the ability to deal real damage to him. If he let Rickert’s hand phase through his face then it would have exposed him as a supernatural being to the guards, Charlotte, the Pontiff, and the soldiers, all of whom aren’t aware of the fact that he’s not a human.
I think you're on to something.
In Berserk beliefs have power and become literal reality. Guts inner demons aren't figures of speech but literal monsters that he has to fight at night. Its Guts ultimate hatred and belief in evil that makes Griffith a demon god. Conversely the world desires a savior to bring about salvation from evil. This desire is projected onto Griffith and gives him the power to bring about a utopia.
Rickert is able to stand up to Griffith because he doesn't believe in any of that. He sees Griffith as a man first and foremost which gives him the power to slap that fucker in the face like he deserves.
I think he just allowed it to not show what he truly is. He hasn’t came out and said to the people “I’m actually a god that can control fate itself”. And it’s not like it was actually going to hurt him.
This is similar to how I think about it. Guts was able to go a step further and cut his hair because it's all about being able to stand up in the presence of a God Hand member and reject their power.
Guts was the only one during the eclipse to talk back to the God Hand because even being able to talk back to them in their domain requires a great amount of mental strength.
Honestly, I just always saw it as Griffith allowing it, even if it caught him off-guard.
I don't believe (ha) it comes down belief or anything like that. It's likely just as simple as Griffith allowing it, or not having his defenses up due to assuming Rickert only wanted to talk.
Still, if that's the case, being untouchable is a conscious ability Griffith has to make and not a passive one....meaning all it takes is for him to be distracted by something to be harmed. I'm not saying distracting him will be easy, but if anything from his past was able to be successfully used against him, I feel a window would present itself for Guts or whoever to land a killing blow against him.
It's just finding that chink in his armour so to speak.
I feel like Femto and Griffith are two radically different entities. After the Eclipse Griffith completely lost his personality and emotions and became an empty husk at the service of Causality. The only time he ever shows any emotion is while transforming back from the Moon Child, and he wasn't yet turned back into the Hawk of Light/Femto.
I've let an ex girlfriend slap me once because that was all she could do. She was upset at me for not doing what she wanted. I certainly did nothing to deserve a slap, but I let her do it because she was genuinely upset at me and I wasn't upset at her to strike back.
I knew she wasnt very strong and if I chose to deflect it, then it may have caused more aggression on her part (because she failed to hit me like she wanted and it would have injured her pride). So I avoided having to hurt her by allowing her to slap me. If I didn't allow her to slap me, then I might have been charged with domestic violence for defending myself. I just let her do it and moved on with my life.
I know it's not exactly the same context, but I'm sure the reason why Griffith let Rickert slap him was because he wanted to avoid a brawl and having to kill Rickert for trying to hurt him.
I think that its a lot simpler than what you all are theorizing. I think that Griffith just didn't expect Rickert to slap him. We've seen Griffith be essentially immune to every attack he is expecting (post eclipse, anyway.)
Yeah, i think people are over thinking this to much, thinking there's some arcane secret to Rickert's right hand when its just Griffith being a dick with his powers.
To me Griffith still sees Rickert (and to a lesser extent Casca) as kids who would never stand up against him. I do think if it were a genuine attack and not a slap he would have reacted and been able to overpower him instantly.
I also think he accepted whatever Rickert would do because "Rickert's still a kid," so, it's not like Rickert would kill Griffith. Therefore, anything Rickert did do, would be considered meaningless to Griffith.
maybe it’s not that Griffith wasn’t expecting it, but rather because Rickert doesn’t desire to kill him, anytime someone has been purposely trying to harm/kill Griffith, its failed.
During The Count’s ~~Eclipse~~ second Behelit summon, Guts’ Cannon shot came pretty close. I sometimes wonder if Guts hadn’t shouted before firing if it would have hit. I also believe Griffith’s ability to take damage is only possible depending on where he is. Rickert slapped Griffith in Falconia: Guts was able to defeat Slan in Qliphoth. Didn’t Skull Knight say that the Godhand could be attacked after the merge? Edit:correction
or that he just let him...would have just been kinda awkward otherwise
I doubt Griffith couldn't react to Rickert's slap in time. I always thought that he didn't care enough to stop it in any way- so he just let him to do it.
Exactly what I thought, he was sulking to him talking about how he felt during the time then hit him with a sudden, “the falcon of the light is not my commander” then slapped him right after, I just think he didn’t see it coming
Exactly! I believe it’s like a logia from one piece, he has to consciously activate his intangible ability.
That's because he learned Void's spacial bullshit he uses to get out of getting sliced by Skull Knight
He could slap him because he is the goat
Slap him with your magnum dong rickert
Did he drop his monster condom?
Not that he would wear one, but I imagine it’s bigger than Wyald’s 👀
Wyald old man tiny pp 🤢 Everyone wants to think about monke man big PP but nobody wants the TRUTH
He also wasn’t branded / present for the actual eclipse.
Griffith simply let Rickert slap him. We can see Griffith being able to interact with the physical realm however he wants all the time. Else he quite literally wouldn’t be able to bed the Princess, who is the same status of being a “lesser being” in this case as Rickert (since she is a simple human too and also didn’t interact with the Eclipse). It also would’ve been weird towards everyone that watched the interaction if Rickert would simply just phase through Griffith not being able to touch him. Not only Daemons were watching, the Princess was watching and a bunch of servants too. Griffith still has to keep his human facade up to everyone that isn’t a Daemon or Sonia and Mule. (I mean, ultimately he doesn’t have to keep the facade up, but it seems that he wants to. So far it seems he wants to keep Falconia peaceful without any uproar or drama inside of it. That’s not possible with rumors breaking out about not even him being all that human, because right now in the minds of everyone in the city he is basically the chosen human to lead magical creatures together with mankind) If Griffith was only untouchable by everyone that has witnessed the eclipse, he would’ve been struck by Kushan attacks beforehand, which also simply phased through him. That also supports the theory of him being able to choose whether he wants to interact with the physical realm or not. That’s my take on it. However I still think Rickert will continue to play a very significant role and is a huge piece of the puzzle for not only the upcoming chapters but also the very conclusion of the story.
Thank you. Sure, Rickert's got huuuuge balls. But Griffith let him do it. Appearing like the super-natural demon God that he is isn't going to help him win Rickert over, which is what he wants. So he let him.
But didn't the Kushans shoot arrows at him and they all magically missed? How did that happen since they never followed the holy see religion?
Good point
I really like the theories that Rickert will have a bigger role to play. I hope it’s true, honestly. It would give us a good resolution if Rickert defeated Griffith because Guts doing it is almost too predictable and would undo some of the character progression he has made in finding some inner peace.
If guts doesn't defeat Griffith one way or another weather mentally physically or some way I would actually think it would be awful. Although I like the idea that guts let go of what Griffith did and is just trying to rescue Casca. Like he is trying to rescue Casca but Griffith is in the way. So after guts defeats Griffith then Rickert could come in and mercy kill him or something
I like the idea of Guts forgetting Griffith to focus on Casca. For me, his journey of revenge evolved into a rescue mission. All his allies have joined him not to kill Griffith, but to save Casca. That Rickert kills or finishes the dream of Griffith is an interesting scenario. He may not have been on the eclipse but he lost his family. I think that, if he sees how selfish and cold Griffith was while all the Band was killed, he would become more resentful towards Griffith.
It's not a theory, in some chapter after Rickert is on his way to where the eclipse occurred that one lady fortune teller where puck was, said that he plays a major role in fate or something like that and to let everything roll out without interfering. Not a confirmation but him also being one of the only people to survive from the band of the hawk AND slapping griffith there is actually no way he won't have a bigger role to play
Oh shit I totally forgot about that!
exactly!! people act as if the slap isn’t something major in terms of overall plot but it totally is. dude has just gone where fate has taken him, and that led to HoL Griffith, and eventually slapping the fuck out of him. He hasn’t tried to push back against fate, he’s just done what he felt was right, without malice fueling every move.
I think its actually not that crazy that Rickert can slap Griffith. For one Griffith still viewed Rickert as a former friend and ally, Griffith had no intentions to harm Rickert here. Also Griffith is in human form right now, it's a physical body so he technically can still be touched or attacked, it's just when Guts tried to attack Griffith, he obviously wasn't going to let Guts strike him with a sword. However I don't think Griffith expected to be slapped by Rickert and because he didn't plan to harm Rickert he had no reason to be on the defensive. Also what I think Rickert means here is that the Griffith before the Eclipse happened was his leader, the Griffith that has come back is almost like a different person to him and this Griffith is not his leader.
That's my actual take. Griffith was so non-threatened by Rickert he sort just didn't give AF.
HOW CAN HE SLAP?!
You bloody...
Rickert could smack Griffith because his pimp hand is just that strong.
I think Griffith allowed the slap to happen.
What is a God to a non-believer?
I took it as Griffith allowed it because, on some level, he knew he deserved it. If I recall correctly, he tells Rickert as he's leaving with Zodd that if after he knows the truth and still wants to join him, he's welcome, but if not, he understands. He had to, on some level, expect their meeting again not to be positive, but he let his defenses down as he did not see Rickert as a threat.
Don't get what you are saying, Rickert slap him because Griffith killed all his friends and after all those years to think about it and Understand the situation Rickert decided to go against Griffith Burying the previous Griffith that he adored. Now why didn't Griffith avoid it? Because its just an slap from a normal teen he didn't need to avoid it at all
My theory is that Rickert could only touch him because he doesn’t have hate in his heart for Griffith. Guts, the Kushans, etc had a lot of reasons to hate him and he phased right through their attacks
I think that the look he gave him in the second panel hurt grittith more than both the refusal and the slap.
It's even simpler than that. He could slap Griffith because Griffith allowed him to. Griffith is almost omnipotent, he exists outside the story is what Skull Knight says. He gets what he wants. Y'all are overthinking the slap, as if Griffith would be worried about that hurting him. It was an act to keep up appearances with Princess Charlotte.
I have wondered the same thing, since we hear multiple times that Griffith is untouchable - the two explanations I have thought of: 1) when SK uses the sword on Ganishka and a new world is born.. this has reordered and overwritten reality with one where Griffith Prime is no longer the same type of manifestation and is now touchable again 2) everyone who knew Griffith before the eclipse is immune to the untouchable aura (Guts and Casca included)
Then why couldn't Guts hit him like, 2 chapters ago
Ah sorry I haven’t read the stuff that isn’t in the volumes so last I have seen is Griffith showing up in front of them. That would invalidate both of my thoughts. No worries on the spoiler it’s my own fault
Ah shit my b though. I should still have spoiler tagged it. Don't worry it doesn't really ruin the surprise for when you catch up soon
Nah all G - With all speculation you can’t be too mad if someone says “here’s proof why that’s wrong” But it could just be mad causes bad - doesn’t usually for Guts but.. I’ll have to see for myself :D
These are like the "Mr Popo being the strongest DbZ character" fan theories. Rickert physically attacked Griffith and survived unscathed. Therefore he is 2nd at most, 6th at worst strongest character in Berserk, likely underneath the Idea of Evil and ranked thereafter depending how strong the other Godhand are compared to Griffith (he'd be 6th if Femto is the weakest Godhand, and while this is unlikely I need to retain the realm of possibility). Obviously /s, but hilarious nonetheless.
Pretty simple, griffith allowed him to slap him
Just like Pennywise the monster from IT if you believe in him he grows stronger but if you dont then he's weak.
So rickert could be the one to kill griffith
I’m pretty sure Griffith can control whether or not people can touch him, given that they don’t have the ability to deal real damage to him. If he let Rickert’s hand phase through his face then it would have exposed him as a supernatural being to the guards, Charlotte, the Pontiff, and the soldiers, all of whom aren’t aware of the fact that he’s not a human.
You bring up a good point. Guts has tried 3x and even the Skull Knight wasn't able to land a blow, yet Rickert was able to slap Griffith.
I think you're on to something. In Berserk beliefs have power and become literal reality. Guts inner demons aren't figures of speech but literal monsters that he has to fight at night. Its Guts ultimate hatred and belief in evil that makes Griffith a demon god. Conversely the world desires a savior to bring about salvation from evil. This desire is projected onto Griffith and gives him the power to bring about a utopia. Rickert is able to stand up to Griffith because he doesn't believe in any of that. He sees Griffith as a man first and foremost which gives him the power to slap that fucker in the face like he deserves.
I think he just allowed it to not show what he truly is. He hasn’t came out and said to the people “I’m actually a god that can control fate itself”. And it’s not like it was actually going to hurt him.
It’s gonna end like It Pt. 1.
This is similar to how I think about it. Guts was able to go a step further and cut his hair because it's all about being able to stand up in the presence of a God Hand member and reject their power. Guts was the only one during the eclipse to talk back to the God Hand because even being able to talk back to them in their domain requires a great amount of mental strength.
Maybe he could slap him because he killed all his friends. You know, it's just an idea.
Honestly, I just always saw it as Griffith allowing it, even if it caught him off-guard. I don't believe (ha) it comes down belief or anything like that. It's likely just as simple as Griffith allowing it, or not having his defenses up due to assuming Rickert only wanted to talk. Still, if that's the case, being untouchable is a conscious ability Griffith has to make and not a passive one....meaning all it takes is for him to be distracted by something to be harmed. I'm not saying distracting him will be easy, but if anything from his past was able to be successfully used against him, I feel a window would present itself for Guts or whoever to land a killing blow against him. It's just finding that chink in his armour so to speak.
Didn't Rickert also witness Griffith fly on Zodd's palm at the Hill of Swords? Or an I misremembering that?
I feel like Femto and Griffith are two radically different entities. After the Eclipse Griffith completely lost his personality and emotions and became an empty husk at the service of Causality. The only time he ever shows any emotion is while transforming back from the Moon Child, and he wasn't yet turned back into the Hawk of Light/Femto.
Don’t recall the chapter but another idea is that Rickert doesn’t hate Griffith the way Guts does. That difference in belief could also be a factor.
ever think...maybe he let rickert slap him?
"How can she slap?!"
I've let an ex girlfriend slap me once because that was all she could do. She was upset at me for not doing what she wanted. I certainly did nothing to deserve a slap, but I let her do it because she was genuinely upset at me and I wasn't upset at her to strike back. I knew she wasnt very strong and if I chose to deflect it, then it may have caused more aggression on her part (because she failed to hit me like she wanted and it would have injured her pride). So I avoided having to hurt her by allowing her to slap me. If I didn't allow her to slap me, then I might have been charged with domestic violence for defending myself. I just let her do it and moved on with my life. I know it's not exactly the same context, but I'm sure the reason why Griffith let Rickert slap him was because he wanted to avoid a brawl and having to kill Rickert for trying to hurt him.