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Good dreams, bad dreams. It's still unfortunate to wake up in the middle of one.
– Judeau[2]

Judeau was one of the first members of the Band of the Falcon.[3]

He entered the Band of the Falcon as a tumbler from a circus group,[4] joining Griffith's then-nascent group attracted by the White Falcon's charisma, wishing to fly in the wake of the one who seemed the best after taking into account his own weaknesses.[5] [6] Through the years, Judeau stayed as one of the Band of the Falcon's most relevant members, even being a part of the troupe to be ennobled alongside Griffith.[1] Ultimately, Judeau met his demise during the Eclipse as part of Griffith's sacrifice.[7]

Personality[]

Manga E71 Judeau Carefree

Judeau's carefree disposition.

Always an easygoing comrade, Judeau was a dedicated Band of the Falcon member until the end, even after its leader's invalidation.[2] He had a welcoming disposition, being one of the first band members to initially interact with Guts and help the swordsman fit in within the band.[5] Possessing keen perception, he could read the emotions of those around him, even when they were suppressed.[8] Coupled with his perceptiveness was his self-awareness; Judeau realized and accepted that he would never be the best at anything, but rather only adept at many things, which was what initially spurred him to follow Griffith – resolving to fight at the side of one who seems to be the best if he could not be such himself.[6]

He was always soft-spoken, preferring to be a bystander in quarrels and only partaking in them if he had something valuable to say.[8] Judeau showed a caring nature with Casca, to the point of putting her interests before his own. Rather than act on his own feelings for her, he respected the burgeoning relationship between Guts and the female mercenary, even encouraging the development of the affair in hopes of the pair finding happiness.[6] Judeau didn't hesitate to take Casca away from the apostles who were about to kill her, explaining that the band wouldn't be finished so long as she remained alive.[9] Always considering himself a smooth talker, even in his final moments, he failed to confess his feelings for Casca.[7]

Background[]

Before joining the growing Band of the Falcon, Judeau worked as a member of a traveling troupe, and obtained the dust of an elf during his tenure with the group.[4] He eventually left the performers and happened upon Griffith and the band, attracted by the White Falcon's charisma, no different than most other members.[5] Alongside Corkus, Pippin and later Casca, he became one of Griffith's comrades in the Band of the Falcon's infancy.[3]

Story[]

Golden Age Arc[]

Glory Years[]

Following the turn of events leading to Guts' enlistment in the band, Judeau is one of the first to truly converse with the swordsman. He explains to Guts the uniqueness of the band and their unifying admiration for Griffith's charisma, claiming that Guts would eventually find his place within the group.[5]

After Guts successfully survives a wave of 100 Tudor soldiers, Judeau meets with Casca, telling of Griffith's persistence in saving the two mercenaries from the Tudor soldiers. He gifts her with the elf dust he acquired in his circus years, instructing her to use it on a wounded Guts. When Casca expresses disbelief in his claim of elfin existence, he declares that, regardless of what she believes, the medicine will do well in healing the swordsman. To his surprise, Casca thanks him, her display of softness leaving him to wonder what happened during the time she and Guts were lost.[4]

Manga E34 Judeau Guts Talk

Judeau and Guts conversing in a pub.

At the height of the Band of the Falcon's glory, on the morning when Guts decides to leave and live for himself, Judeau and Corkus meet up with the mercenary and take him to a Wyndham pub to discuss his departure. There, after being berated by a scornful Corkus, Guts divulges his newfound beliefs to the two mercenaries, telling of his search for something he can win for himself. When Corkus finishes disparaging Guts' new goal, Judeau supposes that he was wrong three years prior when he suggested Guts would find his place among the Band of the Falcon, before leaving the pub with his departing comrade. While walking with Guts, he asks about Guts' relationship with Casca, making it known that their closeness after their fall from the cliff was undeniable, and claiming that the swordsman should try his luck with the commander. He reveals to Guts that, with Griffith's anointment as White Phoenix General, the only method of further ascension left for the Falcon is through the betrothal of Princess Charlotte, leaving no room for Casca at Griffith's side. With Guts thinking himself not good for her in his current state, Judeau understands the swordsman's reasoning and sets him off on his way.[6] They soon after run into Griffith and other band members, the former of which resolves to duel Guts for his freedom. When Guts defeats Griffith, Judeau, along with the band members, watches as Guts leaves the band.[10]

Fugitive[]

Manga E42 Falcons Retaliate

Judeau fending off the raiders.

After Griffith beds Princess Charlotte, the Band of the Falcon is attacked by the Midland army on the grounds of treason.[11] Now as fugitives, Casca becomes the band's de facto leader in Griffith's absence, and Judeau helps her out. A year later, Guts has a timely return to help the remnants of the Band of the Falcon thwart a raid lead by Silat.[12] After learning of a report from spies who found Griffith's location, a rescue squad, consisting of Guts, Casca, Judeau and Pippin, is later on assembled in order to free an imprisoned Griffith from the Tower of Rebirth,[13] with the assistance of Princess Charlotte.[14]

When the group successfully infiltrates Wyndham and arrives at the tower, Judeau proposes that the group hold Charlotte hostage in the advent of any complications occurring;[14] Casca reprimands him for the proposition, but Charlotte intervenes and makes it known that she doesn't mind. Casca, however, tells Charlotte that she could potentially do more harm than good as a hostage, resulting in Charlotte wailing in objection. The team calms the princess and ventures into the tower,[15] eventually retrieving a heavily mangled Griffith. Alongside Guts, Judeau is the only one seeing his visage under the helmet.[16] As they make their way into the Wyndham sewers, they are attacked by several assassins hired to kill Griffith. Judeau correctly identifies them as Bakiraka.[17] Unable to see the Bakiraka in the dark of the sewers and under the attack of a javelin thrower, Judeau notices the sparks formed by the ricocheting javelins. He astutely uses the sparks formed by his throwing knives to spot out and kill the assailant, and instructs Pippin to make a larger spark with his war hammer for increased visibility.[18] With the attacking Bakiraka visible, the group dispatches the assassins and narrowly escapes the flames of the remnant Bakiraka member before leaving the capital city.[18]

Upon leaving Wyndham and recuperating on a farm, the rescue team sets out for the Midland border so as to join the remnants of the Band of the Falcon.[19] In their travel, however, they come under attack by the Black Dog Knights. They decide to confront them when their traps fail to deter the pursuers,[20] with Guts eventually incapacitating their leader, Wyald. During a small period of respite, Judeau assesses Griffith's wounds, telling Casca of the Falcon's severed tendons and inability to fight.[21] Following the resurgence and defeat of Wyald, the band sets out for the Midland border, where the they all learn of Griffith's injuries and consequent invalidation. In the fields of the border region, Judeau reflects on the tumultuous turn of events in the last year and reveals his plan to form a group of thieves. He tells Guts to take Casca with him on his quest, stating that her seriousness wouldn't meld with the carefree nature of thieves.[2]

Eclipse[]

Manga E78 Judeau Branded

Judeau branded.

In a distraught pursuit of his dream, Griffith commandeers his unattended carriage and crashes into a lakebed.[22] When Judeau and the rest of the band arrive to his location, they are all promptly transported to a distant setting.[23] After realizing they're surrounded by bizarre humanoids[24], the Band of the Falcon is soon after greeted by four beings dubbed the God Hand and welcomed to the "nocturnal festival", with the beings telling them what will happen next.[25] Griffith is then separated from the band. Once Griffith agrees to sacrifice "the falcon's wings and feathers", the mercenaries are all branded by the tallest God Hand member.[26] A mass-scale, one-sided massacre is initiated, with the band members being slaughtered by a huge number of creatures morphed from the anthropomorphic beings they saw earlier on. Judeau comes to Casca's rescue on horseback as Pippin mounts a last stand against one of the beings, demanding that she survive as the band's leader.[9]

Manga E81 Judeau Dies

Judeau falls.

As the two ride ceaselessly and combat the monsters, one being manages to close in on them, attacking their right side. Judeau protects Casca at the cost of having his arm mangled by the creature, allowing his comrade to stab it with one of his short swords. When Casca becomes distressed and begins to cry, Judeau admonishes her, telling his leader to keep struggling until the very end. Another whip-like monster attacks the two, mortally wounding Judeau as he once again protects Casca from harm. With his last throwing knife, he is able to heavily wound the monster and create an opening for Casca to finish it off with his secondary short sword. Heavily injured, Judeau tells Casca to carry on alone, but is reprimanded by the commander and told to stand on his feet. He admits that he is not as durable as Guts, but agrees to come along with her, regardless. He stares up at her face as his vision slowly fades, lamenting that he never told her "that important thing", before eventually succumbing to his injuries.[7]

Abilities[]

Manga E51 Judeau Throwing Knives

Judeau displaying his proficiency with throwing knives.

A self-proclaimed jack of all trades (and master of none),[6] Judeau possessed a variety of useful talents. Despite his small stature, Judeau was also a competent fighter, agile and capable of holding his own. His pinpoint throwing precision allowed him to swiftly eliminate both long-distance human[15] and apostle[7] targets with with his throwing knives. He also carried two short swords on his back, which he used in close-range encounters where knife throwing became impractical.[27][28][12]

He was particularly intelligent, with astute analytic skills, deductive reasoning, and medical knowledge.[21] He possessed substantial knowledge of the world and its history, recounting the Skull King fairy tale;[29] as such, he was typically the one to disclose unknown contemporary information to the band, such as who the Bakiraka or the Black Dog Knights were.[17][30] He also had a degree of knowledge concerning exotic weapons, being able to warn Guts about Silat's chakram.[31]

Portrayal[]

Japanese Voice Actor(s)[]

English Voice Actor(s)[]

Notes[]

  • The Berserk Official Guidebook states that Judeau was 18 years old, 159 cm, and 49 kg. (NOTE: The Berserk Official Guidebook is highly questionable in its veracity.)
  • Judeau taught Guts the basics of knife throwing.[32]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 8, "Moment of Glory"
  2. ^ a b c Berserk :: Volume 12, "Warriors of Twilight"
  3. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 6, "Casca (2)"
  4. ^ a b c Berserk :: Volume 7, "Returning Alive"
  5. ^ a b c d Berserk :: Volume 5, "Golden Age (8)"
  6. ^ a b c d e Berserk :: Volume 8, "Morning of Departure (1)"
  7. ^ a b c d Berserk :: Volume 13, "Storm of Death (2)"
  8. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 8, "Morning of Departure (2)"
  9. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 13, "Storm of Death (1)"
  10. ^ Berserk :: Volume 8, "Morning of Departure (3)"
  11. ^ Berserk :: Volume 9, "Demise of a Dream"
  12. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 9, "Fugitives"
  13. ^ Berserk :: Volume 10, "Infiltration of Wyndham (1)"
  14. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 10, "Infiltration of Wyndham (2)"
  15. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 10, "The Eve (1)"
  16. ^ Berserk :: Volume 10, "Reunion in the Abyss"
  17. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 10, "Bakiraka (1)"
  18. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 10, "Bakiraka (2)"
  19. ^ Berserk :: Volume 11, "Demon Dog (1)"
  20. ^ Berserk :: Volume 11, "Demon Dog (3)"
  21. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 11, "Armor on the Chest"
  22. ^ Berserk :: Volume 12, "Boy in the Back Alley"
  23. ^ Berserk :: Volume 12, "Eclipse"
  24. ^ Berserk :: Volume 12, "Promised Time"
  25. ^ Berserk :: Volume 12, "Advent"
  26. ^ Berserk :: Volume 12, "Parting"
  27. ^ Berserk :: Volume 6, "Battle"
  28. ^ Berserk :: Volume 7, "Battle to Capture Doldrey (4)"
  29. ^ Berserk :: Volume 10, "Thousand-Year Fiefdom"
  30. ^ Berserk :: Volume 11, "Demon Dog (2)"
  31. ^ Berserk :: Volume 9, "Fighter"
  32. ^ Berserk :: Volume 14, "Armament"
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