Berserk Wiki
No edit summary
Line 65: Line 65:
   
 
== Cameos ==
 
== Cameos ==
 
* Judeau appear as a flashback in Caska memories during the [[Episode 354 (Manga)|Chapter 354]] as one of the causes of Casca's broken mind.
[[File:Judeaucameo.png|thumb|231x231px|Judeau cameo in the chapter [[Awakening]].]]
 
* Judeau appear as a flashback in Caska memories during the [[Episode 354|Chapter 354]] as one of the causes of Caska broken mind.
 
   
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==

Revision as of 19:00, 27 February 2018

Template:Character Infobox

Good dreams, bad dreams. It's still unfortunate to wake up in the middle of one.
– Judeau[1]

He enters the Band of the Falcon as a tumbler from a circus group, joining Griffith in pursuit of the White Falcon's dream. In the band's years of success, Judeau soars through the ranks of Midland as a companion of an ever ascending Griffith. However, when Guts leaves the Falcons, a series of events unfold that result in the regression and eventual annihilation of the band, including Judeau himself.

Personality

File:E71-Judeau Carefree-Manga.png

Judeau's carefree disposition.

One of the more easygoing Falcons, Judeau is a trustworthy member of the band and dedicated to Griffith until the end, even after the leader's invalidation.[1] He is a rather welcoming companion, being one of the first Falcons to initially interact with Guts and help the swordsman fit in within the band.[2] Possessed of keen perception, he can read the emotions of those around him, even when they are suppressed. Coupled with his perceptiveness is his self-awareness; Judeau realizes and accepts that he will never be the best at anything, but rather only adept at many things, which is what initially spurs 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.[3]

He is always soft-spoken and self-effacing, preferring to be a bystander in verbal quarrels rather than partake in them. Complaisant to a fault, his caring nature is undeniable, to the point of putting others' interests before his own. Rather than act on his unrequited love for Casca, Judeau respects the burgeoning relationship between Guts and his admired one, even encouraging the development of the affair in hopes of Casca finding happiness.[3] Always the smooth talker, even in his final moments, he fails to truly confess his feelings for Casca – his last words only further betraying his love for the commander.[4]

Story

Background

Before joining the growing Band of the Falcon, Judeau works as a member of a traveling troupe, and obtains the dust of an elf during his tenure with the group.[5] He eventually leaves the performers and happens upon Griffith and the band, attracted by the White Falcon's charisma and potential, no different than most other Falcons.[2] Alongside Corkus, Pippin and Casca, he becomes one of Griffith's first and most important comrades in the Band of the Falcon's infancy.

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 Falcons and their unifying admiration for Griffith, claiming that Guts would eventually find his place within the group.[2]

After Guts successfully survives a wave of 100 mercenary soldiers, Judeau meets with Casca, telling of Griffith's persistence in saving the two Falcons 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.[5]

File:E34-Judeau Guts Talk-Manga.png

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 Falcons, telling of his search for something he can win for himself. When Corkus finishes disparaging Gut's new goal, Judeau supposes that he was wrong three years prior when he suggested Guts would find his place among the Falcons, 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 unworthy of Casca's affection in his current state, Judeau agrees with the swordsman's reasoning and sets him off on his way.[3] They soon after run into Griffith and the other Falcon commanders, the former of which resolves to duel Guts for his freedom. When Guts defeats Griffith, Judeau, along with the other onlooking Falcons, watches as Guts decisively leaves the band.[6]

Fugitive

File:E42-Falcons Retaliate-Manga.png

Judeau fending off the raiders.

With Guts' departure and Griffith forgoing all reason, a catastrophic turn of events unfold and the Falcons are systematically destroyed by the Midland Army on the grounds of treason. Casca becomes the band's de facto leader in Griffith's absence, with Judeau acting as her advisor of sorts.[7] Guts returns a year later to help the remnants of the Band of the Falcon thwart a raid lead by Silat. The Griffith Rescue Squad, consisting of Guts, Casca, Judeau and Pippin, then sets its sights on freeing an imprisoned Griffith from the Tower of Rebirth,[8] with the assistance of Princess Charlotte.[9]

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;[9] 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. They eventually calm the princess and venture into the tower, retrieving a heavily mangled Griffith and making their way into the Wyndham sewers. In the darkness of the sewer system, they are attacked by four Bakiraka hired to assassinate Griffith. Unable to see the Bakiraka 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.[10] With the attacking Bakiraka visible, the group dispatches the assassins and narrowly escapes the flames of a remnant Bakiraka sorceress before leaving the capital city.[10]

Upon leaving Wyndham and recuperating on a farm, the Falcons set out for the Midland border. In their travels, however, they come under attack by the Black Dog Knights. They decide to confront the Dogs when their traps fail to deter the pursuers, 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.[11] Following the resurgence and defeat of Wyald, the Falcons set 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.[1]

Eclipse

File:E78-Judeau Branded-Manga.png

Judeau branded.

Disillusioned and distraught, Griffith commandeers an unattended carriage and crashes into a lakebed. When Judeau and the other Falcons arrive to his location, they are all promptly transported to another dimension. The Falcons are soon after greeted by four demonic beings dubbed the God Hand and welcomed to the "nocturnal festival".[12] Griffith is then separated from the band, and soon after without warning, the Falcons are all branded by the tallest God Hand member.[13] A mass-scale massacre of the Falcons is initiated, with most of them being slaughtered by an inundation of materialized apostles. Judeau comes to Casca's rescue on horseback as Pippin mounts a last stand against one of the demons, demanding that she survive as the band's leader.[14]

File:E81-Judeau Dies-Manga.png

Judeau falls.

As the two ride ceaselessly and combat apostles, one demon manages to close in on them, attacking their right side. Judeau protects Casca in exchange for having his arm mangled by the demon, 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 apostle 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 apostle and create an opening for Casca to finish the demon 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 confessed his feelings for her, before eventually succumbing to his injuries.[4]

Abilities

File:E51-Judeau Throwing Knives-Manga.png

Judeau displaying his proficiency with throwing knives.

A self-proclaimed jack of all trades (and master of none),[3] Judeau possessed a varied array of useful talents. From his knife throwing prowess and swordsmanship, to his astute analytic skills, deductive reasoning and various medical abilities, he was undoubtedly one of, if not the most versatile of the Falcons. He also possessed vast knowledge of the world and its history, being the only Falcon aware of the Skull King fairy tale;[15] as such, he was typically the one to disclose unknown contemporary information to the band.

Despite his small stature, Judeau was one of the most competent fighters in the original Band of the Falcon, fearless, agile and capable of holding his own in all confrontations. His pinpoint throwing precision allowed him to swiftly eliminate both long-distance human[16] and apostle[4] targets with ease. He also carried two short swords on his back, which he used in close-range encounters where knife throwing became impractical.

Cameos

  • Judeau appear as a flashback in Caska memories during the Chapter 354 as one of the causes of Casca's broken mind.

Notes

  • Judeau taught Guts the basics of knife throwing.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c Berserk :: Volume 12, "Warriors of Twilight"
  2. ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Qref at line 19: attempt to index local 'episode' (a nil value). Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "e0P" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "e0P" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ^ a b c d Berserk :: Volume 8, "Morning of Departure (1)"
  4. ^ a b c Berserk :: Volume 13, "Storm of Death (2)"
  5. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 7, "Returning Alive"
  6. ^ Berserk :: Volume 8, "Morning of Departure (3)"
  7. ^ Berserk :: Volume 9, "Fugitives"
  8. ^ Berserk :: Volume 10, "Infiltration of Wyndham (1)"
  9. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 10, "Infiltration of Wyndham (2)"
  10. ^ a b Berserk :: Volume 10, "Bakiraka (2)"
  11. ^ Berserk :: Volume 11, "Armor on the Chest"
  12. ^ Berserk :: Volume 12, "Advent"
  13. ^ Berserk :: Volume 12, "Parting"
  14. ^ Berserk :: Volume 13, "Storm of Death (1)"
  15. ^ Berserk :: Volume 10, "Thousand-Year Fiefdom"
  16. ^ Berserk :: Volume 10, "The Eve (1)"
  17. ^ Berserk :: Volume 14, "Armament"