I think Berserk Of Gluttony is one of those few manga that doesn’t make its romance plot into something completely perverse, despite the ‘Dark Fantasy’ label. I mean, the question isn’t even about Roxy being in love with Fate, or vice versa, but rather how their bond manifests into something more complicated than that. Is it love? Is it hero worship? There’s so much nuance there, not one I expected from a series that appeared so typical at first glance. 

But while we do know that Fate Graphite, our protagonist, does have romantic feelings for Roxy Hart, the noble Knight, it’s harder to determine whether Roxy loves Fate back. I mean, it is hard to ignore the immense amount of chemistry between the two characters which, again, is so rare to find in manga and anime like Berserk Of Gluttony. The two are honestly adorable around each other, even if the setting they are in doesn’t seem very romantic. Plus, Roxy is clearly the main love interest so while they haven’t confessed their love to each other, you can tell Roxy is starting to like him back. 

See, my gripe with stories like Berserk Of Gluttony is that they can be pretty simplistic when it comes to romance. The formula usually lends itself better to a harem ending. So, while you would have plenty of female love interests to go around, none of them would feel like they have a genuine connection with the male protagonist, or at least one that isn’t just a shallow crush situation. And so, the main character would go around being oblivious to the feelings of those around him and collect those female interests like they are Pokémon. 

So yeah, safe to say that it can get tiring and just not appealing, in general. Harems are just not my thing, and the fanservice can get obscene. It just all ends up pretty artificial. But that’s something that Berserk Of Gluttony is getting right, and I think we should discuss it. So today, let’s take a look at how Fate’s feelings for Roxy developed, despite his flawed persona and what it means in yet another round of Lore Analysis!

Fate And Roxy: Is It Love Or Is It Gratitude?

So, in order to get a glimpse of Roxy’s future with Fate, we need to look at their history. For a good while, Fate and Roxy were not equals, let alone friends. After all, Roxy was the head of the Hart family, a Knight who was determined to do her duties right. It’s not that she didn’t want companionship, but it was understood by all that she had no time for it. Fate is merely a Gatekeeper who works for the noble family, and their relationship is that of a master and their servant. 

Of course, Roxy isn’t some cruel maiden who hurts those that work for her. By all means, she’s a very just employer, and Fate looks up to her for her extreme kindness and spirit as a warrior. Because he was born with a ‘useless’ ability, he found strength in her. So, when he discovers that said useless skill, Gluttony, hid more powers than he realized, he was terrified. Because those powers felt twisted, not something that should marr the purity of Roxy’s lineage, Which is why, he leaves to find his own path, as hard as that may be. 

And find himself, he did! Fate becomes very adept at using his powers, while keeping the corruption they bring at bay. He also learns more about a grand conspiracy that not only involved him and his powers, but could implicate anyone connected to him through his own lineage. But because of his reputation, no one really gives him a chance to explain. Until, lo and behold, someone does. And it’s Roxy, who sees Fate as someone who holds genuine promise for a bright future. 

So, this is how they become friends. Now, they no longer stand on opposite ends of life, but become each other’s confidants instead. Roxy gets to see firsthand how Fate differs from his skillset, which is about consuming souls and gaining powers from them. You’d think he’d be an edgelord but Fate’s actually kind of a decent guy. He’s upbeat and optimistic, irregardless of his circumstances. In turn, he finds Roxy’s gentle demeanor and quiet strength admirable, something that gives hope even in the bleakest of times.

Safe to say, it isn’t hard seeing why Fate fell in love with Roxy, considering she’s always supporting him. But what I appreciate is how we are seeing Roxy like him back, in a way that doesn’t feel forced.

Dark Fantasy Romance Done Right!

Oftentimes, the term ‘Dark Fantasy’ is used as an excuse to just be as sexually violent as possible and nothing more. I know that might sound like stereotyping but, well, remember Goblin Slayer? That’s not to say Dark Fantasies with content like that can’t be more complex and interesting, but that in manga and anime? Yeah, that genre just ends up adapting pretty tired tropes just to come across as ‘edgy’.

Which is why any romance in them can also end up feeling more murky and questionable, instead of truly romantic. However, this is why I love what Berserk Of Gluttony has done with Roxy and Fate’s love story. Because right now, it’s just Fate acknowledging that he loves her, but giving Roxy the space to come to her own realizations. And nowhere during that does he rescind their original friendship. There is growth that is being allowed here, instead of shoehorning two people to immediately confess to each other. 

That’s not to say that Roxy doesn’t understand what is happening. It’s clear that she has feelings that are developing for Fate, and they aren’t just left in the background. Their interactions prove how much they mean to each other, adding a sense of authenticity to their feelings. And, I know this isn’t supposed to be something special, but do you know how hard it is to find an earnest relationship in a Dark Fantasy manga? Like, that’s the other thing: The writing sells the setting. 

Everything is grim and a little painful, but there are moments of lightness that make Berserk Of Gluttony interesting to read. And so, its characters also meld together really well, with Roxy and Fate being the prime examples of it. Their romance is a build up, not some end goal that neither the main character nor the love interest refuse to acknowledge. 

So, while it’s taking some time for Roxy to admit her love from Fate, the foundation for their relationship is already there. And I can’t wait to see how these two become an official couple, even if it takes a little while longer!