The first episode of No Guts, No Glory: the Berserk Podcast is here! Resident fans Ryan (an artist and musician), Steve (a long time deep cover agent in the world of nerd culture and collectibles) and Joey (a writer and martial artist / sword fighter) discuss, critique, and expound on the themes, the artwork, the patterns, and the subtext found in Volume 1., Chapter 1: The Black Swordsman. Many jokes will be cracked - as will your innocence - as we break down Kentaro Miura’s inaugural effort in his now decades long running manga. Enjoy, strugglers!

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Black Swordsman

We’re back to cover Berserk vol. 1, chapter 2: ‘The Brand,’ and it’s a lot more nuanced than we expected during our initial read! Guts battles viking skeletons, gets some hentai tentacle action on his face, and insults a priest - what more could you ask for out of Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece?!

Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Brand

We dive into part one of the three part sub-arc: ‘The Guardians of Desire’ this week, where Guts and Puck go up against the Cartman-esque “Count,” who’s beheading fools left and right for being heretics! And as chapter 1 introduced the world and characters, and chapter 2 introduced the gravity of Guts’ daily existence, chapter 3 introduces the “macguffin” (of a sort) that will haunt the characters of Berserk forever after: the Behelit.

Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Guardians of Desire - Part 1

Guts and Puck are back to kick old disabled men and feel sorta bad for it…kinda. The evil Count (aka Slug-Man) is PISSED that Guts almost murdered his beloved Zondark, so with a fairytale kiss, Zondark is back with a vengeance and most of the chapter is a battle in Vargas’ finished basement at his mom’s house. There’s also some great foreshadowing of the themes that will permeate the entire series and keep us strugglers coming back for more. Enjoy!

Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Guardians of Desire - Part 2

ANOTHER weak old man gets kicked by Guts this chapter…and we’re here for it! This action-packed sub-chapter gets into the regenerative slug-meat of Guts’ battle with “The Count,” and we learn more about who that mystery girl at the window was from the previous chapter. Does her daddy make her happy, or saddy? There’s only one way to find out - listen up and enjoy!

Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Guardians Of Desire - Part 3

Oh we’re REALLY gettin’ into it now little strugglers! Guts might actually be starting to feel affection for Puck, he tortures a child’s father in front of her for laughs, and we get the first true appearance of the God Hand in this chapter. Now we got ourselves a manga!

Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Guardians of Desire - Part 4

Well, strugglers, if you get bored of being over-lore’d - then this chapter might just bore you to death! We, on the other hand, love gettin’ DEEP into the inner workings of The God Hand, the Invocation of Doom, how the Brand of Sacrifice works, what color are Void’s, Ubik’s and Conrads eyes under their various slits, stitches and goggles?! It’s an all supernatural extravaganza, with a special appearance by Hell itself in these final chapters of “The Guardians of Desire” sub-arc. Plus, we perfectly set the stage for The Golden Age Arc beginning next episode! Griffith here we COME.

Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Guardians of Desire - Parts 5 & 6

As Hughy Lewis and the News once said: “Gotta go BACK in TIIIEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIME!” And by the bald head of Donavan, do we EVER go back in time little strugglers! The Golden Age Arc has officially begun, and this first chapter introduces us to the first 9 years of Guts’ life, with Gambino-daddy being a completely toxic father figure, Guts losing his “mother” to the plague - a plague that seems to kill you by growing clods of mud on your face - and the first appearance of the infamous scar that adorns our intrepid hero’s nose-bridge. And of course…those final few pages. *shiver*

Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Golden Age - Part 1

We’re back after a much longer break than we anticipated, but we took off for the 4th of July and unfortunately, Ryan got super sick after his trip to Anime Expo, so it’s just me (Joey) and Steve tonight, and Ryan shall return next week, so wish him a speedy recovery!

As the Golden Age Arc continues, we see the existential fallout after Guts experiences his horrible night at the hands of Donavan, but we also see Guts reborn as the Kuroi Kenshin that we know and love from the first, and future arcs, of the series. Enjoy!
 
Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Golden Age - Parts 2 & 3

The trio of beautiful boys is back in full effect, baby! Ryan was living in a pool of bronchial butter after coming back sick from Anime Expo, but he’s swordin’ and recordin’ again, just in time to talk about the introduction of everyone’s favorite gender-fluid villain - Griffith! And his merry Band of the Hawk/Falcon, of course. As usual, sexual motifs and innuendo abound in these two chapters, so whip out your literary theory mindset and…something else…and enjoy!
 
Intro violin theme by Ryan, and mixed by Steve. The theme was inspired by long-time Berserk composer, Susumu Hirasawa’s, ‘Sign 2.’

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

The Golden Age - Parts 4 & 5

An action-heavy, yet still poignant, set of chapter here, as ol’ Guts is ripping up Tudors and facing off against his first apostle - Nosferatu Zodd - without even knowing what the heck an apostle is! The fight is pretty apostastic if we do say so, ourselves (and we do). Plus, Griffith gets one step closer to his dream with his promotion as “viscount,” which I think is the head of counting Viz media published manga and anime for the king.

Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/


Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

A Wind of Swords + Nosferatu Zodd - Parts 1 & 2

The fight with Zodd ends just as unpredictably as it began: with the bull-horned apostle recognizing, and even fearing, the crimson behelit around Griffith’s neck. A prophecy is made, and Griffith inches ever higher up the corporate ladder of the kingdom of Midland, while Guts and crew deal with the aftermath of their world changing forever. Oh, and plenty of poop and pee jokes.

Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/


Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Nosferatu Zodd 3 & 4 + Master of the Sword 1

This one is a doozy, little strugg-struggs! So many iconic lines and massive character dynamic shifts have their big reveal here, as we learn what Griffith’s definition of a friend is (withOUT benefits!), his grooming of Princess Charlotte, and Guts reacting like a newb after killing someone. Open those mind-holes as we dive in, Scrooge McDuck style, to the riches that are these four chapters.

Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Assassin 3&4, Departure for the Front, Precious Thing, Engagement

We go extra deep into Casca in this episode...wait, that didn't sound right SORRY!!!! We go extra deep INTO HER MIND in this episode, as she regails us with horrifying tails of her childhood, her first meeting with Griffith, and Griffith's infamous liaison with a certain fuedal lord with sordid tastes. Some beautiful writing and character work done by Miura here, even to the point of bringing Ryan and Joey to tears at some points. Enjoy!

Casca 1 - 3

(Yes, I fucked up the chapter numbers again in the intro - the one's written here in the title are correct, sorry!)
Is Guts leaving the Band of the Hawk?! Casca begins to suspect after waxing philosophical with our large-sworded lad in Campfire of Dreams, but the Battle for Doldrey begins before she can confirm, and Griffith must face his old patron/lover in the form of Genneth, who holds the fortress of Doldrey with his Holy Purple Rhino Knights who, until now, remain undefeated. Whose cuisine reigns supreme?! I sincerely hope it’s not Genneth’s…
 
Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Campfire of Dreams & The Battle for Doldrey 1-4

Wow. This one is a doozy. So many iconic Berserk moments from the Golden Age Arc here, but it's all been leading up to Guts leaving the Band of the Hawk to find his own dream...and become a better man to be worthy of a woman like Casca. This episode is extra-beefy but these chapters, and you, deserve it!

Tombstone of Flame, One Snowy Night, The Morning Departure

Canonical Berserk Chapters:
059, 60, 61, 62, 63.

It’s time to get WYALD baby! The Black Dog Knights have been sent to pursue the core members of the Band of the Hawk as they whisk away Griffith back to safety. Something is a bit…off…about Wyald, the BDK’s leader. Guts suspects he’s an apostle, thought maybe his horrific ape like appearance might have given that away initially? This is a long battle, ladies and gents, but we leave off Guts and the gang right when Wyald transforms into…bigger Wyald! Enjoy!
 
Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/


Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Devil Dogs 1 - 4, Roar of the Wild Beast

(COVERS THESE CHAPTERS: The Promised Time, Advent, The Inhuman Host, The Castle, Parting, The Feast)
We’re in the thick of it now ladies and gents: these chapters ultimately form the first half of the events of The Eclipse in all it’s betrayal and blood filled glory. This chunk of chapters focuses on the reveal of the Godhand, the lore of The Eclipse and the Crimson Behelit, and ultimately Griffith’s inner struggle to keep alive the parts of him that love Guts and the people that got him the successes he’s won, or letting his love, loyalty, and empathy burn to become the Femto he is destined to be. Enjoy!
 
Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/


Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens


THE ECLIPSE (PART 1/2)

(COVERS THESE CHAPTERS: STORM OF DEATH, GOD OF THE ABYSS, LIFEBLOOD, QUICKENING, BIRTH, AFTERGLOW OF THE RIGHT EYE, ESCAPE)
We have arrived. The "main events" of the Eclipse transpire during this episode, and we basically go page by page and find (in our humble opinion) a ton of nuance that tends to be missed because these sections tend to be...read "quickly" for lack of a better term, and for obvious reasons. There is so much rich existentialism here in the writing/characters despite the horrific (and literal) existential crisis that's happening in the plot, and we feel that this episode does the late Miura-san justice in what The Eclipse is supposed to represent in the series. Or at least, our personal takes on what he might be representing. Enjoy! ...as much as you can, anyway.

THE ECLIPSE (PART 2/2)

In the aftermath of The Eclipse, Guts must choose how to move forward with new limitations and truths. These chapters are exposition-heavy, but fascinating in how they establish the “new normal” of Berserk from here on out. The Golden Age Arc is the most well-known arc for sure, and the story becomes much more dynamic as new challenges and characters are introduced into Guts’ merry band of travelers. But let’s not put the cart before the proverbial Farnesse-horse! In this episode we get the first (chronologically) appearance of Guts black armor, his throwing knives, his metal cannon arm, and, of course, The Dragon Slayer. We also get a deeper artistic focus on the natural world as opposed to the technological wonders of man, further showcasing the shift in Guts and Casca’s existence. Enjoy!

 
Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/


Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Awakening to a Nightmare,The Sprint,Vow of Retaliation,Demon Infant,Armament,He Who Hunts Dragons

The Conviction Arc begins!!! We have finally struggled through the Eclipse and the world-establishing epilogue immediately after, and now we are back to Black Swordsman Guts wrecking shop with the dragon slayer! Puck and his beautiful butt cheeks are back, as well as his cheeky comic relief, as Guts faces off with the fairy-like denizens of The Misty Valley, where helps an abused girl named Jill. Also, special first appearance by Farnesse, Serpico, and Azan of the Holy Iron Chain Knights!

CONVICTION ARC: The Black Swordsman Once more, The Elves of Misty Valley, Jill, By Air, Elf Bugs

Boy have we got some sceeeeeenes with Queeeeeeen Rosiiiiiiiine! Rosine full reveals herself (and it’s definitely disturbing) to Guts, Jill and Puck, and she’s pretty ticked off that Guts has been killing her little “Ugly Buglies,” as we have dubbed them. The horrific realization that the Ugly Buglies might be (now former) “Kuddly Kiddos” is a shock to Guts, for sure…but does that stop further child-killing in these chapters? Listen up to our next intrepid episode, gumshoes! 

 
Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/


Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Queen, Elf Fire, Red-Eyed Peekaf, The Recollected Girl, the World of Winged Things, Guardians 1&2

The battle against Rosine (and her child-elf minions) continues, with Puck trying to convince Jill to not succumb to Rosine’s fanciful temptations…and Guts just killing more and more children with murderous glee. We get some of the raddest and goriest scenes thus far, plus the appearance of Guts’ signature Super Cannon Sword Whirlwind Attack to deal with those Ugly Buglies once and for all. Enjoy!
 
Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/


Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Pursuers, The Misty Valley 1 & 2, Cocoons, Monster, Sky Demon

Rosine bears down on Guts at supersonic speeds (literally) and their final showdown begins! These chapters (that were too long to list in the title of the podcast: A BLOODY NIGHT SKY, THE SPACE BETWEEN DEMON AND MAN, FIREFLY, THE WAY HOME, BLUE SKY ELF, THE BEAST OF DARKNESS), cover Guts' triumph over Rosine, Jill's triumph over her fears of living in her abusive home/town...and the Beast of Darkness' triumph over Guts very soul. From here on out, Guts will have to contend with his own literal inner demon, built and fueled by the hatred and murderous intent of ever kill he's ever made...and ever will make.

End of Lost Children Chapter (Conviction Arc) + The Beast of Darkness

The Holy Iron Chain chapters of the Conviction Arc present some really cool dynamics into the characters, story, and world building of Berserk - namely the almost “anti-Casca” that is Farnesse. We also get the juxtaposition of the Holy See’s perceived religious mythology with Guts and Puck’s very much lived experiences. Faith vs. Horror, Light is Dark, Dark is light, etc. Very rich stuff here. Ooooooooooh…and we get the infamous FARNESSE HORSE SCENE!!! Honestly that’s all you needed to know to listen.  
 
Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/


Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

Holy Iron Chain Knights 1&2, The Hollow Idol, The Unseen, Night of Miracles, Past & Future

Visions in hypnagogic states, deep introspection, and the ouroboros of prophecy vs. causality abound in these chapters as we learn more about Farnesse’s religiously driven sexual repression, Zodd’s first interaction with his new and future master, and Guts getting an emotional truth-bomb dropped on his face for leaving Casca and Rickert alone for two years so he could selfishly focus on revenge. Miura never lets you feel exactly the same about characters for very long…even the ones we’re supposed to love. It’s part of his mastery, and part of what makes Berserk so damn compelling chapter after chapter.
 
Follow No Guts, No Glory on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nogutsnoglorypc/

Check out Steve and Joey’s other podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/probing-ancient-aliens/id1321801647
https://open.spotify.com/show/3aREEXpe4DE37LsNkUxntW

Check out Steve and Joey’s Patreon for that other podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/probingancientaliens

BIRTH CEREMONY CHAPTER: Morning Truth, Revelations 1-3, Cracks in the Blade

-- SPOILERS BEGIN AT 1HR, 5MIN MARK (1:05) --

Our review is Spoiler Free up until that point, so enjoy, watch the show and come back for the rest!

Steve is recovering from a long weekend out of town, so Ryan and I decided to cover another massively critically acclaimed manga/anime by Naoki Urasawa that really made an impact on us: Monster. 

We cover Dr. Kenzo Tenma's journey to "right" the "wrong" that he feels he committed with a young-boy-turned-serial-killer: Johan Liebert. Monster is overflowing with rich themes, motifs, and challenging moments of characterization, all while turning, what is essentially, the classic tale of a wandering, vengeful samurai, on it's head, while exploring themes of generational truama, fascism vs. freedom, East vs. West, Healing vs. Killing, and what is the true nature of evil...ust to name a few. 

This bad boy comes in at a whopping 3 hours and 18 minutes, so we hope you enjoy this alternative to No Guts, No Glory: the Berserk Podcast! We'll be back with a new episode asap, but in the meantime, let us know what you thought of this episode, since we all consume a decent amount of content - anime or otherwise - and we're happy to do more of this if you all enjoy it.

Naoki Urasawa's MONSTER: Review Discussion & Spoilercast

Just a quick update from Joey on the imminent return of new episodes!

New Episode Coming Soon! (Quick Scheduling Update)

WE'RE F**CKING BACK!!! First appearances of Isidro (!), Luca, and the Bloody Scripture himself...Father Mozgus!

A Feeble Flame, To Holy Ground 1 & 2, Kushan Scouts 1 & 2

Who ever thought a Guts-free set of chapters could be so compelling?! Not us, but we were plum surprised. These chapters are setting the stage for major future events in ways we never realized on previous reads of the series. Everyone's favorite character Nina gets introduced, and we learn a lot more about Mozgus, his torturers, Luca and her colleagues, and the seemingly protective power of the Demon Infant with Casca (aka "Elaine"). Ooooooh...and a pretty pornographic orgy happening as well.

Tower of Shadow 1 & 2, Children of Shadow, Fierce Believer, Bowels of the Holy Ground, Witch

Three Berserk fans (a writer-swordsman, a collectibles guru, and a musician-animephile) come together to break down Kentaro Miura's magnum opus, chapter, by chilling chapter. Ryan, Steve, and Joey discuss, critique, and expound on the themes, artwork, throughlines, and subtext found in this decades-long story of trauma, rage, ambition, and destiny. The story of Berserk - and this Berserk podcast - is not for the faint of heart - rated a hard R for sure!

No Guts, No Glory: the Berserk Podcast

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