Joachim
CharacterJoachim is a timid young man from the Albion slums who loses his heart to the prostitute Nina. His infatuation pulls him into the depraved rites of a pagan cult, an ordeal he barely survives before finding his way back to Nina on more equal footing.
Appearance
Joachim is a young commoner with ginger hair and eyes of a greyish blue. He first turns up among the destitute of Albion, plainly besotted with the prostitute Nina.
Personality
Nerves define him early on, and he grows jittery and tongue-tied in Nina's presence. Even so, a thread of courage runs through him: he trails Nina into the Great Goat's orgy despite his fear, and after the cult tries to kill him he willingly returns to their den to steer the Holy Iron Chain Knights to it.
History
He surfaces in the Albion slums, openly taken with Nina. When she demands to know his business, he insists he came only out of worry, not to buy her time, and she assumes he is angling for a free night. She sends him to the riverside at midnight, and there she flings her arms around him and wants to know whether he loves her. He hesitantly says yes, and when she asks whether he would share her bed, perish alongside her, and sink into hell at her side, he bewilderedly agrees. She kisses him, calls it a gift, and leads him toward a deep cave set in a gorge where hooded figures gather.
Below, an orgy is under way. The women strip the pair, and the drugged air floods Joachim's sight with flashes and visions even as he couples with Nina. She brings him before the goat-headed celebrant to be initiated, guiding him to kiss the figure's heart and groin and then to drink from a boiling pot. When something firm touches his lips and he realizes the broth holds human flesh, he bolts in horror. Nina cries betrayal and has the cultists hurl him from a cliff, her deranged face the final sight to reach him before the dark closes in.
He lives. Claiming to be an escaped prisoner of the heretics, he seeks out the Holy Iron Chain Knights, and at Farnese's request leads them to the lair. Waiting at the cave mouth, his worry is plain enough that Jerome rightly guesses he knows someone inside. Joachim outlasts the Incarnation Ceremony by staying hidden in the mountains, then seeks Nina out to apologize for abandoning her. She forgives him, and the two are last shown setting off together as equals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Joachim in Berserk?
Joachim survives being thrown from a cliff by the Great Goat cult after Nina turns on him during his initiation. He later leads the Holy Iron Chain Knights to the cult's lair and eventually reunites with Nina, who forgives him.
Why does Joachim follow Nina into the cult's lair?
Besotted with the prostitute Nina, Joachim trails her into the Great Goat's orgy despite his fear, after she asks him whether he would share her bed, perish alongside her, and sink into hell at her side.
Why does Nina have Joachim thrown from a cliff?
During his initiation into the cult, Joachim realizes the broth he is told to drink contains human flesh and bolts in horror. Nina, feeling betrayed, has the cultists hurl him from a cliff.
How does Joachim help the Holy Iron Chain Knights?
Claiming to be an escaped prisoner of the heretics, Joachim seeks out the Holy Iron Chain Knights and, at Farnese's request, leads them to the cult's mountain lair.
Does Nina forgive Joachim in Berserk?
Yes. After the Incarnation Ceremony, Joachim seeks Nina out to apologize for abandoning her, she forgives him, and the two are last shown setting off together as equals.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Joachim? The Berserk Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Berserk anime series, manga, and official materials. Berserk was created by Kentaro Miura, published by Hakusensha, and animated by OLM. All rights to Berserk and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byKentaro Miura
- Published byHakusensha
- Animated byOLM
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Anime, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
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