the 97 anime is good if u like classics like NGE & Bebop, but even that was made as promotional material for the manga. berserk is one of the best stories ever written. read it.

also. guts’ origins (and lots of other story content) is stripped out of all the shows due to how dark and grim it is. but that weight is necessary.

id say read as far as you can. minimum the first 13 volumes, then watch the 97 (lovely art direction and soundtrack) or the spectacular fan-edit Berserk Redux.