#theme: staging

It's just so humbling to see, tbh. Griffith allowing Guts all the power in this situation despite their respective roles as soldiers, because it's not about that here. He invited Guts over to a familiar place, he made an effort to make Guts feel comfortable sitting with him (giving him something to engage with). They're hanging out. They're vibing. (Guts comments about how there's more books than the last time, indicating he's been in similar situation with Griffith before, very nice inclusion Miura.)

For a minute they're on the same level. Griffith hands him the kama sutra, invites Guts to read it, and Guts does! He sits his happy ass right down to engage in some activity mirroring with his best boy, easy. It cute! It's representative of how their dynamic could be off the battlefield, just mutual engagement.

But the second Griffith makes his request Guts has the upper hand again.

Guts stands up, he crosses the distance between them easily, getting back into Griffith's space.

And when Griffith gets to the point, that he wants someone killed? There's no grandstanding, there's no epic speech or proclamation. He keeps his ass in his chair and his body language open and let's Guts come to him. And it's so obvious that Guts is taking this request seriously, look at all those thoughtful speech bubbles. Griffith makes a point to detail everything for Guts, offering him more power. He didn't have to go over the how's and why's for Guts here, he didn't have to describe what the hell an assassination was. But he did in order for Guts to make an informed decision. And Guts is processing each of these points Griffith is willingly handing over in a moment of vulnerability.  

"I still haven't talked about this with anyone." 

Ultimately, the decision is up to Guts. It's an olive branch.

What Griffith is saying here is: Participate in this with me. Let's do this together. You're the only one I can trust with this.

It's an honest to goodness collaboration. Griffith does the research, he hires the goons, and Guts makes the kill. 

And like, whether Guts realizes this is happening is definitely tricky. My read is that he understands it intrinsically, at least. That boy be feeling their connection in some kinda way damn near every chapter, even if it's only on an instinctual level. He doesn't get the nuance Griffith is affecting here (does he ever? He hates The Royal Game and shits on it constantly lmfao) but whether it's a request or an order Guts is doing it because he dedicated himself to this man. He wants to.

And just, holy shit does this enforce Guts overall narrative in GA about belonging and family and carving a place for himself. About bonds. It's Guts' bond with Griffith that allows Guts (and the entire band, but this isn't about them rn) to reach places they never thought they could reach. And for Guts that's a place where he is understood, respected, encouraged, and loved. A place Griffith made for Guts at his side.

Anyway the empowered Guts continues!

In this position not only is he higher on the stage than his target…

But also, satisfyingly, he's reached a position above Griffith through their collaboration. This is literally the next chapter. We go from Guts standing over Griffith in the office to Guts standing over everyone within the vicinity of the Brother of the King. Guts is so damn elevated here. My man Griffith's effect is just that strong.

Miura's staging is just that strong. 

Eventually I want to get into how this flows expertly into the Promrose Hall Speech, but that's where things take a dark turn and I want to focus on the positive impact Griffith has on Guts for a bit.