Cyberpunk and Berserk: post-human consequences in Carlos Gardini’s short storie “Primera línea”

Abstract

Science fiction has chiseled images of possible universes, while 21st century has proven the fusion between fantasy and technology with detonating effects on human existence. The Short story “Primera línea” from Argentinean writer Carlos Gardini recounts the transition of soldier Cáceres from the trench where he got crippled until the reconstruction of his body with bionic pieces and his incorporation into the MUTIL military unit and is highlighted as Berserk or elite human weapon. From a transmedia comparative, Gardini’s narrative exposes elements that coincide with the film Terminator, the animes Evangelion, Alita, and the video game Doom, regarding a post-human universe immersed in conflicts similar to those that occurred in historical memory but with the appropriation of future technology. The study applies theoretical postulate about posthuman from Italian philosopher Rosi Braidotti about the denial of human from technology. Likewise, is identified in Gardini’s tale the Cyberpunk element and it is concluded that soldier Cáceres, a new Berserk, leaves his own humanity to become another military tool