Let's settle this finally. Should I start with manga or anime 1997?
Berserk
Yes.
Anime 1997 then stop there.
This
Just read the manga, watching anime, especially old anime, is for virgins.
True
1997 anime first, then the manga to see everything you missed. If you don't like the basic premise of the anime, don't go any further. If you do like the anime, buckle of for the manga because it's a million times better. However, all the memes about the constant delays are no joke. I just jumped onto the Berserk train about a year ago and flew through the first 39 volumes, the read them again a few months later. There's no end in sight and Miura is getting old. It will likely never get a true ending.
As a virgin I can confirm this.
Just listen anime's ost while reading manga
read the manga