I did. I also read the manga.
There are two different feelings fighting in me according to this anime... I disliked the blood. I don't know if that was intended, but the effect was overworked. After the 10th fight, in which Guts/Gutz/Gats killed 100 men, it became boring. War and violence seemed to be the only way to solve any problem.... nothing new at all.

What I really liked was the portrayal of The Black Swordsman as a loner, who is seeking himself. And of course Griffith as the white light figure, who casts a pitch-dark shadow.

Hm... the characters were great, but the plot was too much black-and-white-painting. Here is the good and there is the evil..... the interesting thing is, that they didn't do that with the characters but with the story. In this respect it was okay.... the characters made up the plot for sure.

I think, I recommend this anime. But it is not at all suitable for sensetive souls.