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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Berserk
Miura premiered a prototype of Berserk in 1988. The series began the following year
in Hakusensha's manga magazine Monthly Animal House [ja], which was replaced in
1992 by the semimonthly magazine Young Animal, where Berserk has continued its
publication. Following Miura's death in May 2021, the final chapter that he worked
on was published posthumously in September of the same year; the series resumed in
June 2022, under supervision of Miura's fellow manga artist and childhood friend
Kouji Mori [ja] and Miura's group of assistants and apprentices from Studio Gaga.
Berserk was adapted into a 25-episode anime television series by OLM, which covered
the Golden Age story arc, and was broadcast from October 1997 to March 1998. The
Golden Age arc was also adapted into a trilogy of theatrical anime films; the first
two films premiered in 2012 and the third film premiered in 2013. A second 24-
episode anime television series adaptation was broadcast for two seasons in 2016
and 2017.
By September 2023, the Berserk manga had over 60 million copies in circulation,
including digital versions, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all
time. It received the Award for Excellence at the sixth installment of the Tezuka
Osamu Cultural Prize in 2002. Berserk has been widely acclaimed, particularly for
its dark setting, storytelling, characters, and Miura's detailed artwork.
Plot
See also: List of Berserk characters
Guts was born from the hanged corpse of his mother and raised as a mercenary by his
abusive adoptive father, Gambino, following the death of his adoptive mother,
Shisu. After being forced to kill Gambino in self-defense, Guts fled his mercenary
group and became a wandering mercenary. His reckless yet powerful fighting style
attracts the attention of Griffith, the leader of a mercenary group called the Band
of the Hawk, which he makes Guts join after defeating him. The kingdom of Midland
hires the Band to aid them in their war against the Chuder Empire, and Guts learns
of Griffith's desire to rule his own kingdom and of the pendant he possesses,
called the Behelit. After the demonic warrior Nosferatu Zodd spares them, he warns
Guts that he will die for being Griffith's friend.
As Griffith befriends Midland's nobility and the king's daughter, Charlotte, Guts
begins to develop feelings for Casca, another Hawks commander and the only female
member. After overhearing Griffith confess to Charlotte that he only considers
someone with their own dream as a friend, Guts decides to leave the group to find
his own dream, a decision that Griffith refuses unless Guts defeats him in a duel.
When Guts wins, Griffith descends into a downward spiral that culminates in his
arrest after he seduces Charlotte. He loses the Behelit while being subjected to
torture, and the Midland army declares the Hawks to be outlaws. Soon after, a
mysterious being known as the Skull Knight warns Guts that his actions have
triggered an Eclipse and, after learning of the Hawks' predicament, he rejoins them
to rescue Griffith. At this time, he and Casca consummate their feelings for each
other.
After rescuing Griffith, the Hawks learn that his torture has left him incapable of
leading them. When Griffith regains his Behelit, it uses his blood to initiate the
Eclipse, a convergence of the physical and astral realms. During the Eclipse, the
Hawks encounter a quartet of archdemons known as the Godhand, who reveal that
Griffith has been chosen as their fifth member and can only do so if he sacrifices
his comrades, which he accepts. After being branded with sigils that mark them for
sacrifice, the Hawks are slaughtered by the Godhand's Apostles—former humans turned
demons who, like Zodd, gained power by sacrificing their loved ones—and only Guts
and Casca survive. Griffith, who has become the fifth Godhand, Femto, rapes Casca,
and Guts loses his left forearm and right eye while trying to save her; although
the Skull Knight rescues them, the ordeal traumatizes Casca. After learning from
the Skull Knight that the Brands of Sacrifice make them targets for beings of
darkness, Guts leaves Casca in the care of the blacksmith Godo, his adoptive
daughter Erica, and Rickert, the youngest member of the Band of the Hawk, who
survived because he was not present at the Eclipse. After Godo gives Guts a new
sword, Dragonslayer, and Rickert gives him a prosthetic left arm, Guts begins
hunting the Apostles in search of the God Hand while being pursued by a demonic
phantom, the Demon Child, which is in fact his and Casca's unborn child that became
deformed after Femto raped her.
Two years later, having killed many Apostles and becoming known as the Black
Swordsman, Guts is joined by the elf Puck, and is captured by Farnese, the captain
of the Holy See Church's Holy Iron Chain Knights, who believes that Guts is a
harbinger of the apocalypse. Guts escapes after saving Farnese and returns home to
Godo, where he learns that Casca has wandered off. His search for her takes him to
the ruined city of St. Albion, which the God Hand have prepared as the site for a
ceremony to give one of their own a physical form and which has become a refuge for
refugees fleeing the invading Kushan Empire's armies. Guts saves Casca from the
Holy See bishop Mozgus as the souls of the dead attack the city, creating a massive
Brand of Sacrifice, and is joined by Farnese, her bodyguard Serpico, and the young
thief Isidro. Meanwhile, an Apostle living under St. Albion consumes the Demon
Child and uses its body to restore Griffith to physical form.
After Guts fights Griffith and Zodd at Godo's home, Griffith realizes that some
traces of the Demon Infant remain within him. Hoping to find a land safe from the
demons and potentially heal Casca, Guts decides to travel with Casca to Puck's
homeland of Elfhelm on the island of Skellig, allowing Isidro, Farnese, and Serpico
to follow him out of fear that he will lose control of himself to his dark
impulses, which are embodied as the Beast of Darkness within his mind, with Farnese
becoming Casca's primary caretaker. Meanwhile, Griffith forms a second Band of the
Hawk with Zodd and other Apostles to save Midland from the Kushan Empire, which is
led by emperor Ganishka, a rogue Apostle.
Guts' party encounters the witch Flora, her apprentice Schierke and the elf Ivalera
while saving a village from trolls, and Flora gives him the Berserker Armor, which
increases his power but risks pushing his body beyond its limits and being consumed
by his inner darkness. Flora is later killed by Apostles, and after escaping, Guts'
party encounters a mysterious being they dub the Moonlight Child, who expresses
affection for Guts and Casca before disappearing after the full moon passes.
Meanwhile, the Skull Knight warns Guts to not abuse the Berserker Armor's power
while assuring him that Elfhelm's inhabitants can heal Casca's mind. While Guts and
his party secure a ship called the "Seahorse", which is captained by Farnese's
fiance, Prince Roderick, to reach Elfhelm in the wake of a Kushan attack on the
port city in which Guts and Zodd briefly ally to fight Ganishka in his Apostle
form, Ganishka transforms into an eldritch monstrosity and causes the physical and
astral realms to merge after being slain by Griffith. With the blessing of
Charlotte and the Holy See, Griffith establishes the city of Falconia to provide
refuge for the Midlanders and humanity from the creatures that manifested after the
realms merged.
After recruiting a merrow girl named Isma, Guts' party reaches Elfhelm; its elf
ruler, Danann, helps Farnese and Schierke in their magical training, and succeeds
in restoring Casca's mind. The Skull Knight introduces Guts to the creator of the
Berserker Armor and reveals his past with the Godhand and its leader, Void. The
Moonlight Child later reappears; it is revealed that he is the Demon Child, who can
take control of Griffith's host during a full moon. Griffith regains control of his
host and abducts Casca while destroying the island's spirit tree, unleashing
spirits that attack the island and cause Danann, Isma, and the other magical
creatures (except for Puck and Ivalera) to disappear into the Astral Realm. As the
survivors flee on the Seahorse, Guts breaks down in despair. Griffith returns to
the mainland with Casca, imprisoning her in Falconia in a fugue until she remembers
her companions and attempts to escape, only to lose consciousness upon recapture.
Guts is taunted by visions of his inner darkness that urge him to give in, but he
passes out as Kushan warriors invade the ship and are revealed to be under the
command of Silat, the leader of the Bakiraka warrior clan who Guts had previously
fought, and Daiba, a magician and former servant of Ganishka. Among the soldiers is
Rickert, who had escaped from Falconia along with Erica and the Kushan deserters.
The Kushan escort Guts and the rest of the party to their capital where Guts is
imprisoned as a precaution. Daiba informs them that Falconia's army has appeared on
the borders of the Kushan Empire and that the attack on Elfhelm is part of a wider
campaign by Falconia to have Griffith rule the world. As such, Daiba orders that
Guts and his party, Rodrick, the ships' crew, and Elfhelm's surviving sorcerers be
placed under his command as the empire prepares for war with Falconia.
Production
Development
While briefly working as an assistant to George Morikawa at 18, Miura had already
planned some ideas for Berserk's development, having a dark warrior with a gigantic
sword illustrated in his portfolio who would be the first conception of Guts.[5][6]
Miura submitted manuscripts to a shōnen manga magazine for about four years before
working for Hakusensha; however, he felt that he was not capable enough for it and
they were also not interested in publishing science fiction or fantasy works.[7] In
1988, while working with Buronson on a manga titled King of Wolves,[8] Miura
published a prototype of Berserk in Hakusensha's Gekkan ComiComi.[9][10] This 48-
page prototype placed second at the seventh ComiComi's Manga-School prize.[11] He
later submitted his work to a magazine that, at the time, "was on the verge of
going under," and he was switched around between several editors before meeting his
first editor.[7] The serialization of Berserk began in Hakusensha's Monthly Animal
House [ja] in 1989.[9][12] Miura commented that he landed the serial as soon as he
made his debut, so he never had the opportunity to receive much criticism from
editors.[7]
Miura said that Fist of the North Star, by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara, was the work
that had the greatest impact on his own work,[7] helping as well to develop his art
style.[17][18] Miura also mentioned animator and manga artist Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
and manga artist Fujihiko Hosono as early influences to his art style. Violence
Jack by Go Nagai and Guin Saga by Kaoru Kurimoto inspired the series' story and
atmosphere. Ranpo [ja] by Masatoshi Uchizaki served him as a reference for his
backgrounds.[17][18] Miura said that his favorite manga series was Dororo by Osamu
Tezuka, and that he wanted to create a fantasy work that possessed dark, "muddy"
and yōkai-like elements.[19] Miura stated that he learned the basics of
storytelling from George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars franchise, and called the
eponymous 1977 film his favorite work.[20][21][22] Miura commented about the
influence of shōjo manga on the series, stating that it is about "expressing every
feeling powerfully."[17][23] Particularly, he mentioned influence from Yumiko
Ōshima,[17][23] and that the anime adaptations of The Rose of Versailles and Aim
for the Ace!, both directed by Osamu Dezaki, inspired him to read The Rose of
Versailles manga and the works of Keiko Takemiya, mainly Kaze to Ki no Uta.[16][24]
Some aspects of Guts (personality and design) were partially inspired by Miura's
highschool friend and later fellow manga artist Kouji Mori [ja], by Mad Max's Max
Rockatansky and by Rutger Hauer's performances in Flesh and Blood, Blade Runner,
The Hitcher and The Blood of Heroes.[25][7][14][13] Guts' prosthetic hand was
inspired by Dororo's Hyakkimaru and Cobra's eponymous protagonist.[26] Kurt, the
protagonist of Pygmalio [ja], by Shinji Wada, and an illustration of a giant
wielding a sword, featured in The Snow Queen (Guin Saga spin-off), inspired the
size of Guts' sword, the Dragon Slayer, by mixing both characters' swords.[17][18]
Miura commented that when drawing the Dragon Slayer, he wanted to emulate the
effect of Kenshiro's or Raoh's (Fist of the North Star) fist "flying out from the
page," but he felt that Guts' sword did not have the same feeling of weight as a
fist. He wanted to convey an "extension of reality" feel to the sword, similar to
the depiction of the Fist of the North Star's Hokuto Shinken martial art, and make
it believable for the readers.[27] Miura stated that "Black Swordsman" Guts was the
first thing he was set on, but he did not have any idea about what his backstory
would be. He focused on the character development up until around the third or
fourth volume and then he would think about what brought him to revenge.[7]
Frequency
Berserk is known for its frequent and often extended hiatuses,[28] which date back
to late 2006.[29] Following a pause, three consecutive chapters about Guts'
childhood were published from June 8 to July 13, 2012;[30][31][32] the main
storyline resumed eight months later on October 12,[33][34] and the series went on
hiatus after a chapter published on December 28 of the same year.[35] Miura took a
break to work on his six-chapter mini-series Giganto Maxia,[36] and Berserk was
published intermittently from April 11 to September 26, 2014.[37][38][39][40] After
a 10-month hiatus, the manga resumed on July 24, 2015,[41] and was published
monthly until November 27 of the same year,[42] before entering on hiatus.[43] It
was published monthly from June 24 to September 23, 2016, before entering another
hiatus.[44][45][46] The manga resumed publication from March 24 to June 23, 2017,
[47][48][49] and was then published on a monthly basis from December 22 of the same
year to May 25, 2018.[50][51] Four months later, another chapter was published on
August 24, 2018, before entering an eight-month hiatus.[52][53] Two chapters were
published on April 26[54][55] and August 23, 2019.[56][57] Three chapters were
published on April 24,[58] July 22,[59] and October 23, 2020, respectively.[60] The
last chapter published in Miura's lifetime was released on January 22, 2021.[61]
On June 7, 2022, Hakusensha and Kouji Mori [ja] announced that the series would
continue publication, using plans and thoughts that were relayed to Mori by Miura
himself, as well as memorandums and character designs that Miura left behind.[72]
Mori related how he had visited Miura nearly 30 years ago when the latter was
drawing "the Eclipse" event of Berserk and how his friend completed the storyline
for the manga up to its last chapter that week. Mori explained that the story for
Berserk had since gone on "exactly as we discussed at the time, with almost no
changes."[72] As the only person who knows the ending Miura intended, Mori agreed
to continue the series and promised, "I will only write the episodes that Miura
talked to me about. I will not flesh it out. I will not write episodes that I don't
remember clearly. I will only write the lines and stories that Miura described to
me."[72]
In a 2023 interview, on the occasion of the 42nd volume release, Mori commented
that Miura "was a manga genius bursting with talent," and that "[h]e had an
eagerness to see things through to the end as well as an outstanding ability to
paint, conceive stories and employ narrative devices effectively." For this reason,
Mori initially concluded that it would be impossible to keep the series going
without Miura, but he changed his mind after meeting with the members of Studio
Gaga, who had worked under Miura, to perfect the unfinished last Berserk chapter
that Miura had worked on. Mori recalled thinking: "The thought that Miura would be
mad at me doing nothing motivated me to reach a decision." About his taking over
from Miura in connection with the series, Mori stated that he still had mixed
feelings: "It may be unforgivable for me to do it, now that Miura is no longer
here," reiterating as well: "I will never add my own twist. I will simply remember
and convey what Miura told me."[73]
Berserk has continued with the credits appearing as "original work by Kentaro
Miura, art by Studio Gaga, supervised by Kouji Mori".[72][65][74] The "Fantasia
Arc/Elf Island Chapter" finished with chapters released from June 24, 2022,[65][75]
to May 26, 2023;[76] a new story arc started on September 22 of the same year.[76]
Themes
Berserk explores a wide range of themes and topics. Free will, destiny, and
causality are discussed within the series.[77][78][79] Human resilience is a
recurring theme, with many characters coming from traumatic backgrounds, constantly
struggling against an unjust world.[79][80] Guts struggles with destiny itself and
is constantly resisting the pull of predetermination.[77] Griffith also embodies
this idea of resilience, by chasing his dream of ruling his own kingdom, despite
his lowborn origins, as well as free will, by his own decision to sacrifice the
Band of the Hawk in order to achieve his dream.[79]
The series also explores human nature and morality, as characters struggle between
becoming good human beings or falling into madness and evil.[81][80] Guts, at the
beginning of the story, is presented as an antihero who does not care about killing
and is indifferent to people who aid him. Guts does not act in accordance with
definitions of right and wrong, he operates within a gray area. Initially he does
not attempt to be heroic or protect the innocent, though his self-motivated actions
sometimes do so incidentally.[82][83] However, as the story progresses, it is shown
that he is in fact a person who is deeply conflicted internally.[84][85] His tragic
and traumatic past, unfolded in the Golden Age arc, shows Guts as a more complex
character.[86][82][80] Anne Lauenroth of Anime News Network wrote that Griffith is
"not evil at all," but "arrogant and brutally realistic about human nature." The
suppression of his own human nature would initiate his demise as the Hawk and the
rise of Femto.[79]
The Golden Age arc has been compared to a Greek tragedy.[93][94] According to
Lauenroth, Griffith's hamartia lies in how he compartmentalizes his feelings of
guilt and shame that would get in the way of his dream and how he deals to repress
them. His inner dialogue in his second duel with Guts, "If I can't have him, I
don't care," marks the Golden Age arc peripeteia.[79] When Guts comes running to
rescue him during the Eclipse, Griffith reaches his moment of anagnorisis with his
thought: "You're the only one... who made me forget my dream."[79]
Betrayal and revenge are major themes in the series. Guts suffered his first
betrayal when Gambino sold Guts' body to another soldier for a few coins. He would
eventually take revenge against the soldier, killing him on the battlefield and he
later would kill Gambino as well.[80][88] Guts is in a quest for revenge after his
comrades were betrayed by Griffith and sacrificed by the God Hand.[80] This desire
for vengeance has been his main reason of survival.[95][83]
Religion has been also touched in the series, mainly through the characters of
Mozgus and Farnese. Miura stated that he created Mozgus based on the concept of
rigid personality to create a religious fanatic character with no flexibility.[28]
Farnese is presented as the figurehead of the Holy Iron Chain Knights, inquisitors
tasked with burning heretics and witches at the stake.[96] After her encounter with
Guts, she finds it increasingly difficult to resolve her faith with the atrocities
she became party to, as Guts, inversely, takes action against something he
disagrees with. Guts denounces the very idea of prayer, claiming that the act of
clasping hands only prevents people from fighting for their lives. Farnese
eventually begins to reject her faith and the rigidity of her beliefs after finding
out the truth about Mozgus. After the battle between Guts and Mozgus, Farnese
decides to follow Guts, to find a new purpose in her life, away from her social
position and the church.[97]
Media
Manga
See also: List of Berserk chapters
Written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura, Berserk debuted in Hakusensha's Monthly
Animal House [ja] on August 25, 1989.[c] Hakusensha published the first tankōbon
volume of Berserk under its Jets Comics imprint on November 26, 1990.[101] In 1992,
Monthly Animal House was replaced by Young Animal,[98][102] where the series
resumed publication in October of that same year.[103] Miura continued the series'
irregular publication in the semimonthly magazine until his death in May 2021; the
series resumed in June 2022, under supervision of Miura's fellow manga artist and
childhood friend Kouji Mori [ja], with illustrations by Miura's group of assistants
and apprentices from Studio Gaga.[65] In June 2016, Hakusensha's Jets Comics
imprint was rebranded as Young Animal Comics, and the first thirty-seven volumes of
Berserk were re-published with new cover arts.[104] The posthumous 41st volume came
in both regular and special editions; the latter included special canvas art drawn
by Miura and a drama CD.[105][106][107] The 42nd volume was released on September
29, 2023.[108][109]
In North America, Dark Horse Comics, in conjunction with Digital Manga Publishing,
announced the license of the manga in 2003.[110] The first volume was published on
October 22, 2003.[111] As of November 2, 2022, 41 volumes have been published.[112]
In September 2018, Dark Horse Comics announced a deluxe edition of Berserk,
featuring hard covers and larger prints, with the first volume (collecting original
volumes 1–3) released on February 27, 2019.[113][114] The 14th and latest volume
(collecting original volumes 40, 41, and Berserk Official Guidebook) was released
on November 22, 2023.[115]
Anime
First series (1997–1998)
Main article: Berserk (1997 TV series)
Berserk was adapted into a 25-episode anime television series, produced by Nippon
Television and VAP, animated by Oriental Light and Magic, and directed by Naohito
Takahashi. The first episode begins with the Black Swordsman arc and shifts into
the Golden Age arc thereafter.[116] It was broadcast in Japan on Nippon TV from
October 8, 1997, to April 1, 1998.[117][d]
The second game, Berserk: Millennium Falcon Hen Seima Senki no Shō (ベルセルク 千年帝国の鷹篇 聖
魔戦記の章, Beruseruku Sennen Teikoku No Taka Hen Seima Senki no Shō, Berserk Millennium
Falcon Arc: Chapter of the Record of the Holy Demon War), was published by Sammy
Corporation exclusively in Japan on the PlayStation 2 in 2004.[136]
In a collaborative event with Dragon's Dogma, the weapons and armor sets from the
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc films were added to the game,[139] and Shin Megami
Tensei: Liberation Dx2 made characters as they appeared in the 2016 TV series
adaptation of Berserk playable.[140][141][142] In December 2021, the MMORPG Lineage
W announced a collaboration with Berserk, including the ability to play as Guts.
[143]
Novel
A spin-off novel, titled Berserk: The Flame Dragon Knight (ベルセルク 炎竜の騎士, Beruseruku
Enryū no Kishi), written by Makoto Fukami with illustrations by Kentaro Miura, was
released on June 23, 2017.[144] It is focused on the past of the new Band of the
Hawk's apostle Grunbeld.[145][146] In North America, the novel was published in
English by Dark Horse on April 17, 2019.[147]
Other media
Five Berserk art books and one guidebook have been released by Hakusensha:
With the publication of the 40th volume of the manga on September 18, 2018, a
promotional video, featuring actor Shigeru Matsuzaki portraying Guts, was streamed.
[170][171]
A drama CD, featuring the return of the 2016 anime's cast, portraying the
"Awakening" chapter of the manga, was published with the special edition of the
41st volume of the manga on December 24, 2021.[179][105]
Reception
The 1988 prototype chapter of Berserk placed second at the seventh ComiComi's
Manga-School prize.[180][11] The manga was a finalist for the second, third,
fourth, and fifth installments of the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 1998,[181]
1999,[182] 2000,[183] and 2001,[184] respectively. In 2002, Berserk earned Miura
the Award for Excellence at the sixth installment of the Tezuka Osamu Cultural
Prize, being awarded along with Takehiko Inoue, who won the Grand Prize for
Vagabond.[185][11][19] Berserk was one of the Manga Division's Jury Recommended
Works at the fifth and sixth installments of the Japan Media Arts Festival Awards
in 2001 and 2002, respectively.[186][187] Berserk: Birth of the Black Swordsman, a
15-second video commercial for the 2016 anime television series adaptation, was one
of the Entertainment Division's Jury Recommended Works at the 20th installment of
the Japan Media Arts Festival Awards in 2017.[188][189]
In 2016, Berserk ranked 38th on the 17th "Book of the Year" list by Da Vinci
magazine;[190] it ranked 44th on the 22nd list in 2022.[191] On TV Asahi's Manga
Sōsenkyo 2021 poll, in which 150,000 people voted for their top 100 manga series,
Berserk ranked 91st.[192][193]
In 2007, the manga received the prize of best seinen manga at the Japan Expo
Awards.[194] Berserk won the French AnimeLand's Anime & Manga Grand Prix for Best
Classic Seinen in 2008, 2009 and 2013.[195][196][197] It won the Spanish Manga
Barcelona award for the seinen category in 2013 and 2021.[198][199] The North
American fourteenth volume of Dark Horse Comics's deluxe edition has been nominated
for the Harvey Awards in the Best Manga category in 2024.[200]
Sales
Volumes 33–41 of Berserk debuted in the top six on Oricon weekly manga chart from
2008 to 2021;[e] volumes 34 and 40 debuted first in 2009 and 2018, respectively.
[202][208] By July 2015, the manga had over 27 million copies in circulation in
Japan and 8 million overseas;[210] over 40 million copies in circulation by January
2016;[211] over 50 million copies in circulation (including digital versions) by
May 2021;[212] over 55 million copies in circulation (including digital versions)
by October 2022;[213] and over 60 million copies in circulation (including digital
versions) by September 2023.[214]
Critical reception
Berserk has been widely acclaimed by critics. Reviewing the first volume, Michael
Aronson of Manga Life described Berserk as "a curious mix of medieval barbarism,
sorcery and futurist technology, combining ghouls, guns and gore. The result is
beautifully rendered badass action with enough bloody violence to keep fans of the
genre happy."[222] Publishers Weekly wrote: "Berserk offers a montage of merciless
violence and thrilling action sequences in a blend of pure fantasy and graphic
horror."[223] Grant Goodman of Pop Culture Shock wrote: "Berserk redefines what is
considered a well-written fantasy manga. There are few manga that come anywhere
close to creating a complex tale that includes medieval warfare, magic, and
horror."[83] Reviewing the first two volumes, Greg McElhatton of Read About Comics
wrote: "it's still hard to identify what about Berserk brings across such a
fascination. Is it the characters? The visual look of the monsters? The little
hints of a troubled past, like Guts' tattoo that oozes blood? All of the above? I'm
not sure, but I do know that I'm hooked."[224] In his review of the third volume,
Daniel Briscoe of The Fandom Post called the series "a tragic story of hatred,
violence, and innocence lost," adding that Miura "manages to pack so much emotion,
both good and bad, next to so much violence and gore I believe is a testament to
his writing and his artwork."[87]
In his review of the first six volumes, Satyajit Chetri of Rolling Stone wrote: "By
the end of the fifth volume, Berserk has morphed into a touching tale of humanity,
friendship and ambition. It is less about the blood spilt and more about the
choices made by the characters, the small twists that will ultimately turn friends
into nemeses."[225] Reviewing the twelfth volume, Eduardo M. Chavez writing for
AnimeOnDVD, commented that despite its long-running publication, "Berserk is as
shocking and unique as ever this far into the series. There are few titles out
there that can sustain the level of intensity and relevance as this."[94] In his
review of the twenty-first volume, Scott Campbell of Active Anime wrote: "The deep,
dark places that this manga travels to both in story and in artistic expression can
be as interesting and captivating as they are horrifying," adding that there are
not many other stories or manga quite like Berserk.[226] Writing for SciFi.com, Zac
Bertschy said: "Kentaro Miura has managed to create a story that's not only darkly
disturbing, but also absorbing and affecting on a deeper level than most manga
titles can achieve." Bertschy praised the story and character development,
concluding: "Not for the faint of heart, Berserk is perfect for mature manga fans
who like a little blood with their drama."[227]
In Manga: The Complete Guide, author Jason Thompson gave Berserk 4 out of four
stars. He called it "[a] blood-soaked sword-and-sorcery epic with elements of Clive
Barker's Hellraiser," and wrote: "Berserk's medieval European world of mud and
blood is so realistic—and drawn in such realistic detail—that when dark fantasy
elements begin to intrude upon it, they do so with a slow, dawning horror."[4]
Thompson, in a review for j-pop.com, also wrote: "Despite the slaughter, Berserk
doesn't feel as amoral as it could be; our hero is a killer, but given his well-
developed back story, his occasional tears of remorse seem more genuine than, say,
Crying Freeman's."[228] In another article, writing for Anime News Network (ANN),
Thompson said that Berserk started as "the story of a lone swordsman traveling the
world fighting demons with blood and sweat," and it was later turned into a
"fantasy RPG party of heroes with a magic-user, a thief, a fighter, some elves,
etc.," commenting that Miura apparently was "aiming the series at a younger age
group." Despite this, Thompson stated: "I'm still impressed by Miura's great art
and his ability to create such a long storyline with so much scope and (relative to
other manga, at least) so little filler. No other seinen fantasy manga has such
well-developed characters with such deep backstories, even for the minor
characters."[80]
Matt Fagaly, writing for Crunchyroll, analyzed Berserk's use of shōnen and shōjo
manga tropes in the Lost Children arc (volumes 14–16), which resulted in an
"entirely original and moving narrative." Fagaly commented about the arc
protagonist, Jill, and her hopeful words at the end of that story, further adding:
"I have never seen another Shonen or Shojo express this notion with the same
audacity, depth, and idiosyncrasy as Berserk."[229] Carl Kimlinger, writing for
ANN, in his review of the thirty-fifth volume, compared Guts' "monster-plagued"
trip to Elfhelm to the fantasy tales of Robert E. Howard and, in comparing the
volume to the previous ones, he wrote that series dropped down a notch, although he
stated that it was not a "disastrous drop," but "just the series falling back into
a comfortable, classical adventure mode."[230] Brittany Vincent of Otaku USA said:
"Berserk is undoubtedly one of the most unique and engaging Western-style fantasies
of all time."[90] Writing for Syfy Wire, Eric Frederiksen said: "Berserk is one of
the longest-running manga, and consistently one of the darkest out there, but also
one of the most emotionally powerful and rewarding."[77] Writing for Crunchyroll,
Peter Fobian expressed: "Berserk is one of the most deeply personal works I've ever
read, both for myself and in my perception of Miura's works. The series'
transformation in the past 30 years artistically and thematically is so singular
it's difficult to find another work that comes close."[231]
Artwork
Miura's artwork has been particularly praised by critics. Bertschy said that the
artwork is where Berserk "really shines," adding: "The cross-hatching work, the
level of detail, it's all stunning. Every page is a work of art, each scene drawn
with the outmost attention to detail and atmosphere." He compared the art to the
1950s horror comics from EC Comics and found it fitting to the series' "gruesome
nature." Bertschy concluded: "Miura is a fabulously talented artist and author, and
future manga series by him will be met with great anticipation."[227] Thompson
said: "Miura's art is one of the real attractions. The people may occasionally look
funky, but castles, knights, horses, and Baroque and Romanesque trappings are drawn
with detail and accuracy."[228] McElhatton wrote that he was "pretty unimpressed"
with Miura's art at first, but he changed his mind after the demons appeared,
stating: "Miura draws demons in such a wrong and disturbing manner that it's
unsettling. That's how demons should look, of course."[224] Publishers Weekly
wrote: "this work has a style characteristic of other 1980s manga, with sparse
dialogue, spectacular action sequences and gritty character art. The pencil shading
and use of shadows lend an ominous tone."[223] Campbell wrote: "You just can't know
what 'attention to detail' means until you read Berserk—it's rare when it comes to
what it has to offer to all the readers out there, so really it's no wonder that it
stands out as much as it does."[232] Campbell also commented: "The closest thing
visually that Berserk could be compared to might be Claymore, another very good
manga—but really Berserk is on a plain of its own."[226] Writing for Advanced Media
Network, Serdar Yegulalp said that the artwork of the first volumes are "a little
rougher and less polished than the later ones," but that after the eighth volume
"there is scarcely a page that doesn't look spectacular," adding that "Miura's
loving attention to detail on most any page or panel is stupefying."[233] Writing
for ANN, Casey Brienza stated: "Miura's artwork is exquisite and, remarkably, drawn
without the help of an army of assistants. And while he has been great right from
the first page of volume one, he has improved over the many years of working on
Berserk."[234]
In another review for Graphic Novel Reporter, Brieza wrote: "Unlike virtually all
other commercially successful manga artists, Miura produces his artwork without
assistants,[f] and the exquisite detail of this erotic-grotesque, Dungeons &
Dragons-esque high fantasy issues from his hand and his hand alone," adding that it
is "one that appeals to men and women alike."[237] Carlo Santos, reviewer from ANN,
wrote: "Miura's complete command of light and shadow gives every moment an
otherworldly quality—this is one of the few series that can honestly claim to
transport its readers to another time and place—and the attention to backgrounds is
a welcome sight when so many other artists are too lazy to be bothered."[238]
Kimlinger wrote that Miura's art "is among the most intricate, evocative and plain
beautiful art ever to be put to page and arranged cinematically. He draws
wonderfully expressive faces, awe-inspiring monsters, gorgeous armor and some of
the finest gore to be found just about anywhere."[239] Chetri described Miura's
otherworld featured in the first arc as "something a drug-addled MC Escher would
have painted," also noting homages to Hellraiser and H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu
Mythos, and called Miura a "splendid storyteller whose artwork is stark and bold
enough to bring the world of Guts to life magnificently."[225] Writing for IGN,
Bruna Penilhas commented that Miura's level of detail in his illustrations is
"impressive from start to finish," praising the design and features of his
characters, adding that he was able to "perfectly illustrate characteristics and
feelings such as pain, anger and sadness."[240] Alex Traub from The New York Times
commented about the comparison of Miura's drawings to Hieronymus Bosch's paintings,
particularly for Miura's images of "little human figures occupying sweeping
fantastical landscapes," adding: "Mr. Miura was known for his spectacular,
apocalyptic style; specific images—a humongous sword, a monster cloaked in shadow—
are immediately recognizable to his fans."[241]
Legacy
Berserk is regarded as one of the most influential dark fantasy works.[242][243]
[244][245] Peter Fobian, in an essay of the legacy and impact of Berserk, called it
a "monolith not only for anime and manga, but also fantasy literature, video games,
you name it," comparing its level of influence to Blade Runner, further adding:
"it's difficult to imagine what the world might look like without it, and the
generations of creators the series inspired."[231]
According to writer and editor Kazushi Shimada, series like Fullmetal Alchemist,
Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba or Jujutsu Kaisen would not have
existed if not for Berserk.[246] Some dark fantasy manga authors who have declared
influence from Berserk include Hajime Isayama (Attack on Titan),[247] Kazue Kato
(Blue Exorcist),[248] and Yana Toboso (Black Butler).[249] Other authors influenced
by Berserk include Makoto Yukimura (Vinland Saga),[250] Yūki Tabata (Black Clover),
[251] and Ryōgo Narita (Baccano! and Durarara!!).[252] Adi Shankar, producer of the
Castlevania animated series, said in an interview that he would like to adapt
Berserk, calling the "hyper-detailed beauty" of Miura's artwork a "true
masterpiece",[253] while Adam Deats, Castlevania assistant director, stated that
the show was inspired by Berserk.[241]
Critics like Gene Park of The Washington Post and Ramsey Isler of IGN stated that
Berserk started a visual trend of characters wielding giant swords that spread to
Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII, Dante from Devil May Cry, and Ichigo Kurosaki
from Bleach.[243][254]
Berserk has also inspired a number of video games, including the Dynasty Warriors
series,[255][256] the Final Fantasy series (considerably Final Fantasy VII and
XIV),[255][257] the Dark Souls series,[256] Bloodborne,[244] Sekiro: Shadows Die
Twice,[258] Elden Ring,[259][260] and Capcom's Devil May Cry and Dragon's Dogma
series.[261][139][262]
Finnish heavy metal band Battle Beast have written songs about Berserk, including
several on their 2013 self-titled album.[263][264] When guitarist Anton Kabanen
left Battle Beast in 2015, he formed Beast in Black and continues to write songs
about the series.[265] The deathcore band Brand of Sacrifice released the album God
Hand in 2019. Both the band and album are hugely inspired by Berserk.[266] In 2021,
deathcore band Slaughter to Prevail released a music video for their song "Zavali
Ebalo", which featured scenes from the Berserk 1997 anime series.[267]
See also
icon Speculative fiction/Horror portal
icon Speculative fiction portal
Notes
Following Miura's death in May 2021, Mori took on the role of "supervisor" of the
manga.
Consisting of Miura's former assistants: Yoshimitsu Kurosaki, Akio Miyaji,
Nobuhiro Hirai, Naohide Nagashima, Hideaki Sugimoto and Shigeru Kinoshita.[66]
It debuted in the magazine's October 1989 issue,[98] released on August 25 of that
same year.[99][100]
Berserk aired on Nippon TV on Tuesday midnight, effectively Wednesday at 1:45 a.m.
JST.[118]
Ranking of each volume:
33rd volume (2008): 3rd[201]
34th volume (2009): 1st[202]
35th volume (2010): 4th[203]
36th volume (2011): 3rd[204]
37th volume (2012): 2nd[205]
38th volume (2016): 3rd[206]
39th volume (2017): 2nd[207]
40th volume (2018): 1st[208]
41st volume (2021): 6th[209]
Despite Brieza's comment, Miura had assistants who helped him on Berserk.[235]
[236]
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