A detailed review of the Berserk manga

Wondering what makes Berserk one of the most controversial yet captivating manga series of all time? Read a detailed review of the Berserk manga to find out.

Berserk has become a manga classic, breaking new ground in the genre, influencing countless series, and gaining a dedicated following. This worldwide phenomenon has been adapted for various media forms, including anime TV series, film series, video games, novels, art books, and a guidebook.

Here we’ll take a closer look at the Berserk manga that started this craze (beware of spoilers!).

What is Berserk about?

Berserk is a dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Kentarō Miura. The series follows the story of Guts, a mercenary warrior drawn into the world of the God Hand, powerful beings who rule the supernatural realm. The story is set in the Kingdom of Midland, a fictional country inspired by medieval Europe.

Guts wields a large sword called the Dragon Slayer and travels with a mercenary group named the Band of the Hawk. The group was founded by Griffith, a charming visionary who has an insatiable desire for power.

Traveling with the Hawks, Guts learns the true value of brotherhood and loyalty, at least until things go horribly wrong.

Since the Berserk manga is known for its jarring transitions from relatively tame storylines to gore and despair, having a comic character is much appreciated. In Berserk, Guts’s companion Puck, a young elf, assumes this role.

Other notable characters in Berserk include:

• Casca, the only female member in the original Band of the Hawk
• Schierke, a good-hearted witch in training
• Flora, a powerful witch, who gives Guts a dangerous relic called Berserker Armor

• Farnese de Vandimion, a nobleman in charge of the Holy See's ceremonial guard
• The Skull Knight, a mysterious warrior who fights the God Hand

Berserk manga in order

Here's the publishing order of the Berserk manga in terms of the main arcs:

1. Black Swordsman Arc: Set in a bleak world, Guts, a lone mercenary with a mysterious past, seeks revenge against the God Hand and its demonic Apostles.
• Volume 1 to Volume 3
2. Golden Age Arc: Flashing back to Guts' youth, this arc recounts his tragic upbringing, his time with the mercenary band called the Band of the Hawk, and the fateful events that bind him to his nemesis, Griffith.
• Volume 3 (last part) to Volume 14
3. Conviction Arc: In the aftermath of the Eclipse, Guts seeks to rescue his former comrade Casca, resulting in a violent confrontation with the Holy See and a dark, zealous inquisitor named Mozgus.
• Lost Children Chapter: Guts confronts Rosine, an Apostle who has turned children into elf-like creatures, showcasing the deeper consequences of the Eclipse on the world.
• Volume 14 (last part) to Volume 16
• Binding Chain Chapter: Guts is captured by the Holy Iron Chain Knights led by Farnese, initiating a twisted relationship as she grapples with her own beliefs and Guts' relentless nature.
• Volume 16 to Volume 17
• Birth Ceremony Chapter: As Guts battles to save Casca from being burned as a witch, the Tower of Conviction becomes the ground for supernatural occurrences, culminating in a confrontation with the monstrous Apostle Mozgus.
• Volume 17 to Volume 21
4. Falcon of the Millennium Empire Arc: As Griffith returns and establishes his own kingdom, Guts forms a new band to challenge him and the apostles, culminating in an epic war against the Kushan Empire.
• The Holy Evil War Chapter: As Griffith reincarnates into the world and starts amassing a new army, Guts, with his group, faces off against the formidable Kushan forces, all leading to a climactic showdown.
• Volume 22 to Volume 35
5. Fantasia Arc: With the world transformed by Griffith's actions, blending reality with fantasy, Guts and his band travel to the magical island of Skellig, seeking a cure for Casca's affliction.
• Falconia Chapter: As the world merges with the Astral realm and mythical creatures abound, Griffith establishes Falconia, a safe haven, while Guts' party seeks sanctuary on Skellig Island to heal and regroup.
• Volume 36 and ongoing

Explaining the appeal of the Berserk manga

Berserk manga has cemented itself as one of the most influential and appealing manga series of all time. The series owes its popularity to a combination of factors, including intense seinen storytelling, excellent character development, and unprecedented exploration of mature themes.

The manga's dark fantasy setting, combined with its detailed artwork and well-crafted world-building, has also contributed to its popularity.

Readers of the Berserk manga have highlighted the following details as the most appealing:

• Thrilling action and fight sequences
• The blurring of the lines between good and evil
• Terrifying lore related to the nature of the demons
• Gripping revenge storytelling
• A layered male protagonist
• A well-developed central antagonist
• Unique allies
• Extravagant weapons

About the author

Kentarō Miura was the author and illustrator of Berserk from its first volume in 1989. Miura was known for his graphic storytelling and detailed artwork, which helped turn the series into a worldwide phenomenon. Miura cited the Fist of the North Star manga series as having the greatest impact on his unique art style.

Following his death from an acute aortic dissection in 2021, the Berserk series went on a hiatus. During this time, the series remained as popular as ever. The first eight volumes of Dark Horse Comics' deluxe edition of Berserk ranked high on Amazon's top 100 overall best-selling book list shortly after Miura’s death announcement.

In 2022, Young Animal, Hakusensha’s manga magazine that has published Berserk since 1992, announced that the series would continue. The new chapters would be supervised by Miura’s fellow manga artist and childhood friend Kouji Mori and his team at Studio Gaga, a manga production studio Miura founded.

Their plan was to conclude the Fantasia Arc and the Elf Island Chapter before moving on to a new arc.

As far as serialization goes, fans are waiting for the newest chapter, Berserk Chapter 372. The exact release date remains unknown but should be announced at the beginning of 2023.

A chronology of Berserk anime adaptations

The Berserk manga series has received numerous adaptations throughout the years. Still, the film and television Berserk anime adaptations remain the best-known and most popular Berserk adaptations.

If you can’t get enough of this manga series, here’s how to watch the anime adaptations chronologically:

1. Berserk (1997): A TV series consisting of 25 episodes and covering the Black Swordsman Arc
2. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the King (2012): An anime film 
3. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II – The Battle for Doldrey Ends (2012): An anime film 
4. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III – The Advent (2013): An anime film 
5. Berserk (2016): A TV series consisting of 24 episodes and covering the Conviction and Hawk of The Millennium Empire Arcs

Differences between the Berserk manga and anime

The Berserk manga, crafted meticulously by Kentaro Miura, is revered for its intricate storyline, profound character development, and unparalleled dark artistry. When adapted to the anime format, particularly the 1997 television series, several distinctions emerge.

The Berserk anime covers primarily the Golden Age Arc but omits certain characters, events, and details that are present in the manga. Additionally, the ending of the Berserk anime leaves out crucial events of the Eclipse, resulting in an abrupt and less elucidative conclusion compared to the manga.

Furthermore, the deep and hauntingly detailed artwork of the manga, which plays a pivotal role in setting the tone and ambiance of the Berserk world, is inevitably diluted in the anime due to animation constraints of the time. While the anime introduces the essence of Berserk to viewers, many aficionados argue that the manga offers a more immersive and comprehensive experience of Miura's dark vision.

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FAQ

Is Berserk manga disturbing?

Yes, the Berserk manga is considered disturbing. It contains graphic violence, boldly gory scenes, sexual violence, and other mature themes. Many readers consider Casca's fate during the Eclipse to be the most disturbing part of this series.

Is Berserk Chapter 364 the last chapter?

No, Berserk Chapter 364 isn’t the last chapter of the manga series. However, it is the last chapter Kentarō Miura penned before his death in 2021.

Does Berserk manga have blood?

Yes, the Berserk manga contains blood. The bloody and gory action scenes aren’t for the squeamish, but they authentically depict the brutality of a war.

What is the Berserk manga called in Japanese?

In Japanese, the Berserk manga is called ベルセルク.

Where can I read the Berserk manga?

You can read the Berserk manga online, on platforms like Viz Media and Manga Plus. Besides all Berserk volumes, you can find a large selection of other popular manga titles on these platforms, such as Naruto, One Piece, and Attack on Titan.