Berserk is a dark fantasy story created by Kentarou Miura. It began as a manga in 1989 and has since expanded into a multimedia franchise including anime adaptations, films, video games, and various merchandise. The series is known for its complex narrative, dark themes, and critically acclaimed artwork.
Manga[]
- Main article: Berserk (Manga)
The Berserk manga was first published in 1989 in Hakusensha's Animal House (now Young Animal). The story primarily follows the lives of Guts, a lone wanderer with a tragic past, and Griffith, the former comrade and nemesis of Guts, and unfolds in an epic medieval-like world filled with horror, fantasy, and moral dilemmas. The manga is celebrated for its intricate plot and detailed art, and it continues under the supervision of Miura's close friend Kouji Mori and the assistants at Studio Gaga who worked with him.
Anime[]
1997–1998 Series[]
- Main article: Berserk (1997 Anime)
The first anime adaptation aired from 1997 to 1998, covering the Golden Age Arc of the manga. It was produced by OLM, Inc. and directed by Naohito Takahashi.
2016–2017 Series[]
- Main article: Berserk (2016 Anime)
A second anime series was released in 2016 and ran until 2017, covering the Conviction Arc and Millennium Falcon Arc. It was produced by LIDENFILMS, GEMBA and Millepensee.
Film Trilogy[]
The Berserk: The Golden Age Arc film trilogy was produced by Studio 4°C and released from 2012 to 2013. The films are an adaptation of the titular Golden Age Arc, providing a cinematic retelling of the events covered in the 1997 anime series.
In 2022, it would be adapted to series format as Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - Memorial Edition.
Video Games[]
- Berserk: Millennium Falcon Arc - Flowers of Oblivion Chapter (1999)
- Berserk: Millennium Falcon Arc - Holy Evil War Chapter (2004)
- Berserk Musou (2016)
Card Game[]
- Main article: Berserk Trading Card Game
Books[]
- Berserk Illustrations File (1997) – The artbook contains illustrations from the early part of the series.
- Berserk 1998 Calendar
- Berserk: War Cry (1998) – The artbook features a collection of artwork from the manga.
- Berserk Visual & Story File (1999) – The artbook contains completely new illustrations pertaining to the plot of the game Berserk: Millennium Falcon Arc - Flowers of Oblivion Chapter.
- Berserk Characters & World (2009)
- Berserk Official Guidebook (2016) – The guidebook contains some artwork in addition to character and story information.
- Berserk: The Flame Dragon Knight (2017) – The novel covers the backstory of Grunbeld. It includes some completely new illustrations pertaining to the story and its characters.
- The Artwork of Berserk (2021)
Figures and Statues[]
Figures and statues produced for the Berserk franchise often feature iconic characters, scenes, and concepts from the manga. The leading companies producing such merchandise include Art of War, Prime 1 Studio, and Max Factory.
Great Berserk Exhibition[]
- Main article: Great Berserk Exhibition
The Great Berserk Exhibition is a traveling exhibition dedicated to showcasing the 32 years of work Miura produced for Berserk. This exhibition showcases original illustrations, models, and other media to celebrate the impact and legacy of the series. The exhibition has been featured in various locations in Japan, attracting a large number of visitors and providing an immersive view of the artistic process and thematic elements of the manga.