How many projects have we seen die after its creator passes away? It’s only on rare occasions that we have seen a project outlive its original creator and even at that, the authenticity and originality aren’t always there. Fans of Berserk will be hoping their beloved manga doesn’t befall the same fate because while they are happy that the show is coming back after Kentaro Miura died, it’s not clear if the new people behind it will be able to deliver.
When Did Berserk Start?
Berserk is 36 years old as it began publishing in 1989. It was first published in a magazine known as Monthly Animal House for four years before that particular magazine was replaced by a bi-monthly magazine known as Young Animal in 1994. The manga continued in Young Animal.
The story centers around the main protagonist Gut, a swordsman who has existed since the medieval era. After overcoming personal struggles, he embarks on a fight against demons, corrupt individuals, and other horrors. His primary goal is to kill Griffith, the charismatic leader of a mercenary group he was once friends with.
The Berserk manga has published a total of 41 volumes to date, comprising 370 chapters. A breakdown of the story arcs is as follows; Black Swordsman Arc (Volumes 1 to 3), Golden Age Arc (Volumes 3 to 14), Conviction Arc (Volumes 14 to 21), Millennium Falcon Arc (Volumes 22 to 35), and Fantasia Arc (Volumes 35 to 41).
The manga series has been so successful that it has spurned movies and TV series. The first TV series comprising 25 episodes was aired between 1997 and 1998. A second TV series comprising 24 episodes broken down into 2 seasons of 12 episodes each was aired from 2016 to 2017.
There is also a Berserk film series that covers the Golden Age Arc. The first on the list is The Egg of the King released in February 2012. After that came The Battle for Doldrey and The Advent released in June 2012 and February 2013, respectively. In between these releases, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition, a 13-part TV series based on the aforementioned three films, was released. The first episode aired on October 2, 2022.
I just completed the #Berserk 1997 anime and it was really good overall! Definitely better than I expected it to be despite its slow pacing. It had great animation, superb soundtrack, amazing voice-acting and a good OP & ED. I love the fact that it was faithful to the manga too!! pic.twitter.com/bTirnQivWV
— The Mighty Otakuman (@OtakumanThe) September 21, 2021
Is Berserk Over?
Berserk continues as the death of Kentaro Miura does not spell doom for the project. The manga will continue under the guidance of those who were closely connected with the author who created and wrote the story. There is Studio Gaga, Miura’s studio, which is staffed by his assistants and apprentices. Many of them have been with him for several years and have enough expertise to contribute to the illustrations and even the storylines of the manga.
Another person heavily involved in the project not dying with its creator is Kouji Mori. Miura and Mori were very close and often discussed the plot of Berserk. His knowledge of what Miura intended to do with the manga has been pivotal to its survival.
Berserk manga creator, Kentaro Miura has passed away. Berserk is one of the most influential mangas of all time. pic.twitter.com/HAsfrjKWbp
— IGN (@IGN) May 21, 2021
Will There Be New Berserk Chapters?
There will be new chapters of Berserk thanks to Studio Gaga and Kouji Mori, who have taken over the writing and illustration of the manga. The duo have been doing a good job thus far and fans are excited about what is to come.
Studio Gaga and Kouji Mori released their first work – chapters 365 to 370 which concludes the long-running Fantasia Arc – on June 24, 2022. After the chapters came out, the duo confirmed that there would be new story arcs. This inadvertently means that there are going to be new chapters of Berserk.
#Breaking News: Berserk: Ougon Jidai-hen (Berserk: The Golden Age Arc) anime movie trilogy gets Memorial Edition to air on TV in 2022; Yuuta Sano (Kaijuu no Kodomo 3DCG) directs Memorial Edition at Studio 4°C @berserk_mePR #BERSERK #ベルセルク pic.twitter.com/VUAP2hHAn7
— MyAnimeList (@myanimelist) June 21, 2022
Key Facts About Berserk
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Berserk |
| Author | Kentaro Miura |
| Genre | Dark Fantasy, Action, Horror |
| Publication Start | 1989 |
| Status | Ongoing (posthumously continued by Miura’s assistants under Studio Gaga) |
| Main Protagonist | Guts, a lone mercenary with a tragic past, known for wielding a massive sword |
| Antagonist | Griffith, former friend turned foe, who sacrifices his comrades for power, transforming into the God Hand member Femto |
| Setting | A dark, medieval-inspired fantasy world filled with supernatural creatures, war, and moral ambiguity |
| Plot Themes | Revenge, betrayal, struggle for freedom, human nature, and survival |
| Iconic Elements | The Dragonslayer sword, the Brand of Sacrifice, Behelit (a mysterious amulet that enables transformation into an Apostle) |
| Notable Arc | The Golden Age Arc, a fan-favorite, explores Guts’ backstory, his time with the Band of the Hawk, and his friendship-turned-rivalry with Griffith |
| Legacy | Widely regarded as one of the greatest manga series for its intricate art, complex characters, and exploration of dark and mature themes |
| Impact on Media | Influenced numerous video games (Dark Souls, Final Fantasy), anime, and manga series |
| Adaptations | Several anime adaptations, including a 1997 series and a 2016-2017 CGI series, as well as film adaptations covering the Golden Age Arc |
| Awards | Winner of the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize (2017, posthumously for Miura) |
| Author’s Passing | Kentaro Miura passed away in 2021; his team, Studio Gaga, continues the story following his outlines and notes. |
When and How Does Berserk End?
Fans can speculate all they want but no one knows how Berserk will end. Of course, an end is inevitable but how and when it will happen is anyone’s guess. Studio Gaga and Mori can only do so much to keep the story going.
Some people believe that Gut will die at the end of the story but will kill Griffith first. They also believe that his love interest Casca will survive. Such an ending will be bleak compared to what occurred in chapter 364 (the last chapter by Kentaro Miura, which was thought to be the ending of the work), where Casca was reborn with her memory intact. She and Gut, who drops his hatred for Griffith, also become a couple and live happily ever after.
