Berserk stands as one of the most influential manga series ever created. Since its debut in 1989, this dark fantasy epic has captivated millions of readers worldwide with its brutal storytelling, complex characters, and stunning artwork. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious about what makes this series so special, here’s everything you need to know about Berserk manga.
What Is Berserk Manga?
Berserk is a Japanese manga series created by Kentaro Miura that combines dark fantasy elements with medieval European-inspired worldbuilding. The story centers on Guts, a mercenary warrior wielding a massive sword called the Dragon Slayer, and his complex relationship with Griffith, the charismatic leader of a mercenary group known as the Band of the Hawk.
The manga explores themes of betrayal, revenge, friendship, and the cost of ambition in a world filled with supernatural horror and visceral combat. Set in a gritty medieval fantasy setting, Berserk doesn’t shy away from depicting consequences—every action leaves lasting scars on both characters and the world around them. By August 2025, the series had accumulated over 70 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga franchises of all time.
The Story Arcs: A Deep Dive into Berserk’s Timeline
Berserk spans several interconnected story arcs, each building on the previous one to create a cohesive narrative journey. Understanding these arcs helps readers grasp why Berserk resonates so deeply with fans.
The Golden Age Arc (Volumes 3-14) serves as the foundation of Berserk’s narrative. This arc introduces Guts joining the Band of the Hawk and climbing the ranks alongside Griffith and Casca, a talented female commander. The story builds Guts’ emotional connection to these companions, making readers care about their fates. The arc culminates in the Eclipse, a cataclysmic supernatural event where Griffith, after sacrificing the entire Band of the Hawk to dark forces, is reborn as Femto, a godlike being. Guts loses his right eye and left arm during this tragedy, setting the stage for his quest for revenge.
The Conviction Arc (Volumes 14-21) follows Guts as he hunts apostles—humans transformed into demons—while desperately seeking to rescue Casca, who lost her sanity during the Eclipse. This arc is darker and more violent, showcasing Guts’ raw pain and determination as he battles both monsters and religious zealotry. Farnese, a noblewoman fleeing the church, joins Guts during this period, eventually becoming one of his most loyal companions.
The Falcon of the Millennium Empire Arc (Volumes 22-35) depicts Griffith’s rise to power as he establishes his own kingdom in Midland. Meanwhile, Guts assembles a new group of companions and continues his search for a way to save Casca and confront Griffith. This arc expands the scope of the story beyond personal revenge to include larger political and supernatural implications.
The Fantasia Arc (Volumes 35-43) represents the current ongoing storyline, taking Guts and his companions to Skellig Island, a magical realm of fairies and witches. The arc explores new dimensions of magic and the supernatural while continuing the central conflict between Guts and Griffith. Recent chapters, published in 2025, show Guts and his crew facing new challenges as they work toward saving Casca and understanding their fate.
Why Berserk Resonates With Readers
Berserk’s appeal stems from several factors that set it apart from typical manga and anime. The series never pulls punches—characters die unexpectedly, victories come at devastating costs, and happy endings feel earned rather than guaranteed. This unpredictability keeps readers invested because nothing feels safe.
The character development is extraordinary. Guts transforms from a traumatized survivor into a determined protector, learning to trust and build relationships despite his pain. Casca’s journey from confident warrior to vulnerable survivor and her gradual recovery adds emotional depth. Even antagonists like Griffith are portrayed with nuance, showing his tragic ambitions and humanity before his transformation.
The artwork by Kentaro Miura is painstakingly detailed, with intricate panel compositions that guide readers through intense action sequences and intimate character moments. Miura’s attention to detail—from armor designs to background environments—creates an immersive dark world that feels lived-in and believable.
The Berserk Influence on Gaming and Pop Culture
Berserk’s impact extends far beyond manga and anime into gaming and mainstream culture. The most notable influence is on FromSoftware’s acclaimed Souls series, including Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has cited Berserk as a major inspiration, and this influence shows in character designs, enemy concepts, environmental storytelling, and thematic elements.
Characters like Artorias from Dark Souls echo Guts’ journey—both become consumed by darkness despite fighting against it. Environmental design in both franchises mirrors Berserk’s medieval fantasy aesthetic mixed with supernatural elements. Even specific items, like the Red Eye Orb in Dark Souls, reference Berserk’s iconic Behelit.
Beyond gaming, Berserk has influenced countless creators in animation, comics, and literature. The series helped legitimize manga and anime in Western markets by proving that the medium could tell complex, mature stories with artistic depth. In recent years, the gym and fitness communities have embraced Berserk imagery and symbolism, with many enthusiasts sporting the “Brand of Sacrifice” tattoo—a mark that appears on Guts’ neck in the series.
Adaptations: From Anime to Screen
Berserk has received multiple anime adaptations over the decades, each with varying degrees of success. The 1997 anime adaptation is still beloved by fans for its faithful storytelling and atmospheric presentation, despite being limited by 90s animation technology.
The Golden Age Arc trilogy (2012-2013) adapted the most celebrated portion of the manga into three theatrical films. These movies maintained the narrative’s emotional weight while translating Miura’s artwork into motion.
The 2016-2017 anime series covered the Conviction and early Falcon arcs using CGI animation, which proved controversial among fans. While the storytelling remained solid, the animation quality sparked debates about whether CGI was the right choice for Berserk’s detailed visual style.
In 2024, Studio Eclypse announced a new fan-driven anime project called “Berserk: The Black Swordsman,” scheduled for 2025 release. This project generated significant excitement from fans frustrated with previous adaptations.
Where to Read and Watch Berserk
For manga readers, the official English translation is published by Dark Horse Comics and is available in physical form at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and specialty bookstores. Digital versions are available on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and through Dark Horse’s website, often at discounted prices during sales.
Unlike many popular manga, Berserk doesn’t have a dedicated subscription service like Shonen Jump+. However, Mangamo, a manga subscription app, has been adding Dark Horse titles, suggesting Berserk could become available there in the future.
For anime viewing, both seasons of the 2016-2017 series are available on Crunchyroll and HBO Max (subbed), while Prime Video offers dubbed versions. The 1997 series is accessible on YouTube, making it easy for newcomers to start there.
The official digital edition is available through Young Animal Magazine on hakusensha-e.net for around $3 per chapter, though it’s only available in Japanese.
The Legacy and Current Status
Kentaro Miura, Berserk’s creator, passed away on May 6, 2021, at age 54, shocking fans worldwide. However, his legacy didn’t end with his death. Miura’s close friend and fellow manga artist Kouji Mori, along with Studio Gaga, resumed the series in June 2022 with the credit line reading “Original work by Kentarō Miura, manga by Studio Gaga, supervised by Kouji Mori.”
This continuation has been significant for longtime fans. New volumes have been released, with Volume 43 hitting Japanese shelves in August 2025, containing Chapters 374-382. The western release of Volume 42 arrived in March 2025. The fact that Berserk is still being published over three years after Miura’s death demonstrates the series’ cultural significance and the dedication of those closest to him.
Recent chapter releases in 2025 show renewed momentum for the series, with chapters 379 and 380 publishing within weeks of each other—a notable achievement given the historical publication delays that plagued the original run due to Miura’s health struggles.
Conclusion
Berserk manga represents more than just entertainment—it’s a testament to the power of storytelling and artistic vision. Its influence on gaming, anime, manga, and pop culture at large can’t be overstated. The series tackles complex themes of struggle, betrayal, and human resilience through characters that feel genuinely real despite existing in a dark fantasy world.
Whether you’re drawn to intricate artwork, compelling character arcs, brutal action sequences, or philosophical exploration of fate and free will, Berserk manga delivers on all fronts. The fact that Studio Gaga continues the series today shows that Miura’s creation transcends his physical absence, living on through the passion of those who cherish it. If you haven’t experienced Berserk yet, starting with the manga or the 1997 anime adaptation is the best entry point into one of the most unforgettable stories ever told in the medium.
