Berserk

Probably the greatest story of all time.

I have rated over 1300 TV shows and movies on IMDb. I'm not much of a manga reader; I've tried reading many great mangas but have never managed to get hooked. On the other hand, I've watched many great anime, movies, and TV shows. No story has ever intrigued me as much as this one. I couldn't stop thinking about the story years after watching the 1997 anime. I have now read the entire manga, and all I can say is that it is the greatest storyline of all time, the best plot I have ever come across. RIP Kentaro Miura, you are a genius.

I think it's safe to say that this is easily the greatest piece of fiction I have ever had the pleasure of reading. This series exceeded all my expectations and more. It is quite literally my favorite thing ever, and for good reason. The characters, storyline, and lore truly shape this incredible masterpiece of a series that I believe any manga reader should experience. Amidst all the brutal and badass moments and violence from the main protagonist, Guts, the scenes that struck me the hardest were the calm and passionate ones, which held significant development for Guts and the supporting cast. On the topic of Guts, he is easily one of the best-written characters I have ever encountered, if not the best. It was a true pleasure to follow his journey. Additionally, the artwork in this series is absolutely gorgeous and stunned me every time I progressed to new arcs and chapters. Seeing the art improve made the series even more enjoyable to read. On a less exciting note, it's only right to pay my respects to Kentaro Miura after his passing on May 6th, 2021. He has changed my life in so many ways, and it breaks my heart that he is gone. However, in a way, his work prepared me for this. What I mean is, he showed me a story of constant struggle and the reasons and benefits of pushing past those hard times because those moments are what make life worth living. Once again, I'd like to thank Miura and everyone else who worked on Berserk over the past 30+ years. Whether or not the series continues is something only time will tell after the release of chapter 364. However, if it doesn't, I am so glad that I was able to experience Berserk! In my eyes, it was the definition of "A Perfect Story"! Stay strong, strugglers.

Hear me out. There are different translations, so it's highly recommended (in case you want to re-read) to check them on various websites or apps. For instance, "I want a scar, from you too" could be translated as "A scar made by you" elsewhere. If the dialogue doesn't resonate with you, try other translations.

I read a more modern but quite complex version (especially when explaining what's happening), and I thoroughly enjoyed wrapping my mind around it for my first read. Now let's get down to business...

The ART IS BEAUTIFUL. I can't imagine the time they must've taken with all those details. It takes months or even years to update, which speaks volumes. I could put it in a museum and just be enthralled looking at it. On my screen, Berserk showed me their world as if it's just outside my door.

10/10 This manga is different; it feels different. The weight is heavier than any other manga I've read. It's very selfish and purely evil. To write a character like that—just what is going on in your head, Kentaro?

A man annihilating every devil he encounters. That's basically the plot. But he's only a man, what can a man do against the never-ending spawn of Satans? While reading, the first thing I think about is how tired he is, very, very tired. Then I see the fights coming up, and I feel depressed and drained for him. But it really makes what he wants to protect worthwhile. What he's trying to do is worth it. It's so conflicting and frustrating—all these emotions I've never felt before are so strong and hard to contain. That's why whenever he swings that sword, I feel satisfaction. Though the enraged emotions dissipate and come back, seeing his rage calms me down. As if he's a sacrifice that will take all the suffering to cleanse the turbulence in your heart and head. Whenever they fight back, it's so refreshing that it makes me giddy. In all anime and manga I've seen, THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN LONGING FOR.

Casca (the second in command of Griffith) is the strongest woman I've seen. Just the fact that the berserker trusts his back to her means she earned it (and an obvious indicator that she's hella strong). I admire her, the band of the Hawks, Guts, the characters here are truly amazing.

Having Casca as his mutual also gave me strength, even though I'm not there—I understand how important and amazing Casca is. I, myself, have fallen in love with her. She keeps me going in real life as well, add Guts' perseverance, and here I am, better than my former self. Of course, they're only fiction, but this manga showed me romance. A manga made me feel what love is like... all the romance in the world, and here I found it in these war companions. I love those two. Guts and Casca are deeply part of my life now.

This is an unforgettable experience. I wasn't able to sleep properly if I didn't read a few chapters. I learned that the more I try to be lazy about it, the more hours I'll spend on it later :3

It's enjoyable; be patient and keep on going. I promise it's really beautiful (｡・//ε//・｡). Such a masterpiece shouldn't be missed out.

To those people who can't get enough, watch reaction videos. It makes me happy seeing we're all threading to the same wavelength, feeling and thinking the same thing ^^

And lastly,

I hate you, Griffith.

This manga starts with a preview of the middle section of the book. In my opinion, this preview shouldn't have been included, and it seems the author was still undecided about the personality he wanted to give to Guts.

Next comes the arc that delves into Guts' past, "The Golden Age," which is incredible. At this point, it stands as one of the best manga ever written.

Returning to the present, following the initial preview, the manga begins to decline in quality. It remains very good, but I wouldn't call it a masterpiece anymore.

The artwork in the manga is exceptional throughout, deserving a 10/10. The imagination behind the creature designs is truly remarkable.

Unfortunately, it is an unfinished work due to the author's death. While the publisher continues to release new content, it's clear that it lacks the quality that Kentaro Miura brought to the series.

Kentaro Miura's "Berserk" is a monumental name in the manga world, often considered one of the finest in its genre. Praised by fans and critics alike, it has garnered numerous accolades and consistently ranks at the top of many lists, including MyAnimeList. While this review won't offer groundbreaking insights, it serves as a personal tribute to the late author, Kentaro Miura. May he rest in peace.

Berserk was first published in 1990, with its initial arc, "The Black Swordsman," spanning three volumes. Though arguably the weakest part of the story, it still carries the distinctive edge that Berserk is known for. While it may not fully engage readers with its characters, it excels in building a dark, eerie world. This introductory arc acts as an appetizer for the flawless storytelling that follows. Some readers are put off by its mature themes and grotesque imagery, which can be challenging. The Black Swordsman arc lacks the depth in storytelling and character development found in later arcs, focusing more on brutality. If someone finds this content off-putting, Berserk might not be for them. However, those intrigued by Guts' backstory and the world's state may choose to skip or push through this arc.

Following "The Black Swordsman," we enter "The Golden Age," where Berserk truly begins to shine. This relatively slow-paced arc meticulously builds up the tragic background of Guts, his journey as a wandering mercenary, and his eventual alliance with Griffith and the Band of the Hawk. The camaraderie between Guts, Griffith, and Casca is captivating, evolving with each battle and significant event. The philosophical conflict between Guts and Griffith culminates in a tragic climax that no other manga quite captures. After this, Guts embarks on a path of revenge, setting the stage for "The Conviction" arc. Here, Guts channels his rage into battling monsters and nightmares tied to his lost life. While there's less narrative focus compared to earlier arcs, it explores themes of choosing revenge over finding peace. These two arcs are among Berserk's strongest points, though subsequent arcs still hold merit.

Miura is a master storyteller, and his artwork only enhances this reputation. It evolves remarkably throughout the series, reaching a level of perfection in his later years. His ability to depict grotesque monsters alongside the emotional turmoil of the characters makes each chapter a visual treat.

Berserk is a powerful tale of perseverance in the face of tragedy, touching the hearts of countless readers. Guts' struggle is a profoundly moving narrative, and I am grateful to have supported Kentaro Miura in his pursuit of meaning. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest mangaka to have ever lived, and I will always be thankful for his exceptional work. Thank you, Miura.

Berserk is a remarkable work of art, particularly notable for its Golden Age arc. However, there are some flaws worth mentioning. Let me start by saying that the Golden Age arc is nearly flawless and perfect in almost every aspect. The initial challenge lies in getting into the series due to the first three volumes, which can feel a bit cliché as they follow the protagonist, Guts. Nonetheless, the Golden Age Arc stands out as a masterpiece, providing the backstory of Guts.

I’m too lazy to write more, so I’ll stop here but share what I liked most about Berserk: its philosophy.

Art - 9 (It improved as the story progressed)
Story (Golden Age) - 9.6
Story (Post Golden Age) - 8
Characters (Golden Age) - 9.4
Characters (Post Golden Age) - 7
Enjoyment - 9

Overall - 8.83

It seems that people who dislike this manga hold it to a standard where it must be filled with hype built upon previous hype, like many other manga do to keep readers engaged. However, Berserk is different. The author has stated that Berserk focuses more on emotion than logic, unlike most other manga which prioritize logic over emotion. This results in significant emotional growth within Berserk, which can be quite boring for some but deeply meaningful for those who love the series. If Berserk were like any average series, by this point in the story, there wouldn't be much character development, and the main character would have achieved his revenge long ago.

An incredible piece, it is an accumulation of masterful art, story, plot, and character development. The hype is real and a clear reason why it is ranked #1 on this website. This is one of the greatest, if not the greatest manga of all time. If you like action and fantasy, this is a must-read.

The art is the greatest I have ever seen in a manga. I usually don't plan on buying manga, but Berserk is one of the few that I will, and I hope to obtain all the volumes.

The only negative is that it is constantly on hiatus. Very few chapters are provided in a year. However, each chapter is incredible. Even with the hiatus, it remains a masterpiece.

Berserk is a dark and gritty medieval bloodbath. The manga begins with an introduction to the current state of the world, then flashes back to the origins of it all. It doesn't give away any major spoilers but shows you two very different versions of the same character.

A significant portion of the series is dedicated to explaining how one version of the character became the other. You might feel at some point that this approach is a cheat or boring because it doesn't align with the brief summary you read when first exploring the series. However, my advice is to keep reading. The origin story is well-executed, interesting, and builds intrigue as you progress until you finally reach the present, where things are heading towards total apocalypse.

Berserk is an action-packed manga filled with blood, gore, violence, and monsters. This is not your typical manga, and its quality is hard to describe. The hardest part about reading Berserk is accepting that there's no ending yet; it has been in production for over 20 years. The depth of characters and plots runs deep, and you can't help but get sucked into this universe, turning pages faster and faster.

I recommend you follow this boy mercenary as he transforms into a dark avenger in this epic saga.

Look, I tried very hard to force myself to like it. But boy, does it love to prove me wrong.

I'm not going to talk about the characters or the art because those are things you should experience while reading. But I will say this: the art looks fantastic.

It's not a bad manga by any means; I've seen worse. The first arc, the Golden Age arc, was really good and had enormous potential to hook readers. It's also the reason why the series feels like a mess right now. The first arc was so powerful that even the mangaka doesn't know how to maintain the momentum.

This became a major problem during its other arcs. Now, the series is nothing more than a stupid, gory mess that needs a lot of effort from the mangaka to get back on track.

Newcomers, don't be fooled by MAL's rating.

Please, stop having the supporting characters praise Guts all the time. It's seriously stupid.

Spoilers ahead: This manga is the epitome of a masterpiece. Everything from the story to the characters, the art, and the incredible moments within it is simply outstanding. There's so much more to it than meets the eye.

Characters: Guts is, in my opinion, the greatest main character ever. His development is so well-crafted that anyone can relate to him. His philosophy is both reliable and extraordinary. His journey throughout the story is nothing short of amazing. At the beginning, he seems one way, but as you learn about his past, you understand why he is the way he is. Then, he starts to realize what he has been doing for the past two years and understands that he needs to protect Casca. As the story progresses, he becomes calmer and even allows others to help him. It's truly remarkable. His character design adds another layer of depth; most people would look at Guts and think, "This guy is scary, I don't want to mess with him," but in reality, he's the most human character in Berserk. Not just Guts, but every character in Berserk is well-developed and has a sense of humanity that makes you empathize with them. Characters like Griffith and Casca are prime examples of this realism, which makes their stories deeply affecting, even in Griffith's case.

Story: The storytelling is exceptionally well-executed. It begins with the Black Swordsman arc, throwing you into the narrative without any prior knowledge. Then, as the story transitions into the Golden Age arc, you start to learn more about Guts and how he joined the Band of the Hawks. You begin to wonder, "How did he become the Black Swordsman?" And then the end of the arc hits you with a jaw-dropping revelation. The story then returns to the present, and it only gets more and more intriguing as you continue reading. There are moments in the story that are so intense they're mind-blowing, but my favorite moments are the quieter ones that make you think or showcase the beautiful artwork by Kentaro Miura. Even though it ends on a cliffhanger, I personally found it to be a beautifully concluded ending.

Art: Do I even need to discuss the art of this masterpiece? Some panels had me analyzing them for up to 10 minutes because of their sheer beauty. Every panel is incredibly detailed and stunning. Most people are already aware of the art, and if I were to talk about everything I love about Berserk, this review would become far too long.

This manga is absolutely incredible. I highly recommend it 100%. However, a word of caution for newcomers: this manga deals with many sensitive topics. If extreme gore is something you find difficult to handle, then this might not be for you. But if you can manage it, please read it—you will not regret it. Thank you, Kentaro Miura, for creating a manga that has influenced my life, my stories, and countless other series. RIP Kentaro Miura.