Berserk
Few stories in any medium hit with the sheer force of Berserk. Created by the late, legendary Kentaro Miura, Berserk is a sprawling dark fantasy epic that blends intense action, philosophical depth, brutal violence, and moments of aching beauty. It follows Guts, a lone mercenary armed with an enormous sword and haunted by a monstrous fate, as he battles demons, fate itself, and the scars of a tragic past.
First published in 1989, the manga built a reputation for its intricate art, haunting world-building, and complex characters. Over the years, it’s been adapted into anime series, films, and video games — each reflecting a piece of the manga’s uncompromising vision. While its tone is often unrelentingly grim, Berserk is also a story of endurance, loyalty, and the fragile power of hope.
Its influence spans far beyond manga — from the aesthetics of Dark Souls and Elden Ring, to Western comics, metal album art, and fantasy world-building in general. Berserk is more than just a series — it’s a monolith of imagination and defiance, carved in ink and shadow.
If you’ve got the guts (pun very much intended), welcome to one of the most legendary journeys in all of fiction.
“Even if we painstakingly piece together something lost, it doesn’t mean things will ever go back to how they were.”
- Guts, delivering more emotional damage than an Apostle ever could
Walk the path of the Black Swordsman — no gods, no fate, just guts.
Fun Fact
Kentaro Miura was only 22 when Berserk first began serialization — and the art was already leagues above many of his peers. The series is known for its extremely detailed artwork — some panels took Miura days or even weeks to complete.
