Berserk
A dark fantasy manga series created by Kentaro Miura, following the story of Guts, a lone mercenary warrior, and his struggle against demonic forces in a medieval-inspired world.
Category
Anime/Manga
Release Year
1989
Origin
Japan
Tags
dark fantasymedievaldemonstragedyseinen
Detailed Overview Information
Basic Information
Full Name
Berserk
Aliases
Not specified
Type
manga
Release Year
1989
Status
ongoing
Origin
Japan
Region
Not specified
Creation Information
Creator
Kentaro Miura
Publisher
Hakusensha
Original Work
manga
Genre
dark fantasy, seinen, horror
Content Information
Synopsis
Berserk follows Guts, the "Black Swordsman," a lone warrior marked for death who wields a massive sword against demonic forces. The story explores themes of fate, sacrifice, and the human condition through Guts' journey of revenge against his former friend Griffith, who betrayed him and their mercenary band to become a demon lord.
Main Characters
Not specified
Setting
A dark medieval fantasy world inspired by European history, filled with kingdoms at war, supernatural forces, and the constant struggle between light and darkness.
Themes
fate vs free will, sacrifice and ambition, trauma and healing, good vs evil, human nature
Target Audience
mature readers (18+)
Media Forms
Original Medium
manga
Adaptations
type:anime
title:Berserk (1997)
year:1997
status:completed
description:Classic anime adaptation covering the Golden Age arc
type:film trilogy
title:Berserk: The Golden Age Arc
year:2012
status:completed
description:CGI film trilogy retelling the Golden Age arc
type:anime
title:Berserk (2016-2017)
year:2016
status:completed
description:CGI anime series continuing after the Golden Age
type:video games
title:Berserk and the Band of the Hawk
year:2016
status:completed
description:Action game based on the series
Cross Media Presence
manga, anime, films, games, novels, merchandise
Commercial Information
Publisher
Hakusensha
Distributor
Various international publishers
Licensing Info
Licensed worldwide with multiple language translations
Merchandising
Extensive line including figures, statues, art books, clothing, weapon replicas
Box Office
Manga sales exceed 50 million copies worldwide
Budget
High production values with focus on detailed artwork and storytelling
Fan Culture
Fandom Size
Global cult following with dedicated fanbase
Demographics
Primarily mature readers who appreciate complex storytelling and detailed artwork
Fan Activities
fan art, cosplay, figure collecting, analysis discussions, tribute works
Community Hubs
Reddit communities, dedicated forums, social media groups, conventions
Fan Creations
fan art, analysis videos, tribute music, cosplay, fan fiction
Cultural Impact
Influenced numerous works in manga, anime, video games (especially Dark Souls), and Western fantasy media
Historical Development
Creation Background
Created by Kentaro Miura who spent his entire career perfecting this single work, known for taking months to complete chapters due to incredible detail
Development Process
Serialized in Young Animal magazine since 1989, with irregular publication schedule due to Miura's perfectionist approach
Key Milestones
year:1989
event:Manga serialization begins in Young Animal magazine
year:1997
event:First anime adaptation airs, bringing mainstream recognition
year:2002
event:Wins Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Excellence Award
year:2012
event:Golden Age Arc film trilogy released
year:2016
event:New anime series and video game released
year:2021
event:Kentaro Miura passes away, leaving series future uncertain
Evolution Over Time
Evolved from action-focused to deeply philosophical, with increasingly detailed artwork and complex character development
Legacy
Established new standards for mature manga storytelling and influenced an entire generation of creators
Related Links
www.hakusensha.co.jp
www.berserk-shop.jp
www.enjoyip.com