While browsing the many top 10 manga lists online, you will have certainly come across Berserk in almost every one of them.
You may have wondered, what is this doing in between my Jojo’s and FMA?
Well, today I’m giving you a review of Berserk, for people who don’t know anything about this series.

art

Berserk’s most apparent quality is its artwork. Kentarou Miura had crafted a beautiful, depressing world through his expressive art, filled with the smallest of details in the environment and characters. In the early volumes, it can seem kind of rough and unpolished, but that quickly improves. Most panels you can just plop into a frame and hang on your wall, others are instantly recognizable and memorable. It is really fascinating to see how the art evolves throughout the series, as it has taken nearly 30 years for Miura to write the story so far. You can really see how he improves over the years, to the god-like quality of the art as it is now. Like the best art from Vagabond or Sun-Ken Rock, only all the time. This is truly one of the, if not the best-looking manga of all time.

story

No matter how good the art is, if the story is bogus, no-one will read it for more than a few volumes. Luckily, the story delivers, and oooh boy it delivers. The story is split up into 5 distinct arcs, with each tackling a bevy of subjects, such as friendship, religion, and despair. The story begins with The Black Swordsman Arc where we see Guts roaming around castle grounds killing demons with his trademark oversized sword, The Dragonslayer. This peaks your interest, as you wonder why it is that he bears such hatred for demonkind. After this, we skip back in time to the moment of Guts’ birth, and follow him as he becomes the ruthless killing machine he is as “the black swordsman”. In all fairness, the first three volumes covering The Black Swordsman Arc can feel a bit lifeless. The villains, like the Snake Lord and Slug Baron are memorable, but poorly written. At least the Slug baron has a more interesting backstory, but after that, The Golden Age Arc has an almost addicting day-to-day structure to it, where we can really explore the ins and outs of the characters. Also, the last two volumes of The Golden Age Arc are widely regarded as the most impactful and emotional volumes of any manga, so it’s got that going for it.

Berserk is also surprisingly heartfelt and beautiful for a story that focuses on a man who seemingly only knows how to kill. This is mainly done through the excellent characterization of the main cast. They feel like real people with vested interests and internal struggles. Incredibly poignant moments dot the series, but feelings of relief and happiness are also to be found.
A fun piece of trivia: While writing Berserk, Miura had almost none of the main character-building moments and important plot points laid out. Every important event just came up organically during writing, and that really helps make the story feel real and believable, instead of something that was meticulously planned out years in advance.

personal feelings

Now, why I connect with Berserk so much is because there is nothing quite like it. There is a certain cathartic enjoyment to be found in the rage-fueled war Guts wages on the demons, but quiet character building and reflective moments make up the emotional heart, that throbs at the center of it all. The blood that then flows through the rest of the series sets the stakes. Guts is not trying to save the world, he is trying to save his friends, and perhaps most importantly, himself. It strays away from cheap sentimentalism and takes the time to properly build up its climaxes.

verdict

For the verdict, I feel a little conflicted. I want as many people as possible to enjoy this series, but it just isn’t for everyone. Its hyperviolent nature and themes of sexual abuse are sure to turn some people away, and that is completely understandable. However, you may argue that the struggle is half the enjoyment, just like in Dark Souls (please don’t behead me). Arriving in Anor Londo or Irythill of the Boreal Valley in Dark Souls would not have nearly made such an impact if you hadn’t had to suffer through the rest of the game first.
This is quite funny, as Berserk was one of the main influences for Dark Souls. Makes you think, huh.
Anyway, if you’re at all interested in a dark fantasy story, renowned for its amazing art, relatable and well-written characters, and deep world, Berserk is definitely something you should check out.