Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(I read this first in 2016, and then I’m rereading it in 2025
I actually read this in three volumes both times, first paperback and then digitally, but I didn’t want to have this as my most-read author, so I’m recording it here as sets.)
I’d forgotten how emotional this series was, especially in the first arc, the Black Swordsman. The second volume will be all Golden Age, which I’m looking forward to rereading. I love Puck, though, so I look forward to finishing the Golden Arc too to get more of him.
I actually read this in three volumes both times, first paperback and then digitally, but I didn’t want to have this as my most-read author, so I’m recording it here as sets.)
I’d forgotten how emotional this series was, especially in the first arc, the Black Swordsman. The second volume will be all Golden Age, which I’m looking forward to rereading. I love Puck, though, so I look forward to finishing the Golden Arc too to get more of him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infertility, Grief, Death of parent
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infertility, Pedophilia, Rape
This manga has been one that has both intrigued and intimidated me. Running from 1987 this epic dark fantasy has amassed millions of fans and admirers from all over the world, from all generations. When I caught up to One Piece I realised long running Manga and comics are easily read, so long as you set your own pace and enjoy it, plus with the passing of creator Kentaro Miura, Berserk was to be my next big Manga read. So I began with the first volume in the Deluxe Edition series which consists of the first three volumes of the manga covering the Black Swordsman arc.
In terms of plot, there’s not much to bite into. The protagonist Guts roams from to different towns that feature demonic and monstrous leaders that Guts opposes. We learn next to nothing about him, other that he’s branded with the mark of sacrifice. We meet a pixie-like Elf named Puck that acts as some comedic levity in this bleak world.
My first impressions of this series are certainly positive. Miura’s artwork is phenomenal and his development and mastery of his illustrations does excite me to see, his characterisation here isn’t as good but still enjoyable. While Guts is somewhat of a standard stoic “badass” character, this is something that was in trend in the 80’s and works well for the story and world that is delivered. There are clearly signs of some deeper personality within Guts’ pessimistic exterior but I believe I’ll learn that the more I read. The action is brutally awesome, even comically so, with Guts’ giant sword cleaving foes with ease. The world building is very good. It’s is a brooding atmospheric world with horrifying monsters and men that inhabit it. It is heavy metal fantasy and very grimdark. Miura’s character design is second only to Oda’s in how they instantly convey who these people are, without any direct characterisation applied.
It’s hard to get a strong impression of the manga with just the first three volumes but this introductory arc is very good and highly enjoyable. This is not a manga I would recommend for someone getting into the medium for the first time, but for fans of manga with a dark setting then definitely give it a go.
Berserk by Kentaro Muira - The Black Swordsman arc: 6/10
In terms of plot, there’s not much to bite into. The protagonist Guts roams from to different towns that feature demonic and monstrous leaders that Guts opposes. We learn next to nothing about him, other that he’s branded with the mark of sacrifice. We meet a pixie-like Elf named Puck that acts as some comedic levity in this bleak world.
My first impressions of this series are certainly positive. Miura’s artwork is phenomenal and his development and mastery of his illustrations does excite me to see, his characterisation here isn’t as good but still enjoyable. While Guts is somewhat of a standard stoic “badass” character, this is something that was in trend in the 80’s and works well for the story and world that is delivered. There are clearly signs of some deeper personality within Guts’ pessimistic exterior but I believe I’ll learn that the more I read. The action is brutally awesome, even comically so, with Guts’ giant sword cleaving foes with ease. The world building is very good. It’s is a brooding atmospheric world with horrifying monsters and men that inhabit it. It is heavy metal fantasy and very grimdark. Miura’s character design is second only to Oda’s in how they instantly convey who these people are, without any direct characterisation applied.
It’s hard to get a strong impression of the manga with just the first three volumes but this introductory arc is very good and highly enjoyable. This is not a manga I would recommend for someone getting into the medium for the first time, but for fans of manga with a dark setting then definitely give it a go.
Berserk by Kentaro Muira - The Black Swordsman arc: 6/10
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
dark
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Not too sure what to think of this manga yet. I do like the art style and it is quite funny. Will see where it goes from here.
This has been one manga that I’ve wanted to look at for years, buts it’s always wrapped and you can’t ‘peek’ inside. So, I finally just purchased it. Now I need the rest!
For a book series close to its 4th decade, this is great! The artwork is phenomenal. The story is timeless (good vs evil). The characters are always the difference. I don’t know what role Puck has in the future, but I want to know more. Guts is interesting enough to keep my attention. Guess I know what I’ll be purchasing next.
For a book series close to its 4th decade, this is great! The artwork is phenomenal. The story is timeless (good vs evil). The characters are always the difference. I don’t know what role Puck has in the future, but I want to know more. Guts is interesting enough to keep my attention. Guess I know what I’ll be purchasing next.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes