Berserk- what makes it the way it is, berserk?

Whenever there will be a discussion about the greatest manga of all time, there is one name that will always make it to the top 3 and that is the masterpiece created by Kentaro Miura, Berserk.

Berserk is a dark fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Japansese mangaka Kentaro Miura. It was serialized in Hakusensha’s now-defunct magazine Monthly Animal House, which was replaced in 1992 by the semimonthly magazine Young Animal, where Berserk continues to be published intermittently.

What is it praised for?

Berserk is set in medieval Europe inspired dark fantasy world. Berserk has been widely acclaimed, especially for its dark setting, storytelling, characters and Miura’s highly detailed artwork.

Theme

Berserk follows a dark fantasy and fiction theme. A world where it is uncertain whether the destiny of mankind is controlled by some transcendental entity or law, or is it like the hand of god hovering above?Humanity is a consistent theme throughout Berserk via perspective and development from the main characters. Guts is first introduced as a hyper-aggressive, cruel antihero at best who only kills demons and Apostles for himself. Human nature and morality is more nuanced, but Guts’ initial violently nihilistic perception of it and justification for his early cruel behavior were clouded by his own rage and trauma. Meanwhile, Griffith chose as a child to deny what he sees as weaknesses in humanity, suppress it and believe himself the world’s protagonist, with all others existing as pawns for his “greater goal.”

Characters

If something Berserk is underrated for, that’s surely its characters. Beginning on with our protagonist (anti hero in the early chapters), Guts is one character who has had the most brutal life. He has literally been to hell and back. Demons, betrayal, losing his lover are just few of the atrocities life threw at Guts but the character development that we get to see where he goes from being a rage driven anti hero to a more human- compassionate and empathetic person.

Every character is beautifully fleshed out and has an admirable character development.

Artwork

If there’s anything for which Berserk is praised the most, that is its incredible artwork. Although in the earlier volumes, the art is the same as a regular manga but don’t you let your hopes die because as soon as the Golden Age Arc starts, the art is elevated to a totally different level. The stunning amount of details that Miura has used is astonishing. Its as if every panel has come to life. The greatness of the artwork keeps on increasing with every chapter. The way the gore, extreme violence and explicit sex scenes have been drawn surely takes one aback.

Conclusion

Berserk is easily one of the best mangas of all time and in all ways. The way Miura sensei has told this fabulous story through his artwork is a commendable feat. I myself am a big Berserk fan. The way Berserk affects you, your thinking, your views is what makes it unique. It explores areas of inhumanity and darkness that one could never even dream of. A true masterpiece. REST IN PEACE Miura sensei, who passed away in January 2021 due to aortic dissection. His legacy through Berserk will always live on.