A one-eyed mercenary with a sword the size of a door, a cursed mark on his neck and a hunger for revenge. Berserk follows Guts through a brutal medieval world of demons and broken loyalties, and over more than three decades Kentaro Miura turned it into one of the most influential works in all of comics.

Berserk is one of the most stocked seinen series in our shop, with a solid run of Dark Horse's English volumes. This guide covers the story behind the manga, its adaptations and its enormous influence, plus the volumes worth knowing. Browse our Berserk manga as you go.

Where Berserk came from

Miura debuted Berserk in Hakusensha's Monthly Animal House in 1989, and it moved to the new Young Animal magazine in 1992, where it has stayed. From the start his art was astonishing: dense crosshatching, enormous double-page spreads of armies and monsters, and a level of detail that made each volume take a long time to produce.

The story: the Black Swordsman and the Golden Age

The first volumes introduce Guts as the Black Swordsman, hunting demonic Apostles. Then the story jumps back in time for the Golden Age arc, which tells how Guts joined the Band of the Hawk, a mercenary company led by the charismatic Griffith, and how he fell in love with the soldier Casca. It ends with the Eclipse, one of the most shocking events in manga.

After that, the story follows Guts's quest for revenge against Griffith, who has become something far more than human, and his struggle to protect Casca. The later arcs expand into a world of witches, elves and sea voyages toward the island of Elfhelm.

From page to screen: Berserk's anime and films

The first anime, animated by OLM, aired 25 episodes from October 1997 to April 1998 and covered the Golden Age arc. It is still loved for its atmosphere and soundtrack. Studio 4°C produced a trilogy of theatrical films adapting the Golden Age arc in 2012 and 2013, and Liden Films produced a 24-episode series across 2016 and 2017.

Kentaro Miura and the future of Berserk

Miura died in May 2021, leaving the series unfinished. His publisher said at the time that its future was undecided. In June 2022 Berserk resumed, with art by Studio Gaga, Miura's former assistants, under the supervision of his close friend Kouji Mori, who said he would only write the lines and stories Miura had described to him. Vol. 41 was the last volume Miura worked on, and it carries particular weight for fans.

Why Berserk matters

Few manga have had a longer shadow. Writer Kazushi Shimada argued that Fullmetal Alchemist, Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen would not have existed without Berserk, and creators such as Hajime Isayama, Kazue Kato and Yana Toboso have spoken about its influence on their work. FromSoftware's games, from Dark Souls to Elden Ring, are also widely cited as influenced by it. Guts's Dragon Slayer sword has become one of the most referenced weapons in games and anime.

Where to start reading Berserk

Start at Vol. 1, even though it is the most unusual part of the series. If you want the story's emotional heart, the Golden Age arc begins in Vol. 3, and we currently have a copy of Vol. 3 in stock. Note that Berserk is a mature series with graphic violence and adult themes.

Berserk manga & anime timeline

Key characters in Berserk

Curiosities collectors should know

Berserk volumes worth knowing

• Vol. 1

  Berserk Vol. 1

  2010 · Dark Horse Comics

  The Black Swordsman. Guts's introduction as a demon hunter.

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• Vol. 13

  Berserk Vol. 13

  2010 · Dark Horse Comics

  The Eclipse. One of the most shocking volumes in manga history.

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• Vol. 22

  Berserk Vol. 22

  2008 · Dark Horse Comics

  The Conviction arc reaches its explosive climax.

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• Vol. 41

  Berserk Vol. 41

  2022 · Dark Horse Comics

  The last volume Kentaro Miura worked on.

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Berserk covers through the years

A look at the covers across the English-language run. Tap a cover to find it in our shop.

Vol. 1 Vol. 2 Vol. 4 Vol. 5 Vol. 7 Vol. 8 Vol. 10 Vol. 11 Vol. 13 Vol. 14 Vol. 16 Vol. 17 Vol. 19 Vol. 20 Vol. 22 Vol. 23 Vol. 25 Vol. 26 Vol. 28 Vol. 29 Vol. 31 Vol. 32 Vol. 34 Vol. 35 Vol. 37 Vol. 38 Vol. 40 Vol. 41 Vol. 43 Special

Berserk on our shelves right now

Here are some of the volumes we currently have in stock. Every copy is checked and graded before it is listed.

Vol. 3 Vol. 12 Vol. 16 Vol. 22 Vol. 37 Vol. 40

You can also browse every Berserk book we stock.

Frequently asked questions about Berserk

Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Berserk books of your own you would like to sell? Email us at contact@siomiccomics.com. Berserk and all related characters are trademarks of Kentaro Miura / Hakusensha. Cover images are shown for reference.