Photo Credit: Alpha Coders
Berserk is a famous dark fantasy show that has captivated fans through its anime and manga. Fans often wonder how the anime adaptations fit in with the manga because it has such interesting characters and a deep story.
This article talks about what books and storylines the 1997 and 2016 anime cover, what makes them different, and which version is better. This guide tells you everything you need to know about Berserk’s anime journey and where the story goes from here, whether you’ve been watching for a long time or this is your first time.
What Volume of Berserk Does the Anime End In?
The 1997 anime version of Berserk ends its story in the Golden Age Arc, which includes material from the manga up to volume 13. This part is mostly about what happened before the terrible Eclipse, when the God Hand does horrible things to Guts and his friends.
Parts of the Black Swordsman Arc and other manga details are skipped over in favor of Guts’ journey with the Band of the Hawk and how his relationship with Griffith and Princess Charlotte grows.
Key Moments Covered in the Anime
- The dramatic rescue of Griffith at the end of Golden Age Arc III sets off the terrible Eclipse event.
- Guts decides to leave the Band of the Hawk and go his own way, which causes major plot changes.
- Key battles include fights with the Blue Whale Knights, which show how skilled Guts is.
What Happens After? Exploring What Comes Next
Berserk manga introduces new storylines and characters for fans who want to know what happens after the anime.
- The Conviction Arc follows Guts’s fight against apostles as the Black Swordsman while he looks out for Casca.
- Important characters are introduced, such as the Skull Knight, who tells Guts that the God Hand is dangerous.
What Does the 2016 Berserk Anime Cover?
The 2016 Berserk anime picks up where the 2015 anime left off, with the Conviction Arc and parts of the Falcon of the Millennium Empire Arc. Even though it tries to cover important events, the adaptation got mixed reviews because it used a lot of CGI, which took away from the story.
This anime show follows Guts’s journey as he turns into the Black Swordsman. He is haunted in his entire life and wants to get back at Griffith.
Overview of the Storyline in the 2016 Anime
- It talks about Guts’ battle during the Conviction Arc against the apostle Mozgus and the Blue Whale Knights.
- Tells how Guts is trying to protect Casca while fighting the influence of the God Hand.
- Important events, such as Guts learning how to use the Berserker Armor’s power, set the stage for later storylines.
Key Characters Introduced in the 2016 Series
- A young thief named Isidro looks up to Guts and decides to follow him.
- Luca and Nina are two important characters in the Conviction Arc who give the story’s themes of survival and morality more depth.
- The Skull Knight, who helps Guts in important times, is one of the main people who tell him that Griffith is coming back.
How Far Does the Original Berserk Anime Cover?
Following the Golden Age Arc, the 1997 anime Berserk shows Griffith’s rise and fall as leader of the Band of the Hawk. The story is mostly about Guts’ relationships, Griffith’s desire to follow his own dream, and the things that happened that helped Guts find his own way.
The betrayal at the Eclipse is shown in The Golden Age Arc III. Griffith accepts his fate, changes into Femto, and kills his friends to join the God Hand.
The Journey Through the Golden Age Arc
- Brings attention to Guts’ choice to leave the Band of the Hawk after growing as a person.
- The arc’s intensity is shown by big fights like the ones where Griffith is saved and when the Blue Whale Knights are fought.
- Describes Princess Charlotte, who is very important to Griffith’s goals.
Key Differences Between the Manga and Anime
- The Black Swordsman Arc was left out of the anime, but it was in the manga.
- The manga goes into more detail about things like Guts learning from everything he has done in his life and his deeper connection with Casca.
- The anime simplifies character arcs and leaves out important themes that were present in the Golden Age and later arcs.
What Arc Does Berserk Season 2 Cover?
Deep dives into the Conviction Arc are shown in the Memorial Edition and the 2016 anime series Berserk. They pick up Guts’ story after the events of the Eclipse. This season introduces new friends and enemies and sets the stage for big changes in the story.
As King Berserk, Guts faces his trauma while fighting his way through danger. He is determined to stay alive and protect Casca, even though he is facing supernatural threats in the Conviction Arc.
Exploring the Conviction Arc and Beyond
- Mostly about Guts as the Black Swordsman and how he deals with sadness after the Eclipse.
- Describes important battles, such as the one with Mozgus and the incident in Puck’s village.
- Looks at Guts’s determination to save and look after Casca, who is the last link between him and his old friend Griffith.
Significant Plot Progressions in Season 2
- Guts meets the Skull Knight, who helps him fight apostles and tells him that Griffith is coming back to life.
- Guts’ struggle with the monster-filled world around him gets worse as he fights Nosferatu Zodd.
- This part of the story adds to the overall plot and gets Guts ready to become a legend.
How Far Does the Berserk 1997 Anime Cover?
The 1997 anime version of Berserk, which was directed by Kentaro Miura and made by Oriental Light, is mostly about the Golden Age Arc.
It all comes to a head at Eclipse, where Guts’s true friend Griffith betrays him in the worst way possible. It shows important events like how the Hawks won the Hundred Year War and Guts’s journey to find his own identity.
A lot of the Black Swordsman Arc is left out of the adaptation, which is mostly about how the Band of the Hawk works and Guts’s inner struggles.
Ending with the Eclipse Event
- Griffith’s choice to kill himself in his human form and become the God Hand is shown in The Eclipse.
- Guts fights bravely, but Griffith’s ambitions cause him to lose his friends, which breaks his heart.
- This event makes Guts’ path clear: he will fight his former friend who betrayed him by himself.
Comparison of 1997 Anime and the Manga’s Coverage
- The original manga gives us more information about Guts’s mind and his relationship with Griffith.
- It skips important parts of the Black Swordsman Arc and the early parts of the Conviction Arc.
- The English dub of the anime captures the emotional tone, but many chapters are cut down, which makes the story less deep.
Which Berserk is Better: 1997 or 2016?
Fans have different thoughts on how the 1997 anime version of Berserk compares to the 2016 Memorial Edition. The 1997 version tells an emotional story with its opening theme and hand-drawn images. The 2016 version has newer storylines, like the Conviction Arc, but its CGI animation has been criticized.
It’s hard to say which version of King Berserk is the best because each one offers something different.
Strengths of the 1997 Berserk Anime
- Mostly tells stories about characters and builds tension during the Hawks’ victory and betrayal arcs.
- brings the Golden Age Arc to life beautifully, showing how Guts is connected to Griffith and Casca.
- The artistic direction and music in Eclipse make it more emotionally powerful.
2016 Berserk: Modern but Polarizing
- Takes the story further than the Golden Age Arc by adding new characters and continuing the main plot.
- It shows how Guts changes into the Black Swordsman and how he meets apostles.
- Some people don’t like the CGI animation, and it often takes away from the intensely emotional parts of the story.
Does Berserk 1997 Tell the Whole Story?
There are some parts of the Berserk manga that were left out of the 1997 anime. It only talks about the Golden Age Arc and Guts’s journey with the Band of the Hawk and his friendship with Griffith. During the Eclipse, the series ends quickly, leaving unfinished major plots from the Black Swordsman Arc and the Conviction Arc.
If Berserk fans want to see the whole story, they need to start reading the manga or watching later adaptations that add to the episodes. But the 1997 version is still remembered for how deeply it explored emotions and how the characters grew. It showed important scenes like Guts’ fights and Griffith’s rescue.
What Does the 1997 Series Cover?
- The Golden Age Arc, which shows Guts’ rise in the Band of the Hawk.
- Important fights, like Guts’s duel with Griffith and the group’s military wins.
- In the terrible Eclipse, Griffith kills his friends in order to reach the God Hand.
What Is Missing from the Anime?
- Guts’s journey as the Black Swordsman, who hunts monsters and apostles.
- Ghosts, the Skull Knight, and other supernatural beings show up.
- This is the next part of Guts’ plan to protect Casca and get back at Griffith.
Does Berserk End on a Cliffhanger?
Yes, there is a big loose end to the Berserk anime from 1997. The last episodes show the terrible things that happened during the Eclipse. Guts loses his friends, and Griffith changes into Femto, a God Hand member. The shocking ending of the show doesn’t answer viewers’ questions about how Guts deals with his losses or how he changes into the Black Swordsman.
The abrupt end of the anime is what makes many fans start reading the manga or look into other versions. To get a better sense of the story, the manga continues Guts’ journey and shows how he fights monsters and uses his famous sword to fight ghosts, apostles, and other threats.
Why Does the 1997 Anime End This Way?
- There were only 25 episodes, and they all took place during the Golden Age Arc.
- The Eclipse is a strong ending, but it doesn’t tell the rest of the story.
What Happens After the Cliffhanger?
- Guts changes his name to the Black Swordsman and sets out to get revenge on Griffith.
- While trying to protect Casca, he has to deal with supernatural horrors like apostles and monsters.
- The story gets bigger when new characters and plots are added, like the Conviction Arc.
Final Thoughts
The anime and movies about Berserk tell a dark and intense story about staying alive, being betrayed, and getting even. The story is unforgettable, whether it’s Guts’s fight to save Griffith, his fights with demons, or his meetings with evil.
The anime only goes so far with Guts’ story, from using his sword to kill to discovering magic and beating death, the manga goes much further. Fans who know about Berserk’s history should dive into this epic story and enjoy the world that Kentaro Miura so skillfully animated.
FAQs
Why is Guts the only one who can rescue Griffith?
Guts has unmatched strength and determination, making it possible for only Guts to confront the evil and save his comrade.
Are there any Berserk movies?
Yes, the Golden Age Arc is adapted into three movies, retelling key moments from the manga.
Is Berserk blocked in some countries?
The anime may be blocked due to graphic content or licensing restrictions in certain regions.
Does Berserk include magic?
Yes, the story explores magic, especially in later arcs, introducing enchanted items and mystical battles.
Why is Berserk’s story so intense?
It portrays themes of death, survival, and Guts’ journey to kill demons and evil forces while battling his inner struggles.