It’s Time Berserk Got the Anime It Deserves

It's Time Berserk Got the Anime It Deserves

As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the world of anime has been a rollercoaster ride, but none have left me as emotionally invested as the saga of Guts and the Band of the Hawk from Berserk. Having followed this dark fantasy masterpiece since its inception, I’ve seen the highs and lows, the adaptations that hit the mark and those that missed the bullseye.


Fans of anime last had the opportunity to delve into the Band of the Hawk through the 2022’s Berserk: Memorial Edition. This compilation series combined old and fresh footage from Studio 4C’s trilogy of movies, offering it as a tribute to the late creator Kentaro Miura. Regrettably, recent headlines about Berserk are due in part to the controversy swirling around unauthorized fan anime productions, specifically those produced by Studio Gaga. Despite this ongoing dispute, it is high time that Berserk receives a new anime adaptation that truly honors Miura’s masterpieces.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve witnessed the rollercoaster ride that is Berserk in the realm of anime over the years. The initial anime adaptation of this brutal manga dropped back in 1997, earning universal acclaim for its faithful adherence to Miura’s distinctive art style and covering a significant chunk of one of Berserk’s most epic storylines – the Golden Age Arc. Fast forward through the decades, and it wasn’t until 2012 when Guts and his Band of the Hawk graced our screens again with the Berserk: The Golden Age Arc trilogy.

It's Time Berserk Got the Anime It Deserves

Berserk’s Treasure Trove of Material

Although two anime series and a trilogy of films have been produced, they only scratch the surface of Guts’ extensive narrative filled with events and battles yet to be animated from his dark journey. Even the 2016 adaptation, which introduced a new group of adventurers accompanying Guts on his quest – Farnese, Puck, Serpico, Isidro, and Schierke – did not manage to cover all of Miura’s manga stories. Rest assured, the untold tales remain valuable additions to the anime world that deserve adaptation.

Portions of the narrative that didn’t come to fruition featured Griffith’s additional development of the novel Band of the Hawk, an army marking a first-time alliance between humans and Apostles. The tales also depicted Guts performing actions unimaginable as he joined forces with the White Hawk to confront a more sinister menace within the Kushan Empire. Despite the sad demise of Kentaro Miura, the series persists through the talents of Studio Gaga’s artists and new writer Kouji Mori who are all paying tribute to their friend by working diligently to complete the series.

The Time is Now For Berserk

Today, anime’s popularity has soared to unprecedented heights due to a significant increase in anime and manga sales, largely attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite lockdowns easing, the craving among fans for new anime narratives continues unabated. Among the most influential anime franchises globally is Berserk. However, it requires a studio committed to adapting the manga for an extended period. With studios like Studio MAPPA, David Productions, Science Saru, and many others producing major anime series, The Band of the Hawk could greatly benefit from any of these studios taking up the Dragon Slayer.

For many enthusiasts of anime, the primary challenge in adapting Berserk lies in meeting the exceptionally high standards set by Kentaro Miura. With his exquisite and meticulously detailed artwork, some think that no animation could ever truly capture its essence. Yet, as technology progresses and more resources are allocated to this medium, it seems that we may now be at an opportune moment to revisit Guts’ ominous world once more.

As a devoted fan, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the Band of the Hawk gets another chance in the anime world! Stay tuned with Team Anime on egmr.ru for the newest Berserk updates, and let’s chat about comics and anime directly @EVComedy anytime!

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2024-09-18 19:11