Berserk Blog
How Old Is Berserk Manga?
How Old Is Berserk Manga?
The manga Berserk was first released on August 25, 1989, and has continued for over 35 years. Created by renowned manga artist Kentaro Miura, the series is still ongoing under the supervision of his friends and assistants after his passing in 2021. To date, Berserk has published 42 volumes, becoming one of the most popular and influential works in the history of Japanese manga. You can read the complete version of Berserk for free on our website, and we highly recommend visiting to experience this classic work.
Important Milestones in Berserk
1988 - Prototype Release
Before the official serialization, Kentaro Miura published a prototype of Berserk in 1988, laying the groundwork for the subsequent series.
1989 - Official Serialization Begins
Berserk officially began serialization on August 25, 1989, in Hakusensha's Monthly Animal House magazine, marking the birth of this classic dark fantasy story.
1992 - Move to Young Animal
In 1992, Berserk transitioned from Monthly Animal House to Young Animal magazine, providing a broader platform for its ongoing development.
1997 - First Anime Adaptation
In 1997, the first television anime series of Berserk aired, consisting of 25 episodes, mainly adapting the "Golden Age" story arc. This adaptation attracted a large number of new readers to the manga.
2002 - Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize
In 2002, Berserk received the Excellent Award at the 6th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, a significant recognition of its artistic value and influence.
2012-2013 - Anime Film Trilogy
From 2012 to 2013, the "Golden Age" story of Berserk was adapted into a trilogy of theatrical anime films, further expanding its reach with modern animation techniques.
2016-2017 - New Anime Series Airs
A new 24-episode anime series aired from 2016 to 2017, continuing the later story arcs. Although it received mixed reviews, it still attracted a loyal fanbase.
2021 - Author's Passing
On May 6, 2021, Kentaro Miura passed away from acute myocardial infarction at the age of 54. His death left fans mourning, but his works continue to be cherished.
2022 - Serialization Resumes
In June 2022, the serialization of Berserk resumed under the supervision of Miura's friends and assistants, with new chapters illustrated by the team he founded, "STUDIO IGA."
2023 - Sales Exceed 60 Million Copies
As of 2023, Berserk has surpassed 60 million copies in global circulation, including digital editions, making it one of the best-selling manga worldwide.
Berserk Anime and Film Adaptations
1997 Anime Series
The first anime series adapted from Berserk aired from October 7, 1997, to March 31, 1998, on Japanese television, consisting of 25 episodes. The anime featured narration by Nobutoshi Canna and primarily adapted the "Golden Age" story arc.
Film Trilogy
Between 2012 and 2013, the "Golden Age" story of Berserk was adapted into a trilogy of theatrical films, retelling this classic story with modern animation techniques.
2016-2017 New Anime Series
From 2016 to 2017, a new 24-episode anime series aired, continuing the later story arcs of the manga. Despite mixed reviews, it attracted many loyal fans.
Summary
Through these important milestones and adaptations, we can see the development of Berserk from its inception to the present and its profound impact on both the manga and film industries. If you want to learn more about this classic work, please visit our website to read the complete version of Berserk for free.