Kenpuu Denki Berserk


Berserk

Edit
What would you like to edit?
 

Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Berserk: The Chronicles of Wind Blades, Sword-Wind Chronicle Berserk
Japanese: 剣風伝奇ベルセルク
English: Berserk
German: Berserk
Spanish: Berserk
French: Berserk
More titles

Information

Type: TV
Episodes: 25
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Oct 8, 1997 to Apr 1, 1998
Premiered: Fall 1997
Broadcast: Wednesdays at 01:45 (JST)
Studios: OLM
Source: Manga
Genres: ActionAction, AdventureAdventure, DramaDrama, FantasyFantasy, HorrorHorror
Themes: GoreGore, MilitaryMilitary, PsychologicalPsychological
Demographic: SeinenSeinen
Duration: 23 min. per ep.
Rating: R+ - Mild Nudity

Statistics

Score: 8.601 (scored by 390390390,390 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #1002
2 based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #302
Members: 726,432
Favorites: 30,161

Available At


Resources

8.60
Ranked #100Popularity #302Members 726,432
Add to My List
Episodes: /25

Synopsis

Guts, a man who will one day be known as the Black Swordsman, is a young traveling mercenary characterized by the large greatsword he carries. He accepts jobs that offer the most money, but he never stays with one group for long—until he encounters the Band of the Falcon. Ambushed after completing a job, Guts crushes many of its members in combat. Griffith, The Band of the Falcon's leader and founder, takes an interest in Guts and duels him. While the others are no match for Guts, Griffith defeats him in one blow.

Incapacitated and taken into the Band of the Falcon's camp to recover, Guts wakes up two days later. He confronts Griffith, and the two duel yet again, only this time with a condition: Guts will join the Band of the Falcon if he loses. Due to his fresh injuries, Guts loses the fight and is inducted by Griffith.

In three years' time, Guts has become one of the Band of the Falcon's commanders. On the battlefield, his combat prowess is second only to Griffith as he takes on large groups of enemies all on his own. With Guts' immense strength and Griffith's leadership, the Band of the Falcon dominate every battle they partake in. But something menacing lurks in the shadows, threatening to change Guts' life forever.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Background

Kenpuu Denki Berserk adapts the first 12 volumes and a part of the 13th volume of the manga. While the story remains fairly loyal to the source material, heavy modifications were made to exclude some of the more graphic depictions of violence, as well as characters and other content that could not be covered within the length of the anime’s running time. These changes were approved by the series creator himself.

The series was released on DVD by Media Blasters in six volumes from May 28, 2002 to May 27, 2003. The company also released a complete collection on November 16, 2004; it was later remastered by AnimeWorks and published on March 10, 2009.

An art book—titled Berserk: Kenpuu Denki - Kanzen Kaiseki-sho—containing sketches and behind-the-scenes information on the anime was published by Hakusensha on December 9, 1998.

Characters & Voice Actors

Guts

Main
Canna, Nobutoshi
Japanese

Griffith

Main
Morikawa, Toshiyuki
Japanese

Casca

Main
Miyamura, Yuko
Japanese

Judeau

Supporting
Ishida, Akira
Japanese

Nosferatu, Zodd

Supporting
Utsumi, Kenji
Japanese

Pippin

Supporting
Amada, Masuo
Japanese

Rickert

Supporting
Yajima, Akiko
Japanese

Slan

Supporting
Tanaka, Atsuko
Japanese

Void

Supporting
Ishizuka, Unshou
Japanese

Godo

Supporting
Nishikawa, Ikuo
Japanese

Staff

Takahashi, Naohito
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard, Chief Animation Director, Key Animation
Tsurumaki, Kazuya
Episode Director


Edit

Opening Theme

Preview
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Youtube Music
"Tell Me Why" by PENPALS
Edit

Ending Theme

"Waiting So Long" by Silver Fins




Reviews

Jul 5, 2025
The idiots who say animation is for kids should watch this. One of the darkest pieces of fiction, one of the best anime series, and also probably the worst starter anime ever.

Berserk is a 1997 Japanese dark fantasy anime series based on a very controversial and disturbing manga from the late 1980s. I have not read the manga, but what I can tell is that it must be horrific if it is generally considered more gruesome than this.

As this anime was made in 1997, the budget was unfortunately very low causing the animation here to look quite dated. But from what they had, I actually ...
Jun 28, 2025
Mixed Feelings
"Berserk" (1997) is an anime adaptation of the legendary manga BERSERK by Kentaro Miura. First, let me say this-the manga is one of the greatest of all time. But unfortunately, this anime adaptation doesn't even come close to capturing half of its greatness.

The anime has 25 episodes with the classic 90s animation style. While the animation is decent for its time, Berserk is not just any random show-it deserves far better animation to do justice to the intensity and scale of its story.

The pacing feels off at times, and the music and soundtracks are below average, which takes away some of the emotional depth and ...
Apr 12, 2025
FunnyFunny
Having watched this anime, and reading some of the reviews on the manga now, I've come to the conclusion that Berserk is vastly overrated.

(Caution: This review contains sarcasm and a decent helping of bitterness.)

Of course, I cannot gauge whether there is some saving grace to the manga or the main anime series, but as for the prequel; I would only recommend it to the die-hard Berserk fans who won't a flaw in anything Berserk-related anyway.

First things first: I was recommended this series by someone who thought "You like FromSoftware games? You must love this."

Uhm. No.

One thing I dislike about Dark Souls is the medieval setting, ...

Interest Stacks

by SandyOG
50 Entries · 2 Restacks
by Biarogs
21 Entries · 23 Restacks

Recommendations


Recent News

North American Anime & Manga Releases for November

North American Anime & Manga Releases for November

Here are the North American anime, manga, and light novel releases for November. Week 1: November 5 - 11 Anime Releases Gibiate TV Series Blu-ray [Limited Edition] H...read more

North American Anime & Manga Releases for March

North American Anime & Manga Releases for March

Here are the North American anime, manga, and light novel releases for March. Week 1: March 5 - 11 Anime Releases Kaifuku Jutsushi no Yarinaoshi (Redo of Healer) Com...read more


Recent Forum Discussion

Poll: Berserk Episode 25 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )
Friendlysoul - Mar 11, 2008
526 repliesby igglepigglenigga »»
Jun 30, 10:52 PM
Poll: Berserk Episode 19 Discussion ( 1 2 3 )
Zell182 - Aug 5, 2009
112 repliesby misha012 »»
Jun 20, 11:07 PM
Poll: Berserk Episode 18 Discussion ( 1 2 )
Zell182 - Aug 5, 2009
52 repliesby misha012 »»
Jun 20, 11:04 PM
Poll: Berserk Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 )
Zell182 - Aug 4, 2009
63 repliesby DawgiegoDawgstar »»
Jun 16, 11:44 AM
Poll: Berserk Episode 23 Discussion ( 1 2 )
Zell182 - Aug 5, 2009
82 repliesby XENJES »»
Jun 11, 6:34 PM

Ten Overpowered Protagonists in Anime

Ten Overpowered Protagonists in Anime

When in comes to power, these anime protagonists have it all. Literally. All of the power. We call god-modding on ten of these overpowered anime characters.

by Littoface

362,475 views

Anime Monsters: 15 Of The Most Terrifying Creatures and Demons

Anime Monsters: 15 Of The Most Terrifying Creatures and Demons

Nothing makes an anime scarier (or more thrilling) than those that feature grotesque beings terrorizing everything -- including us viewers. This in-depth look at these utter monstrosities will reveal why these horrific beasts are, in fact, so frightening.

by beruseruku27

248,539 views