Interest Stacks

"So I've catched up with Berserk and now I don't know what to do with my life.😡💔
What should I read/watch next?"

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My favorite manga of all times after the works of Hiroshi Hirata. Some people say this is "Dark Vagabond", but I'd say it is more an "action packed Monster". This is the real "Berserk of Samurai Manga". Solid writing with a begining, middle and end - one of the best written conclusions I've ever seen in any story.

It was like blind reading Berserk again but without some of the annoying anime comedy tropes and filler - more mature and realistic dialogue and banter. And yet, in an action packed story like this, it does a better job at introducing its philosophy through the characters in a much more natural fashion than other "philosophical" manga out there. *Warning, the US version has the panels mirrored, to make it read backwards like a Western comics, which can be very annoying (with wrong continuation in the artwork etc.)

*I recommend watching the anime first, it is a masterclass on how to make a perfect adaptation*

Like Goodnight Punpun but very optismistic, master Kentaro Miura was a fan of it and friends with the author, you can even find plenty of fanarts made by Miura for this series including episode endcards.

Best writing of a non-action manga. Trigger warning: deals with serious depression themes, in a very realistic depiction of mental illness and coming of age.

If you like Stoicism in its purest form (although from a Japanese standpoint) get all work by Hiroshi Hirata that you can get your hands on (rare to find). Peak historical fiction, much superior and more grounded on human realism than some cheesy power of friendship/pacifism "historical" manga out there, actual moral dilemas with consequence. Unfortunately only a handful volumes of his mangaography have been translated/published.

(The manga, and only the manga pls, but maybe the OVA...)
You can't go wrong with the classic that inspired both Berserk and Chainsaw Man. It might be a little outdated and rough on the edges but it still holds up as one of the most mindblowing and influential works to this day.

All the anime movies directed by, and maga writen by Satoshi Kon.
This director/writer is one of the most copied by Hollywood for a reason.

"Love child" of Blade of the Immortal, so to speak, in a more comedic and lighter way, but not being any bit behind in terms of writing.

Literally the best art in the manga industry, actual good usage of the digital medium, surpassing even Berserk and Vagabond in terms of consistency.
Another peak historical fiction but more on a melodramatic style like 70's manga/anime.
You can watch this mini doc about the making off the manga:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDpn9fdsRbY

Cyberpunk younger siblin of Berserk. Probably inspired a section of Conviction Arc and also a similar "Berserker" refference to something... Also has a cool live action movie like Ichi.

If you are tired of all the bloodshed and suffering but you're still addicted to a historical setting, then this most delightful historical/folkloric slice of life/romance will be the treat for you, though not all is flowers in life, and conflict might always be lurking.

Same as the recommendation above, very delightful reading on a historical setting but with more suffering and violence at many moments (but less than Berserk).

Very f*ed up mafia/martial arts themed manga, check the movie first to see if this is your thing, as this is very violent and upsetting. But if you're looking for a shorter series with fighting and the more edgy elements of a seinen series, then this might be for you.