Berserk Anime Viewing Sequence: Series, Original Video Animations, and Films (Suggested Compilation)

Berserk is notoriously recognized for its somber theme, with brutality, carnage, and sensual content. 

Viewers under 18 or viewers who cannot bear watching those types of scenes are not encouraged to watch the series. It truly embodies the “darkness” of the genre it emulated. 

The brutality is fierce, and the art style truly encapsulates what Berserk is aiming for. It has less “anime-ish” looks and more semi-realistic appearances. That being said, it gives the anime a much more solemn atmosphere. 

Paired with less vivid colors and more on the darker spectrum of the color palette, despite the heavy tone of the anime, Berserk is a great watch. 

If you want to take a break from watching typical shounen animes, Berserk is perfect. Plot-wise, despite the violence and sensual content, it is a great story with great characters. 

Berserk Watch Order By Chronological Order of Events

The suggested watch order to stream Berserk is via chronological order of events. 

Ultimately, in 2012 a new version of 1997 was made. However, it is not a series but a three-part movie called the “Golden Age Trilogy”.

In 2016, an anime series was released which continues the storyline of the Golden Age Trilogy.

Do I Have to Watch Berserk 1997?

Yes, if you want to know the details and information that led up to how things happened in Berserk 2016–it is absolutely crucial to watch the 1997 version. 

The Golden Arc Trilogy features the same events that took place in Berserk 1997. However, as it is just a movie that condenses the first series’ episodes, it omits many details and context.

Is Berserk 2016 a Sequel or a Remake?

Berserk 2016 is the sequel to the Golden Arc Trilogy. The first season takes place after the eclipse. Hence, this makes it a direct continuation of where the Golden Arc trilogy and where the original version of 1997 left off. 

Berserk 2016 essentially continues the main plot of the franchise, where significant events in the manga are shown in an animated version. 

Where to Watch Berserk (October 2022)

The first version of the franchise is relatively hard to find as the 2016 version is taking over to be made available to watch at present. 

If you cannot find 1997 to stream, the Golden Arc trilogy can be used as a substitute. Although it is not as detailed as the 1997 version. 

Berserk 1997 is available to watch on Crunchyroll. However, only in the English dub version. 

For US viewers, some seasons are available to watch on Amazon Prime and Netflix.

If you cannot find the Berserk franchise in the stream because it is unavailable to watch in your country, then a VPN must be installed to access the episodes. 

Complete Summary of Berserk Anime

Berserk was composed and depicted by mangaka artist Kentaro Miura, who initiated the serialization and production of the manga “Berserk” in 1989. 

Miura first launched a prototype of the manga in 1988 first, and in the subsequent year, it officially commenced its publication in the Monthly Animal House of Hakusensha Magazine.

However, it was interrupted and was substituted for Young Animal magazine in 1992. It has been the publication house for Berserk ever since. 

However, in May 2021, tragic news struck when Kentaro Miura, at 54 years of age, died suddenly. But before his death, he wrote and illustrated some chapters of the manga, which was later on published in September 2021. 

On June 2022, the series was continued under the supervision of Kouji Mori, Miura’s childhood friend and fellow mangaka artist.

The 1997 version of the series was animated by Oriental Light and Magic, while the 2016 version was under Liden Films, which combined 2D and CG animation to reanimate the franchise. 

Berserk, due to its immaculate storytelling, characters, and dark fantasy genre, earned Miura the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2002. It would go on to sell 50 million copies worldwide, as reported in May 2021, making it a successful production. 

Berserk Complete Anime Synopsis

1. Berserk (1997 – 98)

Guts is an orphaned mercenary with insane strength and physical capabilities that seems to surpass what is considered human standards. 

He is well known by the people as the wandering “Black Swordsman.” He is equipped with a sword much larger than his own physique but wields it like the weight is nothing. 

Guts is a lone-wolf type of mercenary who accepts only high-paying jobs and never stays with a group.

One day when he was coming back from a mission, he was ambushed by a group of mercenaries that called themselves the “Band of the Falcon,”. They are a mercenary group founded by a man named “Griffith.” 

Griffith saw him in action as he battled and took an interest in him. He offered Guts to join his group but was refused by the latter. Guts challenges him to a duel where Griffith easily wins with one strike.

Guts, after recovering from his previous wounds, challenges Griffith to a duel once again, but on the condition that Guts stays in the group if he loses.

Just like the first duel, Guts lost and is now part of the Band of the Falcon. What Guts doesn’t know is that his decision to stay with the group would lead him to a much more sinister and dark fate. 

2. Berserk: Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the King

The 2012 movies have new animation styles and voice actors. However, one thing remains consistent— Berserk’s own brand of gore and violence. The Egg of The King is a more abridged version of the 1999 release but with better animation.

The first movie relays the same plot as the 1999 anime. It follows the same pacing and characters.

The audience is introduced to Guts and his acclimation to the Band of the Falcon.