The seminal action fantasy manga Berserk makes its long-awaited return with the first new chapter following Kentaro Miura’s passing in 2021. The shocking appearance of Griffith on Elf Island has provoked rage and terror in Guts and Casca… and carved a rift into the enchanted isle itself, setting loose a corrosive horde of devourers from beneath the earth! If the Black Swordsman cannot rely upon even his legendary blade, escape by ship seems the only hope for survival… but not everyone is leaving Elf Island together!
When Kentaro Miura tragically passed away in 2021, amongst the outpouring of grief, there was the constant question of what would become of Berserk given the series had still been ongoing prior to his death. Miura undeniably left big shoes to fill, and it was a tall order for other creators to handle a series with this much love. But fortunately for fans, it was decided that the series would carry on to its conclusion under the hands of Miura’s childhood friend and fellow manga creator Kouji Mori, and Studio Gaga – Miura’s team of assistants who helped him when he was working on Berserk.
Miura regularly discussed Berserk with Mori and he also was one of the few people he let in on the future direction of the series – including the eventual ending. He has therefore been tasked with writing the remaining chapters of the series with his focus being only on what Miura had told him. Studio Gaga meanwhile – consisting of Miura’s trusted art assistants – are handling the art duties. The result if a very faithful continuation of Guts’ journey that does a brilliant job of capturing the spirit of Miura’s work.
It would be easy to play it safe or test the waters, but the new creative team start with a bang. Guts was put through the ringer in Miura’s final chapters, and he has a big hole to claw his way out of. Beyond the character work, the action remains as violently epic as readers would hope with Guts having one of his most brutal battles with Griffith yet. With these new chapters, Mori and Studio Gaga are already proving to be well worthy of wrapping up Berserk by not only staying true to Miura’s art and storytelling, but also with the fearlessness when it comes to action and character work.
Berserk fans can rest easy knowing that this landmark series is in safe hands. This new volume gets this final era of the manga off to a very strong start.
Berserk Volume 42 is out 18 March from Dark Horse (9781506746418, p/b, £13.99)
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