Berserk, the legendary dark fantasy series by the one and only Kentaro Miura, has been in a sort of strange state since the passing of its creator in 2021. In the midst of absolute devastation for its characters,the series was left in the hands of Miura’s longtime friend and fellow manga artist, Koji Mori, as well as his assistants at Studio Gaga. The years since have seen chapters released sporadically, gently moving the epic through one of its heaviest sections yet.
However, it seemsBerserkunder Mori and Studio Gaga might just be finding its footing, with a string of chapters being released within a reasonable time of one another, transitioning the story into its next major arc. The most recent entry, #381, titled “A Crescent Moon Shines On the Exile’s Back”,places the focus back on Guts, who hasn’t spoken a word in some time.
It’s been decided that, on Daiba’s recommendation, the Black Swordsman would be exiled from the Kushan Empire,but the old sorcerer appears to be hiding something. The chapter ends withthe lethargic, cuffed protagonistbeing marched away from the action and towards an unknown destination. Guts certainly doesn’t appear to be in any sort of fighting shape, but if Daiba does have something hidden up his sleeve, there’s a chanceBerserkwill never be the same again.
Berserk Without Kentaro Miura Is Finding Its Footing
The Series Appears to Be Marching Towards Its Most Pivotal Arc Yet
Berserkwas up against it the moment it was decided Koji Mori and Studio Gaga would take over the reins.The final chapter overseen by Miurawas just about finished at the time of his passing,and it finally revealed the nature of the Moonlight Boy to Guts and Casca. Chapter #364, “Teardrop of Morning Dew”, was one of the most important to the series since Farnese and Schierke pieced together Casca’s broken mind.
It was an unfortunate spot for a team of artists to have to continue on without their leader,and there’s a palpable sense of unease in the chapters immediately following #364. They’re void of much dialogue, and the downfall of Elfhelm seems just a bit rushed compared to the spectacle Miura likely would have made of the section.
However, as time passed and the narrative continued moving along, chapters began releasing a bit more frequently, and there was a notable increase in dialogue between characters and improvements in the art style.Now, the series finds itself on the cusp of yet another major story event, and is seemingly charging full steam ahead with a string of chapters releasing bi-weekly throughout this past May and June.
Guts, as he has been throughout the entirety ofBerserk, is a threat to have around. As long as the brand remains, he and those around him will be put in harm’s way, and the old Kushan sorcerer, Daiba, is well aware of that. Still, he seems to performatively explain the danger of the brand,ensuring Guts would be exiled rather than killed. There’s some sort of plan up his sleeve, and one that might change both Guts andBerserkforever.
Daiba Can Help or Harm Guts In a Variety of Ways
The Kushan Sorcerer Has Something Up His Sleeve, For Better Or Worse
The focus on Daiba explaining information the audience already knows, as well as the several close-up panels on his blank expression,are obvious tells that he’s hiding something. Guts in his current state is only a danger to have around, and the sorcerer knows that well. Before he’s able to do as he wishes to Guts, however, a group of Kushan warriors and sorcerers are trailing the men close behind, keeping watch.
It’s likely that Daiba has taken that into account, being the only one present who knows what will come to attack when the sun goes down. Once he’s alone with Guts, he has some interesting options, one of which was foreshadowed in chapter #381. As Silat ponders what Daiba might have in mind for Guts,he remembers the artificial Behelit used by Ganishka during theFalcon of the Millennium Empire arc.
It’s possible Daiba intends to use the artifical Behelit to turn Guts into a pseudo-apostle, which would immediately send his strength skyrocketing and allow him to fare much better in a fight against Griffith. At the same time, having Guts lose his humanity would go against much of whatBerserkhas done with its story up to this point.
In every battle, it’s emphasized that the human struggler comes out on top of the demonic force.To abandon that humanity now would take the series in a bit of an uncomfortable direction. It’s also possible that Daiba has less nefarious intentions, and could use his powerful magic to reverse the effects of the Berserker armor on Guts' body, or remove the brand from him entirely. Either way, Guts will certainly be in far better shape physically by the beginning of the next arc, whether he remains human or not.
Berserk Is Moving Forward At Full Speed
A Finale to the Epic Story Finally Seems Realistic
Regardless ofhow some fans feel aboutBerserkpost-Miura, it’s undeniable thatthe latest chapters keep a fast pace the series has never featured before. In just about 15 chapters, Elfhelm fell, the gang was captured and brought to the Kushan Empire, and now it seems they’re just about to begin the process of moving out. It suddenly feels as though the 30-year epicmight actually one day reach a conclusion.
Before it does, Guts will have to not only recover, but become far stronger than the near superhuman he already is,and it seems Daiba might just have something up his sleeve to help him. Whether that means turning the Black Swordsman into an apostle, or simply reversing the damage already done to him remains to be seen, but either outcome is likely to changeBerserkforever as it enters a new pivotal arc.
Berserk
Berserkis a dark fantasy manga series by Kentaro Miura, first published in 1989. Set in a medieval Europe-inspired world, it follows Guts, a lone mercenary, and his struggle against demonic forces after his betrayal by Griffith, leader of the Band of the Hawk. The franchise has expanded into multiple anime series, films, video games, and merchandise.
