Why Hasn't Berserk Been Done Right in Anime? - Thoughts & Speculations

Berserk is often praised as one of the greatest manga series ever created. Written and illustrated by the late Kentaro Miura, its legacy continues to influence countless creators in both Eastern and Western media. But despite its enormous impact and devoted fanbase, Berserk has yet to receive an anime adaptation that fully honors its story and artistry. Why is that? Let’s dive into the possible reasons, and what fans hope to see in any future adaptation.

• Also, if you’re following the manga like we are, feel free to check out our thoughts on the latest chapter - Berserk Chapter 380: Review and Overview.
• We’ll also share our insights on the upcoming Chapter 381, expected to release on June 13, 2025 as per Manga Mogura RE (Anime & Manga News). So stay tuned!

The Problem With Past Adaptations

The 1997 Berserk anime has a lot of fans. It captured the emotional weight of the Golden Age arc, despite its limited animation budget. However, it only covered a portion of the full story, leaving fans longing for more.

That said, Guts’ theme was absolutely incredible - honestly, it was probably the highlight of the entire anime for me.

The 2016 and 2017 adaptations were supposed to be the long-awaited continuation - but instead became infamous for the terrible CGI-based animation, inconsistent animation, and rushed storytelling. Even today, these versions remain a sore point for the fanbase, making studios more cautious about touching the series again.

Should We Revisit the Golden Age Arc?

Many fans believe that future adaptations should skip redoing the Golden Age arc - unless the entire manga is being animated from start to finish. With two existing versions already out there, retelling that arc yet again could feel repetitive. Instead, a better approach might be to begin with storylines that haven’t been animated at all, such as the Lost Children chapter of the Conviction arc or the Black Swordsman arc.

These story arcs are not only untouched in anime form but also represent a major tonal and thematic shift in Berserk. They mark the beginning of Guts’ darker, more brutal journey following the Eclipse, making them ideal starting points for a fresh adaptation.

Why Studios Hesitate: Common Theories

So why hasn’t Berserk received the faithful adaptation it deserves? Here are some possible fan theories and speculations:

1. High Production Costs

Miura's artwork is famously detailed, and bringing that level of visual complexity to life would require a major financial investment.

• Challenge to that view: Honestly, when I look at series like Attack on Titan or One Piece, which also require massive production efforts, it makes me think - if studios believed Berserk could be just as profitable, maybe they'd be more willing to take that financial risk.

2. Mature Content

Berserk doesn't shy away from dark themes, graphic violence, or psychological trauma. This can make it a hard sell for traditional broadcasters.

• Challenge to that view: From my perspective, the 1997 anime and the Golden Age Arc films actually handled the mature content pretty well. And with platforms like Netflix now pushing more adult-themed series, I really don’t think dark or graphic material should be seen as a barrier anymore - there’s clearly an audience for it.

3. Artistic Challenges

Matching the depth and complexity of Miura’s illustrations in motion is an enormous task.

• Challenge to that view: In my opinion, Miura’s art is just on another level - so detailed and expressive that it almost feels impossible to fully capture in animation. That might be why no studio has truly nailed it yet. However, while challenging, other series have successfully adapted different art styles. With advancements in animation technology, it should be possible for a dedicated studio to meet this challenge.

4. Fan Expectations

Berserk fans are deeply invested in the series, and any misstep could provoke backlash.

• Challenge to that view: I get that fan expectations are insanely high - mine included - but I actually see that as a good thing. To me, it just shows how much people care about Berserk. If an adaptation was done right, I genuinely believe the support would be massive.

5. Licensing and Legal Barriers

Some fan-made projects have been taken down over copyright concerns, suggesting there may be complications with rights.

From what I understand, there was a fan studio called Studio Eclypse that started releasing trailers for a Berserk fan animation. It looked like they planned to cover full chapters or arcs from the manga, and they were even accepting money through Patreon. Some people had concerns about how they promoted it, and others felt like it might be a scam - that they’d never actually finish the project.

Eventually, the official Berserk publisher put out a statement distancing itself from Eclypse, saying they weren’t affiliated with the project. After that, a bunch of other fan adaptations either shut down or went silent, probably out of fear of legal trouble. The whole situation left a bad taste for a lot of people, especially since no one got refunds from the Patreon donations. It really made me realize how tricky and sensitive the rights situation around Berserk adaptations might actually be.

• Challenge to that view: These issues should be manageable with proper legal planning. Major studios regularly navigate licensing for globally recognized franchises.

Which Studio Should Handle a New Adaptation?

Many fans often mention studios like WIT or MAPPA as top contenders. Both have impressive track records, especially with action-heavy series. However, there are valid concerns.

Let’s talk about WIT first. They did an incredible job animating the first three seasons of Attack on Titan, especially standout moments like Levi vs. the Beast Titan. But here’s the thing - those kinds of scenes take a crazy amount of time to produce. I heard that just that one fight scene took a top-tier animator about a month to storyboard and another three months to fully animate. If you think about scaling that level of quality across an entire Berserk adaptation, it sounds nearly impossible time-wise.

MAPPA, on the other hand, is handling several high-profile titles at once, including Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. Adding Berserk to that workload could stretch their teams too thin, leading to rushed animation and reduced quality. Also, fans are wary of CGI, given how poorly it was handled in the 2016 version.

Is a Perfect Adaptation Even Possible?

The honest answer might be: no. Kentaro Miura’s work is so layered and detailed that fully capturing it in anime form may never be 100% possible. However, a great adaptation - one that respects the source material, understands the characters, and delivers emotionally deep storytelling - is entirely within reach.

And if that ever happens, it could bring Berserk to a bigger audience than ever before. 

Final Thoughts

Berserk is undeniably a masterpiece, and I genuinely don’t think any adaptation could ever fully match the incredible detail, passion, and effort Miura poured into every single chapter, panel, or line. That said, if a future adaptation were handled with real care and ended up being what some might call “perfect,” I believe it could introduce Berserk to a much wider audience. Some might see that as a downside, but personally, I think the more people who get to experience Berserk, the better.