Berserk

Driven by a burning need for vengeance, Guts travels a violent, unforgiving world as the feared Black Swordsman. He crosses paths with brutal bandits, corrupt humans, malevolent supernatural forces, and a devout child of god who complicates matters. He fights using little more than his body and a massive blade, holding on to life while the campaign chips away at him. He's joined by a handful of damaged allies whose loyalties and motives change how each confrontation plays out, and the show balances raw combat with the personal price of relentless conflict. A small band including Casca, Puck, Farnese, and Serpico brings fragile bonds and conflicting ideals into his story, offering moments of warmth amid the darkness.

Released in 2016, this adaptation draws on Kentaro Miura's long-running manga, with Makoto Fukami credited among the creators for the series. The Japanese cast includes Hiroaki Iwanaga, Toa Yukinari, Kaoru Mizuhara, Yoko Hikasa, and Kazuyuki Okitsu.

Audience scores sit at about 7.435 out of 10 based on 276 votes, reflecting divided reactions. Many viewers praised the core story, voice performances, and intense character work, plus its bleak themes of revenge, trauma, and moral ambiguity. Others took issue with the visual style, pacing, and some of the adaptation choices that altered the source material's presentation.

Among anime and manga fans, Berserk's brutal tone and grim imagery have kept it a frequent point of discussion. Key characters, symbols, and sequences are often cited in conversations about dark fantasy, and the series maintains a devoted, vocal fanbase that debates every adaptation and iteration.

The 2016 series did not attract major industry awards attention, though it prompted heated debate among critics and fans about adaptation choices and fidelity to the source material. Smaller fan polls and niche outlets occasionally recognize voice work or standout action moments, but no high-profile prizes followed.