Berserk 1997

The Golden Age of Tragedy

Berserk (1997) adapts the legendary Golden Age Arc of Kentaro Miura’s manga, telling a haunting tale of ambition, brotherhood, betrayal, and fate. This season focuses on the rise and fall of mercenaries, the cost of dreams, and the beginning of one of anime’s darkest journeys.

The series balances medieval warfare, political ambition, and deeply personal tragedy, laying the emotional foundation for the entire Berserk saga.

Season 1 Overview

Title: Berserk (1997)
Japanese Title: 剣風伝奇ベルセルク (Kenpū Denki Berserk)
Episodes: 25
Air Date: October 7, 1997 – March 31, 1998
Studio: OLM Team Iguchi
Source: Manga by Kentaro Miura
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Action, Drama, Seinen
Streaming Platforms: Netflix, DVD / Blu-ray (availability varies by region)
Opening Theme: “Tell Me Why” by Penpals
Ending Theme: “Waiting So Long” by Silver Fins

Story Summary

The story follows Guts, a lone mercenary wielding a massive sword, whose life has been shaped by violence and survival. The series unfolds largely as a flashback, revealing how Guts became entangled with the charismatic and ambitious Griffith, leader of the mercenary group known as the Band of the Hawk.

After defeating Guts in combat, Griffith forces him to join the Hawks. What begins as a reluctant partnership evolves into deep camaraderie as the group rises through the ranks of the Kingdom of Midland, winning battles and earning noble favor.

However, beneath their victories lies a growing tension between Griffith’s dream of owning his own kingdom and Guts’ search for personal purpose. As ambition, jealousy, and fate collide, the story descends into betrayal and irreversible tragedy, forever changing the lives of those involved.

Major Arcs Covered

• Black Swordsman Prologue — Introduces Guts as a ruthless warrior hunted by demonic forces.

• Band of the Hawk Arc — Guts joins Griffith’s mercenary group and rises through bloody battlefields.

• Midland War Arc — The Hawks become national heroes as they fight enemy kingdoms.

• Dreams and Ambition Arc — Explores Griffith’s obsession with destiny and Guts’ desire for independence.

• Fall from Grace Arc — Political scandal, imprisonment, and betrayal shatter the Hawks’ future.

Main Characters

• Guts — A hardened mercenary born into violence, struggling to find meaning beyond survival.

• Griffith — Charismatic and beautiful, driven by an overwhelming dream that consumes everything.

• Casca — A skilled warrior and Griffith’s most loyal follower, torn between love and duty.

• Judeau — A kind-hearted and intelligent Hawk, providing emotional balance to the group.

• Pippin & Corkus — Veteran soldiers representing loyalty and realism within the mercenary band.

Themes and Style

• Dreams vs Freedom — What happens when one person’s dream consumes others.

• Fate and Causality — The inevitability of suffering and destiny.

• Brotherhood and Betrayal — Trust forged in blood, destroyed by ambition.

• Loss of Innocence — The price of growing stronger in a cruel world.

Berserk’s storytelling is slow, deliberate, and emotionally heavy, prioritizing character psychology over spectacle.

Animation & Visuals

Produced by OLM Team Iguchi, Berserk (1997) uses a gritty, hand-drawn style that emphasizes atmosphere over spectacle. Despite limited budget, Berserk (1997) delivers a raw and atmospheric presentation. Dark color palettes, static shots, and haunting imagery amplify the emotional weight of the story. The medieval setting feels oppressive and grounded, perfectly matching the series’ tragic tone.

The soundtrack by Susumu Hirasawa is legendary. Tracks like “Forces” and “Guts’ Theme” elevate scenes with haunting intensity, becoming inseparable from Berserk’s identity. The soundtrack is iconic, with melancholic themes that linger long after episodes end, reinforcing Berserk’s sense of doom and inevitability.

Where to Watch

Berserk (1997) is available via:

• Netflix
  

• DVD & Blu-ray releases

Popularity and Reception

The 1997 Berserk anime is considered a cult classic, praised for its emotional depth, mature storytelling, and faithful adaptation of the Golden Age Arc’s tone. While it does not complete the arc’s ending, it remains one of the most influential dark fantasy anime ever produced.

It introduced countless fans to Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece and continues to be recommended as the definitive entry point into the Berserk universe.

Final Thoughts

Berserk (1997) is not an easy watch — it is a slow-burning tragedy that demands emotional investment. But for those willing to endure its darkness, it delivers one of anime’s most powerful stories about ambition, friendship, and loss.

This season represents the calm before the storm, making the inevitable collapse even more devastating. It stands as a timeless reminder that some dreams demand a price too great to pay.