Berserk (2016–2017)
The Black Swordsman’s March Against Fate
Berserk (2016–2017) marks the long-awaited continuation of Kentaro Miura’s legendary dark fantasy after the Golden Age Arc. Where the previous films ended with betrayal and rebirth, this adaptation begins in a world already broken — one shaped by sacrifice, demons, and an unending thirst for revenge.
This series follows Guts as the Black Swordsman, no longer a mercenary chasing survival or camaraderie, but a man driven by rage, trauma, and defiance against destiny itself. It adapts the Black Swordsman Arc, Conviction Arc, and early Falcon of the Millennium Empire material, setting the foundation for Berserk’s darker philosophical exploration.
Though controversial for its animation style, Berserk (2016–2017) remains essential viewing for understanding Guts’ transformation from victim to warrior who dares to stand against gods.
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Series Overview
Title: Berserk
Japanese Title: ベルセルク
Seasons: 2
Episodes:
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Season 1 (2016): 12 episodes
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Season 2 (2017): 12 episodes
Studios: GEMBA, Millepensee
Original Manga: Written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Action, Horror, Psychological, Tragedy
Streaming Platforms: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video (region-based), DVD / Blu-ray
Opening Theme: “Inferno” by 9mm Parabellum Bullet
Ending Theme: “Waiting So Long” by Silver Fins
Story Summary
Set after the events of the Eclipse, Berserk (2016) opens with Guts wandering from battlefield to battlefield, hunting Apostles — humans who sacrificed others for demonic power. Armed with the massive Dragon Slayer, a mechanical arm cannon, and an unbreakable will, Guts has become a walking embodiment of vengeance.
Marked with the Brand of Sacrifice, Guts is constantly hunted by monsters drawn to his cursed existence. Along his journey, he reunites with Casca, whose mind was shattered during the Eclipse. Though she is physically alive, her trauma has reduced her to a childlike state, forcing Guts to confront a painful truth: revenge cannot heal everything.
As the series progresses into the Conviction Arc, religious fanaticism, mass hysteria, and false salvation dominate the world. The Holy See’s influence spreads fear and violence, while the Tower of Conviction becomes the stage for another horrific convergence of fate.
Season 2 expands the journey further as Guts begins to gather companions — not as soldiers, but as fellow survivors. Though he resists attachment, the formation of a new group signals a subtle but important shift: Guts’ war against fate may not be fought alone.
Season Breakdown
Season 1 (2016) – The Black Swordsman’s Curse
Season 1 adapts the Black Swordsman Arc and the emotionally devastating Lost Children Chapter. It introduces Guts as a man already consumed by rage, wandering from town to town hunting Apostles — humans who traded their humanity for demonic power.
Season 2 (2017) – Conviction and the Echo of the Eclipse
Season 2 adapts the Conviction Arc, expanding Berserk’s scope beyond personal revenge into societal collapse, religious extremism, and mass hysteria.
Major Arcs Covered
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Black Swordsman Arc — Guts’ brutal solo crusade against Apostles.
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Lost Children Chapter — Innocence corrupted by demonic influence.
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Conviction Arc — Religious extremism, mass sacrifice, and rebirth.
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Tower of Conviction Arc — Echoes of the Eclipse and Casca’s trauma.
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Early Falcon of the Millennium Empire Arc — Formation of Guts’ new party.
Main Characters
- Guts (The Black Swordsman) — A man forged by trauma and rage. Guts embodies resistance against fate, wielding strength born from suffering rather than destiny.
- Casca — Once a fierce warrior, now a symbol of psychological devastation. Her presence grounds Guts’ rage with painful humanity.
- Puck — An elf who provides comic relief and moral contrast, reminding viewers of the compassion Guts tries to bury.
- Farnese — A former religious zealot whose journey mirrors the collapse of blind faith.
- Serpico — A calm, skilled fighter whose loyalty to Farnese introduces balance to Guts’ raw aggression.
- Apostles — Monstrous beings who represent the ultimate betrayal of humanity for power.
Themes and Style
- Revenge vs. Healing — Can hatred sustain a life?
- Trauma and Survival — Living after irreversible loss.
- Faith and Fanaticism — Religion as control rather than salvation.
- Defiance of Fate — Struggling against an inevitable destiny.
- Isolation and Companionship — The slow return to humanity.
Berserk (2016–2017) shifts from epic tragedy to psychological endurance, exploring what it means to keep moving forward when the world itself is hostile.
Animation & Music
Produced by Studio GEMBA and Millepensee, the series is infamous for its hybrid 2D/3D animation. While divisive, the stiff CGI reflects the harsh, mechanical brutality of Guts’ existence.
The soundtrack, however, stands strong. Heavy guitar riffs and atmospheric tracks reinforce the raw aggression and despair of the story, while quiet moments emphasize loneliness and loss.
Despite its flaws, the series captures Berserk’s emotional weight and violence with uncompromising intensity.
Connection to the Berserk Timeline
Berserk (2016–2017) directly follows:
And leads into:
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Later manga arcs involving Griffith’s rise as a savior-king
It represents the true beginning of Berserk’s long war between man and fate.
Where to Watch
You can watch Berserk (2016–2017) on:
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Amazon Prime Video (region-based)
Popularity & Reception
While heavily criticized for its animation, Berserk (2016–2017) is still regarded as essential viewing due to its faithful storytelling, character depth, and thematic weight. Many fans view it as a flawed but necessary bridge between Golden Age tragedy and Berserk’s larger mythological scope.
Final Thoughts
Berserk (2016–2017) is not an easy watch — and it is not meant to be. It depicts a world where survival is defiance, kindness is rare, and hope must be earned through pain.
This is the story of a man who refuses to kneel before destiny.
The struggle continues.
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