Berserk – Season 2 (2017)

Conviction and the Echo of the Eclipse

Berserk Season 2 expands the brutal world introduced in Season 1, shifting the story from pure survival to spiritual conflict, destiny, and rebirth. While Guts continues his war against Apostles, this season delves deeper into the psychological and religious consequences of the Eclipse, revealing how faith can be twisted into cruelty.

This season adapts the Conviction Arc, one of Kentaro Miura’s most emotionally and thematically dense storylines. It explores how humanity seeks salvation through fanaticism when faced with fear, suffering, and hopelessness — and how monsters are often born from belief, not darkness alone.

At its core, Season 2 is about consequences. The world has not healed since the Eclipse — it has rotted.

Season 2 Overview

Title: Berserk – Season 2
Japanese Title: ベルセルク
Episodes: 12
Air Date: April 7, 2017 – June 23, 2017
Studios: GEMBA, Millepensee
Original Manga: Written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura
Streaming Platforms: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video (region-based), DVD / Blu-ray
Opening Theme: “Sacrifice” by 9mm Parabellum Bullet
Ending Theme: “The Sun” by Nao Kawakita

Story Summary

Following the events of Season 1, Guts continues his relentless journey, still hunted by demons due to the Brand of Sacrifice. However, his path slowly begins to intersect with others — including those scarred by the same catastrophe.

The story centers around the Tower of Conviction, a religious stronghold ruled by blind faith and violent dogma. The Holy See’s Inquisition, led by the fanatical Mozgus, executes so-called heretics in the name of salvation, believing suffering purifies the soul.

As the world descends into chaos, Guts reunites with Casca, now mentally shattered by the Eclipse. Protecting her becomes as important as vengeance, forcing Guts to confront emotions he buried beneath rage.

The climax of the season echoes the Eclipse itself — a grotesque rebirth fueled by mass hysteria, sacrifice, and warped belief — proving that evil does not always come from demons, but from humanity’s desperation to be saved.

Major Arcs Covered

• Conviction Arc — Religious extremism and persecution dominate a decaying society.

• Tower of Conviction Arc — Faith-driven cruelty reaches its terrifying peak.

• Echo of the Eclipse — A distorted reenactment of the tragedy that changed everything.

• Reunion Arc — Guts and Casca’s paths converge once more.

Main Characters

• Guts — A warrior torn between revenge and protection, slowly rediscovering purpose.

• Casca — Mentally broken yet central to the world’s fate.

• Farnese — A noblewoman confronting the collapse of her beliefs.

• Serpico — A calm and calculating protector hiding deep loyalty.

• Mozgus — A terrifying symbol of religious fanaticism.

• Puck — The emotional anchor preserving Guts’ humanity.

Themes and Style

• Faith vs. Truth — Blind belief as a weapon.

• Religious Fanaticism — Salvation through cruelty.

• Trauma and Memory — The inescapable shadow of the Eclipse.

• Human Monsters — Evil born from fear, not demons.

• Rebirth Through Suffering — Transformation at unbearable cost.

Season 2 deepens Berserk’s philosophical core, challenging ideas of morality, justice, and redemption.

Animation & Music

Produced by Studio Millepensee with assistance from GEMBA, Season 2 continues the hybrid CGI style. While divisive, the animation emphasizes weight, brutality, and the grotesque atmosphere of the Conviction Arc.

The opening theme “Sacrifice” reflects the season’s themes of suffering and faith, while the ending theme offers a somber reflection on loss and survival.

Where to Watch

You can stream Berserk – Season 2 (2017) on:

• Crunchyroll

• Amazon Prime Video (region-based)

• DVD / Blu-ray

Popularity & Reception

Season 2 was praised for adapting one of Berserk’s most powerful arcs and expanding the story beyond revenge into deeper moral territory. While animation remained controversial, the storytelling, themes, and character development were widely recognized as essential to the Berserk saga.

Final Thoughts

Berserk – Season 2 (2017) transforms the series from a tale of vengeance into a meditation on faith, trauma, and humanity’s darkest instincts.

The Eclipse may be over —
but its shadow still devours the world.