Berserk (2016)

A brutal dark fantasy anime following the Black Swordsman Guts as he wages a relentless, blood-soaked war against demonic forces and divine enemies.

Berserk - Series Information

  • Original Title: ベルセルク
  • First Air Year: 2016
  • Last Air Year: 2017
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
  • Content Rating (US): TV-MA
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 24 minutes
  • Number of Seasons: 2
  • Number of Episodes: 24
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: Japanese
  • Spoken Languages: Japanese
  • First Air Date: July 1, 2016 (United States - NR), July 1, 2016 (Canada - 18+), July 1, 2016 (United Kingdom - 18), July 1, 2016 (Australia - MA 15+), July 1, 2016 (Brazil - 18), July 1, 2016 (Mexico - C), July 1, 2016 (South Korea - 19)
  • Networks: WOWOW Prime
  • Production Companies: LIDENFILMS, Millepensee, GEMBA
  • Production Countries: Japan
  • Alternative Titles: Berserk.2016 (US), 베르세르크 (KR), Berserk (2016) (FR), 烙印战士 (CN), بيرزيرك (SA), Kiếm Sĩ Đen (VN)

Berserk - Plot

Spurred by the flame raging in his heart, the Black Swordsman Guts continues his seemingly endless quest for revenge. Standing in his path are heinous outlaws, delusional evil spirits, and a devout child of god. Even as it chips away at his life, Guts continues to fight his enemies, who wield repulsive and inhumane power, with nary but his body and sword—his strength as a human.

Berserk - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see Guts' brutal world come to life:

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Berserk - Cast & Crew

Main Cast

  • Hiroaki Iwanaga
  • Toa Yukinari
  • Kaoru Mizuhara
  • Yoko Hikasa
  • Kazuyuki Okitsu
  • Hiro Shimono
  • Rebecca Davis
  • Ayako Takeuchi

Writers

  • Makoto Fukami
  • Takashi Yamashita
  • Kenzen

Berserk - FAQs

Where can you stream Berserk 2016?

Berserk (2016) is available to stream on Crunchyroll, including through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. Both options offer the series as part of a flat-rate subscription, making it easy to watch all 24 episodes across the two seasons.

Is Berserk 2016 based on a manga?

The series is a direct adaptation of Kentaro Miura's legendary manga Berserk, one of the most acclaimed dark fantasy manga ever published. The 2016 anime picks up after the Golden Age arc, adapting the Conviction and Falcon of the Millennium Empire arcs from the manga.

Why is Berserk 2016 controversial among fans?

The 2016 adaptation drew significant criticism for its heavy use of CGI animation, which many fans found jarring compared to the fluid style of the beloved 1997 anime. The choppy frame rates and visual inconsistencies sparked widespread debate, though the story itself remained faithful to Miura's source material.

How many seasons and episodes does Berserk 2016 have?

Berserk (2016) ran for two seasons, each containing 12 episodes, for a total of 24 episodes. There are also 2 special episodes included in Season 0. The series aired from July 2016 through June 2017 on WOWOW Prime in Japan.

Does Berserk 2016 cover the full manga story?

No, the 2016 series covers only a portion of Miura's sprawling manga — primarily the Conviction arc and parts of the Falcon of the Millennium Empire arc. The manga itself remained unfinished at the time of Miura's passing in 2021, leaving many story threads unresolved on screen.

What is the content rating for Berserk 2016?

Berserk (2016) carries a TV-MA rating, reflecting its intense violence, disturbing imagery, demonic themes, and mature narrative content. It is strictly intended for adult viewers and is not suitable for children or younger teenagers.

Who composed the music for Berserk 2016?

The score for Berserk (2016) was composed by Shiro Sagisu, the acclaimed composer known for his iconic work on Neon Genesis Evangelion and Bleach. His music brings a sweeping, dramatic intensity to Guts' brutal journey through a world overrun by demons and despair.

What anime series are similar to Berserk 2016?

Fans of Berserk (2016) often enjoy Claymore, Blade of the Immortal, and The Heroic Legend of Arslan for their dark fantasy settings and morally complex warriors. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Devil Lady also share the series' taste for supernatural conflict and relentless action.

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