Adriano Medeiros ’22
May 6th, 2021 popular mangaauthor Kentaro Miura unfortunately passed away from an aortic dissection at the age of 54. Kentaro illustrated and wrote many different manga, but his legacy will live on in the masterpiece that is his manga, Berserk.
Berserk, a dark fantasy manga set in medieval Europe started publication in 1989 and continued on to the present day. Berserk made waves through the manga industry not only with it’s incredibly detailed illustrations, but with it’s mature plot, which tackled dark themes such as causality, destiny, freewill, and the human struggle against fate and the gods that bind them to it’s strings.
The story depicts the protagonist, Guts, a former mercenary who had lost everything and everyone he loved to the forces of darkness. Setting him on a path of revenge and carnage that’s paved with pain, suffering, and struggle as he battles against the demonic apostles and the force of causality itself. Berserk and Miyra’s legacy will be left branded in their readers’ hearts and the many forms of media that it has influenced.
Most famous examples being the multitude of games produced from the video game company From Software. Video games such as the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice have all been heavily influenced by Miura’s work. Each game bares its references and influences from Berserk seen in little things from item and character design to things like their plot, themes, and atmosphere. This homage to Berserk that is seen in these games will most certainly be seen in From Software’s most recent title, Elden Ring, which is set out to release in January. Berserk has also left its mark on the manga industry as a whole. Influencing hundreds of different manga artists and putting the Seinen genre on the map.
Kentaro Miura’s Berserk through its gory and dark story taught it’s readers that no matter what happens one must struggle. Whether that be for one’s dream, loved ones, ideals, or their very life. To struggle against the very strings of fate, to die doing what you love, and to live how you chose to live. Berserk will live on, carrying with it the lessons and morals Kenatro set to pass on to his readers. Thank you for your art, words, and wisdom, may you rest in peace.
The Salesian Spectator 