Berserk: A Promise to Deliver an Authentic Black Swordsman Anime Adaptation
Berserk: The Black Swordsman Anime promises to redeem the franchise with its highly anticipated fan-made project This independent animation venture is determined to break free from the notorious reputation of the previous CG-animated adaptation of 2016
Studio Eclypse, a group of animation enthusiasts, has announced their plans to create an unofficial Berserk anime project that will faithfully portray "The Black Swordsman" storyline.
Teasing fans on YouTube, Studio Eclypse released a preview of their production entitled Berserk: The Black Swordsman. The fan studio expressed their excitement about collaborating with exceptional artists like Mark Reymer to produce a traditional 2D adaptation of the often overlooked tales, starting from the very beginning. They made it clear that this project is created out of admiration for the late Kentaro Miura, as well as the utmost respect for Studio Gaga and Hakusensha.
The initial storyline of the Berserk manga, known as "The Black Swordsman," was created by the late Kentarou Miura. In the first episode of the 1997 Berserk TV anime, this narrative arc was condensed and drew from the first and second chapters of the manga. The CG-animated Berserk series also took inspiration from the manga's initial two chapters for its debut episode, while incorporating elements from the "Conviction" story arc. Studio Eclypse has clarified that they do not have any intentions of adapting the "Golden Age" arc, as it has already been covered by the 1997 anime and the animated film trilogy released from 2012 to 2013.
Berserk: The Black Swordsman will be an exclusively 2D-animated project that focuses on neglected storylines not explored in previous adaptations. This decision to employ traditional 2D animation for Berserk stands in stark contrast to the series' more modern anime adaptations, particularly the 2016 version that gained notoriety for its poorly received CG animation. The animation issues in the 2016 adaptation stemmed from studio Gemba's underestimation of the extensive work required to bring Miura's gritty and intricately detailed world to life within a tight TV production schedule. It was also Gemba's debut in producing a full-length animated series.
Despite the untimely passing of Berserk creator Miura in 2021, fans still find themselves captivated by his dark fantasy narrative, centered around a solitary swordsman named Guts as he navigates a cruel and repulsive world. While Miura was unable to conclude the Berserk series within his lifetime, his close friend Kouji Mori and Studio Gaga (Miura's production studio) have taken up the mantle, continuing the series based on the information shared by Miura prior to his passing.
Mori, in a recent interview, discussed the decision to continue Berserk without its creator, stating that he felt obligated to take action to avoid disappointing Miura and shared his thoughts on the matter. He explained the development to Studio Gaga staff during a lengthy meeting, followed by exchanging personal messages with the chief. While Mori offers guidance on drafts, the final drawings are solely the work of Studio Gaga, whose talented staff, including Chief Kurosaki-kun, possess extraordinary drawing skills. Mori believes that their contributions to Berserk will establish them as influential artists in the world of manga.
Berserk can be streamed on Prime Video and Crunchyroll. Dark Horse is responsible for distributing the English version of the manga.
Source: YouTube, X (formerly Twitter)
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am incredibly excited about the Berserk: The Black Swordsman fan-made anime project. The 2016 CG-animated adaptation was a huge disappointment for many fans, so it's great to see that a group of passionate animators are taking it upon themselves to create a more faithful adaptation of the manga.
I'm particularly excited about the fact that Studio Eclypse is focusing on the "Black Swordsman" storyline, which has been largely neglected in previous adaptations. This is a great opportunity to explore some of the darker and more mature themes of the Berserk universe. I'm also confident that the traditional 2D animation style will be a much better fit for the series than the CG animation used in the 2016 adaptation.
Overall, I think the Berserk: The Black Swordsman project has the potential to be a truly great anime adaptation of the manga. I can't wait to see what Studio Eclypse has in store for us.
