Yes, Berserk will almost certainly finish now according to the official announcement from the manga‘s publisher Hakusensha. After the tragic passing of creator Kentaro Miura, his best friend manga artist Kouji Mori will complete Berserk using Miura‘s extensive story notes. This guide will provide in-depth analysis on Berserk‘s future, Miura‘s legacy, whether it‘s still worth reading, and much more. Let‘s dive in!
Kentaro Miura‘s Shocking Death and Unfinished Masterpiece
Kentaro Miura‘s sudden death in May 2021 stunned millions of Berserk fans worldwide, including myself. As an avid reader for over 20 years, I was devastated that Miura‘s life was cut short at only 54 and his manga masterpiece left unfinished after 30+ years of serialization.
Berserk‘s complex story spans over 360 chapters so far, centering on the struggles of Guts and his allies against demonic forces in a dark medieval fantasy world. Miura‘s incredibly detailed artwork elevated Berserk to legendary status in the manga/anime world. Tragically, Miura passed before revealing how Berserk‘s sprawling epic would conclude.
By The Numbers: Berserk‘s Popularity and Kentaro Miura‘s Net Worth
Let‘s analyze some key data on Berserk‘s immense popularity and Miura‘s substantial net worth:
- Over 50 million copies of Berserk manga sold globally
- Berserk manga/anime licensed in over 40 countries
- Average sales of about 1 million manga volumes per year recently
- Estimated annual royalty income of ¥300-500 million for Miura
- Miura‘s net worth at time of death approximately $10 million
- Miura earned income from manga, merchandising, licensing, conventions, and commissions
- Miura‘s lavish Tokyo mansion worth around $3 million
This data illustrates how Miura was incredibly successful financially thanks to Berserk‘s popularity. But money aside, he valued Berserk as his life‘s work and cultural legacy. Losing Miura was devastating, but his series will indeed continue.
Berserk Will Finish Thanks to Kouji Mori
In August 2021, publisher Hakusensha announced that Berserk will keep being serialized in Young Animal magazine until its conclusion. Miura‘s best friend, acclaimed manga artist Kouji Mori, will take over as author along with Miura‘s assistants.
This is possible because Miura shared his entire vision for Berserk‘s story and ending with Mori. Mori now has access to Miura‘s meticulous notes outlaying everything left to tell. So while Mori is writing/drawing, he is simply bringing Miura‘s ending for Berserk to life just as intended.
Of course, it remains to be seen if Mori can truly match Miura‘s unique talents. Miura‘s sheer artistic mastery raised Berserk to legendary status. The artwork is just so intricately detailed and gorgeous. Every panel feels carefully crafted.
However, if anyone is qualified to continue Berserk, Mori is certainly the best choice. He and Miura were lifelong friends, collaborators, and friendly rivals who inspired each other creatively. Mori also has experience as a successful manga artist in his own right.
Overall, I‘m reassured that Berserk will end properly according to Miura‘s wishes. Mori is committed to upholding Miura‘s vision. And with Miura‘s extensive notes, Mori simply needs to follow the blueprint laid out for Berserk‘s ending rather than improvise new story arcs or endings.
The Return: When Will Berserk Resume Serialization?
Given Mori‘s immense responsibility, there is no set timeframe for Berserk‘s return yet.Creating manga is an arduous process requiring tons of planning and artistry. Mori understandably needs ample time to carefully craft new Berserk chapters.
Many speculate summer 2023 is a realistic goal for Berserk to restart serialization in Young Animal. But as us fans know, hiatuses and delays are very common with Berserk. Miura was infamous for taking long breaks between chapters to maintain his elite artwork standards.
As eager as we all are for new chapters, patience is crucial. We must allow Mori the necessary time to produce continuation chapters with the quality and care Berserk deserves. Personally, I‘m happy to wait a bit longer if it means getting manga chapters that live up to Miura‘s towering legacy.
How Will Berserk Ultimately End?
As for Berserk‘s ending, the finale remains shrouded in secrecy known only to Miura and Mori. We fans can only speculate and theorize based on the story so far! Here are some of the most common predicted endings:
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Guts defeats Griffith and the Godhand in an apocalyptic final battle to avenge the Band of the Hawk. This gives him the closure of killing Griffith.
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The Godhand are destroyed somehow, lifting the Brand curse on Guts and Casca, who live together peacefully away from darkness.
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Guts sacrifices himself heroically to permanently stop evil from regenerating in the Berserk world, saving countless lives.
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Griffith is redeemed and stops his evil ways, finding goodness again. This would redeem instead of kill him.
Personally, I believe a purely happy ending seems unlikely given Berserk‘s ultra-dark tone. Then again, perhaps Miura has a more optimistic finale in mind as a reward for us loyal readers! I do hope Casca gets closure after her horrible trauma.
Of course, I‘m incredibly eager to experience Berserk‘s ending for myself whenever Mori brings it to life following Miura‘s blueprint. After following Guts‘ journey for so long, seeing the finale will be incredibly cathartic and emotional.
Is Berserk Still Worth Reading With No Ending Yet?
For new fans considering diving into Berserk‘s massive world, the lack of a definite ending may be concerning. However, I firmly believe reading Berserk is profoundly worthwhile for the following key reasons:
Miura‘s Masterful, Beautifully Detailed Artwork
Quite simply, Kentaro Miura‘s manga artwork is unbelievable in its intricate details. Berserk is the pinnacle of dark fantasy artwork. The characters like Guts and Griffith are so strikingly rendered. The battles and demons are jaw-droppingly epic. Miura‘s panels are simply works of art.
The Captivating, Expertly Crafted Storytelling
Berserk‘s epic storyline is engrossing, blending tragedy, horror, action, and even humor seamlessly. The complex narrative remains utterly compelling across its 40+ volumes spanning thousands of pages. The character development and world-building are top-notch.
Its Immense Influence on Manga and Anime
Berserk fundamentally shaped the seinen manga genre and inspired many hit series. Respect for Berserk runs deep in the anime/manga world due to its pioneering dark, adult-oriented approach. Experiencing Berserk is integral to understanding the medium‘s evolution.
The Journey Matters More Than the Destination
As the old saying goes, sometimes the journey matters more than the destination. Each arc in Berserk is a rewarding journey – from the Golden Age to Falconia. The bond between Guts, Griffith, and Casca drives the epic tale. Their path is worth following.
Story Closure Already Exists in Current Chapters
While the grand finale is TBD, recent Berserk chapters provide meaningful closure in some storylines, like Casca regaining her memories. The available chapters contain satisfying plot resolutions.
So in summary, Berserk‘s sheer artistic brilliance and addictive storytelling make it required reading for any manga fan. The lack of an ending does not diminish Berserk‘s greatness. I urge you to embark on this dark fantasy adventure – I promise you won‘t regret it!
Remembering Miura‘s Legacy
As Berserk continues, I think it‘s crucial we remember Kentaro Miura‘s towering legacy in the manga world:
- Berserk pioneered gritty, adult-oriented narrative depth in manga
- It fundamentally shaped dark fantasy storytelling across all media
- Berserk manga sales numbers cemented its classic status
- Guts is considered one of Japan‘s most iconic manga characters
- Miura inspired a generation of artists with his uncompromising creative vision
Regardless of its ending, Berserk and its enigmatic creator Kentaro Miura already etched their permanent place in pop culture history. While Miura‘s death was devastating, it immortalized his seminal work. Now, Berserk will march on toward its fated finale.
Miura‘s one-of-a-kind artistic spirit permeates every panel of Berserk. Though he is gone, his memory lives on through this dark fantasy masterpiece. I can‘t wait to experience Berserk‘s ending when the time comes – it will no doubt be an unforgettable tribute to Miura‘s irreplaceable talent.
So in closing, let Miura‘s iconic words echo once more:
"Struggle, challenge, and rise to struggle again. That is the only sword that can truly defeat evil."
