After a year-long wait, Berserk publisher Young Animal has finally announced the hit manga’s return. Readers who have long wondered whether the series would continue finally have their answer, and better yet, it’s returning sooner than fans might expect.
The world of manga was shocked by Berserk creator Kentaro Miura’s unexpected death in May of 2021. At the time of his passing, he had one unreleased chapter finished and one script complete for the chapter after that. Though the first chapter after Miura’s passing was far from an ending, it did leave on a somewhat fitting place as the main character Guts finally seemed to find peace after a lifetime of strife and pain. The next chapter (with art finished by Miura’s assistants in his production house, Studio Gaga) upended all of that. That chapter ended on a cliffhanger that left fans with far too many questions. If Berserk’s publisher is anything to go by then it looks like readers will finally get the answers they’ve been seeking.
Now, Berserk’s official Twitter account posted a letter publisher Young Animal released to fans. The letter reveals that the manga’s return will be overseen by Kentaro Miura’s close friend Kouji Mori with art by Studio Gaga. Mouri is also a mangaka published by Young Animal. The first new chapter will be released on June 24th. After that, five more chapters will be published to conclude the Fantasia Arc/Elf Island arc before the manga shifts gears to a new arc. While both Mori and Young Animal are clear that Miura did not leave behind a rough draft before his passing, he did talk extensively about where the manga was going.
Soon after Miura’s death, many fans had speculated that Kouji Mori could be the one to help complete Berserk, so his involvement here doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise. What’s most surprising is the date of the first chapter. Berserk has spent more than a year in a state of limbo, so the fact that a new chapter is mere weeks away is exciting. It also seems like Young Animal made a wise choice with Mori. Miura and Mori were close friends, so if anyone would know the best course for Berserk, it would be him along with Miura’s assistants at Studio Gaga. As exciting as this is though, it’s difficult to imagine the pressure this continuation will put on the team working to make sure the saga that Miura began will be finished properly.
Still, none of this is to diminish the fervor surrounding this announcement. Berserk is beloved for a reason. It is a nuanced and rich story with complex themes. There’s a reason the series’ fandom has only grown since Miura’s death. Whether it be an entire Berserk-themed rap album or cool cosplay, fans have not shied away from showing their appreciation for the series. Now that Berserk is officially continuing, fans can rejoice that Miura’s vision is in good hands.
Source: @Berserk_Project