Summary
Devilman Crybaby captures the Lovecraft-style horror and character motivations of Berserk, with similarities between Akira and Guts. Fist of the North Star, the main inspiration for Berserk, features a protagonist similar to Guts and offers a thrilling, action-packed experience. The Rose of Versailles, although a shojo classic, shares similarities with Berserk in its court intrigue and character development.
It’s no surprise that fans are always paying attention best anime like Berserk. After all, no franchise has veered into dark fantasy quite like Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece. Since its publication in 1989, Berserk has been the subject of two anime series, three films, and three video games. Even popular video games like Elden Ring and Dark Souls borrow heavily from Berserk’s legacy. With the recent release of Chapter 375 of the manga, it’s clear that Guts’ revenge-fueled quest continues to captivate audiences nearly 35 years later.
With the tragic passing of Berserk creator Miura in 2021 and his team, Studio Gaga, continuing to release the manga, many fans predict Berserk may soon come to an end. While this left many people with an early behelite-sized hole in their hearts, there are still plenty of anime that recapture the magic of Berserk. Whether they are thrilling, high-stakes, character-based, or a combination of all three, the best anime series like Berserk are not to be missed.
10 Devilman Crybaby conveys the same Lovecraftian horrors
Anime by Science SARU & Based on Manga by Go Nagai
Released on Netflix in 2018, Devilman Crybaby is a pioneering update of Go Nagai’s 1970s Devilman series. The film tells the story of Akira Fudo, a bleeding-heart who is haunted by his friend, Ryo Asuka. convince him to merge with a devil. Berserk fans know that Miura was heavily inspired by Go Nagai’s manga, and there’s no denying that Akira and Ryo bear a strong resemblance to Guts and Griffith, especially in this recent adaptation. The most important, Devilman Crybaby’s Lovecraftian, cosmic horror directly parallels the events of Eclipse at the end of Berserk’s Golden Age arc.
Watch on Netflix
9 Fist of the North Star has an inspirational protagonist
Anime by Toei Animation & Based on Manga by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara
A mid-’80s classic, Fist of the North Star chronicles the adventures of a warrior and martial artist named Kenshiro, who destroys his opponents in extremely violent ways. According to Miura, it is not only one of the most influential anime of all time but also the greatest inspiration for his own work. Although Fist is arguably less character-oriented than Berserk, Kenshiro’s ridiculously strong physique bears a notable resemblance to Miura’s Guts. For those wanting a crash course in classic anime, don’t miss this action-packed show.
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8 The Rose of Versailles has court intrigue and investment in its characters
Anime by Tokyo Movie Shinsha & Based on Manga by Riyoko Ikeda
Some people may be surprised that a shoujo classic like The Rose of Versailles is even compared to Berserk. However, Miura himself said he was inspired by this historical anime when creating his dark fantasy world. Berserk can be gory and disturbing at times, but its characters always come first, and audiences have shojo fables, such as Versailles, to thank for that. Also, meSome of Berserk’s court plots bear similarities to those of Lady Oscar at Versailles. when she served Marie Antoinette. Fans will also notice that Griffith’s appearance and outfit at court resemble Lady Oscar’s, right down to the shoulders.
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7 Vinland Saga has a similarly grim medieval setting
Anime by Wit Studio & Based on Manga by Makoto Yukimura
Comparisons between Vinland Saga and Berserk have been made since the film adaptation of the Viking epic debuted in 2019. From the gritty medieval setting to some of the best character designs in anime history , Vinland Saga is sure to whet the appetite of any Berserk fan. What’s interesting is that Vinland’s main character, Thorfinn, sets out to seek revenge and becomes a pacifist, almost the opposite of Guts’ journey. However, the villain Canute’s rise to power has uncanny similarities to Griffith’s. Both Vinland Saga and Berserk have been compared to Game of Thrones, so fans of that high-fantasy series will find plenty to like here.
Watch on Netflix
Anime by Madhouse With characters by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
With a lone wolf protagonist, ghostly enemies and horrifying bloody battle scenes, There are many overlaps between Berserk and the 1993 animated film Ninja Scroll. Some have even noted that the film’s tough-as-nails Kagero, and her romance with Jubei, are quite similar to Berserk’s Casca and her relationship with Guts. Ninja Scroll set a new standard for the level of sex and violence in anime, pushing the envelope in the same way Berserk did. With that in mind, this stylishly gory tale is not for the faint of heart.
Watch on Amazon Prime
5 Dororo contains themes of sacrifice and revenge
Anime by Studio MAPPA & Based on Manga by Osamu Tezuka
Like Berserk, Dororo has incredible durability. The first anime adaptation aired in 1969, but Studio MAPPA rebooted it in 2019, adding additional characters and plot. Set in the distant past, greedy samurai Daigo will do anything to gain power, just like the white-haired villain Berserk fans know well. He sacrifices his son Hyakkimaru’s body parts to various demons, and Hyakkimaru must journey to regain his body and take revenge on the one who betrayed him. Although Hyakkimaru is much quieter and gentler than the cynical Guts, the similarities between the two characters cannot be denied.
Watch on Amazon Prime
4 Psycho-Pass has a similar villain to Griffith
Anime by Production IG
Psycho-Pass, like Berserk, disrupts the audience’s idea of what a villain should look like and how they behave. The main antagonist of the previous season, Shogo Makishima, is charismatic, has a calm personality, and is one of the most intelligent anime villains of all time, much like Berserk’s Griffith. They also have an almost otherworldly physical beauty, and that angelic appearance contrasts sharply with their nefarious actions. Makishima and Griffith are also very good at rationalizing their actions — Makishima because of his philosophical, cautious mindset and Griffith because of his deep-seated issues of guilt and self-loathing.
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3 Attack on Titan is not afraid of gloom
Anime by Wit & MAPPA Studio & Based on Manga by Hajime Isayama
Like Berserk, Attack on Titan doesn’t hesitate to kill off beloved characters before viewers can fully process what happened. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin are all fighters in their own ways, like Guts, in the fight against larger-than-life creatures. Griffith’s downward spiral also parallels Eren’s descent into villainy, both being the perfect culmination of each character’s story. With a similar medieval setting, compelling protagonists, and characters who strive to survive against all odds, Attack on Titan has a lot to keep die-hard Berserk fans happy. The final season ends on November 5, so newcomers will have a full, convincing story to look forward to.
Watch On Crunchyroll
2 The end of Evangelion was as swift as a solar eclipse
Anime produced by Gainax & IG with characters by Hideaki Ano
Mention Eclipse to any Berserk fan and the reaction will be shock, sadness, and outrage. The ending to the Golden Age of Berserk arc may have been terrible, but it also made for some of the best episodes of television ever made. The End of Evangelion concludes Shinji’s story with similar violence and twists, with a plethora of body horror and abstract images. From the destruction of Angel Lilith to Shinji and Asuka’s rematter on the post-apocalyptic shore, Evangelion doesn’t explain its series of events as much as Berserk does. However, it is still worth watching and is considered one of the best animated films of all time.
Watch on Netflix
1 The Legend of Galactic Heroes focuses heavily on war and politics
Anime by K-Factory & Based on novel by Yoshiki Tanaka
On the surface, the sci-fi setting of Legend of the Galactic Heroes looks quite different from the vaguely medieval setting of Berserk. However, both films are filled with carnage and political intrigue. Some of the characters are similar – Legend’s Reinhard von Lohengramm closely resembles Griffith in appearance, methods and tactical genius. However, a notable difference is that the main character Wen-li Yang cannot go against the orders of his superiors, unlike Guts, who is considered a “mad dog” by the members of the Band of the Hawk. . For a classic anime with intelligent, complex characters, Legend of the Galactic Heroes should be next on any Berserk fan’s list.
Watch On HIDIVE