Miura’s legacy must be saved properly.
After Kentaro Miura’s death, fans were in despair, until his friend Koji Mori took everything under control. Miura’s apprentices and Mori’s knowledge about the story of Berserk helped to continue the Fantasia arc. But still, new chapters are released rarely and fans are tired of waiting. The only way out is to reread old chapters, or to rewatch anime adaptations. But anime adaptations can be worse than waiting for the new chapter.
The history of trying to adapt Berserk is rather disappointing. Let’s start with the adaptation from 1997-1998, which brought on the screen the Golden Age — Kenpuu Denki Berserk. This work is still considered to be one of the best dark-fantasy anime. Beautiful artwork, music by Susumu Hirasawa and an original story make this title a fan favorite. However, some people think Kenpuu Denki Berserk is overrated. Well, maybe, considering that this is the only good manga adaptation.
Then, in 2012-2013, three movies came out that also adapted the Golden Age. They looked better than the series from 1997-1998, but, according to fans, they had no soul. Strange argument, but fans know better, because there is still only one adaptation with the same arc. However, these movies were decent and the public liked them, even though the fans called it fast-paced and pointless, again, because of the same arc. The studio received its money, and everything was normal until…
Until the adaptation by Millepensee and GEMBA came out. Some fans and the public were shocked — according to them, this adaptation was the worst in many aspects — 3D animation, sound design and artwork. But these series went on and showed us the next chapter of Berserk. The adaptation of the new arc didn’t help at all, and these series were forgotten.
Finally, there is the 2022 Memorial Edition, which was made from three movies in the series with new scenes. It was warmly received, but nothing more. Fans still think that there is no point in adapting the manga or competing with the old adaptation. Maybe they are right, but there is an opportunity to never get an ending in the manga, that’s why we need something that will keep Miura’s legacy alive. If the manga doesn't end, we need an adaptation with a big budget and people who worked on Berserk to keep the original. But there is a chance that no one would fund the new Berserk adaptation. In this case, we have to remember and praise everything that Kentaro Miura has done for us.