Berserk
Kenfu Denki Berserk
Kenpuu Denki Berserk
Genres
- Action
- Adventure
- Drama
- Fantasy
- Horror
Tags
all 29- DemographicSeinen94
- ActionSwordplay91
- OtherWar89
- Main CastMale Protagonist88
- OtherGore86
- TimeMedieval85
- OrganisationsMilitary83
- OtherFound Family83
- Main CastAnti-Hero83
- Main CastPrimarily Adult Cast82
- OtherPhilosophy80
- TraitsDemons77
- DramaRevenge73
- OtherPolitics72
- Main CastPrimarily Male Cast63
- OtherTravel61
- TraitsTsundere60
- TraitsTomboy58
- TraitsTanned Skin57
- DramaComing of Age57
- TraitsNudity56
- ActionArchery56
- ActionFugitive54
- OtherSurvival53
- DramaClass Struggle50
- FantasyCurses46
- Main CastFemale Protagonist40
- TraitsSkeleton34
- SceneRural30
Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror. Tags: Seinen, Swordplay, War, Male Protagonist, Gore, Medieval, Military, Found Family, Anti-Hero, Primarily Adult Cast, Philosophy, Demons.
#107
Ranked
#303
Popularity
31.5K
Favorites
162.5K
Members
#1
This Season
Rated TV
#1
This Season
Popular TV
#104
All Time
Rated TV
#303
All Time
Popular TV
Episode Progress
Complete25 / 25 episodes aired
All 25 episodes available on Netflix
- Premiered
- Fall 1997
- Aired
- Oct 8, 1997 – Apr 1, 1998
- Broadcast
- Wednesday · 01:45:00
- Duration
- 23 min
- Time to Complete
- 10h 25m
- Rating
- R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
- Studio
- OLM
Alternative Titles
ja剣風伝奇ベルセルク
en-x-romajiKenpuu Denki Berserk
enSword-Wind Chronicle Berserk
enBerserk: The Chronicles of Wind Blades
ruБерсерк
enKenfu Denki Berserk
enBerserk (1997)
Synopsis
Guts, a man who will one day be known as the Black Swordsman, is a young traveling mercenary characterized by the large greatsword he carries. He accepts jobs that offer the most money, but he never stays with one group for long—until he encounters the Band of the Falcon. Ambushed after completing a job, Guts crushes many of its members in combat. Griffith, The Band of the Falcon's leader and founder, takes an interest in Guts and duels him. While the others are no match for Guts, Griffith defeats him in one blow. Incapacitated and taken into the Band of the Falcon's camp to recover, Guts wakes up two days later. He confronts Griffith, and the two duel yet again, only this time with a condition: Guts will join the Band of the Falcon if he loses. Due to his fresh injuries, Guts loses the fight and is inducted by Griffith. In three years' time, Guts has become one of the Band of the Falcon's commanders. On the battlefield, his combat prowess is second only to Griffith as he takes on large groups of enemies all on his own. With Guts' immense strength and Griffith's leadership, the Band of the Falcon dominate every battle they partake in. But something menacing lurks in the shadows, threatening to change Guts' life forever. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Synopsis
Kenpuu Denki Berserk adapts the first 12 volumes and a part of the 13th volume of the manga. While the story remains fairly loyal to the source material, heavy modifications were made to exclude some of the more graphic depictions of violence, as well as characters and other content that could not be covered within the length of the anime’s running time. These changes were approved by the series c
Kenpuu Denki Berserk adapts the first 12 volumes and a part of the 13th volume of the manga. While the story remains fairly loyal to the source material, heavy modifications were made to exclude some of the more graphic depictions of violence, as well as characters and other content that could not be covered within the length of the anime’s running time. These changes were approved by the series creator himself. The series was released on DVD by Media Blasters in six volumes from May 28, 2002 to May 27, 2003. The company also released a complete collection on November 16, 2004; it was later remastered by AnimeWorks and published on March 10, 2009. An art book—titled Berserk: Kenpuu Denki - Kanzen Kaiseki-sho—containing sketches and behind-the-scenes information on the anime was published by Hakusensha on December 9, 1998.
Read moreRead less
Kenpuu Denki Berserk adapts the first 12 volumes and a part of the 13th volume of the manga. While the story remains fairly loyal to the source material, heavy modifications were made to exclude some of the more graphic depictions of violence, as well as characters and other content that could not be covered within the length of the anime’s running time. These changes were approved by the series c
Kenpuu Denki Berserk adapts the first 12 volumes and a part of the 13th volume of the manga. While the story remains fairly loyal to the source material, heavy modifications were made to exclude some of the more graphic depictions of violence, as well as characters and other content that could not be covered within the length of the anime’s running time. These changes were approved by the series creator himself. The series was released on DVD by Media Blasters in six volumes from May 28, 2002 to May 27, 2003. The company also released a complete collection on November 16, 2004; it was later remastered by AnimeWorks and published on March 10, 2009. An art book—titled Berserk: Kenpuu Denki - Kanzen Kaiseki-sho—containing sketches and behind-the-scenes information on the anime was published by Hakusensha on December 9, 1998.
Where to Watch
Trailer

Franchise Timeline
Berserk is entry 1 of 7 in the Berserk watch order — the first entry in this franchise's main story.
Franchise Timeline
Berserk
Essential·Core entries only — skip filler and side content
- BerserkSeason 11997
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the KingMain Story #2 (MOVIE)2012
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II - The Battle for DoldreyMain Story #3 (MOVIE)2012
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III - The AdventMain Story #4 (MOVIE)2013
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - Memorial EditionSeason 52022
- Berserk (2016)Season 62016
- Berserk: Season IISeason 72017
Complete·Everything including OVAs, specials & side stories
- Berserk1997
- Berserk (2016)2016
- Berserk RecapOptional TV2017
- Berserk: Recollections of the WitchOptional TV2017
Platform Scores
MAL
8.61
AniList
84 / 100
Kitsu
82 / 100
AniList Trend
205
Episode Guide
Aired so far: 25 / 25
Main Story
25 / 25
100%
Latest Aired
Episode 25
Remaining
Fully available
Aired so far
Theme Songs
Public users tracking this
1
Mean Score
10.0
Status Breakdown
Tags
Shows how closely each tag relates to this animeShow spoiler tags6
Relations
Berserk (2016)
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - Memorial Edition
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II - The Battle for Doldrey
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III - The Advent
Recommendations
10 recommendationsVinland Saga
Devilman: Crybaby
Claymore
Vinland Saga Season 2
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Kingdom
Monster
Fist of the North Star
Clevatess
Gungrave
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes are in the 1997 Berserk anime?
The 1997 series of Berserk consists of 25 episodes in total. Each episode has a runtime of approximately 23 minutes.
Is Berserk finished or is there a new season coming?
Berserk is a finished series that originally aired during the fall of 1997. While the 1997 anime is complete, the story continues in other entries within the franchise, such as the sequel Berserk (2016).
Where can I watch the 1997 Berserk anime?
You can stream the 1997 Berserk series on Netflix.
What is the premise of Berserk and who is it for?
Berserk follows Guts, a traveling mercenary who joins the Band of the Falcon after being defeated in a duel by their charismatic leader, Griffith. It is a dark fantasy series featuring heavy drama and horror elements, making it best suited for mature audiences who enjoy intense, character-driven storytelling.
Where should I start with the Berserk watch order?
The 1997 series is the first entry out of six in the total franchise. It serves as the primary starting point for new viewers before moving on to other adaptations like the alternative version Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King or the 2016 sequel.
Who is the creative team behind the 1997 Berserk anime?
The series was produced by studio OLM and directed by Takahashi, Naohito. The production also featured notable contributions from Miura, Kentarou and music by Hirasawa, Susumu.
Why is the 1997 Berserk series so highly rated?
With a score of 8.61/10, Berserk is widely acclaimed for its dark, gritty atmosphere and deep psychological themes. Fans of the series often enjoy similar titles like Vinland Saga and Claymore for their mature tone and intense action.
How violent is Berserk and what is its age rating?
Berserk is rated R - 17+ due to its heavy focus on violence and profanity. It is a mature dark fantasy that deals with intense themes, including gore and military conflict.
Information
- Type
- TV
- Status
- Finished
- Country
- Japan
- Premiered
- Fall 1997
- Aired
- Oct 8, 1997 – Apr 1, 1998
- Broadcast
- Wednesday · 01:45:00
- Episodes
- 25 / 25
- Duration
- 23 min
- Time to Complete
- 10h 25m
- Rating
- R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
- Studio
- OLM
Alternative Titles
ja剣風伝奇ベルセルク
en-x-romajiKenpuu Denki Berserk
enSword-Wind Chronicle Berserk
enBerserk: The Chronicles of Wind Blades
ruБерсерк
enKenfu Denki Berserk
enBerserk (1997)
Discussion
Discussion