How to watch Berserk in order
This legendarily dark and gritty anime isn't for the faint-hearted.
Starting out with a 25-episode series in 1997, the Berserk anime franchise is notoriously dark.
Its gritty tone and violent action sequences mean that it's not for the faint-hearted - but after nearly three decades of adaptations, it's an iconic title for generations of anime fans.
Based on the manga by writer and artist Kentaro Miura, Berserk takes place in a dark fantasy world, charting the adventures of a mercenary named Guts. His career spans quasi-realistic wars and supernatural exploits, battling monsters and humans alike.
Sadly, Berserk's original creator Miura died in 2021, leaving the manga series without an official conclusion.
However, there are plans to continue the story with supervision from artist Kouji Mori, one of Miura's close friends. Miura reportedly told Mori some of his ideas for the end of Berserk's narrative, allowing for some closure for the manga's extensive fan base.
As the manga's legacy draws to a close, there's no better time to explore its anime adaptations. This is, however, a pretty intimidating task, with several different anime series released over the years.
If you're looking for some guidance on where to start, we're here to help you watch Berserk in order!
How to watch Berserk in order
Despite Berserk's iconic reputation, the various anime adaptations have earned a mixed response. Some are relatively well-regarded, while others were criticised for poor animation quality and storytelling.
Either way, many Berserk manga fans will argue that no screen adaptation has ever done justice to the gruesomeness and long-running storylines of the original.
But if you still want to see the horror of the Eclipse in motion, here's where to start:
- Kenpuu Denki Berserk (1997)
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the King Movie (2012)
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II – The Battle for Doldrey Movie (2012)
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III – The Advent Movie (2013)
- Berserk (2016)
- Berserk Season 2 (2017)
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition (2022)
How to watch Berserk in the UK
You can stream the 1997 Berserk anime on YouTube for free.
Meanwhile, the later Berserk anime series, including the Golden Age sagas, are available on Crunchyroll.
Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Gavia Baker-Whitelaw is a freelance critic and entertainment journalist specialising in geek culture, TV and film. She has written for numerous outlets including Empire, TV Guide, Wired and Vulture, and hosts the film podcast Overinvested.
