How to watch Berserk in order
Berserk explores complex topics like trauma and grief, and is well worth a watch.
Berserk is one of the most brutal and complex anime franchises, and is well-known for its dark themes, gritty tone and violent action sequences.
Based on the 1989 manga from writer and artist Kentaro Miura, Berserk is set in a dark fantasy world that's bloody and unforgiving. It follows a mercenary named Guts, who battles both humans and monsters in his quest for vengeance.
Better yet, the Berserk manga is still ongoing. Miura sadly passed away in 2021, but the story continues under the guidance of Miura's close friends and team, who were aware of the ending Miura had planned – though considering the depths of darkness already shown within the pages of Berserk, we doubt it will end happily.
While it may not be for the faint-hearted, it hasn't stopped the series from being iconic, with numerous adaptations over the past few decades. It's no wonder, then, that newcomers are looking for an idea on where to start.
Our guide is here to help. Read on to help you figure out how to 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 have been 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. You can also purchase Blu-ray and DVD copies of the series via Amazon.
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.
