The iconic dark fantasy manga series, Berserk, has achieved a significant milestone, announcing that it now has over 70 million copies in circulation worldwide, including digital versions. Of this impressive global total, 9 million copies are specifically from its English-language editions, highlighting the series’ substantial international reach.
A Testament to Enduring Popularity
The new circulation figures, confirmed as of August 7, 2025, underscore Berserk‘s continued and growing influence in the manga industry. The series has seen a steady increase in its readership, rising from over 50 million copies in circulation by May 2021 to over 60 million by September 2023, culminating in the current 70 million mark. This growth reflects its enduring appeal decades after its initial debut. Japan accounts for over 40 million of the total circulation, while the rest of the world contributes over 30 million. Beyond English editions, Berserk also boasts 8 million copies in French and 5 million in Italian, further demonstrating its widespread international readership.
Dark Horse Comics, the English publisher, has previously reported Berserk as their best-selling product of all time, surpassing Lone Wolf and Cub, with over 2 million copies sold in North America by September 2018. The deluxe editions of the manga have also consistently ranked among the highest-selling manga volumes on platforms like Amazon following creator Kentaro Miura’s passing.
The Legacy of Kentaro Miura and Berserk’s Origins
Berserk was created by the late Kentaro Miura, who premiered a prototype of the series in 1988. The manga officially began its serialization in August 1989 in Hakusensha’s Monthly Animal House magazine, later moving to the semi-monthly Young Animal in 1992, where it has continued publication. Miura was known for his meticulous and detailed artwork, which is a hallmark of the series. The story is set in a brutal medieval Europe-inspired dark fantasy world and follows the journey of Guts, a lone swordsman, and Griffith, the charismatic leader of a mercenary group known as the “Band of the Hawk.” The narrative delves into profound themes of revenge, fate, free will, struggle for identity, and the complex interplay between good and evil.
Miura’s profound storytelling and artistic style earned him significant accolades, including the Award for Excellence at the sixth Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2002. His work on Berserk has been widely praised and has significantly influenced other popular works in various media, including video games like Dark Souls and Final Fantasy VII, and other manga such as Attack on Titan and Chainsaw Man.
Continuation After a Tragic Loss
The manga faced an uncertain future following Kentaro Miura’s untimely death in May 2021 due to an acute aortic dissection. However, in June 2022, Hakusensha and Miura’s childhood friend and fellow manga artist Kouji Mori, alongside Miura’s assistants and apprentices at Studio Gaga, announced that the series would continue. Mori, who had been privy to Miura’s plans for the story’s conclusion, committed to continuing the series based on their discussions and Miura’s notes, ensuring the integrity of the original vision. The series has continued under the credits “original work by Kentaro Miura, art by Studio Gaga, supervised by Kouji Mori.”
The continuation of Berserk under new stewardship has been met with anticipation from its dedicated fanbase, eagerly awaiting new chapters of Guts’ harrowing story. Despite its famously irregular release schedule, the series remains one of the most highly regarded and influential works in the dark fantasy genre.
