What is the Best Way to Watch Berserk?

After 6 years of putting it off, I've decided I'm finally gonna watch Berserk. I noticed there's a few different films and adaptations so I just wanted to get some opinions on what to watch and what to avoid - also what order to watch everything in.

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N7CombatWombat2026-01-10 02:22

Watch the 1997 one. Then read the manga from the beginning. Ignore everything else.

kormitgrog2026-01-10 02:26

Yep and unfortunately it’s not easily (legally) streamable, in the US at least.

CrusaderLyonar2026-01-10 02:28

It was on YouTube.

DarthMace0172026-01-10 02:30

Internet Archive has the series. May be missing an ep here or there maybe.

TurkeyBTW2026-01-10 02:28

Got it. Just out of curiosity, are the films just another adaptation of the original 1997?

DarthMace0172026-01-10 02:34

The movies just aren't as good. Whether it's looks, story, etc. The 1997 series is the best adaptation out there. It will cover more than the movies but it is still not quite like the Manga. 1997 series is missing the more magical elements like Puck the fairy and things like that.

CrusaderLyonar2026-01-10 02:36

The big thing is Skull Knight which is vital to the ending.

CrusaderLyonar2026-01-10 02:35

It's a readaptation of the same arc. It's missing a couple of things but so is the 97 anime so it balances out kinda. I'd say 97 is better but your milage may vary based on if you don't like older animation.

MusubiKazesaru2026-01-10 04:45

In terms of content they cover nearly the same material, the movies have a better ending point in the arc the TV anime ends on, but the TV anime shows at one pre-Golden Age story.

CrusaderLyonar2026-01-10 02:30

Other than what the other commenter said the best way to experience Berserk as a story is the manga. All of the adaptations cut scenes, parts or characters out and the only real proper way to experience this story is from the manga.

newier2026-01-10 02:31

None of them adapt the complete story, so the best experience at the end of the day is to read the manga, which is one of the best out there, so you can't go wrong.

The original 1997 anime and Golden Age movies adapt the early flashback arcs, and is down to personal preference which one people like. I like the Golden age movies, so I'd say they're worth a watch, but the original anime is also really good, so you can't go wrong with either/both.

All other Berserk anime is really low quality and not worth it. If you want to continue the story, I'd say go with the manga. I'd recommend starting from the start even after watching the other stuff, as there is a few parts that both adaptations skip.

TurkeyBTW2026-01-10 02:35

Thanks for the help! Funny enough I actually have read a good chunk of the Berserk manga way back when. After getting caught up on One Piece and JJBA I'm just looking for something new to watch. I'll probably watch the original 1997 then give the movies a shot. Thanks again!

CrusaderLyonar2026-01-10 02:38

You could also try memorial edition, which is a recut version of the movies as a TV series with a bunch of extra stuff added back. The only problem is that it assumes you know what happens at the end of the arc.

AnikRM2026-01-10 03:30

There's a new anime adaptation coming out I heard. Wait or you can read the manga if you are really interested.

JustOrdinaryUncle2026-01-10 03:31

you dont, you read it, all the anime didn't really capture the manga art worth, yes I dont think the old berserk anime is a good adaptation either.

Great-Pineapple-85882026-01-10 03:59

Laying down on your couch

Falsus2026-01-10 04:23

The 1997 is slightly better than the movies, but it isn't better in all departments than the movies. The 90's show skips out on less stuff than the movies but the movie skips out on different stuff than the 90's series does. So honestly doesn't really matter that much which one you go with.

After you have watched movies or the 90s show it is time for Berserk 2016 and honestly it is really shit.

The best way to experience Berserk, especially the story that comes after the 90's show is through the manga.

Smoothesuede2026-01-10 04:52

Just read it.

The 97 anime is good but it's not good enough

echoshadow52026-01-10 05:27

The manga is the best.

The 97 anime is ok. But it’s basically the backstory leading up to the first ep. But it ends on a major cliff hanger without explaining how he ended up in ep 1.

The 2006 movies is just a recap of the the 97 anime.

The 2016 is season 2.

But the new versions are plagued by bad CGI to the point where it’s just bad.

And yes both versions of the anime leave out a few stories, that are way too fucked up to be aired on TV. The fairy child arch, the Griffin escape, and how he meet Pluck the fairy for example.

But it’s still good. But the manga is the best.

biggiebass132026-01-10 07:17

I recommend the following watch order:

1. Berserk (1997)

Read the manga afterwards.

alleyexe2026-01-10 07:31

Read it

Bananaman90202026-01-10 09:56

I would just read the manga.

Tanishq__2352026-01-10 11:17

Dont watch the anime, read the Manga itself, as there are alot of changes in anime