Berserk Episode 1: The Black Swordsman

Manga chapter 1-3

Canon/HIGH

Oshimeter

9.1

16 Ratings

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

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EPISODE REVIEWS

arookieotaku

3 mo

Verified

What a first episode.

Is hard to believe that even with all the "even heavier" stuff they had to delete in order to make this adaptation, it still works and translates the same dark and nightmarish tone of the source material, it´s a shame we haven´t seen the full black swordsman arc animated yet.

Episode Context

Berserk opens with a statement of intent. The Black Swordsman drops you into a brutal, unforgiving world with zero hand-holding. Guts arrives fully formed, a scarred, rage-driven warrior wielding an impossibly massive sword against nightmarish creatures that blur the line between human and demonic. The tone is relentlessly dark, steeped in horror imagery and visceral combat that immediately signals this series isn't pulling punches. Themes of vengeance and corruption permeate every frame, with the Snake Baron serving as an early showcase of the monstrous evil Guts is committed to destroying. OLM leans into atmosphere over exposition, letting the violence and Guts' cold fury speak for themselves. Expect a mature, grim premiere that prioritizes world-building through mood rather than dialogue. This episode exists to make one thing clear: Berserk is not for the faint-hearted.

Runtime23 min

Filler StatusCanon

Plot ImportanceHIGH

Air DateOct 8, 1997

©日本テレビ、バップ

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