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ベルセルク [Berserk] #2
Berserk, Vol. 2
The evil Count uses his dark powers to transform a defeated guard captain into an inhuman horror to combat Guts, the Black Swordsman. Meanwhile, Guts' pint-sized elf sidekick, Puck, is captured and given as a gift to the Count's daughter, a sweet girl in a gilded cage, imprisoned by her father in her own room. Guts, determined to make mincemeat of the Count—and maybe bail out his companion, if he gets around to it—assaults the castle and takes on the nearly indestructible demon/guard in a blood-soaked battle royal! But then, face-to-face with the Black Swordsman at last, the unholy Count reveals his own true form, and even Guts' super-sized sword may not be big enough to contend with this demonic monstrosity!
Created by Kentaro Miura, Berserk is meat-grinder manga at its most extreme—gruesome, violent, and darkly funny—and the inspiration for the wildly popular anime series. Look elsewhere if you're craving sweetness, subtlety, and good manners. Berserk is the bull in the graphic novel china shop—and who wouldn't watch a bull getting medieval on the dishes!
Created by Kentaro Miura, Berserk is meat-grinder manga at its most extreme—gruesome, violent, and darkly funny—and the inspiration for the wildly popular anime series. Look elsewhere if you're craving sweetness, subtlety, and good manners. Berserk is the bull in the graphic novel china shop—and who wouldn't watch a bull getting medieval on the dishes!
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 1991
663 people are currently reading
2467 people want to read
About the author
Kentaro Miura
374 books2,598 followersKentarou Miura (三浦建太郎) was born in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, in 1966. He is left-handed. In 1976, at the early age of 10, Miura made his first Manga, entitled "Miuranger", that was published for his classmates in a school publication; the manga ended up spanning 40 volumes. In 1977, Miura created his second manga called Ken e no michi (剣への道 The Way to the Sword), using Indian ink for the first time. When he was in middle school in 1979, Miura's drawing techniques improved greatly as he started using professional drawing techniques. His first dōjinshi was published, with the help of friends, in a magazine in 1982.
That same year, in 1982, Miura enrolled in an artistic curriculum in high school, where he and his classmates started publishing their works in school booklets, as well as having his first dōjinshi published in a fan-produced magazine. In 1985, Miura applied for the entrance examination of an art college in Nihon University. He submitted Futanabi for examination and was granted admission. This project was later nominated Best New Author work in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. Another Miura manga Noa was published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine the very same year. Due to a disagreement with one of the editors, the manga was stalled and eventually dropped altogether. This is approximately where Miura's career hit a slump.
In 1988, Miura bounced back with a 48-page manga known as Berserk Prototype, as an introduction to the current Berserk fantasy world. It went on to win Miura a prize from the Comi Manga School. In 1989, after receiving a doctorate degree, Kentarou started a project titled King of Wolves (王狼, ōrō?) based on a script by Buronson, writer of Hokuto no Ken. It was published in the monthly Japanese Animal House magazine in issues 5 and 7 of that year.
In 1990, a sequel is made to Ourou entitled Ourou Den (王狼伝 ōrō den, The Legend of the Wolf King) that was published as a prequel to the original in Young Animal Magazine. In the same year, the 10th issue of Animal House witnesses the first volume of the solo project Berserk was released with a relatively limited success. Miura again collaborated with Buronson on manga titled Japan, that was published in Young Animal House from the 1st issue to the 8th of 1992, and was later released as a stand-alone tankōbon. Miura's fame grew after Berserk was serialized in Young Animal in 1992 with the release of "The Golden Age" story arc and the huge success of his masterpiece made of him one of the most prominent contemporary mangakas. At this time Miura dedicates himself solely to be working on Berserk. He has indicated, however, that he intends to publish more manga in the future.
In 1997, Miura supervised the production of 25 anime episodes of Berserk that aired in the same year on NTV. Various art books and supplemental materials by Miura based on Berserk are also released. In 1999, Miura made minor contributions to the Dreamcast video game Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage. 2004 saw the release of yet another video game adaptation entitled Berserk Millennium Falcon Arc: Chapter of the Record of the Holy Demon War.
Since that time, the Berserk manga has spanned 34 tankōbon with no end in sight. The series has also spawned a whole host of merchandise, both official and fan-made, ranging from statues, action figures to key rings, video games, and a trading card game. In 2002, Kentarou Miura received the second place in the Osamu Tezuka Culture Award of Excellence for Berserk.[1]
Miura provided the design for the Vocaloid Kamui Gakupo, whose voice is taken from the Japanese singer and actor, Gackt.
Miura passed away on May 6, 2021 at 2:48 p.m. due to acute aortic dissection.
That same year, in 1982, Miura enrolled in an artistic curriculum in high school, where he and his classmates started publishing their works in school booklets, as well as having his first dōjinshi published in a fan-produced magazine. In 1985, Miura applied for the entrance examination of an art college in Nihon University. He submitted Futanabi for examination and was granted admission. This project was later nominated Best New Author work in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. Another Miura manga Noa was published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine the very same year. Due to a disagreement with one of the editors, the manga was stalled and eventually dropped altogether. This is approximately where Miura's career hit a slump.
In 1988, Miura bounced back with a 48-page manga known as Berserk Prototype, as an introduction to the current Berserk fantasy world. It went on to win Miura a prize from the Comi Manga School. In 1989, after receiving a doctorate degree, Kentarou started a project titled King of Wolves (王狼, ōrō?) based on a script by Buronson, writer of Hokuto no Ken. It was published in the monthly Japanese Animal House magazine in issues 5 and 7 of that year.
In 1990, a sequel is made to Ourou entitled Ourou Den (王狼伝 ōrō den, The Legend of the Wolf King) that was published as a prequel to the original in Young Animal Magazine. In the same year, the 10th issue of Animal House witnesses the first volume of the solo project Berserk was released with a relatively limited success. Miura again collaborated with Buronson on manga titled Japan, that was published in Young Animal House from the 1st issue to the 8th of 1992, and was later released as a stand-alone tankōbon. Miura's fame grew after Berserk was serialized in Young Animal in 1992 with the release of "The Golden Age" story arc and the huge success of his masterpiece made of him one of the most prominent contemporary mangakas. At this time Miura dedicates himself solely to be working on Berserk. He has indicated, however, that he intends to publish more manga in the future.
In 1997, Miura supervised the production of 25 anime episodes of Berserk that aired in the same year on NTV. Various art books and supplemental materials by Miura based on Berserk are also released. In 1999, Miura made minor contributions to the Dreamcast video game Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage. 2004 saw the release of yet another video game adaptation entitled Berserk Millennium Falcon Arc: Chapter of the Record of the Holy Demon War.
Since that time, the Berserk manga has spanned 34 tankōbon with no end in sight. The series has also spawned a whole host of merchandise, both official and fan-made, ranging from statues, action figures to key rings, video games, and a trading card game. In 2002, Kentarou Miura received the second place in the Osamu Tezuka Culture Award of Excellence for Berserk.[1]
Miura provided the design for the Vocaloid Kamui Gakupo, whose voice is taken from the Japanese singer and actor, Gackt.
Miura passed away on May 6, 2021 at 2:48 p.m. due to acute aortic dissection.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 937 reviews
August 5, 2025
Hmm why do I feel that every innocent character we see, will be killed in cold blood?!
He can't kill off the elf though she is hilarious to watch all the time 😆
But I don't know why I feel she might also get killed after she becomes old, and not necessary anymore.
Anyway guts is beaten badly by the Count!
And the Count's daughter escaped her confinement, and I have a feeling that she will die, and have an important part in the death of the count.
Anyway the journey is just getting started!
So far it's amazing!
He can't kill off the elf though she is hilarious to watch all the time 😆
But I don't know why I feel she might also get killed after she becomes old, and not necessary anymore.
Anyway guts is beaten badly by the Count!
And the Count's daughter escaped her confinement, and I have a feeling that she will die, and have an important part in the death of the count.
Anyway the journey is just getting started!
So far it's amazing!
July 2, 2021
Ok this was such a step up from vol 1. Fully hooked!
March 2, 2023
I decided to read Berserk for the first time! You can check out my reviews arc by arc on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-...
April 26, 2022
A big step up from the first, story-wise, as we move away from simple one-shots into longer and more involving arcs, with far more room for characters to spread out and breathe.
The villain has some depth to him, twisted personality and villainous gluttony and even a weak spot remaining in his poor slimy heart - and said weak spot, his daughter, experiences a bit of growth of her own, being convinced to step out of her room's confines in a silent scene that I quite enjoyed. And Guts himself... well, he still comes across as an enormous douche and those small pangs of conscience feel more a cop-out than anything, to keep us from completely hating him without otherwise having as much meaning to them - but the bit where Puck insinuates him of being the same as poor old Vargas, weak and helpless in the face of his mighty foes yet continuing to put up a desperate battle regardless, was honestly pretty great.
I'm not sure I'm buying the rarity and obscurity of Behelits, though. Even later on in the story it turns out the Apostles are actually pretty common - you'd think there'd be some sagely lore going around about what they are and how they became this way. The God Hand must be running overtime keeping it as mysterious as it is.
Let's say three and half stars. We're getting there.
The villain has some depth to him, twisted personality and villainous gluttony and even a weak spot remaining in his poor slimy heart - and said weak spot, his daughter, experiences a bit of growth of her own, being convinced to step out of her room's confines in a silent scene that I quite enjoyed. And Guts himself... well, he still comes across as an enormous douche and those small pangs of conscience feel more a cop-out than anything, to keep us from completely hating him without otherwise having as much meaning to them - but the bit where Puck insinuates him of being the same as poor old Vargas, weak and helpless in the face of his mighty foes yet continuing to put up a desperate battle regardless, was honestly pretty great.
I'm not sure I'm buying the rarity and obscurity of Behelits, though. Even later on in the story it turns out the Apostles are actually pretty common - you'd think there'd be some sagely lore going around about what they are and how they became this way. The God Hand must be running overtime keeping it as mysterious as it is.
Let's say three and half stars. We're getting there.
December 26, 2022
I can already tell Berserk will be one of my favourite mangas. Puck and Guts are ingrained into my soul after a mere 2 volumes, and this world feels insanely tangible for how early on it still is. The battle with the count was amazing (and kind of horrifying....) with each fight being made even better by Miura’s crazy-good art style.
I'll never get over how Miura invented the most adorable companion ever for the most stoic and battle-hardened protagonist. Every time palm-sized Puck is on page, my sister and I fawn over him and his earnestness. His dynamic with the heretic and the count’s daughter in this volume only reinforced my love for that sweet soul! Guts has my heart too, since I know there’s something hiding under that tough exterior….
I'll never get over how Miura invented the most adorable companion ever for the most stoic and battle-hardened protagonist. Every time palm-sized Puck is on page, my sister and I fawn over him and his earnestness. His dynamic with the heretic and the count’s daughter in this volume only reinforced my love for that sweet soul! Guts has my heart too, since I know there’s something hiding under that tough exterior….
May 7, 2024
بمیر دیگه کنت پدرسگ
February 6, 2022
Ooooh I liked this even better than the first!
This volume ramps up the violence and some of the images were actually sickening. As in, they made me feel queasy. So that's great! I love how epic the fights are, even if sometimes the illustrations are too dense to properly make out what's going on.
Despite the violence, we get our softness from the appearance of Theresia; an innocent that Puck meets and attempts to save. Guts is, of course, insistent on absolutely not saving anyone.
To be honest, Guts is kind of a d*ck.
I'm really looking forward to more back story!
This volume ramps up the violence and some of the images were actually sickening. As in, they made me feel queasy. So that's great! I love how epic the fights are, even if sometimes the illustrations are too dense to properly make out what's going on.
Despite the violence, we get our softness from the appearance of Theresia; an innocent that Puck meets and attempts to save. Guts is, of course, insistent on absolutely not saving anyone.
To be honest, Guts is kind of a d*ck.
I'm really looking forward to more back story!
July 15, 2017
I forgot how much fun mangas are! Especially this one. I got into the anime because of my love for Dark Souls. This series is what influenced the creators of the Dark Souls franchise. You can really see the influence in these mangas.
There's not a whole lot to these stories, as they're rather short, but oh so much fun. Guts and his sword, Dragonslayer, are a delightfully dark duo. While I absolutely love the artwork, I do wish we could get a Guts story in the form of a novel. Mainly because I prefer visualizing it in my head and, like i said above, I would love for each story to be longer.
Highly recommended this series for anyone who likes their stories a bit twisted and grotesque. I mean, who wouldn't love a story that comes with a "Parental Advisory" sticker?
There's not a whole lot to these stories, as they're rather short, but oh so much fun. Guts and his sword, Dragonslayer, are a delightfully dark duo. While I absolutely love the artwork, I do wish we could get a Guts story in the form of a novel. Mainly because I prefer visualizing it in my head and, like i said above, I would love for each story to be longer.
Highly recommended this series for anyone who likes their stories a bit twisted and grotesque. I mean, who wouldn't love a story that comes with a "Parental Advisory" sticker?
October 29, 2024
قسمت هایی که اون شخصیت الف توش هست مسخره میشه ولی در کل کشش خاص خودشو داره.
October 1, 2021
'What is the greatest thing you can experience? It is the hour of your greatest contempt. The hour in which even your happiness becomes loathsome to you, and so also your reason and virtue.'
REVIEW TO COME
Themes:
Realist/pragmatic hero, but still hampered (defined?) by his traumatic past
Fight against the absurd
Also read:
On the Genealogy of Morals
Le mythe de Sisyphe
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1
The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian
The Last Wish
Ubel Blatt, Vol. 0
Other recreational reading:
Sophie's World
The Man Who Spoke Snakish
The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft
La Montagne morte de la vie
Annihilation
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1 & following
Tragedy, Nietzsche and Berserk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxTwY...
Soundtrack:
Kenpuu Denki Berserk [剣風伝奇ベルセルク] ost - 4 Gatsu
Susumu Hirasawa - Berserk (Full OST)
REVIEW TO COME
Themes:
Realist/pragmatic hero, but still hampered (defined?) by his traumatic past
Fight against the absurd
Also read:
On the Genealogy of Morals
Le mythe de Sisyphe
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1
The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian
The Last Wish
Ubel Blatt, Vol. 0
Other recreational reading:
Sophie's World
The Man Who Spoke Snakish
The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft
La Montagne morte de la vie
Annihilation
Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1 & following
Tragedy, Nietzsche and Berserk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxTwY...
Soundtrack:
Kenpuu Denki Berserk [剣風伝奇ベルセルク] ost - 4 Gatsu
Susumu Hirasawa - Berserk (Full OST)
August 22, 2025
چقدر این ترزیا شبیه یه آدمیه که نمیتونم اسمشو بگم...
July 6, 2016
So Guts runs into this mutant doctor dude who begs him to kill a Count in revenge for murdering his family. You see, the Count ate his wife and child right in front of him.
Needless to say, this fucked the doctor dude up.
This Count guy, though - He's a real baller, and pretty much the entirety of this volume is him beating the shit out of Guts in one way or another.
There's also some cool stuff that goes down with Guts' little elf companion, Puck.
Again, like the first, this volume is full of demons and carnage and all kinds of fun, dark fantasy tropes.
So yeah - I loved it.
Needless to say, this fucked the doctor dude up.
This Count guy, though - He's a real baller, and pretty much the entirety of this volume is him beating the shit out of Guts in one way or another.
There's also some cool stuff that goes down with Guts' little elf companion, Puck.
Again, like the first, this volume is full of demons and carnage and all kinds of fun, dark fantasy tropes.
So yeah - I loved it.
March 24, 2025
once again, HELL YEAH!
April 12, 2023
I’m just waiting for that pretty blond Targaryen looking dude to show up.
April 29, 2018
holy mother of god. I’m SHOOK. this is the most gruesome and nasty thing I’ve ever read. I hope my boys Guts and Puck are okay.
August 24, 2020
This volume has got tons and tons of fight, so there's not much in the plot here, but still one can feel a subtle build-up going on.
August 19, 2025
I really liked this volume, especially the 2nd chapter of The Guardians Of Desire. At least something could stop him.
The Art is really superb
The Art is really superb
February 24, 2022
7/10 stars
Wow, that's one dark series. Very creepy and very memorable, too, and I'm continuously impressed with the enormous influence it has wielded on other mangas, from FMA to Naruto to One-Punch Man.
Puck's role as the stand-in for the reader is more clearly necessary in this volume than before, and I appreciate Miura's foresight. Guts is such an ambivalent character and in this volume his boyish traits are particularly visible, making him vulnerable and more humane. The art is still quite dreadful, though, showcasing more Miura's love of the juvenile macabre than anything else - but it's imaginative, in a horrific, somewhat revolting way that makes you suspicious of the contents of Miura's mind ;)
I'm hooked, though.
Wow, that's one dark series. Very creepy and very memorable, too, and I'm continuously impressed with the enormous influence it has wielded on other mangas, from FMA to Naruto to One-Punch Man.
Puck's role as the stand-in for the reader is more clearly necessary in this volume than before, and I appreciate Miura's foresight. Guts is such an ambivalent character and in this volume his boyish traits are particularly visible, making him vulnerable and more humane. The art is still quite dreadful, though, showcasing more Miura's love of the juvenile macabre than anything else - but it's imaginative, in a horrific, somewhat revolting way that makes you suspicious of the contents of Miura's mind ;)
I'm hooked, though.
July 16, 2019
aaaaaaaaaand
despite it being edgy as f***, I started to understand it
despite it being edgy as f***, I started to understand it
January 25, 2022
فکر کنم دیگه کمکم وارد آرک معروف Golden Age بشم...
April 28, 2024
بهطور کلی در حد ولیوم قبلی نبود منتها چپتر اولش خیلی خوب بود.
یه سری توضیحات راجع بهلیت داد و واسه دستان خدا هایپ کرد.
خیلی خوشخوانه.
یه سری توضیحات راجع بهلیت داد و واسه دستان خدا هایپ کرد.
خیلی خوشخوانه.
July 25, 2016
SO GOOD!!!
July 13, 2022
Puck must be protected at all costs <3🧚🏻
December 23, 2024
This was more fun… learned more about Puck and Guts… the princess in the gilded cage… and The Black Swordsman is awesome… more plot here so a higher rating… I will continue on…
May 19, 2025
jest trochę lepiej niż w pierwszym tomie, ale wciąż mi brakuje jakichś większych kłopotów protagonisty - tym razem jednak przynajmniej widzimy gromadzące się nad nim burzowe chmury. Jest lepiej niż w 1 tomie, wierzę, że będzie jeszcze dużo lepiej.
April 27, 2022
Este volumen me gustó más que el anterior. Se profundiza más en el personaje principal y vamos conociendo el misterio de la marca. El dibujo no deja de sorprenderr
November 18, 2021
Better. But not better enough.
Read
August 13, 2023Ooooo this volume got so much better…
October 5, 2022
I dvojka razvaljuje!
November 27, 2017
Sui figli la colpa dei padri
Redenzione e riscatto non sembrano essere protagonisti di questo mondo; al massimo qualche viscido e aberrante senso di colpa ci scruta da dietro un muro, striscia nei vicoli e guizza via dalla nostra portata.
E mentre religione e ossessione giacciono in un mortale amplesso che spalanca orrori lovecraftiani, il mondo ereditato dai figli essuda sangue, sudore e merda; ma lo vedranno domani, oggi possiamo chiudere la finestra e distogliere lo sguardo.
Redenzione e riscatto non sembrano essere protagonisti di questo mondo; al massimo qualche viscido e aberrante senso di colpa ci scruta da dietro un muro, striscia nei vicoli e guizza via dalla nostra portata.
E mentre religione e ossessione giacciono in un mortale amplesso che spalanca orrori lovecraftiani, il mondo ereditato dai figli essuda sangue, sudore e merda; ma lo vedranno domani, oggi possiamo chiudere la finestra e distogliere lo sguardo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 937 reviews