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Not-For-Sale "Character Fine Mat" from the Big Berserk Exhibition
This small reproduction was handed out during the original showing of the Big Berserk Exhibition in Tokyo, in September 2021. The organizers ran a mini-event themed after the Eclipse between September 16 and 21, where admissions were allowed until 7:30 pm and the venue closed at 9:00 pm. Visitors were asked to come dressed in black starting at 6:30 pm.As part of it, copies of this exclusive "character fine mat" reproduction of volume 13&#...
Podcast #29: Baldur's Gate 3 & The Bonfire of Dreams
It's been 30 years this week since the Bonfire of Dreams was published in Young Animal, can you believe it? We talk about it and why it's got such an important place in the series, but first we get into a discussion about Baldur's Gate 3 and the role that series has had in the fantasy RPG landscape.Want more of the podcast? Click here for the public episodes.
Learning Japanese with Berserk: Pishacha
In Berserk, the Pishachas are Ganishka's corp of weaponized familiars, possessed animals created and controlled through his fog. The name comes from Hindu mythology, in which pishachas are evil, man-eating demons. There is no particular resemblance outside of the name and the fact they're monsters.The name Miura uses in Japanese is 妖獣兵 with ピシャーチャ added as furigana to give us the pronunciation. It translates to something...
Three autographed illustrations following the Tezuka Cultural Prize
There used to be an influental manga store in Tokyo called "The Forest of Manga". It was enough of a big deal that its owner was part of the judge panel for the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize in 2002, in which Miura won the Prize for Excellence.Shortly afterwards, Berserk was featured in the shop, and three autographed illustrations were put up as potential prizes for patrons. Here is a picture of them from a promotional pamphlet. An intervi...
Podcast #28: The Brand and the Falcon Symbol
Walter and Aazealh go over a topic that's seldom discussed: the similarity between the Brand of Sacrifice and the Holy See's symbol, why it's deliberate and what we can glean from it story-wise.Want more of the podcast? Click here for the public episodes.
Learning Japanese with Berserk: Dāka
Berserk's Kushan empire was inspired in large part by Indian mythology and that shows in the monsters Ganishka employed in battle. In volume 27, we discover the Dāka, monstrous foot soldiers that he pits against Locus' expeditionary force. The kanji for the word is 鬼兵, which means "demon soldiers" or "demons troops". ダーカ is added as furigana to specify its pronunciation. Note the long vowel.The word Dāka origin...
Did Kentarou Miura really work as an assistant to George Morikawa?
There is a misunderstanding I've seen come up a number of times about Kentarou Miura having worked as an assistant to George Morikawa, the author of boxing manga Hajime no Ippo (はじめの一歩). In truth, they only met once, and Miura drew a single panel for Morikawa's first series, Kazuya NOW (一矢NOW).So, how did the facts get skewed? In short: it's a misinterpretation of something Miura said, and so I figured it would be help...
What's on Walter's bookshelf?
Ever wonder what other books or series we’re into? Take a peek through Walter’s bookshelves and see what else occupies his mind beyond his Berserk love.
Big Frame Magnets
These are "Big Frame Magnets" that were sold online as part of an online lottery event called "Manpuku Gacha". They're mostly remarkable due to their size (approximately 11 cm x 7 cm) and concept, basically acting as miniature paintings. The actual art is about 8.5 cm x 5.2 cm. Five variants were produced. Their appeal is limited other than as a novelty, but they're not a bad way to decorate a fridge.
Learning Japanese with Berserk: Goblin
Goblins first show up briefly in volume 34, during the advent of Fantasia. We see them emerging from a cave next to a village. They are easily recognizable but not named. Then Locus mentions them in his report at the beginning of episode 358, in volume 41. We unfortunately never got to see them in action before Miura passed away.Their name in Japanese is 土鬼 with ゴブリン (GOBURIN) added as furigana. The kanji means "earth demons"....
Artwork of Berserk interview - Page 6 part 4
This post is now available to Silver & Bronze tiers.Page 1: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 2: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 3: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 4: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 5: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 6: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Interviewer: In closing, please address a message to the visitors of the "Big Berserk Exhibition".Miura: Those who have kindly been reading "Berserk” since the old days are m...
Artwork of Berserk interview - Page 6 part 3
This post is now available to Silver & Bronze tiers.Page 1: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 2: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 3: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 4: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 5: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 6: Part 1 | Part 2Interviewer: The "Big Berserk Exhibition" has received attention from foreign fans as well. How do you feel about the fact it's a fantasy work that is also exciting to people abroad?Miu...
One of Griffith's iconic lines was changed in volume 12
In volume 12, episode 73, as the solar eclipse reaches its peak in the sky, Griffith sees Guts running towards him and wishes for him not to come over. Because if he were to touch him at that moment, he would never again be able to....... And his thoughts trail off. Guts grabs his shoulders, the beherit activates, and the festival begins.An interesting detail about this scene is that Griffith's final thought was originally complete when the e...
Podcast #27: Unsung characters
For this episode of our Patreon-exclusive podcast, we decided to focus on unloved characters and the role they play in the series. Why does Carcus hate Guts? Why is Nina so weak-willed and selfish? But also why characters like Julius or Enoch's priest matter.Want more of the podcast? Click here for the public episodes.
Artwork of Berserk interview - Page 6 part 2
This post is now available to Silver & Bronze tiers.Page 1: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 2: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 3: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 4: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 5: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 6: Part 1Interviewer: It’s true, the environment surrounding manga is very different from that of the 1980s.Miura: When we were in our youth, we had so many hurdles to be recognized by the people around us. Even i...
Artwork of Berserk interview - Page 6 part 1
This post is now available to Silver & Bronze tiers.Page 1: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 2: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 3: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 4: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 5: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Interviewer: In this era that's saturated with manga, the most importance is likely to be put on being easy to read and to get into, above everything else.Miura: As for me, I've always thought that "manga sho...
Artwork of Berserk interview - End of page 5
This post is now available to Silver & Bronze tiers.Page 1: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 2: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 3: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 4: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 5: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Interviewer: Being active as an author for 30 years, has your perception of the manga field and readers changed?Miura: I can say this not just about manga but about all of Japan and the entire world: what's trendy and what...
Learning Japanese with Berserk: Sephirah
There are few words in Berserk that have intrigued and confused readers more than this one. In volume 26, when the Skull Knight asks Slan about her kindred's whereabouts, she answers: "They've probably all dissolved into their favorite Sephirah and are floating around without a form."Now that's all well and good, but what's a Sephirah? Surprise: it's no mystery in the original Japanese. The word she uses is 局, normal...
Episode 373 translation
Uncontrollable rusty iron wheelPage 1Serpico: I was looking for you.Isidro: Eh…Isidro: ...Serpico.Serpico: It’s dangerous (to stay) in such a place…Isidro: …SoIsidro: What brings you to me?Serpico: Schierke is going to perform a magic ritual to search for Casca, who has disappeared.Isidro: Eh… magic…Serpico: During the ritual, entering a deep meditative state, (she) expands her consciousness…Serpico: (She) increases such a thing lik...
Podcast #26: The Sound of Berserk
Berserk has received a number of adaptations over the years: TV series, movies, video games among others. Walter & Aazealh go over the music that was created for it over the years, some good and some bad, with one name looming large over it: Susumu Hirasawa.Want more of the podcast? Click here for the public episodes.
Artwork of Berserk interview - Page 5 part 3
This post is now available to Silver & Bronze tiers.Page 1: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 2: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 3: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 4: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 5: Part 1 | Part 2Interviewer: There were various developments during the serialization, like the anime adaptation we just mentioned. Are there any that specifically stand out in your memory? Miura: The most impressive one is when the manga was first anima...
One man's trash...
You know what they say: one man's trash is another man's treasure. Case in point: this precious plastic shopping bag adorned with Miura's artwork that was produced in 1999 to advertise the release of the Berserk game on Dreamcast (and volume 18 while they were at it). Who manufactured it? Where was it handed out? How many were made? I have no idea. I got mine second-hand and my best guess is that it came from a video game store.Beyond...
Artwork of Berserk interview - Page 5 part 2
This post is now available to Silver & Bronze tiers.Page 1: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 2: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 3: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 4: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Page 5: Part 1Interviewer: These kinds of external stimuli have influenced your manuscripts? Miura: Definitely not anything from light novels, but I think I have (received) influences from works I’ve read or watched a long time ago. I think it’s from a mix ...
Artwork of Berserk interview - Page 5 part 1
This post is now available to Silver & Bronze tiers.Page 1: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 2: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 3: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 4: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4Interviewer: Since Schierke and the others joined, there have been more enjoyable things in the journey scenes. Miura: As you know, to go on a journey with a gathering of companions is a staple of fantasy entertainment. "Berserk" started in 1989, when t...
Episode 372 translation
The Red Raven Sleeps in the BirdcagePage 1Casca: Going far away…!Casca: Gut…Page 3Casca: A dream…?Page 4Maids: Good morning, milady.Maids: …Then, your clothes.Page 5Maid: Well! What a vivid crimson dress!Maid: It suits you very well.Maid: For milady…Maid: The best tailor in the city specially prepared this masterpiece.Maid: Fufufu…Maid: I wonder if she likes itMaid: Right? Huhuhu…Page 6Maid: We’re going out.Maid: This way, milad...
The Secret of Mana
That's right, I went there. :PEpisode 324 was notable among other things because it explained the concept of Mana (真名 with マナ as Katakana), which refers to the "true name" of an ethereal being. By uttering her Mana, Isma transformed into a merrow, her true form. As Ivalera explains it to her, the Mana is a "secret name" for elves or spirits, and it shouldn't be carelessly revealed to other people.I made a big deal ...
Podcast #25: The Newlywed Game
For this episode of our exclusive Patreon podcast, Walter and I play a little game inspired by an old TV show called The Newlywed Game, where married couples had to answer questions to see just how well they knew each other.Needless to say we aren't actually a gay couple (not that there's anything wrong with that), but as BFFs for about 20 years, we thought it'd be fun to put our friendship to the test. And it was!Want more of the pod...
Artwork of Berserk interview - End of page 4 & beginning of page 5
This post is now available to Silver & Bronze tiers.Page 1: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 2: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 3: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Page 4: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3Interviewer: The berserk's armor has become a big weapon for Guts after the Dragon Slayer, I see. Miura: As a manga continues for a long time, the powers or skills are definitely inflated (1) but it should be controled. Sometimes it happens that when drawing at the ...
Art reproductions size comparison
Hakusensha is selling 17 reproductions of famous two-page spreads at the Great Berserk Exhibition. These are great and hopefully they will be available to purchase online eventually. However they are not full scale reproductions, and I thought it might be interesting to post a size comparison to help people see the difference.The original pages Miura drew on are B4 JIS format, meaning 257 x 364 millimeters. For two-page spreads, he drew on B3 JIS...
Podcast #24: Top Kills that aren't from Guts
In our eternal effort to bring interesting scenes to light, we decided to each pick five great death scenes (whether they're cool, funny or just memorable) that don't involve Guts. Can guess some of them?Want more of the podcast? Click here for the public episodes.
