Berserk, a renowned manga that spans over 30 years and comprises more than 40 volumes, continues to be one of the most beloved and enduring series. After delving into the manga, the desire to explore its anime adaptation is almost inevitable.
Throughout its extensive run, the manga has been adapted into several forms, including a film series, multiple TV adaptations, video games, light novels, and even a card game. Given its long tenure, the series’ sequence might seem somewhat fragmented. Therefore, I’ll guide you through the optimal order to watch Berserk movies in order.
How to Watch Berserk Movies in Order
Here is the right order to watch Berserk movies.
1. Berserk (1997)
Under the direction of Naohito Takahashi, the first animated version of this Seinen series was created by Oriental Light and Magic. It covers the manga’s Black Swordsman and Golden Age storylines, focusing on Guts’ bond with the Band of the Hawk. Some characters from the manga, such as Puck and Donovan, were completely left out.
The absence of the Skull Knight led to a big problem in the story, as it doesn’t explain how Guts and Casca escape after the Eclipse. The anime toned down the original manga’s violence and serious themes, giving it a sadder ending. Removing some of the manga’s humor made the anime more serious in its storytelling.
2. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I — The Egg Of The King (2012)
Guts, a soldier, catches the Band of the Hawk’s eye by beating Bazuso in a battle. After losing to Griffith, the group’s chief, he’s persuaded to join them. The Hawks aid Midland in a long war against Tudor. Griffith’s success raises him within the kingdom’s ranks after defeating the Black Ram Iron Lance Cavalry.
During a battle, Guts and Griffith meet a demon named Nosferatu Zodd. Zodd notices a strange object around Griffith’s neck, the Behelit, and tells Guts that Griffith is his fate.
Griffith’s rise isn’t liked by the nobles. A failed assassination of the king’s brother leads to Guts killing him and the noble’s son, Adonis, to hide the truth.
Feeling guilty, Guts hears Griffith talking about friendship with Princess Charlotte. He’s troubled to discover they’re only tools for Griffith’s goals.
3. Berserk: Golden Age Arc II – The Battle for Doldrey (2012)
After bonding with Casca during a tough time, Guts defends her from attacks by Adon, a commander. He fights off many of Adon’s men alone so Casca can escape. Feeling unequal to Griffith, Guts decides to leave the Band of the Hawk.
In a civil war, Guts helps conquer Doldrey’s Fortress by defeating Boscogn, leader of the Purple Rhinos. Casca takes down Adon. Guts beats Griffith in a duel and leaves a month after their victory.
Griffith doesn’t handle Guts leaving well. He makes a mistake by being intimate with the king’s daughter, Charlotte. Griffith gets imprisoned in the Tower of Rebirth, and the Band of the Hawk are marked as criminals.
4. Berserk Ougon Jidaihen III: Kourin (2013)
A lot of things happened after Guts fought Griffith and was kicked out of the Band of the Hawk. Guts went back to help the Hawks rescue Griffith from a tall building called the Tower of Rebirth. But they found out they were seen as criminals in Midland.
Griffith, the leader, was in really bad shape. He was hurt physically and mentally and couldn’t speak or move well. He felt so bad that he tried to end his own life. But then something weird happened. A strange event took Griffith, Guts, Casca, and their friends to another world where they met powerful bad guys called the God Hand.
Griffith decided to join the God Hand, even though it meant sacrificing his friends. Guts tried to stop this but couldn’t. Griffith changed into a new being called Femto, and most of Guts’ friends were lost.
Guts and Casca were taken back to their world by a mysterious character called the Skull Knight. But bad things happened: Casca lost her mind after seeing terrible things, and Guts got badly hurt, losing his arm and eye while trying to protect Casca.
Guts decided to go after the bad guys, the Apostles, and the God Hand to take revenge on Griffith. He left Casca with someone named Rickert and found out that he’d be attacked by monsters at night because of a mark on his body.
5. Berserk (2016)
A year passes since Guts’ fight with Griffith and his expulsion from the Band of the Hawk. Guts returns to help the Hawks rescue Griffith, but they find him broken, barely alive, and mute after terrible suffering.
When Griffith attempts suicide, his Behelit appears, and a solar eclipse transports them to another world. There, they face the God Hand archdemons. Griffith becomes a member of the God Hand, and his friends must be sacrificed.
Guts fails to save Griffith in a battle against the God Hand and their monster Apostles. Griffith turns into Femto, leaving Guts and Casca behind.
The enigmatic Skull Knight brings Guts and Casca back, but Casca goes insane after witnessing her friends’ deaths and her assault by Femto. Guts loses his left arm and right eye while protecting her.
Guts sets out to hunt Apostles and the God Hand to avenge Griffith. He leaves Casca with Rickert, but his brand attracts nightly attacks from monsters.
6. Berserk: Recollections of the Witch (2017)- OVA
In this OVA, Shierke looks back on what’s happened, thinks about the scary things ahead, and remembers the history of the Black Swordsman.
7. Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition (2022)
Kentaro Miura’s death deeply impacted the anime world, leaving the fate of the beloved series uncertain. Despite this, in 2022, fans were treated to more Berserk content in the form of a special 13-episode TV series called Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition.
This new series is essentially a reworked version of the famous Berserk Golden Age trilogy. Initially shown in Japan, it’s now available on Crunchyroll for international fans. While there’s no new content, it’s a great chance for new fans to binge-watch the trilogy and experience one of the best story arcs ever created. If you’ve seen everything else, give this series a watch to remember Kentaro Miura’s incredible work.
How to watch Berserk on Netflix with a VPN
To watch Berserk on Netflix using a VPN:
- Select a VPN: Choose a reputable VPN service that offers servers in the country where Berserk is available on Netflix. ExpressVPN is my top recommendation.
- Sign up and Install: Subscribe to the VPN service and install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to the Desired Country Server: Open the VPN app and connect to a server in a country where Berserk is available on Netflix. For instance, it might be accessible in the US, UK, or other regions.
- Log into Netflix: After the VPN connection is established, go to the Netflix website or use the Netflix app and log in.
- Search for Berserk: Once logged in, search for “Berserk” in the Netflix search bar to locate the series.
- Start Watching: Select the Berserk series and start streaming the episodes available in that particular region.
Best VPNs to Watch Berserk on Netflix
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the top choice for watching Berserk and other restricted shows. It’s super fast and can easily access tough restrictions. With over 3,000 servers in 94+ countries, you can watch movies and shows from anywhere. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and have a 24/7 support team to help with any questions when you sign up.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is a great choice for its value. It’s good for accessing shows like Berserk, fast for watching without interruption, and has more servers than ExpressVPN – over 3,200 in 95+ countries. Not sure if Surfshark is right for you? You can try it out. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee like other top VPNs, and you can connect many devices during the trial. Use the 24/7 live-chat support to learn all about Surfshark during this time.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is also a good VPN for watching Berserk on Netflix. It has over 5,800 servers in 60 countries, including 20+ in Argentina and 240 in Germany, where Berserk is available on Netflix. NordVPN lets you access various Netflix libraries.
It’s not just for Netflix; NordVPN unblocks other popular streaming services like Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, YouTube TV, and more, making it easy to watch your favorite shows.
NordVPN uses a fast tunneling protocol called NordLynx, ensuring your connection stays speedy for smooth streaming without interruptions.
Additionally, NordVPN offers Smart DNS, enabling devices like smart TVs, Xbox, or PlayStation to access global content, even if they don’t usually support VPNs. Starting at $2.99/month, NordVPN is both powerful and affordable. And you can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Conclusion
To watch the Berserk movies in order, one should follow a strategic order to understand the epic saga fully. Begin with the Golden Age Arc movies, which cover the earlier part of the story. Then proceed to the 2012 and 2013 films for a more comprehensive narrative. It’s also beneficial to explore the 1997 Berserk anime series and the 2016 and 2017 adaptations to grasp the character depth and story intricacies.
