The Young Animal Editing Department announced that Berserk by Kentaro Miura will be continuing in the 13th issue of Young Animal on June 24, 2022, with supervision by Kentaro Miura’s good friend, Kouji Mori, who is an outstanding manga creator himself that has brought us titles like Holyland, Jisatsutou, and more, with the manga being penned by Studio Gaga, Kentaro Miura’s studio, and long-time assistants. When the series resumes, the credits on the volumes will state, “Original work by Kentaro Miura, Manga by Studio Gaga, Supervised by Kouji Mori,” and the numbering of the volumes will continue in order.
Berserk, Volume 41 was the last volume created by Kentaro Miura before his passing, but his presence and guidance will long be felt in the volumes to come, especially given that he talked to Kouji Mori about his upcoming plans for the series. The Young Animal Editing Department stated that Miura didn’t leave behind rough drafts, but that they’ll remember his words closely and their conversations with him when creating the new chapters of Berserk. More specifically, their production team decided on a basic policy, “Mr. Miura said so”.
In volume 41, we are still in the Fantasia Arc/Elf Island Chapter. Studio Gaga and Kouji Mori will be wrapping up that arc with the release of six more chapters, then we are headed into a new arc that has yet to be named.
In addition to the Young Animal Editing Department, Kouji Mori made a statement about the continuation of Berserk. It’s a lovely read because he touches on his close relationship with Kentaro Miura, how they would closely consult with one another on their works, and how he first talked to Miura about Berserk nearly 30 years ago. He commented as well on the large task that is now in front of him. Of course, continuing on with a masterpiece like Berserk, is challenging to say the least; A challenge that I am happy that his assistants at Studio Gaga and Kouji Mori are willing to take on.
Aware of this, he said, “I think people with good intuition would realize by now that I know the story for Berserk up to the very end. Still, I cannot say that I can draw it because I know it. That is because only the genius Kentaro Miura can write a masterpiece like Berserk. However, a great responsibility has fallen on me.”
“While he was alive, Miura said, “I haven’t told anyone other than you, Mori, about the story in its entirety.” And that was the truth. It is too big a responsibility.” And then he thought about what Miura would say to that. “I talked to you about it so much, but you didn’t do it!!” Alright. I’ll do it properly,” he said.
He rounded out the message with a promise to fans, “I have a message and promise to everyone. I will recall the details as much as possible and tell the story. Also, I will only write the episodes that Miura talked to me about. I will not flesh it out. I will not write episodes that I don’t remember clearly. I will only write the lines and stories that Miura described to me. Of course, it will not be perfect. Still, I think I can almost tell the story that Miura wanted to tell.”
He continued on that thought, “The talent Miura’s apprentices have are real! They are brilliant artists. Many of you may not be fully satisfied with the Berserk written without Miura, but we hope everyone’s thoughts will be with us. We ask you for your continued support.”
And support them I definitely will! I am truly grateful that they are continuing on with Berserk and I am looking forward to seeing how the story of my favorite manga of all time is going to unfold next! If you have yet to get into Berserk, you can collect the series via the singles or the Berserk Deluxe Editions.
