Berserk (2016 Anime)

Berserk (2016 Anime)
Director	Shin Itagaki
Producers	LIDENFILMS GEMBA Millepensee
Writers	Makoto Fukami Takashi Yamashita
Character Design	Hisashi Abe
Music	Shirō Sagisu
Studio	GEMBA Millepensee
Episodes	24 (List of episodes)
Season Chronology
Next →	N/A

This article is about the 2016 anime series. For the original anime, see Berserk (1997).

Berserk (ベルセルク, Beruseruku^?) is a 2016 anime adaptation of the Conviction and Falcon of the Millennium Empire arcs of Berserk produced by LIDENFILMS, GEMBA and Millepensee.

The anime was announced in December 2015 in Young Animal magazine, with a short preview trailer released later in the same month. The series is heavily produced in CGI, in a manner akin to the Berserk: The Golden Age Arc film trilogy. It is directed by Shin Itagaki and written by both Makoto Fukami and Takashi Yamashita in collaboration. Shirō Sagisu is the main composer for the series and Susumu Hirasawa, famed composer of the 1997 series and following video games, returned to compose two insert songs for the new series titled Hai Yo and Ash Crow.

The first episode of Season 1, adapting the Conviction arc was broadcast in Japan on July 1, 2016. A year later the first episode of Season 2, adapting the first half of the Falcon of the Millennium Empire arc was broadcast in Japan on April 7, 2017.

Media distribution service Crunchyroll has obtained the streaming and publishing license for the anime, which is available for viewing at Crunchyroll's website. In 2017 Crunchyroll released an English dub of Season 1, featuring a different cast from that of the previous anime.

Cast

Cast	Seiyū	Voice Actor
Narrator/Void	Unshō Ishizuka	Jake Eberle
Guts	Hiroaki Iwanaga	Kaiji Tang
Puck	Kaoru Mizuhara	Sarah Williams
Casca	Toa Yukinari	Karen Strassman
Farnese	Yōko Hikasa	Erica Lindbeck
Serpico	Kazuyuki Okitsu(Adult) Lynn (Child)	Max Mittelman(Adult)
Isidro	Hiro Shimono	Erik Scott Kimerer
Schierke	Chiwa Saitō	Mela Lee
Ivalera	Satomi Arai	Tara Sands
Skull Knight	Akio Ōtsuka	Jamieson Price
Rickert	Minako Kotobuki	Erica Mendez
Erica	Ayana Taketatsu	Brianna Knickerbocker
Griffith	Takahiro Sakurai	Steve Cannon
Zodd	Kenta Miyake	Imari Williams
Silat	Yuichi Nakamura	Lex Lang
Tapasa	Kōji Ishii	Jamieson Price

Conviction Cast Seiyū Voice Actor Azan Hiroki Yasumoto Richard Epcar Mozgus Rikiya Koyama Ray Chase Egg of the Perfect World Hiroyuki Yoshino TBA Keeper of the Hounds Nobuo Tobita TBA Luca Miyuki Sawashiro Wendee Lee Nina Natsumi Takamori Ryan Bartley Jerome Daisuke Hirakawa Todd Haberkorn Godot Takashi Inagaki Abbot Kefford

Falcon of the Millennium Empire Cast Seiyū Voice Actor Flora Sumi Shimamoto TBA Locus Shougo Nakamura TBA Grunbeld Kiyoyuki Yanada TBA Rakshas Masashi Nogawa TBA Sonia Yoshino Nanjō Skyler Davenport Slan Miyuki Sawashiro TBA Morgan Manta Yamamoto TBA

Episodes

Main article: List of Episodes

• Conviction
• Falcon of the Millennium Empire

#

Title

Original airdate

01	The Dragon Slayer Ryūkoroshi no Taiken (竜殺しの大剣)	July 1 2016
Two years after an solar eclipse said to mark the birth of the Falcon of Darkness who would usher a dark age, the vengeful swordsman named Guts ends up beating up a group of bandits tormenting an elf while coming to a tavern for a momentary rest. Guts takes his leave with the elf, named Puck, becoming his unwanted traveling companion. The two later hitch a ride with a priest and his daughter Collette, though Guts tried to turn down the priest's generosity to protect them from the restless spirits drawn to his brand. After sunset, the spirits begin their attack and both the priest and his daughter are killed off while Guts manages to defeat animated skeletons and then a pagan sacrificial tree. After sunrise, Guts finds himself surrounded by the Holy Iron Chain Knights who have been hunting for him since the eclipse after coming across the remains of mutilated men in a pool of blood.

02	The Holy Iron Chain Knights Seitessa Kishidan (聖鉄鎖騎士団)	July 8 2016
Despite his fatigue from his night-long battle with the spirits, Guts easily kills some of the Holy Chain Iron Knights, who have been sent by the Church of the Holy See to capture him. When Guts finds himself overwhelmed by their vice-commander Azan, he attempts a dash at the knights' leader Farnese. But Guts is wounded by a cross arrow bolt, followed by a piece of wood, by Serpico and loses unconscious. Once stripped of his gear and brought to the knights' camp, Guts is interrogated by Farnese for answers that include the mysterious demise of the Band of the Falcon, having found the mercenary group's bloodied remains after the solar eclipse. As Guts mocks on her authority and her faith, Farnese whips him until Azan arrives. Guts is placed in a cage soon after, freed by Puck at nightfall as the spirits start to awaken. Guts enters Farnese's tent to recover his equipment while finding her in the middle of self-flagellation, deciding to take her hostage for a quick escape. The other knights work to cease the fire Guts started while Serpico gives chase after the swordsman, the knight finding himself surrounded by pursing spirits.

03	Night of Miracles Kiseki no Yoru (奇跡の夜)	July 15 2016
The spirits pass Serpico and chase Guts to an abandoned mansion as he tells Farnese, who is unable to see them or Puck, that they are her god's "miracles". Guts quickly gets Farnese and the horse inside as the spirits possess hounds and use them to break in. Guts manages to kill the dogs before facing the estate's kennel master: an Apostle who mounted the remains of the woman he cared for and unknowingly sacrificed on the foyer. Guts defeats the Apostle and kills him after attempting to interrogate him on the God Hand, searching for Farnese after she fled in terror. Guts finds Farnese as she was about to violated by the possessed horse, killing the creature as its act brought back horrible memories. Farnese then ends up being possessed herself and forced to act her lust before sun rise. Serpico retrieves a mortified Farnese and escorts her back to their camp while allowing Guts a reprieve. Meanwhile, in the city of Wyndham, the King of Midland passes away after a vision of Griffith returning while a foreign army comes to his land.

04	Revelations Keiji (啓示)	July 22 2016
After having a vision of Casca being burned at the stake, Guts returns to Godot's hut to check in on her. After he arrives, he receives the terrible news of Casca's disappearance. Guts struggles with his past demons along with the growing evil within his soul as he fears Casca is the only remainder of his sanity left. After talking with Rickert at the Hill of Swords, Guts resolves himself. Godot arms Guts with new armor and a reforged Dragon Slayer to prepare him for his new journey. Meanwhile, the Holy Iron Chain Knights accompany the Grand Inquisitor's caravan as an escort. They are soon attacked by rebels who seek revenge against the Holy See, but are swiftly captured by masked inquisitors. The Grand Inquisitor himself, Mozgus, steps outside to lecture the rebels before having the survivors executed on breaking wheels. Unbeknownst to everyone, Casca is cluelessly traveling with the Holy Iron Chain Knights.

05	Tower of Conviction Danzai no Tō (断罪の塔)	July 29 2016
Guts encounters and kills a party of Kushan scouts, saving the life of Isidro who follows him out of admiration. Meanwhile, catching some starving refugees attacking a food wagon, Mozgus brings a refugee and her baby to the abbey; although her baby is cared for, Mozgus tortures her for her blasphemy. In the refugee's camp, Luca keeps Casca disguised as her bandaged sister "Elaine" and shares her payment from clients including the knight Jerome with her fellow prostitutes. One of them, Nina, worries about her disease while fetching water with Casca, not noticing the spirits stalking them. Isidro catches up with Guts, when they are attacked by more possessed corpses.

06	Night Banquet of Burning at the Stake Hiaburi no Yaen (火あぶりの夜宴)	August 5 2016
As Casca is saved by the monstrous fetus, Guts encounters the mysterious Skull Knight for the first time in years since the Eclipse. Guts is disturbed to learn that the God Hand are using Albion as the site of a horrific ritual to restore Griffith's corporeal form, refusing to accept it as fate as he resumes his run towards the city with Isidro still following. The next day, as Farnese finds herself struggling with her faith, Nina meets her reoccurring customer Joachim and tests his love for her by having him come with her to a midnight orgy held by the pagan cult's goat-headed leader. Joachim gradually engages until learning that the pagans are cannibals and runs off before he was seemingly killed. Nina breaks down before seeing Luca, who disciplines her before forgiving her and then learning that Casca followed her. Casca nearly gets raped by the pagans who found her until they were possessed by spirits. Luckily, Casca was saved by the fetus and the surviving pagans assume she is a witch.

07	The Black Witch Kuroki Majo (黒き魔女)	August 12 2016
Returning to camp while fearing persecution, Luca finds Pepe arrested by pagan hunters and tries to defend her before they are saved by Guts, who just arrived to Albion and dispatched the hunters while asking for Casca's whereabouts. Luca takes Guts to Casca's tent upon noticing his brand, only to find that a fearful Nina abducted her. But Isidro finds Nina as she and Casca are captured by the pagan cult, who intend to marry the "Black Witch" to the Great Goat while Nina is be to sacrificed. After the Holy Iron Chain Knights are led to the pagans' cave by Joachim, Farnese finds herself in another unnatural situation when they are attacked possessed cultists who slaughtered their own. During the ensuing chaos, as Isidro attempts to save Casca, the Great Goat is transformed into a satyr-like Apostle by a mysterious observer and kills anyone within reach. When the Great Goat then attempts to consummate his marriage, Guts arrives at the last second to save Casca as the two see each for the first time in two years.

08	Reunion in the Den of Evil Makutsu no Saikai (魔窟の再会)	August 19 2016
Having arrived just in time, Guts saves Casca as the two are reunited. However the reunion is cut short once the Great Goat attacks Guts. Guts battles the fearsome Apostle as the Holy Iron Chain Knights retreat with Isidro, Puck and Nina escaping with Casca. Guts succeeds in killing the Great Goat with the help of Rickert's miniature bombs while Casca and Nina are once again confronted by the Holy Iron Chain Knights, who capture them. Guts makes his way out of the cult's cavern only to be ambushed by Serpico on a cliff side. Serpico reveals he has been seeking to kill the Black Swordsman and has prepared the duel in his favor due to the terrain and Guts' current state. Guts is surprised by Serpico's remarkable speed and agility but manages to win the encounter once he crushes Serpico's sword with his iron prosthetic. Serpico escapes by using Guts' miniature bombs against him while Guts confronts Isidro about Casca's disappearance. Guts, Isidro and Nina return to the Tower of Conviction while Puck searches the cells inside for the duo. Nina is taken first by Mozgus' disciples to be tortured first for information on the "Black Witch", leaving Casca behind. All the while, a mysterious egg-shaped Apostle dwells at the top of the Tower; waiting for its plan to come to fruition.

09	Blood Flow of the Dead Mōja no Ketsuryū (亡者の血流)	August 26 2016
After Nina named her as the witch he seeks, Mozgus places Casca in an iron maiden upon seeing her brand. But it causes the spirits of the tortured to manifest as a flesh-eating blob of blood with almost everyone able to escape. While Luca and Isidro use Jerome to free Nina, Guts forces Farnese to take him to the torture chamber where Puck tells him Casca is still alive. With Casca trapped inside it, the blood moves up the tower as Mozgus' group barricade themselves in the chapel. But they are then transformed by the observer, Mozgus deeming it divine providence as he burns away some of the blood with his flames. Though he freed Casca and saved Luca's group, Mozgus intends to have the former burned at the stake while his men attack the latter. Luca sacrifices herself so Jerome can save Nina, only to be saved by the Skull Knight as he was about to attack the observer. Guts arrives soon after and battles three of Mozgus' men as the inquisitor's group all sprout wings.

10	Hell's Angels Herusu Enjerusu (ヘルス·エンジェルス)	September 2 2016
Luca is spirited away by the mysterious observer, who reveals himself to her as a Beherit-like Apostle self-dubbed the Egg of the Perfect World. The Egg tells Luca his story and his long observation of everyone in Albion, detailing his ideals and the event to soon occur before fleeing from the Skull Knight. The Skull Knight takes Luca to safety as the living mounds of starved corpses rise up. Back in the Tower of Conviction, while the other disciples deal with Guts, Mozgus and the Twins fly off with Casca. While Guts manages to kill Mozgus' disciples, the possessed blood causes the tower to partially collapse with Guts enduring the cave-in to see the chaos unfolding in the slums. Mozgus uses his powers to keep the corpses at bay while the refugees proceed to build a pyre to burn Casca on. Guts sees this while noticing the four senior members of the God Hand manifesting through the blood.

11	Shadows of Idea Idea no Kage (イデアの影)	September 9 2016
As Luca walks back to Albion after the Skull Knight took her to the outskirts, the Egg of the Perfect World swallows the dying Demon Child out of sympathy before resuming his climb up the Tower of Conviction. At the same time, enlisting Jerome and Nina's help, Isidro uses a makeshift pulley system to free Casca as she was about to be burned alive. Mozgus nearly catches them after forming a barrier to keep the corpse mounds at bay when Guts leaps off the tower and impales the inquisitor. But Mozgus' bible shielded him from the attack while he fully transforms. As Isidro's group eliminate the last of Mozgus' disciples, the inquisitor's flame barrier dies out as he attempts to give Guts a chance to recant. But Guts instead uses his miniature bombs to blow apart the unprotected chink in Mozgus' armored body to land the death blow. After a brief reunion with Casca, the corpses manage to flood into Albion as Guts gives his group torches so they can outlast the few remaining hours of night.

12	Those Who Cling, Those Who Struggle Sugarumono Mogakumono (縋る者もがく者)	September 16 2016
Guts and his group fend off the flood of corpses with their fire while Luca saves Nina down below the tower. Meanwhile, the Egg of the Perfect World collects the energy of Albion's souls and sacrifices himself to incarnate Griffith in a corporeal form. The Tower of Conviction collapses, killing everyone inside as the sun rises. Guts and the others collect themselves, but are quickly surrounded by Silat and his Kushans. The Kushans are immediately repelled by Zodd who bursts through the rubble and marches to a nearby hill. At that moment, everybody ceases fighting to witness Griffith arising from the ground as Zodd kneels before him. Guts goes to immediately attack, but is stopped by Casca. As the Kushan army proceeds with its invasion, Zodd and Griffith escape into the skies while Guts, Puck and Casca ride to Godot's on horseback. Isidro departs on his own while Luca mourns the death of the Egg. While Nina reunites with Joachim, Farnese leaves her faith behind; deciding to follow Guts as Serpico travels with her.

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Title

Original airdate

13	The Rent World Hokorobu Sekai (ほころぶ世界)	April 7 2017
Guts and Puck take Casca back to Godot's home to find Godot has died. Griffith appears, wanting to know how meeting Guts would feel, and is pleased that he feels nothing and can continue to pursue his dream. Guts attempts to kill him but is stopped by Zodd who he duels fiercely until Zodd's sword shatters against the Dragon Slayer. Zodd destroys Godot's iron mine and home. Griffith ponders whether the feelings he has are caused by the Demon Child who became his vessel and saves Casca from being crushed by falling rocks. He then offers Rickert a place in the new Band of the Falcon before leaving with Zodd. Guts reveals to Rickert how Griffith took his eye and left arm, sacrificed their comrades and raped Casca but refuses Rickert's offer to help get revenge. Knowing he cannot lock Casca away to keep her safe, and not wishing to leave her behind, Guts decides to take her to Puck's home instead. Elsewhere in the kingdom Kushan soldiers destroy a castle, kill the citizens and capture the women until Griffith arrives and is hailed by the people as the Falcon of Light.

14	Winter Journey Fuyu no Tabiji (冬の旅路)	April 7 2017
A young witch, Schierke, watches Griffith from a distance. While tracking Guts, Serpico remembers how Farnese took him in as her servant, though she abused him terribly. Serpico learned he was the illegitimate son of Farnese's father and was therefore her half-brother, eventually becoming her bodyguard. Upon learning she was engaged to a member of the royal family Farnese tried and failed to seduce Serpico and set fire to her family mansion before joining the Holy Iron Chain Knights, eventually forcing Serpico to burn his mother as a witch. With their brands being so close together more powerful demons are attracted to Guts and Casca who tempt Guts to kill Casca to get closer to Griffith. Guts' rage overwhelms him and he hurts Casca, destroying her trust in him and she runs away. She is caught and almost raped by bandits, causing her to remember being raped by Griffith and she slaughters the bandits before attacking Guts. Guts is again overwhelmed by rage and almost rapes Casca before regaining control of himself. They are later found by Isidro, Farnese and Serpico who ask permission to accompany Guts on his mission.

15	Banner of the Flying Sword Hi Ken no Mihata (飛剣の御旗)	April 14 2017
A Kushan occupied city is liberated by Griffith and his new Band of the Falcon: Composed of Nosferatu Zodd, Sir Locus the Moonlight Knight; the exiled Bakiraka assassin Rakshas, Grunbeld the Giant and Irvine the Archer. Joined by the clairvoyant girl Sonia, the Falcons later dealt with a Kushan legion that overwhelmed Midlanders under the command of Mule Wolflame. Though Mule was upset to learn Kushan prisoners are given a choice to join Griffith's army, and that some of the army's members are demonic cannibals, Mule was mesmerized by seeing Griffith holding final rites for the fallen whose spirits depart while bidding farewell to their families. Mule is overcome with emotion from being in Griffith's presence, immediately pledging his loyalty to him. Meanwhile, after Farnese cuts her hair to prove her resolve, Guts allows her, Serpico, and Isidro to travel with him as he no longer trusts himself to protect Casca on his own. Guts does warn them that traveling with him means they would not be able to sleep at night, the group later fending off attacking specters after nightfall.

16	Forest of Demonic Beasts Kemono Oni no Mori (獣鬼の森)	April 21 2017
Farnese becomes depressed after Casca disappears and she gets lost in the forest trying to find her. A shepherd warns Guts' group about an imminent battle between Griffith's army and the Kushans and also about trolls infesting a nearby area. Serpico admits to Guts he desires to kill him in a fair duel, but as long as Farnese desires to stay with Guts he will treat him as an ally. Isidro practices dueling with Guts. A group of trolls attack but are driven away by the witch, Schierke, whom Isidro manages to insult, and her elf companion, Ivalera, before disappearing. Casca continues to be afraid of Guts and becomes attached to Farnese. They come across an old man whose village is being attacked by trolls, but as the local lord has taken his army to support Griffith the villagers are hoping to find help from a witch rumored to live nearby. Almost immediately they stumble upon Schierke's house as Casca and Guts brands allow them to pass through her protective barrier. Guts mistakenly believes Schierke's earth golems are ghouls and destroys several of them before Schierke reveals herself as an apprentice to the elderly witch Flora who has been waiting for Guts and Casca to arrive.

17	The Astral World Youkai Kakuriyo (幽界ーかくりよ)	April 28 2017
Revealing an old friend of hers mentioned Guts and Casca would come to her abode, Flora learns of the plight befalling Enoch Village. But due to her failing health, Flora offers Morgan the aid of her apprentice Schierke to deal with the trolls. Flora asks Guts to aid Schierke, offering him a spell that would temporarily cloak him and Casca from being attacked by specters. During the dinner that followed, Flora explains their plane of existence exists alongside the Astral World, whose many layers contain various supernatural beings, and Realm of Ideas which all creation is derived from. Guts later shows Flora the Beherit and is told that it's a gateway to link the physical world with the layer where the God Hand dwell, learning its senior members were once human like Griffith and they answer to a higher power within the deepest layer of the Astral Plane. Schierke, overhearing Guts' talk with Flora, assumes Griffith is the fifth angel prophesied by the Holy See while told that he was the once who branded Guts. The next day, Guts' group receive magical weapons. Serpico receives a cloak and sword imbued with Sylphs, Isidro a dagger imbued with Salamanders, and Farnese a silver shortsword along with silver chainmail tunics for herself and Casca as added protection from evil creatures. Guts turns down accepting a battle axe before he and others leave for Enoch Village, Flora meeting up with her friend: The Skull Knight, who requests a favor regarding Guts.

18	Struggle Against the Demon Horde Magun no Shitō (魔群との死闘)	May 5 2017
Guts group arrive at Enoch Village but are turned away by the priest who claims that Schierke is merely a child in a costume, but allows them to stay when Guts claims Casca is a religious pilgrim. Isidro trains by himself and talks with Morgan about his past and Isidro's dreams for the future. Schierke is accosted by children who throw rocks at her for being a witch. Schierke expresses distaste of the local church which was deliberately built on the site of a spirit temple, along with many other temples replaced by churches in an attempt by the Holy See to expand their authority. This included chasing the witch Flora from the village, banishing her to the forest. Guts points out she can always choose not to help the village if she wants to. The trolls attack and Schierke summons everyone to the church for safety. Guts, Farnese, Serpico and Isidro fight the trolls while Schierke shows concern about the mysterious source of Guts strength and of the dark shadows that cling to the Dragon Slayer. Schierke begins to cast a spell from the church roof, angering the priest who tries to stop her, only to end up trapped on the roof along with Schierke, Farnese and Casca. While fighting a troll Isidro overbalances trying to swing his sword one-handed and Morgan is injured saving him from the trolls. Schierke finishes casting her spell, summoning four Guardian Angels whose protective light crumbles the trolls to ashes and heals Morgan's injuries.

19	The Arcana of Invocation Inori no Ōgi (祈りの奥義)	May 12 2017
With most of the trolls dead the village comes under attack from a giant Ogre. Guts fights the ogre but is attacked by a Kelpie from the nearby river. Serpico fights alongside Guts, pitting his wind magic against the Kelpie's water magic. Schierke sends her mind into the spirit realm and senses the spirit temple the church was built upon, originally a temple of Undines, powerful water spirits. Schierke allows herself to be possessed by the river spirit the Lady of the Depths, who channels magic through Schierke to flood the river, washing the trolls, kelpie and ogre back into the underworld. However the magic is too powerful and Schierke is unable to pull her mind back from the spirit realm or break the spell flooding the village. Ivalera has Farnese use Schierke's staff to help bring her back. Just as Schierke returns Casca and Farnese fall into the water and are swept away. As the villagers celebrate Schierke tracks Casca and Farnese with magic and senses that they have been captured by more trolls. Despite the villagers gratitude Schierke feels responsible for the destruction caused by her inexperience as a witch. She receives permission from the priest to build a shrine in the village to appease the angry water spirits. Isidro receives a smaller sword as thanks from Morgan that is easier for him to fight with. Serpico's injuries force him to remain in the village while Guts, Schierke and Isidro immediately leave to rescue Casca and Farnese.

20	The Corruption of Qliphoth Kurifoto no Odaku (クリフォトの汚濁)	May 19 2017
Schierke realizes they have stumbled into a dangerous part of the Astral Realm known as Qliphoth. She telepathically communicates with Farnese and Casca in the trolls cave where the trolls are raping human women, forcing them to become pregnant and then devouring them after they give birth to troll offspring. Farnese protects Casca until Guts and the others arrive. Guts fights the trolls alone while the others help the women escape. Slan, a member of the God Hand, appears and overpowers Guts. Schierke begins a spell to seal the cave hoping that Guts escapes before she finishes. Slan torments Guts sexually and asks if he would be willing to become an Apostle like Griffith did. At that moment the Skull Knight appears to stop Slan, who reveals that Griffith is the reason the realms are merging. While she is distracted Guts shoots her with the cannon in his arm. Isidro proves himself in battle, using his salamander dagger and short sword to kill a giant troll. Slan heals herself but the Skull Knight urges Guts to use the Dragon Slayer, made stronger by all the evil souls it has destroyed. He impales Slan who kisses him then disappears, promising they will meet again. Schierke finishes her spell and is possessed by an earth spirit, the Lord of Rotting Roots, who collapses the cave with Guts still inside. The Skull Knight uses his Beherit Sword, forged from the beherits of apostles he has killed, to cut a way out of the cave. Qliphoth vanishes back into the Astral Realm and the women are taken back to Enoch Village. As Guts watches his friends he admits that he is glad he has comrades again.

21	The Berserker Armor Bāsākā no Katchū (狂戦士の甲冑)	May 26 2017
Flora reveals a suit of Berserker Armor as guarded over the years. Griffith's demon soldiers break through her barrier, so the Skull Knight rides out to meet them. Guts suddenly collapses as Slan had damaged his soul, but he manages to keep walking and Schierke is astonished that Guts survived against an Apostle. Meanwhile. Schierke senses that Flora's barrier has disappeared and the house is now on fire. Guts rushes to aid the Skull Knight in battle against Zodd and Grunbeld while Schierke and the others rush to find Flora. Grunbeld insists on dueling with Guts while Zodd fights the Skull Knight. Flora allows herself to be consumed in the fire but first instructs Schierke to give Guts the armor. In his weakened state Guts cannot fight and Grunbeld breaks his ribs. Schierke's earth Golems come to Guts' rescue, distracting Grunbeld and allowing Guts to flee. Despite knowing the incredible risks involved Schierke encases the near lifeless Guts within the armor, allowing him to re-join the battle and he slays several demons with ease. Guts is aware that his body is severely damaged but no longer cares about pain while the armor awakens a wolf like entity called the Beast of Darkness.

22	A Journey Begins in Flames Honō no Tabidachi (炎の旅立ち)	June 9 2017
With the armor removing his limitations Guts unleashes all his strength, destroying Grunbeld’s shield and hammer and wounding him. Schierke explains that as Guts is fighting without limits he is tearing his own body apart, and while the armor removes his pain he will eventually bleed to death. Grunbeld transforms into his Apostle form, a dragon with corundum scales. Guts stops a blow from Grunbeld’s tail and cracks the scales on his face with one swing. Schierke casts her mind into the spirit realm and sees Guts ego trapped inside the Beast of Darkness, but a spell cast by Flora has prevented Guts ego from vanishing. Schierke reminds him of his love for Casca and Guts awakens. He flees from Grunbeld and saves his friends while Flora’s spirit holds Grunbeld back with spirit fire. In Wyndham, underground resistance meet with Laban of the Midland Arklaw Knights to ask his help in rescuing Princess Charlotte. They are attacked by demons but are saved by Irvine the Archer and Sir Locus for an unknown reason. A month later Guts has healed but still wears the armor. Schierke fears if he has to fight again the armor will kill him.

23	Proclaimed Omens Tsugerareshi Kizashi (告げられし兆し)	June 16 2017
Guts party resume their journey to Puck’s home, an island called Skellig, half in the normal world and half in the astral plane, a home to both elves and mages. Farnese asks Schierke to teach her to use magic. The Skull Knight warns Guts of the effects of using the Berserker Armour and it is suggested that he was the armor's previous wearer. He also reveals Griffith is targeting witches like Flora as threats to his power and that the Flower Storm Monarch, the Fairy King of Skellig, may be able to return Casca’s sanity. At night they are attacked by giant demonic alligators. Schierke casts a protection spell whilst Guts, Serpico and Isidro fight the alligators. Guts struggles to keep the Beast of Darkness under control. Serpico manages to kill the Kushan mages controlling the alligators, but another mage causes them to be attacked by a sea monster. Guts loses control and the Beast takes over, activating the armor and reopening his newly healed wounds while allowing him to violently kill the sea monster. The Beast almost attacks his friends but Schierke manages to awaken Guts at the last second. Guts becomes furious at himself for losing control again.

24	City of Humans Hito no Machi (人間の都市)	June 23 2017
Guts and his friends approach the city of Vritannis where Isidro upsets Schierke about her witch’s clothing. Schierke learns that Vritannis traded in Kushan slaves, but all the slaves have been hanged as religious enemies of the Holy See. She is seen cremating the Kushans by Sonia who expresses admiration that Schierke helped release their souls. She and Schierke bond over their experiences not fitting in with normal people until they both found someone who accepted them, i.e. Griffith and Guts. Schierke stops pirates from kidnapping Kushan children and is saved by Isidro who had been trying to find her. Isidro uses his new sword to skilfully fight the pirates until Mule Wolflame arrives searching for Sonia and they defeat the pirate captain, all secretly witnessed by Guts. Sonia asks Schierke to accompany her but Schierke turns her down to stay with Guts. Sonia warns Schierke to leave Vritannis quickly and shows her a vision of Vritannis burning. Later Schierke dresses in human clothes and she, Casca and Farnese are protected from drunken soldiers by Guts. Schierke is happy that while she may be surrounded by human suffering she can continue to smile with her new friends.

Music

Opening theme:

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Ending theme:

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Trailers

Berserk (2016) Teaser 1

Berserk (2016) Teaser 2

Berserk (2016) Teaser 3

Gallery

• Concept Art
• Promos

Concept sketches of Puck.

Full color concept art of Puck.

Concept sketches of Isidro.

Full color concept art of Isidro.

Full color concept art of Isidro.

Concept sketches of Serpico.

Full color concept art of Serpico in his Holy Iron Chain Knight attire.

Concept sketches of Farnese.

Full color concept art of Farnese in her Holy Iron Chain Knight attire.

Title logo of Berserk (2016).

Premier key art of Guts.

Premier key art of Puck.

Premier key art of Isidro.

Premier key art of Serpico.

Premier key art of Farnese.

Promotional poster of an angry Guts wielding the Dragon Slayer, with Puck hovering beside him.

Second premier key art depicting the main characters of the Conviction Arc.

Promotional art of Guts holding the Dragon Slayer over his shoulder.

Debut promo poster.

Extra art featured in the Limited Edition Vol. 1 Box Set.

Extra art featured in the Vol. 1 Box Set.

Premier key art depicting the members of Guts' traveling party in the Falcon of the Millennium Empire Arc.

Notes

• This is the first anime series to be produced for Berserk in nearly two decades.
  • This is also the first time that a Berserk anime has had a second season.
  • This is also the second anime adaptation to begin with the first few manga episodes of the Black Swordsman Arc, before immediately moving onwards to the next arc after the first episode.
• During the series' initial run, Casca's skin color was recolored to be noticeably darker in the opening, starting from the premier of episode 11.
• The special edition of the Volume 1 and 2 Blu-Ray box sets feature original cover designs illustrated and colored by Kentarou Miura. The Blu-Ray box sets also feature some of the scenes with CGI animation replaced with hand drawn animation. The US versions of the Blu-Ray box sets were released in January 2018 by Funimation.
• The CGI models for the main characters used in Season 2 are different to those of Season 1.

External Links

• Berserk anime official site (1st season)
• Berserk anime official site (2nd season)
• WOWOW: Berserk WOWOW special anime site
• Twitter: Berserk anime official Twitter