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Anime Spotlight - Berserk

by Chih-Chieh Chang,
On air starting July 2016

Key Staff

Director: Shin Itagaki
("Black Cat", "Basquash! (TV)" as director for episodes 1-20)
Series Composition: Makoto Fukami
("Psycho-Pass (movie)" as screenplay)







Story

Slam in the chunk of steel.

"That night" is coming again. The "night" of battle where the "Black Swordsman" roars—

As the pinnacle title for (Japanese) domestic dark fantasies, "Berserk" has been a smash hit comic that leaves an overwhelming presence in the Japanese entertainment market..
A new anime series based on this title that boasts immense popularity overseas as well as within Japan finally begins serious production.

Fueled by flames of passions burning within his heart, Guts the "Black Swordsman" continues his endless journey of revenge. Before him stands merciless outlaws, obsessed evil spirits, and pious Apostle of god.
Against enemies that wield dreadful superhuman strength, Guts keeps challenging himself into battle with powers as a human - with only his trained body and honed skills... even if it means he shaves his life away to do so.
What awaits him at the end of his journey?
The answer is merely within the "night".
Strain one's eyes, and gaze into the darkness...

Characters

Guts (VA: Hiroaki Iwanaga)

The "Black Swordsman" that utilizes his highly trained body full of wounds, a mechanical artificial arm, and the large sword "Dragonslayer" that looks like a giant lump of steel. He continues his journey only for revenge.

Puck (VA: Kaoru Mizuhara)

A cheerful, open-hearted elf. He was saved from bandits who captured and toyed with him by Guts. Ever since, he accompanies the swordsman. Sometimes keen on human emotions.

Farnese (VA: Yōko Hikasa)

Maiden who is the captain of the Holy Iron Chain Knights who directly reports to the Pope's office. Born in the family of an established nobleman, very pious and is full of pride.

Serpico (VA: Kazuyuki Okitsu)

A young man who is one of the Holy Iron Chain Knights. Swears absolute loyalty to Farnese as her servant. With his thin frame and mild demeanor, he comes across as a weak man, but...

Isidro (VA: Hiro Shimono)

A bandit boy. He dreams of someday making it big using only his swordsmanship. Happened to catch glance of Guts' strength, and looking up to him, chases after him.

Azan (VA: Hiroki Yasumoto)

Vice-captain of the Holy Iron Chain Knights, and a fierce warrior that cherishes chivalry. As he controls a long iron staff at his will, he has the nickname "Iron Staff Demon Azan".

Casca (VA: Toa Yukinari)

Once fought together with Guts in the "Hawk Soldier" led by Griffith.
A beautiful woman. One of the main reasons why Guts continues his journey.

Griffith (VA: Takahiro Sakurai)

A young man with crystalline beauty that used to be the leader of the "Hawk Soldier". He used to be a close friend as well as the biggest rival for Guts, but now is the destined one who Guts holds the deepest hatred towards.

The Knight of Skeleton (VA: Akio Ōtsuka)

A supernatural existence that lives between this world and the spirit world. Shows himself multiple times before Guts - sometimes lending him power, and other times guiding the way with mysterious words.

Cast

Guts
Hiroaki Iwanaga
Puck
Kaoru Mizuhara
Farnese
Yōko Hikasa
Serpico
Kazuyuki Okitsu
Isidro
Hiro Shimono
Azan
Hiroki Yasumoto
Casca
Toa Yukinari
Griffith
Takahiro Sakurai
The Knight of Skeleton
Akio Ōtsuka
Narrator
Unshō Ishizuka

Staff

Original Story
Kentarō Miura (Studio Gaga)
(serialized in Hakusensha's Young Animal)
Director
Shin Itagaki
Series Composition
Makoto Fukami
Series Composition Assistant
Suguru Yamashita
Main Character Design
Wataru Abe
Main CG Modeling
Mayumi Kamata (Domerica)
Art Director
Hiroshi Itō (Kusanagi)
Art Settings
Naomi Ogura (Kusanagi)
Color Coordinator
Shinichiro Umouda
3D Directors
Atsushi Satō, Hisashi Egawa
Visual Director
Toru Shinozaki
Technical Director
Keita Mizuhashi
Character Model Lead
Narumi Igarashi
Background Model Leads
Mitaro Arai, Shunta Imai
Setup Lead
Hiroki Satō
Animation Lead
Keisuke Kobayashi
Effects Lead
Rei Hagiwara
Composites Lead
Takamasa Hatakeyama
Editing
Yuri Tamura
Sound Director
Yoshikazu Iwanami
Sound Effects
Yasumasa Koyama
Sound Production
Glovision Inc.
Music
Shiro Sagisu
Insert Song
"Haiyo" by Susumu Hirasawa
Opening Theme
"Inferno" by 9mm Parabellum Bullet
Production
LIDEN FILMS
Animation production
GEMBA / millepensee
Produced by
Berserk Production Committee

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