Berserk, the anime series based upon the manga of the same name, is quite possibly one of the best, most-shocking pieces of anime ever brought to screen. Today, it's uncommon to find adult entertainment that remains shocking and engaging to viewers upon second and third viewings, but Berserk does just that.
Berserk has, over the years, had several hiatuses between the new volumes, so we thought we'd make it easier for fans to pass the time by suggesting the following ten anime series that you can fill the Berserk void with.
Monster (Amazon)
Monster is the perfect show for older fans of anime who are on the hunt for mature and thought-provoking stories. Monster, which doesn't have the same brute force action as Berserk, does make up for this with its truly unique plot, a psychological story about a murderous man raised as the next Hitler, and the doctor who regretfully saves his life. Despite obvious differences in the two shows, both Berserk and Monster nail their explorations of the human psyche and ugliness of mankind.
Fist Of The North Star (Amazon)
For fans of Berserk who are after a long-running action series that is filled with testosterone and action, Fist of the North Star is a perfect anime to watch next. The story spans a whopping 109 episodes and is a classic anime that follows the tales of Kenshirou, a well-trained martial artist, as he traverses a post-apocalyptic world.
The action is brutal, so much so that Kenshirou's signature move is literally making his enemies' heads explode. It's so over-the-top, in fact, that it spawned a meme, featuring the classic line "you're already dead."
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (Amazon)
Bloodlust is the second film in the Vampire Hunter D series and a cult favorite among both hardcore and casual anime fans. It follows the story of a vagabond dhampir, a half-vamp, half-human hybrid, on his quest to locate a vampire. The show feels like a romance, but with supernatural entities and bloodshed galore.
Much like Berserk, the story is well-written, deep, and notably brooding. The protagonists from each show, D from Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and Guts from Berserk, share several traits. They're both quiet, mostly reserved, and expertly skilled with relentless devotion to their goals. If you loved the "occult-heavy" themes in Berserk, then you'll love this masterpiece of anime.
Afro Samurai (Netflix)
For fans seeking a flashy, over the top, yet equally violent alternative to Berserk, Afro Samurai should please them. It's a simple revenge tale that follows the journey of an African-American samurai who's on the hunt for his father's killer.
If you enjoyed the gore and action in Berserk, then you'll love Afro Samurai, with its remarkable animation and extreme action sequences. It's style over substance here, but nonetheless a fun watch for fans of Berserk.
Claymore (Crunchyroll)
Claymore has an obvious similarity to Berserk in that it has a fictional, medieval setting. This anime tale follows Clare, a female Claymore, named after the immense sword that she wields with ease, which is glaringly similar to Gut's "Dragon Slayer" bastard sword.
For those looking for another sword-and-sandal style epic with epic action, bloodshed, and demons, Claymore is highly recommended to keep fans of Berserk busy—the only difference here is that it features several strong female roles.
Basilisk (Crunchyroll)
Both Berserk and Basilisk feature themes rooted in violence and tragedy. Basilisk tells the tale of the love between Gennosuke Kouga and Oboro Iga, whose love is put to the test when their respective clans re-engage in war during a Battle Royale competition.
Much like Berserk, one of Basilisk's greatest selling points is that it makes the viewer care about its unique characters, right up until they meet their untimely and gruesome deaths.
Devilman Crybaby (Netflix)
Devilman Crybaby is the latest entry to the Devilman Franchise, with the earliest adaptation dating back to 1987. Devilman Crybaby, which is available on Netflix, is an an-almost perfect recommendation for Berserk fans seeking similar, explicit, gory, and violent content which Berserk does so well. The anime tells the story of Akira Fudo and his alter-ego Devilman as they duke it out against Heaven, Hell, and even God himself.
Gantz (Netflix)
While Gantz and Berserk have completely diverse settings, it's another great recommendation for fans of more mature anime. As opposed to Berserk, which takes place in a fictional high-fantasy setting, Gantz is a sci-fi action series that takes place in a futuristic afterlife where recently deceased "contestants" are forced into playing a game to win a second chance at life on Earth.
The game pits the characters against all sorts of alien baddies. The show features sex and gore in excess, easily justifying its R-Rating. Where Gantz, much like Berserk, truly shines is in how it pushes its characters to the brink and back. Gantz is among some of the coolest anime titles available to stream on Netflix.
Hellsing: Ultimate (Netflix)
If you loved Berserk for its blood, gore, and monsters, then Hellsing: Ultimate is for you. The original video animation (OVA) series is an adaptation of a manga by Kouta Hirano. One of the supporting characters in the series, Alexander Anderson, would fit in perfectly with the universe where Berserk takes place. He's a priest out to slay Alucard on behalf of the Vatican as well as other vampires. One clear similarity between Berserk and Hellsing: Ultimate is the use of religious and paganistic themes.
Another similarity between the two shows is the use of gargantuan weapons, such as Seras' Harkonnen Cannon and Gut's bastard sword. Throw in copious amounts of gore, blood, foul language, and sexual themes and you have an anime that should please you until the world is gifted with more Berserk episodes.
Ninja Scroll (Amazon)
Ninja Scroll is yet another samurai-based anime on this list. A true 90s classic, Ninja Scroll, much like Berserk never shies away from violence and strong sexual themes. Fans of Guts will fall in love with the show's hero Jubei Kibagami, a wandering swordsman in feudal Japan.
Kibagami has to battle it out against supernatural ninjas and also has the task of unraveling a plot to overthrow the Japanese government. In the same vein as Berserk, even two decades later, the well-directed, high-octane action in Ninja Scroll is still wondrous to behold today.