TV SERIES · 1997–1998 · JAPAN

剣風伝奇ベルセルク

Network

Nippon TV

Seasons

1

Episodes

25

Studio

OLM, VAP, Hakusensha

18 archived facts · 2 topics · 1 source · Last reviewed Nov 2026

Guts, a wandering mercenary, joins the Band of the Hawk after being defeated in a duel by Griffith, the group's leader and founder. Together, they dominate every battle, but something menacing lurks in the shadows.

• 

18 Interesting Facts About 剣風伝奇ベルセルク

Interesting Facts (9)

1. #001

   The manga on which the anime is based had a major influence on the Dark Souls (2011) video game series.

   INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

   Share·Report
2. #002

   Both the Sci-Fi Channel and Cartoon Network were interested in airing the series. However, Media Blasters warned them that the violence and sexual content would require too much editing to achieve a TV-14 rating.

   INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

   Share·Report
3. #003

   Guts's sword weighs about 400 lb and is 6'6 long; the longest sword ever used in battle in the real world was 7' long but weighed only 14 lb.

   INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

   Share·Report
4. #004

   The anime continued in the form of a Dreamcast and later a PlayStation 2 game. The composer, the Japanese voice actors and the manga's original author returned.

   INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

   Share·Report
5. #005

   The series aired uncensored in Italy in 2001.

   INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

   Share·Report
6. #006

   Guts's appearance is said to be based on Rutger Hauer.

   INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

   Share·Report
7. #007

   Media Blasters' North American DVDs come in red DVD cases meant to resemble blood.

   INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

   Share·Report
8. #008

   It is based on a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura.

   INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

   Share·Report
9. #009

   The series is available only through physical media in the United Kingdom and many other countries: Blu-ray, DVD and VHS.

   INTERESTING FACTS · SOURCED

   Share·Report

Production Story (9)

10. #010

    Guts's sword weighs about 180 kilograms and is 2 meters long. In the real world, the longest sword ever used in battle was 2.1 meters long but weighed only 6.3 kilograms. When Guts draws his massive sword from his back, the scabbard often resembles a demon's tail. This may be a reference to the numerous moments when Guts or the people he encounters are said to have 'the luck of the devil.'

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

    Share·Report
11. #011

    Media Blasters' North American DVDs come in red DVD cases to evoke blood.

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

    Share·Report
12. #012

    Guts's appearance is said to have been inspired by the famous Dutch actor Rutger Hauer.

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

    Share·Report
13. #013

    The Sci-Fi Channel and Cartoon Network expressed interest in broadcasting the series. However, Media Blasters warned that the violence and sexual content would require too much editing to receive a TV-14 rating. The series aired uncensored in Italy in 2001.

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

    Share·Report
14. #014

    The anime continued with games released for the Dreamcast and later the PlayStation 2. The composer, the Japanese voice actors and manga artist Kentaro Miura himself returned for these projects.

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

    Share·Report
15. #015

    The production is based on a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura.

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

    Share·Report
16. #016

    At some point between late 2023 and early 2024, the series was licensed by Discotek Media for a more mainstream release.

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

    Share·Report
17. #017

    The series is available in the United Kingdom and most other countries only through physical media (Blu-ray, DVD, VHS).

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

    Share·Report
18. #018

    The manga on which the anime is based had a major influence on the Dark Souls video game series, released in 2011.

    PRODUCTION STORY · SOURCED

    Share·Report