Unraveling the Mysteries of the Witch in Berserk: A Deep Dive into her Origins

Berserk is a popular manga and anime series that follows the story of Guts, a lone mercenary with a tragic past. Throughout the series, Guts faces numerous enemies and challenges, but one character that has a significant impact on his life is the witch, Schierke. Schierke is introduced as a young witch-in-training who becomes a member of Guts' group known as the Band of the Hawk. She possesses strong magical abilities and serves as a guide and protector to Guts. The relationship between Schierke and Guts is complex, as Schierke tries to understand and help Guts overcome the trauma from his past. One of the most important moments involving Schierke and Guts is when she delves into his subconscious mind, known as the "Berserker Armor," to help him confront his inner demons.

First published July 5, 2003

Assisted by the witch s disciple, Schierke, the warrior band manages to turn the tide against the beasts, but when a monstrous ogre hits town, a tide of another kind is needed, a mystic flood to wash the town clean. Assisted by the witch s disciple, Schierke, the warrior band manages to turn the tide against the beasts, but when a monstrous ogre hits town, a tide of another kind is needed, a mystic flood to wash the town clean.

One of the most important moments involving Schierke and Guts is when she delves into his subconscious mind, known as the "Berserker Armor," to help him confront his inner demons. In this intense and emotional scene, Schierke witnesses the traumatic events that shaped Guts into the man he is today. Through her support and guidance, Guts is able to confront his fears and regain control over his actions.

Berserk, Vol. 25

Guts the Black Swordsman just can't seem to find a little peace. On his way to the idyllic tranquility of his miniature pal Puck's homeland of Elfhelm, Guts and his companions, at the behest of a local witch, assist a village beset by a plague of hideous and deadly trolls. Assisted by the witch's disciple, Schierke, the warrior band manages to turn the tide against the beasts, but when a monstrous ogre hits town, a tide of another kind is needed, a mystic flood to wash the town clean. But when Casca and Farnese are carried away by the flood, they become prisoners in the troll's den, where a fate far worse than any imaginable death awaits!

Genres MangaFantasyComicsHorrorGraphic NovelsSeinenComics Manga

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2003

About the author

Kentaro Miura

Kentarou Miura (三浦建太郎) was born in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, in 1966. He is left-handed. In 1976, at the early age of 10, Miura made his first Manga, entitled "Miuranger", that was published for his classmates in a school publication; the manga ended up spanning 40 volumes. In 1977, Miura created his second manga called Ken e no michi (剣への道 The Way to the Sword), using Indian ink for the first time. When he was in middle school in 1979, Miura's drawing techniques improved greatly as he started using professional drawing techniques. His first dōjinshi was published, with the help of friends, in a magazine in 1982.

That same year, in 1982, Miura enrolled in an artistic curriculum in high school, where he and his classmates started publishing their works in school booklets, as well as having his first dōjinshi published in a fan-produced magazine. In 1985, Miura applied for the entrance examination of an art college in Nihon University. He submitted Futanabi for examination and was granted admission. This project was later nominated Best New Author work in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. Another Miura manga Noa was published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine the very same year. Due to a disagreement with one of the editors, the manga was stalled and eventually dropped altogether. This is approximately where Miura's career hit a slump.

In 1988, Miura bounced back with a 48-page manga known as Berserk Prototype, as an introduction to the current Berserk fantasy world. It went on to win Miura a prize from the Comi Manga School. In 1989, after receiving a doctorate degree, Kentarou started a project titled King of Wolves (王狼, ōrō?) based on a script by Buronson, writer of Hokuto no Ken. It was published in the monthly Japanese Animal House magazine in issues 5 and 7 of that year.

In 1990, a sequel is made to Ourou entitled Ourou Den (王狼伝 ōrō den, The Legend of the Wolf King) that was published as a prequel to the original in Young Animal Magazine. In the same year, the 10th issue of Animal House witnesses the first volume of the solo project Berserk was released with a relatively limited success. Miura again collaborated with Buronson on manga titled Japan, that was published in Young Animal House from the 1st issue to the 8th of 1992, and was later released as a stand-alone tankōbon. Miura's fame grew after Berserk was serialized in Young Animal in 1992 with the release of "The Golden Age" story arc and the huge success of his masterpiece made of him one of the most prominent contemporary mangakas. At this time Miura dedicates himself solely to be working on Berserk. He has indicated, however, that he intends to publish more manga in the future.

In 1997, Miura supervised the production of 25 anime episodes of Berserk that aired in the same year on NTV. Various art books and supplemental materials by Miura based on Berserk are also released. In 1999, Miura made minor contributions to the Dreamcast video game Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage. 2004 saw the release of yet another video game adaptation entitled Berserk Millennium Falcon Arc: Chapter of the Record of the Holy Demon War.

Since that time, the Berserk manga has spanned 34 tankōbon with no end in sight. The series has also spawned a whole host of merchandise, both official and fan-made, ranging from statues, action figures to key rings, video games, and a trading card game. In 2002, Kentarou Miura received the second place in the Osamu Tezuka Culture Award of Excellence for Berserk.[1]

Miura provided the design for the Vocaloid Kamui Gakupo, whose voice is taken from the Japanese singer and actor, Gackt.

Miura passed away on May 6, 2021 at 2:48 p.m. due to acute aortic dissection.

224 pages, Paperback

Schierke's role in Berserk extends beyond her interactions with Guts. She is also portrayed as a powerful and independent character who tries to protect and understand the supernatural world around her. Her knowledge of magic and ancient rituals prove vital in their quests and battles against evil forces. Schierke is a stark contrast to the other characters in the series, as she represents innocence and purity in a grim and violent world. Overall, Schierke's recollections in Berserk are memorable and significant. Her relationship with Guts and her role as a witch-in-training greatly impact the storyline and the development of both characters. Her moments of introspection and magical abilities add depth to the world of Berserk, making her an integral part of the narrative..

Reviews for "The Witch's Influence on Berserk's Art and Aesthetic: An Exploration of Dark Fantasy"

- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Berserk recollxtions of the witch". The storyline felt disjointed and lacking in substance. The characters were underdeveloped and it was hard to care about their fates. The pacing was also off, with moments that dragged on unnecessarily and others that felt rushed. Overall, it just didn't live up to the hype for me.

- John - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Berserk recollxtions of the witch" but was ultimately let down. The art was stunning and the action scenes were well-done, but that's about all the positive I can say. The plot was confusing and convoluted, making it hard to follow what was happening. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it difficult to invest in their struggles. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity and I didn't find it enjoyable.

- Emma - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Berserk recollxtions of the witch". The art was great, but that's about the only positive thing I can say. The story was all over the place and nothing seemed to make sense. The violence and gore were excessive and felt gratuitous, without adding any depth to the overall narrative. I found it too disturbing and lacking in substance to continue reading.

From Tragedy to Triumph: The Witch's Evolution in Berserk