Summary
The wildly popular story,Berserk, is as dark and brutal as it is captivating. Fans love the intense storytelling, which has led to variousadaptations with varying degrees of success. The enduring appeal ofBerserkis a testament to its gripping power. WhileBerserkweaves a unique and moving tale of a stoic swordsman battling dark forces, other manga series delve into similar worlds or premises.
For fans ofBerserkcraving more of the same compelling experience, here are some excellent manga series that offer a comparable experience. These manga recommendations feature worlds and characters just as or even more captivating thanBerserk’s. Although the quality ofBerserkis hard to top, these ten best manga are worth reading for anyone who lovesBerserk.
Updated Jun 24, 2025, by Emedo Destiny: Berserk, created by the late Kentaro Miura, is one of manga’s most impactful works in recent times, renowned for its emphasis on dark fantasy and just generally, the sheer volume of the quality of the writing and art style. Its exploration of the human condition, morality, and the struggle against fate through its protagonist leaves quite an impact. So, essentially this piece is nothing more than updated recommendations for readers of the dark series who have been left impacted by Gut’s thrilling ordeal. Below are some of the best manga that leave a similar aftertaste, just like the Berserk series.
15Hokuto No Ken
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1 / 5
Like theBerserkseries,Hokuto No Kenalso features all too similar muscular, lonely, and easily recognizable protagonists whose life problems always seem to weigh on their souls. The series follows the life of the central character, Kenshirou, whose idea of friendship takes a hard knock when he is betrayed and nearly killed by his best friend and left for dead.
In a world rife with the aftermath of war, the world’s anarchy only just catches Kenshirou. Determined to get his revenge, Kenshirou is set to return, and he does so withthe deadly martial artsnot seen in over two thousand years, the Hokuto Shinken.
14Death Note
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.4 / 5
LikeBerserk,Death Notealso invests heavily in the supernatural and dark fantasy tropes, albeit a little less for the latter. However, in this case,the roles of the protagonistsare reversed. The series focuses on the life and actions of the central character, Yagami Light, as he begins on a journey of villainy after coming upon the death note of a god of death known as Ryuk.
Realizing the true potential of his new item, Light begins on his way to becoming the god of the new age under the guise of creating a perfect society. However, as the saying goes “With great power, comes great responsibilities”, Light soon finds how far he truly is from playing god.
13Hellsing
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.3 / 5
Hellsingpresents a good blend of the supernatural and the occultic, likeBerserk.Both protagonists find themselves at the center of their respective stories’ supernatural occurrences. The series follows the activities of the monster-slaying organization Hellsing, which was part of many other secret organizations that traded in monster extermination for more than a few centuries prior.
The central character, Alucard, is a virtually unkillable vampire and Hellsing’s greatest hunter, who is sworn to protect and serve Hellsing’s leader. Conflicts begin to brew after a wave of mysterious vampire attacks, and Alucard, with the help of his new partner, is determined to find the reason behind the attacks.
12Goblin Slayer
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.2 / 5
Much likeBerserk,Goblin Slayeremploys gore to good effect in the series, combining exceptionally well with the right rawness of the trope. Both series feature a broody protagonist, and the Goblin Slayer series follows the adventure of the titular Goblin Slayer and his party in a world populated by frightening monsters, specifically goblins.
Just as his name implies, his life’s sole mission is to exterminate goblins due to childhood trauma. However, he is also just as dedicated to protecting his party members while working to overcome the trauma responsible for his deep hatred for goblins.
11Blade of the Immortal
Blade of the Immortal,just like Berserk, relishes in the rawness of its violence. The series revolves around the central character, Manji, a swordsman of Feudal Japan, whose infamy precedes him as the ‘Hundred Man Killer.’Rumored to be immortaldue to having bloodworms capable of healing any wound within his body courtesy of the hundred-year-old nun Yaobikuni.
To atone for his sins, Manji vows to kill a thousand evil men, but at the same time, he meets a young girl, Rin Asano, who asks for his help in getting revenge for the murder of her parents. Initially reluctant, Manji eventually agrees to help her, and together, the pair begin a long and arduous quest for blood and vengeance.
10Fire Punch
Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0 / 5
Fire Punchis a manga series by Tatsuki Fujimoto set in a frozen, barren Earth ravaged by an Ice Witch. Agni and his sister, Luna, two orphans with regenerative powers, struggle to survive in a society dominated bycannibalism and violence. After Agni’s village is engulfed in unquenchable flames, he is in constant agony and swears revenge.
Fire Punchdeals with violence and the human psyche with artwork that skillfully portrays fire in a monochromatic world filled with white snow. Agni’s flames stand out, whether it’s in darkness or light. Each character is distinct and complex, offering unique perspectives and motives, making the story even more engaging.
9Devilman
Anime-Planet Rating: 3.9 / 5
Devilman, written and illustrated by Go Nagai, follows Akira Fudo, a soft-hearted timid high school student who merges with the demon Amon to become ‘Devilman.’ Together, they fight hidden creatures threatening humanity. This simple story delves into complex themes from Buddhism, Zen, and Christianity.
It questions moral boundaries and goes as far as to challengethe concept of Godand the nature of evil. While the artwork might not immediately appeal to everyone, its emotional depth and abstract depiction of violence add unique elements. Characterization takes a backseat to Akira’s development, creating a narrative beyond traditional hero portrayals.
8Gantz
Gantzis a thrilling manga by Hiroya Oku, centered around Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato. When Kei, a lonely high school student, tries to save Masaru from a train accident, they both die and find themselves in a semi-posthumous ‘game.’ A mysterious black sphere named Gantz tasks them with hunting down and killing aliens using futuristic gear.
This manga fuses seinen, sci-fi, and action, taking readers on a gruesome rollercoaster of intense battles for survival. It also goes deeper into materialism and human relationships in extraordinary situations.
7Claymore
Claymoreis an enthralling dark fantasymanga by Norihiro Yagi. Set in the Middle Ages, humanity faces constant fear of monstrous beings known as ‘Yoma,’ who feed on human flesh and can shapeshift and steal memories. The Organization, Claymore, deploys half-human, half-Yoma female warriors to combat this menace.
The manga’s captivating storyline centers on Clare’s quest for vengeance, revealing unexpected truths about the Claymore Organization. The action-packed battles are far from repetitive, makingClaymorea thrilling page-turner. With splendidly drawn action scenes and compelling characters, this manga keeps readers glued until the end.
6Blade Of The Phantom Master
Blade of the Phantom Mastertakes readers into a unique, ancient world. The story follows an anti-hero protagonist, Munsu, one of the few remaining guardians, as he navigates through a land fractured by warlords and chaos, seeking justice and vengeance. The journey becomes even more intriguing as he is joined by other remarkable characters, each with their tales and goals.
The artwork is great, with detailed panels and imaginative character designs. The story effectively portrays the cruelty of the corrupt world, provoking thought in readers. Blade of the Phantom Master is an epic journey with parallels toBerserkbut with its original and engaging storyline.
