Kentaro Miura’s Berserk has long been hailed as a masterpiece in dark fantasy manga, setting itself apart from typical Shonen series like Dragon Ball or Naruto. In an insightful interview, Miura shed light on how he deliberately avoided common Shonen tropes to maintain the integrity of Berserk’s narrative.
One of the key issues Miura addressed was the phenomenon of power inflation in Shonen manga, where characters constantly face increasingly powerful enemies and receive ever-stronger power-ups.
Miura referred to this as “inflation” and recognized its potential to spiral out of control. To counteract this, he meticulously controlled the growth of power in Berserk, allowing for gradual and consistent progression rather than sudden leaps.
Miura cited pivotal moments in the series, such as the arrival of the Falcon Troupe and the introduction of magical elements through characters like Schierke, as instances where the story’s development was carefully managed.
The creation of the Berserker Armor, a significant power-up for protagonist Guts, was not initially planned but emerged organically as the story evolved.
Unlike typical Shonen power-ups, the Berserker Armor comes with substantial drawbacks, such as the risk of consuming the wearer’s psyche and turning them into bloodthirsty monsters.
This realistic portrayal of the consequences of power amplification adds depth and complexity to Berserk’s narrative, aligning perfectly with its dark and gritty tone.
