Hakusensha, the publisher of the acclaimed manga series Berserk, has officially addressed the fan-created animated adaptation produced by Studio Eclypse. The statement from Hakusensha clarifies that the adaptation, which has been circulating online, is not authorized by Miura Kentaro or Studio Gaga, the rightful holders of the Berserk copyright. Consequently, these videos are being distributed without official permission.
Unauthorized Fan Project
Studio Eclypse initiated pre-production of this fan adaptation in 2023, branding it under the title BERSERK: The Black Swordsman. Although the studio has consistently identified the project as fan animation, it has not provided detailed information regarding the legal rights associated with it. The project’s initial teaser was released on October 2, 2023, followed by a full trailer three months ago, which featured both Japanese and English audio versions. The trailer also announced a planned summer 2025 premiere.
Studio Eclypse’s Description and Other Projects
Studio Eclypse operates on a Patreon-funded model and describes its mission as creating animations that mainstream studios overlook, emphasizing high-quality production driven by passion. The studio, which boasts a team of over 100 global contributors, showcased a disclaimer at the start of their trailer, although it did not address the official rights status.
In addition to the Berserk adaptation, Studio Eclypse is working on an unfinished fan animation of Attack on Titan: Requiem, which reimagines the ending of the original series. This project is slated for release this fall.
Previous Berserk Adaptations
Berserk has seen various anime adaptations over the years. The first series, produced by OLM (formerly Oriental Light and Magic) and directed by Naohito Takahashi, aired on television and covered portions of both the Black Swordsman and Golden Age arcs. The Golden Age arc was later adapted into a trilogy of films by Studio 4°C, released between 2012 and 2013. These films, titled The Egg of the King, The Battle of Doldrey, and The Advent, were subsequently remastered for TV as the Memorial Edition and released in an uncensored Blu-ray format.
In 2016, another TV anime adaptation focused on the Conviction arc and part of the Falcon of the Millennium Empire arc. This adaptation received mixed reviews from fans, who criticized its inconsistent art style and occasional clunky 3D animation. Many adaptations have also been noted for omitting significant portions of the original manga.
Berserk, created by Kentaro Miura and published by Hakusensha, continues to be a major influence in the manga world. Following Miura’s death in 2021, the manga went on hiatus but has since resumed under the direction of Studio Gaga and Koji Mori, Miura’s long-time friend.