To answer how to watch ‘Berserk’ in order: start with the 25-episode 1997 series, then watch the 12-episode 2016 season and the 12-episode 2017 season. The Golden Age films and 13-episode Memorial Edition are alternate backstory adaptations, while the manga from volume 1 is the most complete route.
Berserk has several anime versions that overlap rather than form one uninterrupted sequence. The key is to choose one Golden Age introduction before moving to the later television adaptation.
Key takeaways
- For most first-time anime viewers, watch the 25-episode Berserk (1997), followed by the 12-episode 2016 season and the 12-episode 2017 season.
- The 2012–2013 Golden Age Arc film trilogy and the 13-episode Memorial Edition retell the same broad Golden Age backstory rather than continuing the 1997 series.
- Choose either the 1997 series, the three films, or Memorial Edition as your Golden Age introduction; watching all three versions is optional comparison, not required viewing.
- The manga is the most complete and canonical route, so readers who want the fullest story should start with volume 1 and continue in publication order.
- In the United States, availability changes by service and date; check Crunchyroll first for the 2016–2017 television series and Memorial Edition, and search locally for the 1997 series.
What is the best way to watch Berserk in order?
For most first-time anime viewers, the best way to watch Berserk in order is the 25-episode 1997 series, then the 12-episode 2016 season, then the 12-episode 2017 season. The Golden Age films and 13-episode Memorial Edition are alternate retellings of the backstory, not required sequels.
This route introduces Guts, Griffith, Casca, and the Band of the Hawk before moving into post-Golden Age material. The 1997 series is listed as a 1997 title by Netflix, while current episode listings identify the original anime as 25 episodes.
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The recommended first-time anime order
| Order | Release | Episodes | What it covers | Why it belongs here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berserk (1997), also called Kenpū Denki Berserk | 25 | The central Golden Age story and the rise of the Band of the Hawk | It provides the clearest first anime introduction to the main characters and their relationships. |
| 2 | Berserk (2016), season 1 | 12 | Guts as the Black Swordsman and material after the Golden Age, including the move toward the Conviction storyline | It follows the story beyond the material covered by the 1997 series. |
| 3 | Berserk (2017), season 2 | 12 | The continuation of the 2016 television adaptation | It is the next television season, so watch it immediately after season 1. |
Watch each release in its normal episode or broadcast order. The official announcement for the 2017 second season describes it as the next part of the television anime, and U.S. listings treat the 2016–2017 production as two 12-episode seasons.
This order is chronological at the adaptation level, but it is not a complete adaptation of the manga. The 2016–2017 anime assumes important backstory and compresses or omits material, so viewers should not treat the television series as a substitute for the full manga.
Where do the Berserk Golden Age films fit?
The Berserk: The Golden Age Arc films fit at the beginning of the anime route as an alternative to the 1997 series. The trilogy retells the Golden Age material rather than serving as a sequel to the 1997 anime.
| Film | Place in the story | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| The Golden Age Arc I: The Egg of the King | The beginning of Guts’s involvement with Griffith and the Band of the Hawk | Watch first if you choose the film route. |
| The Golden Age Arc II: The Battle for Doldrey | The military campaigns and growing importance of the Band of the Hawk | Watch second. |
| The Golden Age Arc III: The Advent | The climax of the Golden Age material | Watch third, then move to the 2016 television season if continuing with anime. |
The films were released from 2012 through 2013, according to the official VAP series overview. The trilogy is shorter and more modern-looking than the 1997 series, but it compresses the story and makes different adaptation choices. It should not be presented as a universally superior replacement for the original series.
If you choose the films, use this order
- The Golden Age Arc I: The Egg of the King
- The Golden Age Arc II: The Battle for Doldrey
- The Golden Age Arc III: The Advent
- Berserk (2016), season 1
- Berserk (2017), season 2
Do not place the trilogy after the 1997 series as though the films introduce a new chapter. The films substantially overlap with the 1997 series, so a first-time viewer should choose one Golden Age version before moving on.
Is Memorial Edition a sequel or a remake?
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition is a 13-episode television re-edit and reconstruction of the Golden Age film material, with additional or rearranged television presentation. It is another way to watch the Golden Age story, not a continuation after the films.
The official Crunchyroll listing identifies Memorial Edition as a 13-episode series covering Guts’s recruitment into Griffith’s Band of the Hawk and the events leading toward the Eclipse.
If you choose Memorial Edition, use this order
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition, episodes 1–13
- Berserk (2016), season 1
- Berserk (2017), season 2
Use Memorial Edition instead of the three films, not after them. Watching the full trilogy and all 13 episodes of Memorial Edition back-to-back makes sense only if you want to compare adaptations.
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Which Berserk order should you choose?
| Your priority | Start with | Continue with | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best first anime introduction | Berserk (1997) | 2016 season, then 2017 season | Older presentation, but more room to establish the central relationships than the compressed film route. |
| Shorter modern anime entry point | Memorial Edition | 2016 season, then 2017 season | More compact Golden Age presentation, with less time for the material than the 1997 series. |
| Film-based entry point | The Egg of the King | The remaining two Golden Age films, then 2016 and 2017 | Three films cover the backstory efficiently but compress it. |
| Most complete story | Berserk manga, volume 1 | Publication order | Requires reading rather than watching, but avoids treating incomplete anime adaptations as the whole story. |
| Already watched the 1997 series | Berserk (2016) | Berserk (2017) | The films and Memorial Edition are optional alternate versions of familiar backstory. |
Should you watch the manga instead?
If you want the complete Berserk story and maximum context, start with the manga at volume 1 and read in publication order. The anime adaptations cover only portions of the manga, and the 2016–2017 series leaves out or compresses material that affects the story’s context.
For English-language readers, Dark Horse’s catalog identifies both the standard first volume and the hardcover Berserk Deluxe Volume 1. The Deluxe line collects multiple standard volumes in an oversized hardcover format. A manga-first reader can still watch the 1997 series or Memorial Edition afterward as an adaptation comparison, but neither anime is necessary preparation for the manga.
The practical choice is simple: choose the 1997 anime if you want the strongest traditional anime starting point, choose Memorial Edition or the films if you want a shorter modern retelling, and choose the manga if completeness matters more than animation.
Where can you watch Berserk in the United States?
U.S. streaming availability is territory- and date-sensitive, so no single subscription service should be assumed to carry every Berserk adaptation. As checked in late July 2026, JustWatch listed the 2016–2017 television series on Crunchyroll, and JustWatch listed Memorial Edition on Crunchyroll, with the latter also listed for digital purchase through Amazon Video and Apple TV.
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For the United States, check Crunchyroll first for the 2016–2017 series and Memorial Edition. Availability for the 1997 series changes by service and region: a Netflix title page identifies a 1997 Berserk listing, while a U.S. JustWatch season check reported no U.S. streaming option at its latest check. Search the exact title directly in your own services before deciding which order is practical.
Viewers who prefer ownership can also look for licensed physical releases, but physical availability does not guarantee that a title is included with a streaming subscription or that a particular retailer serves every country.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Berserk suitable for younger viewers?
Berserk is adult-oriented dark fantasy containing graphic violence, gore, nudity, sexual content, and sexual violence. Crunchyroll’s Memorial Edition listing includes advisories for blood and gore, nudity, profanity, sexual violence, violence, and sexual content, while the Netflix listing for the 1997 series is labeled for mature audiences.
Parents and viewers who are sensitive to sexual violence should check the rating and content advisories for the specific release and territory before watching. The films, television series, and manga can differ in presentation, but none should be treated as ordinary all-ages fantasy.
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Common mistakes when watching Berserk in order
- Starting with 2016 without context: the 2016 series begins with Guts as the Black Swordsman and assumes substantial knowledge of earlier events. Use the 1997 series, the films, or Memorial Edition first unless you deliberately want a fragmented introduction.
- Calling the films a sequel: the 2012–2013 trilogy largely retells Golden Age material covered by much of the 1997 series.
- Watching Memorial Edition after the films as mandatory story progression: Memorial Edition is another presentation of the Golden Age, not the next chapter after the trilogy.
- Watching every Golden Age adaptation by default: choose one of the 1997 series, the film trilogy, or Memorial Edition for a first viewing.
- Assuming the 2016–2017 anime completes the manga: the television adaptation is incomplete and omits or compresses manga material.
- Assuming U.S. availability is permanent: licensing changes, so confirm the current listing in your country before subscribing or buying.
For a concise recommendation: watch the 25-episode 1997 series, then the 12-episode 2016 season and the 12-episode 2017 season. If you prefer a shorter modern introduction, replace the 1997 series with either the three Golden Age films or the 13-episode Memorial Edition. If you want the fullest version, begin with the manga at volume 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I watch Berserk 1997 before Berserk 2016?
For most first-time anime viewers, watch the 25-episode 1997 series, then the 12-episode 2016 season and the 12-episode 2017 season. The 1997 series establishes the major characters before the later anime moves into post-Golden Age material.
Are the Berserk movies required after the 1997 anime?
No. The Golden Age films and Memorial Edition retell much of the same backstory covered by the 1997 series. Choose one Golden Age version for a first viewing, then continue with the 2016 and 2017 seasons if desired.
Can I watch Berserk Memorial Edition instead of the movies?
Yes. Memorial Edition can replace the three Golden Age films as the backstory introduction. Watch its 13 episodes, then watch the 2016 season and the 2017 season.
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What is the best Berserk order for the complete story?
Start with Berserk volume 1 and continue in publication order. The manga is the canonical and most complete route, while the anime adaptations omit or compress parts of the story.
Where can I watch Berserk in the U.S.?
In the United States, availability changes over time and by service. The late-July-2026 availability check listed the 2016–2017 series and Memorial Edition on Crunchyroll, but viewers should search their own services before assuming the 1997 series is available.
The Bottom Line
Best anime order: Berserk (1997) → Berserk (2016) → Berserk (2017). Treat the Golden Age film trilogy and Memorial Edition as alternate starting points, not additional required chapters. For the complete story, read the manga from volume 1.
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