‘Berserk’ manga creator Kentaro Miura dies at 54

Books of the “Berserk” manga collection are displayed at the Paris Book Fair 2019. Image: AFP/Joel Saget

Kentaro Miura, the man behind the acclaimed Japanese manga “Berserk,” passed away on May 6. He was 54 years old.

Miura’s death was announced only earlier today, May 20, by “Berserk” publisher Hakusensha, as reported by Anime News Network.

The manga and anime icon reportedly died due to acute aortic dissection. His family has since held a private service.

Miura first published “Berserk,” which is arguably his most famous creation, back in 1988 as a one-shot for Hakusensha’s “Monthly Comicomi” magazine, the report said.

He then started publishing “Berserk” as a manga series the next year, which has sold over 40 million copies as of this writing.

“Berserk” follows the story of Guts, a strong mercenary wielding a large sword, as he travels a dark fantasy medieval world slaying demons and other evil entities including corrupt nobles.

The manga has since inspired an anime series that started in 1997 and continued in 2016, as well as a movie trilogy from 2012 to 2013.

Miura’s untimely death is now being mourned by hundreds of fans and fellow industry professionals, who took to Twitter to pay tribute to the manga creator.

American comic book and manga publisher Dark Horse Comics, for one, sent its condolences to the family and friends of Miura and celebrated Miura’s work.

“Kentaro Miura passed away on May 6, 2021 from acute aortic dissection. He was 54. Miura-sensei was a master artist and storyteller and we had the great privilege of publishing several of his finest works, including his masterpiece, Berserk,” Dark Horse Comics posted.

“He will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones,” it added in the following tweet.

He will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/ETQoFvTXrS

— Dark Horse Comics (@DarkHorseComics) May 20, 2021

Denpa, another publishing company, likewise paid its respects to Miura, whom it labeled as a “true modern manga master.”

“An amazing artist, a powerful story teller, and an inspiration to a generation of artists (in and outside of Hakusensha),” Denpa said in a tweet.

“His Berserk was beloved by readers worldwide and inspired many to fight against all odds. We wish to extend our deepest condolences to Miura’s family, his friends, Hakusensha, and his readers. Rest in peace,” the publisher said in the next tweet.

His Berserk was beloved by readers worldwide and inspired many to fight against all odds.

We wish to extend our deepest condolences to Miura’s family, his friends, Hakusensha, and his readers.

Rest in peace.

— Denpa, LLC. (@denpa_books) May 20, 2021

“Miura left behind one of the greatest written works put to paper. One I will cherish forever. God bless the man and may he rest forever in peace,” a fan with the Twitter handle @_greencumulon, meanwhile, posted.

https://twitter.com/_greencumulon/status/1395226130236407808

“[It] was kept under wraps for two weeks. [I] cannot believe [he’s] gone. [You’ll] be missed [Miura]. [To] me you were the undisputed most talented mangaka out there and the world will ache at your passing. [Rest] well and thank you for what you accomplished,” another fan, @charmuros, tweeted.

https://twitter.com/charmuros/status/1395217291793608711

Aside from “Berserk,” Miura is known for working on the manga “King of Wolves” with acclaimed writer Buronson back in 1989, among many others.  /ra

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