The 2016 anime adaptation of Berserk stands as a stark warning in the anime community. A legendary manga, known for its intricate art and dark, compelling narrative, was brought to the screen with animation so poor it became a laughingstock. This wasn’t just a case of a sub-par adaptation; it was a near-total failure to capture the essence of Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece, leaving a stain on the franchise’s reputation. The series, produced by Liden Films and animated by GEMBA and Millepensee, is frequently cited as one of the worst anime adaptations ever made.
Animation: A Catastrophe in CGI
The most glaring issue with the 2016 Berserk anime is its animation. The series utilized a hybrid of 2D and 3D animation, with a heavy reliance on CGI. This was a departure from traditional animation, and the results were disastrous. Characters moved stiffly, with a lack of fluidity, making even basic actions appear awkward. Fight scenes, a crucial element of Berserk, were particularly impacted, becoming slow and plodding, devoid of the dynamic energy found in the manga. The CGI was often compared to early PlayStation 2 or Xbox-era video game graphics, a far cry from the detailed and expressive art of the manga.
Stiff and Lifeless Characters
The impact of the poor animation was felt across the board. Even main characters like Guts appeared lifeless, their expressions and movements unnatural. Facial animation was rudimentary, often described as “Muppet-like,” and movements were so stiff that characters sometimes looked like they were being scooted across the frame rather than walking. This lack of nuance made it difficult for viewers to connect with the characters, undermining the emotional depth of the story.
Fight Scenes: A Visual Mess
The fight sequences, a cornerstone of Berserk, were completely butchered by the poor animation. The action felt erratic, with the camera cutting sporadically, making it difficult to follow. The lack of fluidity made the battles feel clumsy and unimpactful, a disservice to the intense and brutal nature of the manga’s combat. Instead of drawing viewers into the action, the animation often made them laugh or cringe.
Story and Pacing: A Rushed and Incomplete Narrative
Beyond the animation, the 2016 Berserk anime suffered from serious issues with its narrative and pacing. The series began by adapting the “Conviction” arc, but in a haphazard manner. Crucially, it skipped major story arcs, such as the “Black Swordsman” and “Lost Children” arcs. This omission was detrimental to the flow of the plot and to character development, particularly that of Guts. These skipped arcs provide crucial background and motivation for the main characters, and their absence left the audience confused and disengaged.
Key Arcs Omitted
By skipping the initial “Black Swordsman” arc, the anime failed to provide a proper introduction to Guts’s character and his motivations. The audience is thrown into the story assuming prior knowledge of his past, a mistake that made the narrative feel disjointed. The “Lost Children” arc, a vital exploration of Gutsā trauma and the worldās dark nature, was also cut, further diminishing the emotional impact of the story.
Rushed Pacing and Poor Character Development
The pacing of the series was also a significant problem. The story jumped from scene to scene, with little regard for character development or narrative cohesion. The characters lacked depth because of the missing scenes, and their actions often felt unmotivated. This created a sense that the show was disinterested in its own story, making it difficult for even dedicated fans to fully enjoy it.
Censorship and Other Issues
To make matters worse, the 2016 anime censored some of the manga’s most graphic and violent scenes, particularly those involving sexual assault. This toning down of the source material was seen as a betrayal of the seriesā gritty and uncompromising tone. In addition, the sound design of the anime was criticized, with some sound effects, like the āklangā of swords, sounding cartoonish. These additional issues contributed to the overall negative reception of the adaptation.
The Impact on the Berserk Franchise
The 2016 Berserk anime had a significant negative impact on the franchise. It sullied the reputation of a series that had previously been considered a pinnacle of dark fantasy manga. Many new anime fans now associate the name Berserk with this disastrous adaptation, rather than its source material’s quality. This makes it harder for newcomers to discover the true brilliance of Miura’s work. The anime’s failure is also seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of over-relying on CGI in animation and the importance of faithfulness to the source material.
Fan Reaction and Legacy
Fans of the manga and previous adaptations were particularly harsh in their criticism of the 2016 series. They saw it as a disrespect to Miura’s work and a betrayal of the seriesā legacy. While the 1997 anime is considered a timeless and accurate rendition of the manga, and the movie trilogy is regarded as a respectable and modernized version of the Golden Age arc, the 2016 anime is often described as a disaster and a disgrace to Berserk. The series became synonymous with poor animation and a failure to adapt complex and beloved source material, and has left a mark on the Black Swordsman.
A Missed Opportunity
The 2016 Berserk anime represents a significant missed opportunity. It could have been a chance to bring Miuraās masterpiece to a new generation of fans, but instead, it became a symbol of everything that can go wrong with an anime adaptation. While other adaptations may have had their flaws, they are generally considered to be far better than the 2016 series. It is even argued that the 2016 series may have impacted the chance of future high-quality adaptations of the manga.
Conclusion
The 2016 Berserk anime is a prime example of how a poor adaptation can tarnish the legacy of a beloved series. From its disastrous CGI animation to its rushed and incomplete narrative, the series failed on almost every level. It serves as a stark reminder that faithfulness to the source material, along with high-quality animation, are essential for a successful adaptation. While fans hope for a better adaptation in the future, the 2016 series will forever be remembered as a painful chapter in the history of Berserk.
