The next chapter of Guts' story is almost here for English readers. Dark Horse Comics reminded fans yesterday that Berserk Volume 43 arrives on November 24, continuing the dark fantasy epic that late creator Kentaro Miura began more than three decades ago.
The new volume moves the story into the lands of the Kushan Empire, and it looks like one of the most politically charged stretches of the series yet.
What Happens In Berserk Volume 43?
According to Dark Horse's synopsis, the crew of the Seahorse escapes the devastation of Elf Island, only to be boarded by unknown raiders and discover that they've sailed into the territorial waters of the Kushan Empire.
Guts is in a bad place. He has sunk into his own personal darkness and barely seems to care as the Kushan lead him away in chains. Meanwhile, Roderick, Farnese, Serpico, Isidro, Schierke and the other survivors are taken in as refugees. A grand council of the Kushan tribes is gathering to debate war against Falconia and its ruler, Griffith, the Hawk of Light.
The council's politics are dangerous enough, but Dark Horse teases that Griffith's power is already among the Kushan, striking through murderous sorcery. With Guts unable to help, his companions are on their own, and the synopsis even raises the question of whether Guts himself might be to blame.
The Kushan Return
The Kushan Empire is no stranger to Berserk readers. Its emperor, Ganishka, led a brutal invasion of Midland during the Millennium Falcon arc, and his monstrous final transformation helped trigger the upheaval that reshaped the world and led to the founding of Falconia. Bringing the Kushan back now, as a people weighing war against Griffith, gives the story a strong link to its own past.
Why Guts Is At His Lowest
Readers who have kept up will understand why Guts is so broken. The journey to Elf Island was supposed to heal Casca, and for a brief moment it looked like the group had finally found some peace. Then Griffith arrived and took Casca away, undoing everything Guts had fought for since the Eclipse.
That loss makes this volume especially tense. Guts has spent most of the series as the one person who never stops moving forward, so seeing him led away without a fight is a stark change. It also leaves the rest of the party, especially young witch Schierke, carrying much more weight than usual.
Studio Gaga Continues Miura's Story
Miura passed away in May 2021, leaving Berserk unfinished. The series resumed in 2022 with his longtime assistants at Studio Gaga handling the art under the supervision of Kouji Mori, Miura's closest friend and fellow manga artist. Mori has said that Miura shared much of the story's direction with him over the years, which is why he agreed to help see it through.
The continuation has divided some fans, but it has also kept the story alive for readers who wanted to see Guts and Griffith's rivalry reach its end. Volume 43 shows how far that new chapter has come.
Release Details And Extras
Dark Horse's edition is translated by Duane Johnson and comes packed with extras:
- A double-sided, full-color illustrated fold-out
- An afterword by Kouji Mori
- A bonus comic strip about Kentaro Miura
The paperback runs 220 pages in black and white and costs $14.99. Like the rest of the series, it's rated for mature readers 18 and older.
Dark Horse has published Berserk in English for years, and the series remains one of its biggest manga lines, alongside the oversized deluxe editions that collect the earlier volumes in hardcover.
Are you more excited to see the Kushan prepare for war, or worried about what's become of Guts?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.