Why I Would Never Live in the World of Berserk

Berserk Manga Author: Kentaro Miura

Why I Would Never Live in the World of Berserk

(And Why You Shouldn’t Either)

If you’re an anime fan who dreams about living in fantastical worlds, let me stop you right there when it comes to Berserk. This is not the kind of fantasy world where you’d want to go on an epic quest or settle down in a charming medieval village. Instead, it’s a brutal, unforgiving nightmare where the world itself seems to despise humanity. Here’s why I wouldn’t set foot in the Berserk universe—ever.

1. A Society Built on Oppression and Corruption

The world of Berserk is a harsh medieval society dominated by feudalism and cruelty. Power rests in the hands of corrupt kings, nobles, and warlords who exploit the common people for personal gain. Life for the average person means back-breaking labor, constant hunger, and little to no protection from marauding armies or opportunistic bandits.

There’s no concept of fairness or justice here. The powerful prey on the weak with impunity, and even the so-called heroes of society often have blood on their hands. You’d either be a powerless peasant scraping by in squalor or a soldier thrown into endless, bloody wars for rulers who couldn’t care less about your life.

2. The Constant Risk of War

War is everywhere. Kingdoms fight for territory and resources, and armies march through towns and villages, leaving destruction in their wake. There’s no Geneva Convention here—entire villages are burned, and civilians are slaughtered without hesitation. If you’re unlucky enough to survive, you might find yourself enslaved or conscripted into an army that’s doomed to be crushed in the next battle.

Even if you manage to avoid the battles, the aftermath is just as bad. Starvation, disease, and lawlessness follow in the footsteps of every conflict, and the rulers don’t seem to care as long as they maintain their grip on power.

3. People Are Just as Dangerous as Monsters

The people in Berserk are often as much a threat as the supernatural creatures. Bandits, mercenaries, and opportunists roam the countryside, taking whatever they want from those too weak to resist. Nobles are no better—they see the lower classes as disposable tools for their own entertainment or profit.

Even your neighbors might not be trustworthy. In a world where survival is a constant struggle, desperation can turn anyone into an enemy. Betrayal, backstabbing, and exploitation are all too common, and trusting the wrong person could cost you your life—or worse.

4. The Supernatural Is Terrifying

If human society wasn’t bad enough, the supernatural elements of the Berserk world make it outright hellish. Demonic Apostles—monstrous beings who traded their humanity for power—roam the land, killing and devouring at will. They’re not just physically terrifying; they’re also immensely powerful, and there’s virtually nothing an ordinary person can do to stop them.

Then there’s the God Hand, a group of godlike beings who manipulate events to spread suffering and despair. Their influence ensures that humanity’s darkest impulses are amplified, and even the most innocent individuals are not safe from their schemes.

5. The Risks of Being in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

The Berserk world punishes those who are simply in the wrong place. Imagine living your quiet life in a small village, only for a passing noble to raid your home for sport or an Apostle to show up and massacre everyone just because they felt like it. There’s no rhyme or reason to the danger—it’s random, chaotic, and merciless.

If you’re especially unlucky, you might get caught up in the events of the Eclipse, a catastrophic ritual where human lives are sacrificed en masse to create new Apostles. There’s no way to predict or avoid it, and if you’re marked for sacrifice, there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

6. A World Without Hope

Perhaps the most damning aspect of Berserk’s world is its utter lack of hope. While other anime worlds might have dark moments, there’s usually a light at the end of the tunnel. Not here. Even when people fight back, their victories are often short-lived, and the cycle of suffering continues.

Fate itself seems stacked against humanity. The concept of causality ensures that events unfold in ways that perpetuate misery, and even the strongest characters are ultimately pawns in a cosmic game they can’t escape.

Why I’m Staying Far Away

The world of Berserk is a perfect storm of corruption, violence, and despair. The society is oppressive, the people are dangerous, and the risks of supernatural annihilation are constant. There’s no real sense of safety, and even the rare moments of peace are fleeting.

For me, living in the Berserk universe would be like signing up for a lifetime of suffering with no hope of escape. I’ll stick to watching from the safety of my screen, thank you very much. If you’re tempted to imagine yourself as a heroic adventurer in this world, just remember: even the strongest warriors barely survive—and most don’t make it at all.

Let’s face it—there are plenty of better anime worlds to dream about.