Berserk is one of the greatest anime series of all time, and it paved the way for every dark fantasy series that came after. Creator Kentaro Miura’s manga has quickly become the cornerstone of the dark anime genre, showing just how exceptional brutality can be.
Unfortunately, Berserk doesn’t have a solid anime adaptation like it should. There is a good series made in the 90s, a trio of excellent movies, and an abysmal 2016 series. While fans may have to wait years to see the Black Swordsman in all his bleak splendor, Berserk’s spiritual successor just got greenlit for a second season.
Clevatess is a gem of a series. It has no business being as good as it is, and it just 12 episodes, it proved to the world that it’s the series that will carry on Berserk’s will. There will never be another series like Berserk, but Clevatess isn’t trying to be a Guts clone: it’s a refreshing dark series that puts the genre back on the map.
Berserk Is One of the Best Dark Anime Series Ever Made
Kentaro Miura’s Creation Built the Path Other Dark Series Walk On
Every fan of anime has at least heard of Berserk. Even though it doesn’t have a stellar anime adaptation like One Piece or Dragon Ball, Berserk is a name synonymous with great anime. It’s a series that defined the genre it was part of, showing the world how amazing depravity can be when it’s portrayed well.
Berserk isn’t just a cornerstone of dark anime: it’s the progenitor. Every dark series that has come after it has, rightfully, looked towards Berserk as an example. Guts is a profoundly compelling main character who has defined the role of a dark anime protagonist, and aspects of his story can be found throughout the genre.
A lot of dark anime series try to copy Berserk, and it never works. These series get lost in the details, never really setting themselves apart from the competition. That’s where Clevatess shines: it’s a great dark series that is uniquely its own, and within the first few minutes, it’s easy to see that this series has real potential.
Clevatess Is Up Next
Clevatess Combines Old-Gen and New-Gen Elements Masterfully
Clevatess has what it takes to become the biggest dark anime of the new generation. There are few series so wonderfully captivating, and Clevatess grabs attention in the very first episode. Right away, this series screams to its viewers that it won’t pull any punches.
The first episode sets the scene for what is to be a brutal, bleak, and oftentimes beautiful series. It’s an anime adaptation that combines multiple story-telling elements skillfully, filling its runtime with laughs, emotional catharsis, and sheer brutality.
One of Clevatess’ biggest selling points is its art direction. Animation studio Lay-duce should be awarded for their animation, as there is no series (bar Berserk) that feels like Clevatess. The series feels grimy in the best way possible, and with season 2 officially announced, it only looks like it’ll get better from here.
