Kentaro Miura, A Figure Behind Masterpieces

Kentaro Miura (1966–2021) was a famous Japanese manga artist, best known for creating the dark fantasy series Berserk. Born on July 11, 1966, in Chiba, Japan, Miura showed an early talent for drawing. At just 10 years old, he made his first manga, called Miuranger, which was published in his school newsletter. By high school, he had improved his skills and started to experiment with different techniques.

Miura went on to study at Nihon University, where he continued to develop as an artist. During this time, he worked as an assistant to the creator of Fist of the North Star, Buronson, gaining valuable experience. In 1988, Miura created a short prototype of Berserk, laying the groundwork for what would become his most famous work.

In 1989, Berserk officially began in Young Animal magazine. The series quickly became popular for its detailed artwork, dark themes, and complex characters. The story follows Guts, a mercenary with a troubled past, in a world filled with violence, revenge, and suffering. Miura’s unique style and storytelling made Berserk a standout in the manga world.

Although Berserk was a huge success, Miura’s perfectionism meant that the series was published slowly over time. Even so, fans remained loyal and eagerly awaited new chapters for over 30 years. Miura also worked on other projects, like Japan (1992) with Buronson and Gigantomakhia (2013), but Berserk was his most important work.

On May 6, 2021, Kentaro Miura passed away from an acute aortic dissection, a sudden heart condition. His death was a shock to the manga community, and fans around the world mourned his loss. Though Berserk was unfinished, Miura’s influence on manga and dark fantasy continues to inspire artists and readers alike.