Kentaro Miura Explained

Kentaro Miura
Native Name:三浦 建太郎
Native Name Lang:ja
Birth Date:11 July 1966
Birth Place:Chiba, Japan
Death Place:Japan
Occupation:Manga artist
Years Active:1985–2021
Notableworks:Berserk
Awards:
Genre:Dark fantasy

was a Japanese manga artist. He was best known for his dark fantasy series Berserk, which began serialization in 1989 and continued until his death. By 2023, Berserk had over 60 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. In 2002, Miura received the Award for Excellence at the sixth Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.

Early life and education

Miura was born on July 11, 1966, in Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. In 1976, at the age of 10, he created his first manga, entitled Miuranger, which was published for his classmates in a school publication; the series ended up spanning 40 volumes.[1] In 1977, Miura created his second manga,, in which he used India ink for the first time. When he was in middle school in 1979, his drawing techniques improved greatly as he started using professional drawing techniques.

While in high school in 1982, Miura enrolled in an artistic curriculum, where he and his classmates started publishing their works in school booklets.[2] There, he befriended his later fellow manga artist . They both co-authored a science fiction which was sent to Weekly Shōnen Sunday, but was shot down in the last round of selections.[3] At age 18, Miura briefly worked as an assistant to George Morikawa, of Hajime no Ippo fame. Morikawa quickly acknowledged Miura's high artistic level and dismissed him, saying there was nothing he could teach that Miura did not already know.[4] [5] By then, Miura had a dark warrior with a gigantic sword already illustrated in his portfolio.[6] [7]

Career

In 1985, Miura applied for entrance to the art college of Nihon University. He submitted a short project,, for examination and was granted admission. The project later earned him the 34th Newcomer Manga Award from Weekly Shōnen Magazine.[1] Miura's next work, NOA, was published in Fresh Magazine in the same year,[8] [1] but it was not successful.[9] In 1988, while working for Buronson on a project titled, Miura published a prototype of Berserk in Hakusensha's Monthly ComiComi;[10] [11] the 48-page prototype placed second in ComiComis seventh Manga School competition.[12] The full serialization of Berserk, which would become Miura's most famous and successful work, began in Hakusensha's Monthly Animal House in 1989. In 1990, a sequel to King of Wolves, entitled, was published in the same magazine. In 1992, Monthly Animal House was renamed Young Animal, where Berserk continued serialization. In the same year, Miura collaborated with Buronson on the manga Japan, which was also published in Young Animal.[13]

In 1997, Miura supervised the production of a 25-episode anime adaptation of Berserk produced by OLM, Inc., which aired in the same year on NTV. He also supervised the 1999 Dreamcast video game . In 2002, Miura received the Award for Excellence at the sixth Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prizes for Berserk.[12] [14] Starting in 2006, Berserk went on frequent and often extended hiatuses,[15] and alternated between monthly and irregular serialization. By 2023, Berserk was collected into 42 volumes in Japan, and by September 2023, it had over 60 million copies in circulation worldwide, including digital versions.[16] The series also spawned a host of merchandise, both official and fan-made, ranging from statues, action figures to key rings, video games, and a trading card game. Various art books and supplemental materials by Miura based on Berserk were also released.

In 2013, Miura released the short standalone manga Giganto Maxia, published in English-speaking territories by Dark Horse in 2016.[17] Duranki, a short manga produced by Miura's personal manga studio Studio Gaga, was serialized in Young Animal Zero in 2019.[18]

Influences

Miura stated that the work that had the biggest impact on his own was Buronson and Tetsuo Hara's manga Fist of the North Star (1983 debut).[19] Miura also cited influences from Go Nagai's Violence Jack (1973 debut), the Japanese fantasy novel series Guin Saga (1979 debut), Paul Verhoeven films, the Hellraiser series (1987 debut), manga, Disney films, and the works of Hieronymous Bosch, M. C. Escher, Gustave Doré, and Pieter Bruegel.[20]

Death

On May 6, 2021, Miura died due to acute aortic dissection, at the age of 54. His death was publicly announced on May 20, 2021.[21] [22] A private ceremony was held by his family.[23]

Various manga artists offered condolences, including Kouji Mori, Miura's high school friend, and George Morikawa, who shared a story of their friendship.[7] People who worked on the Berserk anime adaptations also paid tribute to Miura, including Susumu Hirasawa, composer for the 1997 series; Nobutoshi Canna and Yūko Miyamura, who voiced Guts and Casca, respectively, in the 1997 series; Hiroaki Iwanaga, Guts' voice actor since the 2012–13 film trilogy;[24] and singer Yoshino Nanjō, who voiced Sonia and performed the ending theme for the 2016 series' second season with Nagi Yanagi.[7]

Legacy

Established as one of the best-selling manga of all time,[25] Miura's series Berserk impacted the manga medium and beyond, with journalist Jade King stating: "[It] is difficult to overstate the tremendous impact his work has had on the world of games, manga, film, anime, and even literature." The image of Guts and his massive sword is attributed to inspiring characters like Cloud Strife of Final Fantasy VII and Dante from the Devil May Cry series, with the overall aesthetic of Berserk inspiring the monsters and world of the Dark Souls series.[26] [27] Video game director Hideaki Itsuno and producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi are fans of Berserk, and the role-playing hack and slash game Dragon's Dogma includes armor based on Guts and Griffith's.[28] [29] During a GDC talk in 2019, Itsuno stated that the tone and style of Devil May Cry 5 was inspired from Berserk.[30]

Many authors have cited Miura and Berserk as influences, including Blue Exorcist author Kazue Kato,[31] Baccano! and Durarara!! author Ryōgo Narita,[32] Black Butler author Yana Toboso,[33] Black Clover author Yūki Tabata,[34] and Attack on Titan author Hajime Isayama, who called it "tremendous, just magnificent [...] I got the impression that it was very well organized like a movie".[35] Yoko Taro stated that the protagonist of Drakengard, Caim, was inspired by Berserks protagonist Guts.[36]

A "memorial" Young Animal issue dedicated to Miura was released on September 10, 2021. Besides the inclusion of the posthumous chapter 364 of Berserk, the issue featured a special "Messages to Kentarou Miura" booklet and a poster of "famous scenes" from the manga.[37] [38] In the issue, manga artist Kouji Mori, Miura's long-time friend, published a one-shot titled "Mori-chan Ken-chan", which tells the story of Mori's friendship with Miura.[39]

On June 7, 2022, Hakusensha and Kouji Mori announced that Berserk would continue publication, using plans and thoughts that were relayed to Mori by Miura himself, as well as memorandums and character designs that Miura left behind.[40] As the only person who knows the ending Miura intended, Mori agreed to continue the series and promised: "I will only write the episodes that Miura talked to me about. I will not flesh it out. I will not write episodes that I don't remember clearly. I will only write the lines and stories that Miura described to me."[40] The credits appear as "original work by Kentaro Miura, art by Studio Gaga, supervised by Kouji Mori".[40] [41] [42]

Works

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ja:三浦建太郎先生年譜＆作品リスト. Kentaro Miura's Chronology & Work List. http://www.hakusensha.co.jp/berserk/profile01.html. Hakusensha. May 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/19991105080632/http://www.hakusensha.co.jp/berserk/profile01.html. November 5, 1999. ja.
  2. Book: Miura, Kentarō. Berserk. DeAngelis, Jason,, Johnson, Duane, 1976-, Nakrosis, Dan,, Studio Cutie. 2019. 978-1-5067-1198-0. Deluxe edition. First. Milwaukie OR. 1050142713.
  3. Web site: Luster. Joseph. FEATURE: "Berserk" Discussion Explores Kentarō Miura's Roots. Crunchyroll. May 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210506031334/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2016/08/12/feature-berserk-discussion-explores-kentar-miuras-roots. May 6, 2021. August 12, 2016. live.
  4. Web site: Pinon. Matthieu. Personnalité de la semaine : Kentarô Miura. Personality of the week: Kentaro Miura. Animeland. June 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190416211857/https://animeland.fr/2019/04/16/personnalite-de-la-semaine-kentaro-miura/. April 16, 2019. fr. April 16, 2019. live.
  5. Web site: ja:【11限目】 特別インタビュー「僕が“森川ジョージ”になるためにやってきたこと」（4/4）. http://www.moae.jp/comic/howtobeamangaartist/18. moae.jp. Kodansha. May 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20161012222005/http://www.moae.jp/comic/howtobeamangaartist/18. October 12, 2016. ja. October 11, 2016. live.
  6. Web site: Paquot. Valentin. George Morikawa : "En trente ans de manga je n'ai jamais eu le syndrome de la page blanche !". George Morikawa: "In thirty years of manga I have never had the blank page syndrome!". Le Figaro. May 27, 2021. https://archive.today/20210527234330/https://sport24.lefigaro.fr/scan-sport/actualites/george-morikawa-en-trente-ans-de-manga-je-n-ai-jamais-eu-le-syndrome-de-la-page-blanche-!-997005. May 27, 2021. fr. March 19, 2020. live.
  7. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Morrissy. Kim. Creators Offer Condolences for Berserk Creator Kentarou Miura's Passing. Anime News Network. May 20, 2021. May 20, 2021. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520153137/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-05-20/creators-offer-condolences-for-berserk-creator-kentarou-miura-passing/.172994. live.
  8. Book: Miura, Kentaro. Berserk Illustration Book. January 1, 2002. Panini Comics. 978-3-89921-224-2. 121. de.
  9. Web site: C, Ben. REEL ANIME: Kentaro Miura and how a manga epic went Berserk. Madman Entertainment. December 2, 2019. September 21, 2012. August 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200810233212/https://www.madman.com.au/news/reelanime-miura-berserk/. live.
  10. Web site: ja:三浦建太郎. Kentaro Miura. https://natalie.mu/comic/artist/3679. Natalie. June 29, 2020. ja. October 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201011210101/https://natalie.mu/comic/artist/3679. live.
  11. Web site: ja:「ベルセルク」三浦建太郎氏、24年ぶりの完全オリジナル新作―その間ベルセルクは連載お休み. Kentaro Miura, known for Berserk, releases first new original work in 24 years, while Berserk is on break. https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/8233300/. Livedoor. December 2, 2019. ja. November 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20210523082331/https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/8233300/. May 23, 2021. live.
  12. Web site: http://www.asahi.com/shimbun/award/tezuka/02b.html. ja:第6回 マンガ優秀賞 三浦建太郎 『ベルセルク』. Sixth award for excellence in manga, Kentaro Miura's "Berserk". Asahi Shimbun. ja. July 18, 2010. October 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181016081125/http://www.asahi.com/shimbun/award/tezuka/02b.html. dead.
  13. Web site: JAPAN TPB. Dark Horse Comics. May 20, 2021. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520175653/https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/10-701/Japan-TPB. live.
  14. Web site: 2002 (6th) Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prizes. The Hahn Library. https://web.archive.org/web/20071230114541/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/tezuka02.shtml. 2007-12-30.
  15. Web site: Sherman. Jennifer. Berserk Creator Reveals He Based Band of the Hawk on High School Friendship. Anime News Network. December 2, 2019. September 19, 2017. November 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191130153716/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2017-09-19/berserk-creator-reveals-he-based-band-of-the-hawk-on-high-school-friendship/.121503. live.
  16. Web site: ja:作者急逝の「ベルセルク」、完結へ向け新刊 親友の漫画家が監修. https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASR9R3TVFR9QUCVL01Q.html. The Asahi Shimbun. January 4, 2024. ja. September 25, 2023. September 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230925222611/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASR9R3TVFR9QUCVL01Q.html. live.
  17. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. May 16, 2015. Dark Horse Adds Giganto Maxia, RG Veda, Danganronpa, I Am a Hero Manga. May 20, 2021. Anime News Network. February 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228092802/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-16/dark-horse-adds-giganto-maxia-rg-veda-danganronpa-i-am-a-hero-manga/.88232. live.
  18. Web site: Sherman. Jennifer. Berserk's Kentarou Miura Produces New Duranki Manga. Anime News Network. 20 May 2021. en. 22 August 2019. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520063834/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-08-22/berserk-kentarou-miura-produces-new-duranki-manga/.150309. live.
  19. News: "Berserk" Discussion Explores Kentarō Miura's Roots. Crunchyroll. 2016-08-12. 2016-09-11. December 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171213085331/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2016/08/12/feature-berserk-discussion-explores-kentar-miuras-roots. live.
  20. Book: Bullington. Jesse. Kentaro Miura, Grandmaster of Grimdark. Boskovich. Desirina. Lost Transmissions: The Secret History of Science Fiction and Fantasy. 2019. Abrams Books. 978-1-68335-498-7. 628. https://books.google.com/books?id=m0OJDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT628. May 17, 2020. May 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210521182138/https://books.google.com/books?id=m0OJDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT628. live .
  21. Web site: https://www.hakusensha.co.jp/information/60696/. ja:訃報 三浦建太郎先生が逝去されました. Obituary: Kentaro Miura has passed away. Hakusensha. May 20, 2021. May 20, 2021. ja. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520030346/https://www.hakusensha.co.jp/information/60696/. live.
  22. Web site: May 20, 2021. ja:漫画家・三浦建太郎さんが死去 54歳 『ベルセルク』『ドゥルアンキ』など. Manga artist Kentaro Miura, known for "Berserk", "Duranki", Etc. passes away at age 54. https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2193995/full/. May 20, 2021. Oricon News. ja. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520030610/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2193995/full/. live.
  23. Web site: Loo. Egan. May 19, 2021. Berserk Manga Creator Kentarou Miura Passes Away at 54. May 20, 2021. Anime News Network. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520034132/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-05-19/berserk-manga-creator-kentarou-miura-passes-away-at-54/.172988. live.
  24. Web site: ja:『ベルセルク』主人公ガッツ役・岩永洋昭、作者の一言に感謝「一生忘れません」. https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2194065/full/. Oricon News. May 23, 2021. https://archive.today/20210523070626/https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2194065/full/. May 23, 2021. ja. May 20, 2021. live.
  25. Web site: ja:漫画「ベルセルク」を長期連載中 三浦建太郎さん死去. Author of long-running series "Berserk", Kentaro Miura, passes. https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP5N4438P5NUCVL00S.html. The Asahi Shimbun. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520080053/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP5N4438P5NUCVL00S.html. May 20, 2021. ja. May 20, 2021. live.
  26. News: Remembering Kentaro Miura, legendary creator of 'Berserk', which inspired countless fantasy stories. Park. Gene. May 20, 2021. The Washington Post. May 20, 2021. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520195412/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/05/20/kentaro-miura-death-berserk/. live.
  27. Web site: Remembering The Life, Work, And Influence Of Kentaro Miura. The Gamer. King. Jade. May 20, 2021. May 20, 2021. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210520101321/https://www.thegamer.com/kentaro-miura-berserk/. live.
  28. Web site: Loo. Egan. Berserk Film to Collaborate with Capcom's Dragon's Dogma. Anime News Network. May 23, 2021. September 15, 2011. May 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210523010641/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-09-15/berserk-film-to-collaborate-with-capcom-dragon-dogma. live.
  29. Web site: Ming. Nate. "Dragon's Dogma" gets "Berserk" Armor and Weapons, and Limited Edition Goods!. Crunchyroll. May 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20201120084911/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/02/15/dragons-dogma-gets-berserk-armor-and-weapons-and-limited-edition-goods. November 20, 2020. February 16, 2012. live.
  30. Web site: Berserk's Influence on Video Games. Game Rant. Behan. Daire. May 22, 2021. May 22, 2021. live. December 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221219073759/https://gamerant.com/berserks-influence-video-games/.
  31. Web site: ja:映画「ベルセルク 黄金時代篇II ドルドレイ攻略」-ストーリーガイド、加藤和恵インタビュー. Movie "Berserk: Golden Age Arc II - The Battle for Doldrey" Story Guide, Kazue Kato interview. https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/berserk. Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. May 21, 2021. ja. June 18, 2012. January 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200119074649/https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/berserk. live.
  32. ryohgo_narita. Narita. Ryōgo. 1395239564944445441. May 20, 2021. ja:ベルセルク本編はもちろんの事、ベルセルクに影響を受けた作品にも数多く触れてきて今も触れ続けているのだなとしみじみと感じる。. ja.
  33. Web site: ja:『ベルセルク』などで知られる漫画家・三浦建太郎先生の訃報に際し、SNS上で反応を見せた同業者の声. https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1621569520. animate Times. May 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210523074025/https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1621569520. May 23, 2021. ja. May 21, 2021. live.
  34. Web site: Chéry. Lloyd. Black Clover, le meilleur manga de fantasy expliqué par son auteur. Black Clover, the best fantasy manga explained by its author. Le Point. May 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502045211/https://www.lepoint.fr/pop-culture/black-clover-le-meilleur-manga-de-fantasy-explique-par-son-auteur-07-07-2018-2233981_2920.php. May 2, 2021. fr. July 7, 2018. live.
  35. Web site: ja:映画「ベルセルク 黄金時代篇III 降臨」-諫山創インタビュー、窪岡俊之監督インタビュー. Movie "Berserk: Golden Age Arc III - The Advent" - Hajime Isayama interview, Toshiyuki Kubooka interview. https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/berserk_kourin. Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. May 21, 2021. ja. January 28, 2013. November 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201127133116/https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/berserk_kourin. live.
  36. Web site: http://ameblo.jp/yokota6/entry-11523557103.html. ja:【仕事】ドラゴン３座談会とかイロイロ。. Yoko. Taro. Taro Yoko. Taro Yoko Blog. May 4, 2013. May 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20131117103209/http://ameblo.jp/yokota6/entry-11523557103.html. 2013-11-17. live.
  37. Web site: ja:「ベルセルク」最新364話が次号ヤングアニマルに掲載、メモリアル企画も. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/440474. Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. August 11, 2021. ja. August 12, 2021. August 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210811150137/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/440474. live.
  38. Web site: Hazra. Adriana. Kentarou Miura's Berserk Manga Gets New Chapter. Anime News Network. August 11, 2021. August 11, 2021. August 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210811150110/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-08-11/kentarou-miura-berserk-manga-gets-new-chapter/.176104. live.
  39. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Kouji Mori Draws 1-Shot Manga About Lifelong Friendship With Kentarou Miura. Anime News Network. September 11, 2021. September 11, 2021. February 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230205191017/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-09-11/kouji-mori-draws-1-shot-manga-about-lifelong-friendship-with-kentarou-miura/.177159. live.
  40. Web site: ja:『ベルセルク』再開のお知らせ. https://www.hakusensha.co.jp/information/63802/. Hakusensha. June 7, 2022. ja. June 7, 2022. June 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220607042052/https://www.hakusensha.co.jp/information/63802/. live.
  41. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Berserk Manga Continues Under Kentarou Miura's Assistants, Kouji Mori's Supervision. Anime News Network. June 7, 2022. June 7, 2022. June 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220607053508/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-06-07/berserk-manga-continues-under-kentarou-miura-assistants-kouji-mori-supervision/.186405. live .
  42. Web site: ja:「ベルセルク」連載再開、「自分たちの中に根付いた『三浦建太郎』を真摯に紡ぎたい」. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/480592. Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. June 8, 2022. ja. June 7, 2022. June 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220607213104/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/480592. live.
  43. Web site: ja:週刊少年マガジン1985年36. Weekly Shōnen Magazine 1985, 36. https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M536705. Media Arts Database. Agency for Cultural Affairs. May 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210521005645/https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M536705. May 21, 2021. ja. live.
  44. Web site: ja:『原作者・武論尊、もしくは史村翔』. Original creator, Buronson, also Fumimura Sho. http://www.manga-gai.net/column/mangamichi/09/02.html. manga-gai.net. Ginnansha Co., Ltd.. May 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031093541/http://www.manga-gai.net/column/mangamichi/09/02.html. October 31, 2014. ja. March 13, 2004. live.

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