 If you liked
Berserk
|
 ...then you might like
Vagabond
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Both focus on an antihero of sorts with extreme proficiency in slicing dudes. Beautiful artwork, complex and mature themes, and a (while not yet present in Vagabond) hostile rivalry between the two main characters. Berserk is set in a high-fantasy setting while Vagabond is set in medieval Japan and on historical events.
The character of Guts (of Berserk) is ostensibly inspired by the legendary Miyamoto Musashi, both of them being unmatched swordsmen who overcame death and tragedy, emerging from obscurity to mix with the ruling class. Vagabond has "Musashi and the Seventy" while Berserk has "Guts the Hundred-Man Slayer".
Berserk and Vagabond are classic tales that shows the journey of an anti-hero protagonist. There is a lot of purpose for their actions and both series focuses a good amount of characterization for its other characters too. Their artwork is also highly distinctive (although Vagabond is more realistic). Throughout their journey, we see the characters develop relationships and rivalries with others. Both series also maintain a good amount of mature themes. Do note that Berserk has fantasy elements mixed in with its story while Vagabond adapts more historical content.
- Both have anti-heroes as the main character
- Beautiful artwork that is easily noticeable
- Lots of blood and gore
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Recommended by Rance-sama
The manga that is not most similar to Berserk but you will probably like the most if you liked Berserk would surely be Vagabond. They are two amazingly highly rated seinens for a reason with amazing main characters. They both have some badass firey rage inside with the best manga fights I've ever seen. Beautiful and inspiring artwork for you aspiring artists, mature themes, a few historical events. Definitely the best samurai/sword manga out there with it's great plot. This one had me hooked after the first couple of chapters, only 2 manga have done that to me.
Both stories are about characters who's life revolves around violence. While Berserk is about a quest of pure rage, Vagabond is the path of a warrior and where it may lead.
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Recommended by SpiritsRise
Both series start out with a main character and follow him as a lonely little boy who grows up to become incredibly powerful.
Both series have incredibly detailed art, but vagabond's is far more realistic with a dirtier art style.
Guts (Berserk's main character) and Takezo (Vagabond's main character) start off being very much alike. Their father's disliked them, they were both strong children in terms of sword skill, they are both incredibly over powered in their stories, but Vagabond handles this aspect better, and they both fall in love with a woman.
Story wise they are not a like at all, except that they focus
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Recommended by sullynathan
Mature, bloody, and beautiful.
Main characters with troubled childhoods and high proficiency in killing. In doing so, they are stuck in the constant chain of life and death and seemingly cannot escape it.
Both manga cover very philosophical themes if you read them not passively.
Arguably the best manga series of all time. Mangas like these two come once in a lifetime. Both have incredible story, breathtaking art and incredible character development, blood and gore. Once you read both of these you perspective on what a masterpiece is will change.
Similar MCs. Both left and abandoned by their parents in some way. Both had a harsh childhood growing up. Both are cold blooded killers. Both manga have badass fighting scenes and both are VERY gory. One is fiction, the other is based on a true story to some extent.
Both of these manga have very similar protagonists: sword wielding "demon-children" with turbulent childhoods on a quest to become stronger. Why? It first starts off as them simply wanting to become the strongest and die on the battlefield, but soon enough they find something they love and want to protect, while simultaneously they despise it for standing in the way of their primary goals.
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Recommended by catullus_d_rus
Both Mangas are centered around a antihero protagonist, who is on a path to finding himself. Action is used as a story element, in which bloody and gory scenes are highly stylized, as they are also extremly well-drawn.
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Recommended by AnimeXHunter
Both are extremely violent and gory, but Vagabond has a basis in history and has a more realistic art style, while Berserk is obviously a dark fantasy.
Lone, at first sort of psychotic, warrior travelling the land in search of worthy opponents, combined with beautiful art and spiritual journey of the protagonist, who tries to find what his purpose in life is. Plus both authors really like long hiatuses.
Both manga are historical Seinen with anti hero protagonist. They contain a lot of fight scenes and have beautiful artwork.
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Recommended by xShinigami3125
In their own worlds, Guts and Mushashi both went from being obscure to becoming well-known warriors. Both of them went through terrible suffering and betrayal. Both have excellent art that has a classic feel to it. They also have intricate and compelling narratives, and the combat scenes are to die for.
Both have a Similar main character. struggling along a journey to find the best version of themselves while being caught up in past actions.
The mature atmosphere and conflicting feelings towards the occurances are present too.
The art is also phenomenal, so if u like that Miura eyecandy. Inoue has it aswell.
There is however no Revenge story of the sort. Instead you have a rivalry.
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Recommended by -_Cookies_-
Mature, lots of blood and gore.
The main characters have fairly similar dynamics in both manga. Both are Seinen with anti hero protagonist.
Both protagonist are alpha. Dark gritty themes. The mature atmosphere and art is also phenomenal.
They both fall in love with a woman. Also both are Berserk and also Vagabond..
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Recommended by geovannyboss
Also a dark manga with a beautiful art style. Both protagonists are highly skilled swordsmen.
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Recommended by chumpchange
Berserk and Vagabond are respectively my 1st and 2nd favorite manga. I have enormous respect for Kentaro Miura (RIP) and Takehiko Inoue for creating such excellent stories and characters, as well as magnificent art.
Berserk's story is much deeper, but it resembles in some ways the story of Vagabond, and Guts and Takezo are very similar characters.
-both have an amazing story line
-both have amazing art
-both have great character development
-both have serious and funny moments
-both are 10/10 for me
-both MC wants to be number 1
-They both are driven out of their homes from hate and speculations and they both make inseparable friends.
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Recommended by SoloSensei
Os dois mangás são muito parecidos e são simplesmente incriveis
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Recommended by Bruno_1033
This comparison has been made ever since the beginning of time, for good reason though.
Musashi and Guts share a similar fate, both works detail their respective story accompanied by breathtaking art and both will likely take ages to be done lmao.
Vagabond shares a lot of the same DNA as Berserk as it tells the story of a wandering swordsman who yearns for a worthy opponent. Vagabond embraces historical accuracy and the tenets of martial arts more than it does fantasy and ridiculous monsters.
Vagabond's realistic nature is one of its greatest strengths and it makes the gallons of blood that are spilled in the manga have even more weight. It tries to realistically portray how isolating the life of a swordsman can be and it does so with amazing precision.
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Recommended by QuiteAshraf
Both share the story of the lonely starving wolf who wants to become the best fighter in existence (kinda) and find a purpous in their lifes. The strugguler and The invincible under the heavens share an emotional journey about self reflection, discovery and growth. Both Musashi and Guts suffer from traumas because of the cruelty of the world give them at their childhood that they want to overcome those traumas and weaknesses by fighting and overcoming their swordsman abilities, in time they will discover that what they were searching was not to become stronger, but to escape in their hatred and fears.
Berserk and Vagabond
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Both have amazing character development.
Both of the main characters are insanely powerful.
Both are trying to find a purpose.
Just read both of the manga they are simply amazing.
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Recommended by theweebgorilla
Both of them in my humble opinion are masterpieces, each of them can make anybody's life a better life if they focused on the objective of the mangas and if they still have time to change, it's never too late to change yourself to become a better person.
Both are amazingly drawn highly violent, action Manga
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Recommended by gigallante1
You are looking for another bloody, but astounding story? Another manga with beautiful artwork? Rough and in the beginning simple protagonists, which evolve into something much more? Then Vagabond will be perfect for you.
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Recommended by MrProcrastinator
The story of Vagabond is like Berserk just more philosphical. Musashi the main character starts as a guy full of hatred and rage and is obsessed with his goal becomming invincible. On this path he realises the meaning of the way of the sword and how invincible is just a word. In my opinion Berserk is still better but I haven´t finished Vagabond so my opinon might change, which I slightly doubt. Nonetheless Berserk Vagabond is a must read espeacilly when you liked Berserk
-All Three stories are focused on the MC going through experiences and making them mature with time, growing and changing their perspective.
-The MC has a rival who is in conflict with him and competes closely with him
-Having the Greatest art and combats.
-Historical Theme
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Recommended by HontoTanaka
While not the exact same, Berserk and Vagabond are both very violent seinen manga with similar themes. Both have amazing art work and are very good manga. Swords are also used in both manga. Vagabond is more realistic than Berserk, but fans of one MUST read the other.
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Recommended by TheFearTrain
Similar time period and fight for survival style. Very gruesome and gory with great writing.
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Recommended by SteelBallShrek
Both have amazing art and both have some of the best stories in any manga. Miyamoto Musashi has a journey were he is constantly growing.
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Recommended by Coolmanstan
Berserk is similar to Vagabond in its beautiful art and amazing story telling with gory depictions all throughout for a fun experience.
Berserk, Vagabond and Vinland Saga are iconic.
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Recommended by Nerdosaurus18
Similar in terms of their atmosphere and themes - Both very mature and depict death, murder, violence and life in gritty detail and art.
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Recommended by evenchowder
"Vagabond" and "Berserk" are similar manga series with historical settings, dark atmospheres, complex characters, and intense action. Both delve into the brutal realities of their respective worlds, exploring themes of war, violence, and personal growth. The protagonists, Musashi in "Vagabond" and Guts in "Berserk," undergo profound journeys, facing inner struggles, moral dilemmas, and questioning their roles in life. The series share a focus on destiny, purpose, and the search for meaning, while showcasing visceral combat scenes that highlight the characters' skills and the raw energy of their battles.
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Recommended by Vanitas_IT0
I think both have a MC who goes through challenges and matures during the story. You will get strong Berserk vibes while reading Vagabond and if you loved Berserk you'll love Vagabond as well.
Both have very brutal plot-lines.
Both dive deep into character growth.
Both explore darker topics.
Both tend to be very philosophical at times.
Both characters go on a journey to change.
Vagabond is Berserk but without the fantasy aspect, it is in a more traditional Japanese setting focused on the mindset of the main character rather than the big picture. It is a must read if you liked Berserk.
In their own worlds, Guts and Mushashi both went from being obscure to becoming well-known warriors. Both of them went through terrible suffering and betrayal. Both have excellent art that has a classic feel to it. They also have intricate and compelling narratives, and the combat scenes are to die for.