Good Smile Company is currently accepting preorders for a stunning Berserk model of Guts in his Beast of Darkness form, clad in his legendary Berserker armor. This rerelease has been widely requested by fans, as the low price of the Plamatea model, along with its high quality, quickly made it a must-have for fans of the series upon its original release. Nearly 40 years after the release of its first chapter in the seinen magazine Monthly Animal House, Berserk has maintained its popularity worldwide, lauded for its setting, storytelling, characters, and art style.
Kentaro Miura's magnum opus has been a hit seller for decades, with the Berserk manga series having sold over 70 million copies to date, putting it alongside series like Rurouni Kenshin, Major, Fairy Tale, and Gintama. The 1997 anime series, produced by OLM, also saw incredible success, though the more recent 24-episode 2016 adaptation faced criticism for its poor CGI, odd music choices, and bizarre camera work. Regardless of the medium fans choose, the wandering swordsman Guts remains one of the most easily recognizable faces in Japanese popular culture, and those wanting to add him to their shelves may want to snag this rerelease.
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The Plamatea Guts: Berserker Armor Model Kit Is Available to Order Yet Again
Good Smile Company has announced the rerelease of the Plamatea Guts: Berserker Armor Ver. Model Kit, with preorders currently open until June 24. The Plamatea line is developed jointly with Max Factory, and this Guts model allows fans to more easily articulate the figure to display it as they see fit. The model, priced at $43.99 and standing 7.28 inches in height, comes with the character's recognizable sword, Dragon Slayer, as well as various hand parts, a cloth cape with a wire, and an articulated stand and base. Those who order the model kit can expect it to be delivered between April 1 and June 30, 2027.
Berserk fans were left stunned when the original series author, Kentaro Miura, suddenly passed away in 2021 at the age of 54 due to acute aortic dissection. The impact of Miura's work can still be seen in manga, film, anime, and games, with protagonist Guts inspiring beloved characters like Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy 7) and Dante (Devil May Cry), and Berserk's aesthetic inspiring much of the Dark Souls series. Many manga artists have cited Miura's work as a major influence, including Kazue Kato (Blue Exorcist), Yana Toboso (Black Butler), and Yuki Tabata (Black Clover).
Concerns for the future of Berserk arose following Miura's passing, but the series isn't over yet, with the author's longtime friend and fellow manga artist Kouji Mori taking over in June 2022. Mori and Miura met in high school, with Miura stating that their friendship served as the inspiration for the relationship between Guts and Griffith. Mori has promised not to deviate from Miura's plans, putting fans at ease. "I will only write the episodes Miura talked to me about," he said. "I will not flesh it out. I will only write the lines and stories that Miura described to me. Of course, it will not be perfect. Still, I think I can almost tell the story that Miura wanted to tell."
Guess the anime from the emojis.
Guess the anime from the emojis.
Good Smile Company offers several other Berserk-inspired figures, including a Nendoroid Guts figure with the protagonist also clad in his Berserker armor. While it is currently sold out, the company also released an XL Guts figure, measuring nearly 15 inches in height and costing a hefty $230.
Source: Good Smile Company