If you ask any gamer what their current game is, the percentage chance they can answer you Elden Ring will be very high. The new release of the famous studio From Software, known for Dark Souls or Sekiro, caused a sensation from the start by climbing into the top 5 best-selling video games in France according to SELL.
Offering a universe of Dark Fantasy in Open World with the sauce of “souls”, it is not surprising that Elden Ring has fascinated a large number of players. However, if we know that its creator Hidetaka MIYAZAKI is a fan of the Berserk manga and that he was inspired by it for the universe of his games, there are also many other manga that place the Dark Fantasy at the heart of their work, enough to delight fans of the genre.
On February 25, Elden Ring, the latest flagship game from From Software studios, was released and all the fans were eager to discover its universe. Today, we offer you a parallel between Elden Ring and the manga Berserk, a major source of inspiration for Hidetaka Miyazaki!
Our selection of 5 manga on the theme of dark fantasy
Dark fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy, so it has its roots in cultures, myths, tales and imagination. Although it is a mixture of marvelous and fantastic, its atmosphere is very dark which differs from classic fantasy. A multitude of works can be found in this genre, such as Game of Thrones, for example, but you can also discover quality manga, including 5 that we have selected for you, and that you must discover if you are a fan of ‘Elden Ring or Dark Fantasy!
CLAYMORE (27 volumes)
In Scottish culture, the Claymore is a large sword held in 2 hands of highlander warriors, but in the manga, this term mainly refers to lone half-human half-demon warriors used to protect the villagers when they are attacked by demons. They have 2 characteristics that distinguish them from ordinary mortals, their silver eyes and their huge sword. When the claymore Claire is called to a village to eliminate the demons that are decimating the population, she finds herself killing the penultimate member of Raki’s family, a young villager. Finding himself alone, he decides to accompany Claire as a cook, but he will discover how tragic the destiny of the claymores is and in the grip of great loneliness.
Published by Glénat, Claymore takes place in a medieval universe of dark fantasy. It is true that in view of the world in which the story takes place, it is hard not to make a link with that of Berserk, however, it is a manga which has its own identity and which knows how to hold the reader in suspense especially during these fights. Filled with mythological references, it will appeal to fans of this genre for sure!
BASTARD!! (27 volumes)
Notice to role-playing game lovers, Bastard!! is made for you ! Mixing humor and Dark Fantasy, this 1996 manga tells the story of Tya Note Yoko, the young daughter of a great mage, who decides to resurrect a legendary magician named Dark Schneider to save his kingdom. . Being malevolent at first, he nevertheless helps Yoko in her quest and both face several adventures, but also the womanizer aspect of Dark Schneider, far too interested in women…
Bastard!! is found in 27 volumes at Glénat, its rather old appearance could repel some, but it is also what makes all its charm. In addition, it will appeal to fans of metal music, since it draws the names of its characters or even its magic spells directly from the names of known groups. We can only advise you to go and discover it!
AKAME GA KILL! (15 volumes)
It is with this time a much more recent manga that our selection continues. Dating from 2010, it tells us the story of Tatsumi, a rather banal protagonist in thirst for adventure and unfortunately for him, a little naive. So much so that he has all his money stolen by a sulphurous young woman. While he thinks he is lost, a young aristocrat and her family take him under her wing, but she tells him that she is being tracked by a band of bloodthirsty killers…
This beginning of the story is what you can find in a classic shonen but precisely, Akame ga Kill is far from banal and will teach you that you have to be wary of appearances.
Published by Kurokawa, this manga is often considered by fans as the Game of Thrones of Japanese comics, the author not hesitating to reverse the situation of his characters and at the same time, to turn the stomach of his readers. For the Dark Fantasy aspect, Akame ga kill is immersed in it, so prepare to see mages and dragons of all kinds in a medieval universe.
BESTIARIUS (7 volumes)
It is the turn of a shorter series, but for all that no less interesting to show its potential. Bestarius is a manga set during the height of the Roman Empire, subjugating one by one humans, but also monsters, the empire organizes arena fights to entertain its bloodthirsty people.
These warrior slaves, both men and mythological creatures, are forced to engage in a merciless fight for their survival. But this tragic fate is not to the taste of Finn or Zenon, brave fighters ready to fight for their freedom.
Created by the author of Rainbow, an incredible manga that we recommend to you, Bestiarius is just as dark as its predecessor, its reading is for an informed and fearless audience. Its little extra: a beautifully realistic design as KAKIZAKI knows how to do so well.
WARLORD (15 volumes)
What would happen if humanity was on the verge of extinction because of bloodthirsty demons? It is in this context of the end of the world that Warlod begins, where we find the Emperor Shamarkal who sends his own daughter to seek the only hope of humanity, a group of mercenaries with exceptional fighters. However, she discovers that these hopes are far from what she thought and finds herself saved by the son of the chief of the mercenaries.
Warlod is published by Kioon, its specificity is already found in the fact that it is not a Japanese manga but Korean! However, there is everything that makes a good Seinen, war, a complex and non-Manichean world as well as conflicts between several civilizations. But it is also the beauty of certain boards that have marked us and will amaze the eyes of readers.
In conclusion, dark fantasy is a genre that abounds in a varied universe and above all conducive to a multitude of stories. Although Berserk is a master in this field, we strongly recommend that you give the 5 manga in our selection a chance, you could discover a real passion!
In February 2020, a new edition of Hitoshi Iwaaki’s cult manga, Parasite, was released by Glénat. The latter is called Parasite Reversi and tries to follow in the footsteps of its elder released in the 90s. We give you our opinion on this new version of the Parasite manga!