Berserk manga’s publisher Hakusensha issued a formal statement on Sep 11, 2024, warning fans about an unauthorized animation project being promoted by Studio Eclypse.
The studio had been advertising an animation adaptation of Berserk on their X account and website. Given the poor quality of recent Berserk anime adaptations, fans of the series were excited to see the studio roll out the work – which showed a lot of promise.
However, Hakusensha clarified that neither the original author Kentaro Miura nor Studio Gaga, which now manages the IP, had given any approval for this project.
The publisher urged fans to be cautious of this illegal project.
“The production of a Berserk animation is being announced on the following X account https://x.com/studio_eclypse) and website (https://www.studio-eclypse.com), but such production has not been authorized by Miura Kentaro (Studio Gaga), the copyright holder. In addition, the videos accompanying the announcements are being displayed without permission,” Hakusensha’s statement read.
The copyright concern was not unexpected, particularly since Studio Eclypse has been collecting money from fans through platforms like Patreon to fund their animation project.
While fan animations typically operate in a grey area of copyright law, the moment financial transactions are involved, the situation escalates into a clear infringement.
The studio, in fact, has been criticized in the past for profiting off the Berserk IP without permission.
Many believe that Studio Gaga and Hakusensha are well within their rights to take action, as profiting from another creator’s intellectual property without authorization crosses a significant legal boundary.
Additionally, Studio Eclypse has faced criticism for its track record of not delivering on its promises. Netizens have labeled the studio a “scam,” citing similar instances with other projects, such as a failed Attack on Titan animation.
Some also fear that the studio will now use Hakusensha’s cease-and-desist as an excuse to halt production, leaving supporters empty-handed, despite having contributed to the project.
Berserk, which first debuted in 1989, has become a global phenomenon, selling over 55 million copies and inspiring several anime adaptations.
Despite Miura’s passing in May 2021, the manga continues under the supervision of his close friend, manga artist Kouji Mori, and the team at Studio Gaga.
Source: Hakusensha official X