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How did Kentaro Miura die? Fans mourn 'Berserk' manga creator's death at 54: 'Industry lost one of its best'

As the news of Miura's death shocked the anime world, fans' tributes began pouring in, thanking him for his work

For ardent manga and anime fans, it is a truly sad day as news broke that 'Berserk' creator Kentaro Miura is no more. The iconic mangaka or author and artist was 54 years old when he died on May 6. 

Miura debuted 'Berserk' back in 1989. The series was later turned into an anime as well as film adaptations. It was one of the bestselling manga series of all time, having sold 1.2M copies, as reported back in 2017. Video games such as Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Final Fantasy alongside manga and anime such as Demon Slayer, Castlevania and Vagabond are all influenced by Miura's work.

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The official Twitter profile of the series put out a tweet confirming the same. A translated version of the tweet reads: "[Report of the death of Professor Kentaro Miura] Dr. Kentaro Miura, the author of "Berserk", passed away on May 6, 2021 due to acute aortic dissection. We would like to express our utmost respect and gratitude to Dr. Miura's painting work and pray for his soul. May 20, 2021 Hakusensha Co., Ltd. Young Animal Editorial Department." The cause of his death was acute aortic dissection.

Miura had a penchant for drawing since the age of 10 and often drew manga for his classmates. He soon entered the field professionally at the age of 18, when he began working as an assistant to George Morikawa, the creator of the widely popular 'Hajime No Ippo', a manga about boxing.

Fans of 'Berserk' were visibly distraught on hearing the news, seeing that Miura's work is often held in very high regard. "Berserk was one of my gateways into the world of anime & manga. 5 years ago, when I was at my lowest, I was nose-deep into the mesmerizing fantasy world Miura crafted, every night until 4am. It was an escape. It was a new start. It's an understatement to say it helped," tweeted a fan. "Rest in peace Mr. Kentaro Miura. Thanks for the memories, I will remember you fondly and with the utmost respect and admiration for the rest of my life. #ベルセルク #Berserk," added another.

"i'm so genuinely gutted right now. berserk is what really got me into the medium of anime and it still resonates so much with me after all these years. the golden age arc in particular will forever remain the most evocative and emotionally powerful story i've ever read. R.I.P," expressed another. "Rest in Peace to Kentaor Muira, one of my most influential authors ever, helped me find my passion for art and storytelling and in life. Berserk will always have a special place in my heart as one of the most beautifully told fantasy stories. Will remember all my memories with it," tweeted a fan. One said, "So beautiful. The industry lost one of its best."

Set in a fantasy version of medieval Europe, 'Berserk' follows the story of Guts, a mercenary, and Griffith, the leader of a mercenary band called the 'Band of the Hawk'. Miura's exceptional artwork and his detailed story is what truly set 'Beserk' apart. His focus on crafting Griffith into a protagonist aligned character with a complex backstory turns him into a villain that fans are compelled to root for. While the series itself is highly acclaimed, the character is widely regarded as one of the best-written villains in anime and manga.