Top 10 Strongest Characters in Berserk

Despite its focus on storytelling and worldbuilding, the topic of the strongest characters in Berserk is not often discussed due to the series’ lack of emphasis on power scaling. Although the protagonist Guts does engage in numerous battles, the manga primarily highlights the plot and the development of its fictional world. Therefore, it is challenging to compare the strengths of certain characters.

Despite there being some notorious powerhouses in Berserk, such as the Godhand and Nosferatu Zodd, it is relatively easy to gauge the strength of the strongest characters. These individuals are undeniably stronger than most in the story and their feats and abilities are a clear testament to this. As such, here is a list of the 10 strongest characters in Berserk, ranked based on their impressive feats and how they compare to the rest of the cast.

Please note that this article contains spoilers for the Berserk series.

Top 10 Strongest Characters in Berserk

City of Irvine

Despite being one of the strongest characters in Berserk and a member of the Apostles, Irvine is often overlooked and underrated. His enigmatic and reserved demeanor, coupled with his limited appearances and lack of significant battles, have prevented him from showcasing his true strength. However, his high position in Griffth’s new Band of the Hawk is a clear indication that he is among the most powerful Apostles in the manga.

Irvine possesses extraordinary skills in archery, and his transformed Apostle state grants him the ability to produce organic arrows and move at incredible speeds. His strength is also enhanced to superhuman levels, enabling him to effortlessly dismember his targets with his arrows.

9. Locus

Despite being in his human form, Locus demonstrated exceptional skills as a lancer during Griffith’s conquests, solidifying his position as one of the most powerful Apostles in Griffith’s army and a prominent leader among his men. He ranks high among the Apostles in the series.

In his transformed state, he becomes even more powerful by merging with his horse, showcasing a sharp and formidable appearance. Nonetheless, similar to Irvine, the true extent of his capabilities has yet to be revealed, causing difficulty in placing him among the top-ranking characters in Berserk.

Grunbeld

One can infer from his nickname, the “Great Flame Dragon,”that this man is undoubtedly one of the most formidable characters in Berserk. Like the previous two instances, Grunbeld is an Apostle and a member of Griffith’s army. However, his reputation precedes him as he single-handedly fought off Tudor’s invasion during the Hundred-Year War, a remarkable achievement.

Grunbeld’s release as an Apostle, transforming him into a massive dragon made of corundum, elevates him to an even higher level of power as one of the strongest human warriors in the series.

Despite Guts wearing the Berserker Armor, he was still able to engage in battle with him. Additionally, he has been observed single-handedly facing entire armies.

7. Nosferatu Zodd

No ranking of the most powerful characters in Berserk would be comprehensive without mentioning Nosferatu Zodd. He is known as the Apostle whose focus lies solely on combat and physical prowess. With a history of being a formidable fighter for centuries, he has gained a reputation for singlehandedly defeating entire armies. His constant pursuit of new adversaries has frequently resulted in his repeated clashes with Guts throughout the series.

Zodd’s legendary strength in Berserk is renowned, as he has proven capable of defeating numerous enemies and keeping pace with some of the most powerful fighters. An impressive demonstration of this is when he and Guts join forces to defeat Daiba, a formidable magic user, showcasing their ability to overcome adversaries with vastly different abilities.

Guts

Despite being the protagonist of the manga, Guts is not only one of the strongest characters in Berserk, but also the most powerful human in the series. He has successfully defeated numerous Apostles in battle, a feat unmatched by any other human in the series.

Additionally, Guts’ mastery of his sword, the Dragonslayer, his strategic skills, and unwavering determination in battle make him an intimidating opponent. This was evident in his confrontation with Nosferatu Zodd at the Hill of Swords, where he was able to outmaneuver the formidable foe even in his transformed state.

Additionally, the inclusion of the Berserker Armor is a key factor in Guts’ ranking among the most powerful characters in Berserk. Despite its potential harm to his health, it serves as a final option when confronting formidable foes, allowing him to fight without fear of injury and with unrestrained strength.

Skull Knight’s Quest

Undoubtedly, the Skull Knight ranks among the most formidable figures in Berserk, having successfully faced off against formidable opponents such as Zodd and the Godhand and survived to recount his experiences. While many fans speculate that he is the fabled King Gaiseric, this has yet to be definitively confirmed in the series. Nevertheless, if true, it would only further solidify the character’s impressive feats.

Despite centuries of battle, the Skull Knight has yet to defeat the Godhand. However, his power appears to surpass that of the Apostles. The only opponent who has been able to match him in combat is Nosferatu Zodd, as mentioned by Rickert during their fight at the Eclipse in the Golden Age arc where the Skull Knight was shown to have the upper hand.

Similarly to many other members of Griffith’s recently formed Band of the Hawk, the Skull Knight has yet to be witnessed in full action by audiences.

God of the Sea

The Sea God successfully made its way into the physical realm following the Great Wave of the Astral World, during which Ganishka, the Skull Knight, and Griffith were involved. It devoured the majority of the inhabitants on the island where it appeared, and its immense size makes it a formidable opponent for anyone who dares to confront it.

The creature was able to consume both Guts and Schierke while they were engaged in battle, housing countless other creatures within its body. Additionally, the Sea God possesses the ability to consume individuals and assimilate them into its being, solidifying its position as one of the most powerful figures in Berserk.

3. Shiva Ganishka

Undoubtedly, Ganishka’s regular form would have been considered one of the most powerful characters in Berserk.

This prompted Ganishka to create an artificial Eclipse using a Behelit he had made, transforming into a monstrous being known amongst fans as Shiva Ganishka.

It can be strongly argued that he became the most powerful Apostle to have ever lived, yet in the process, he lost his own identity and transformed into the bridge that connected the fantasy world with the physical one.

2. The Godhand

The general consensus among fans of the series is that the Godhand are the most formidable characters in Berserk, and all five of them have earned a spot on this list. While it has never been definitively determined which member is the most powerful, they all possess incredible strength and influence over the events of the world. These beings were once human but have transcended to a different realm, playing a vital role in shaping the course of events.

Despite facing numerous challenges, Guts and Griffith are consistently portrayed as the most powerful characters in Berserk due to their invulnerability to natural harm. Throughout the series, Guts has been unable to inflict any significant damage on Griffith in his Femto form, and it remains uncertain if he was able to harm Slan in their confrontation.

The Idea of Evil

Despite not officially being a part of the series, the Idea of Evil is a standout character in Berserk. It was first introduced in chapter 83 of the manga when Griffith sacrificed the Band of the Hawk during the Eclipse, but author Kentaro Miura later chose to remove this aspect from future releases in order to avoid revealing too much of the plot.

The true nature of the Idea of Evil is challenging to define or articulate, as it embodies the human understanding of destruction, disorder, self-centeredness, and immorality. This concept was materialized by humans, resulting in the creation of the Godhand, which seeks to spread chaos throughout the world. The Godhand, in turn, created the Behelits, through which they transform individuals into powerful beings known as Apostles.

Despite Miura’s decision to remove this chapter in order to avoid revealing too much about the main plot, the Idea of Evil still remains a crucial aspect of the story’s canon. It is essentially Berserk’s interpretation of an evil deity who holds dominion over the Godhand, making it the strongest entity in the series.

Final thoughts

In considering the most powerful characters in Berserk, there are numerous other options that must be considered. Nonetheless, these individuals serve as prime examples and possess various accomplishments that can be used to measure their strength within the story.