47 Berserk Quotes from its Most Prominent Characters

The world-renowned "Berserk" is a manga series that was first published in 1989. Its global popularity led to its animation in the 90s and the 2010s, gaining generations of fans. If you're one of those fans, or if you're interested in dabbling in anime, here are 47 quotes from "Berserk" for you to enjoy.

“Berserk” is a manga series that made its debut in 1989. It follows Guts, a mercenary who survived after his leader, Griffith, tried to sacrifice all his followers for power.

“Berserk” gained global popularity from its first published volume. It sold over 50 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-performing manga series of all time, despite its relatively short list of characters.

“Berserk” was first turned into an animated series in 1997, and its continued popularity spawned a remake in 2016. Here are 47 berserk quotes from the series' most prominent characters for you to enjoy.

Guts's quote: “In the end, the winner is still the last man standing.” | Image: AmoDays

Berserk quotes from Guts

“Looking up from here, it’s as if each flame were a small dream from each person. They’re like a bonfire of dreams, don’t they? I’m just a temporary visitor taking comfort from the flame.” — Guts

“People bring the small flames of their wishes together — since they don’t want to extinguish the small flame — they’ll bring that small flame to a bigger fire. A big flame named Griffith. But you know, I didn’t bring a flame with me. I think I just stopped by to warm myself by the bonfire.” — Guts

“In the end, the winner is still the last man standing.” — Guts

“You’re going to be all right. You just stumbled over a stone in the road. It means nothing. Your goal lies far beyond this. Doesn’t it? I’m sure you’ll overcome this. You’ll walk again — soon.” — Guts

“I’d rather fight for my life than live it.” — Guts

Guts's quote: “Looking up from here, it’s as if each flame were a small dream from each person. They’re like a bonfire of dreams, don’t they? I’m just a temporary visitor taking comfort from the flame.” | Image: AmoDays

“You have the strongest armor because you are the weakest!” — Guts

“The reward for ambition too great — is self-destruction.” — Guts

“One who does something he hates just because he’s told to—is called an errand boy.” — Guts

“In this world, some people born are like keys that move the world and exist having no connection to the social hierarchy established by man.” — Guts

“If one can’t live their life the way they want, they might as well die.” — Guts

Guts's quote: “People bring the small flames of their wishes together — since they don’t want to extinguish the small flame — they’ll bring that small flame to a bigger fire. A big flame named Griffith. But you know, I didn’t bring a flame with me. I think I just stopped by to warm myself by the bonfire.” | Image: AmoDays

“If you’re always worried about crushing the ants beneath you — you won’t be able to walk.” — Guts

“Even if we painstakingly piece together something lost, it doesn’t mean things will ever go back to how they were.” — Guts

“My place really was here. I was too foolish and stubborn to notice. But, what I truly hoped for then was here. Why do I always realize it — when I’ve already lost it?” — Guts

“You’re right; we are mortal and fragile. But even if we are tortured or wounded, we’ll fight to survive. You should feel the pain we feel and understand. I am the messenger that will deliver you to that pain and understanding.” — Guts

“I don’t want what another man can give me. If he grants me anything, then it’s his to give and not my own.” — Guts

Guts's quote: “You’re going to be all right. You just stumbled over a stone in the road. It means nothing. Your goal lies far beyond this. Doesn’t it? I’m sure you’ll overcome this. You’ll walk again — soon.” | Image: AmoDays

“If you’re alone — if it’s just your life, you can use it however you please. Wear yourself out, get cut to ribbons; it doesn’t matter. But when there are two, the blade grows heavy. Fighting like death doesn’t concern you becomes a thing of the past. It’s no longer just you. I threw away my way of life, relied on the strength of others, and somehow pushed on.” — Guts

“I do not know what the future holds, but I do know this that I just cannot get enough of you.” — Guts

“Doing something you don’t want to, just because you’re told to, is weak.” — Guts

“Look, look around carefully. Strain your eyes. At the darkness around us — at the darkness — around me. You said, ‘anywhere but here.’ This is where. Here at the border. Gathered by the winds. Those who’ve met their final destiny hanging between jealousy and regret. Those who failed swept together here. You say, ‘It doesn’t matter where.’ If you follow me, this is where you’ll go! This is your Eden! You run from it. It is no Eden. If you follow me to this place, the entire world is a battlefield.” — Guts

“When you meet your God, tell him to leave me alone.” — Guts

Griffith's quote: “A dream can make a man feel alive, or it can kill him instead. But to simply exist just because one’s been born is the sort of notion that I hate — I can’t stand it.” | Image: AmoDays

Berserk quotes from Griffith

“A dream can make a man feel alive, or it can kill him instead. But to simply exist just because one’s been born is the sort of notion that I hate — I can’t stand it.” — Griffith

“Death on the battlefield comes regardless of class, royal or common. The loser must die!” — Griffith

“It is my perception that a true friend never relies on another’s dream. A person with the potential to be my true friend must be able to find his reason for life without my help. And, he would have to put his heart and soul into protecting his dream. He would never hesitate to fight for his dream, even against me. For me, a true friend is one who stands equal on those terms.” — Griffth

“A friend would not just follow another’s dream — a friend would find his own reason to live.” — Griffith

“Is he living his dreams in death? Or is death the end of dreams?” — Griffith

Griffith's quote: “While many can pursue their dreams in solitude, other dreams are like great storms blowing hundreds, even thousands of dreams apart in their wake. Dreams breathe life into men and can cage them in suffering. Men live and die by their dreams. But long after they have been abandoned, they still smolder deep in men’s hearts. Some see nothing more than life and death. They are dead, for they have no dreams.” | Image: AmoDays

“A dream — it’s something you do for yourself, not for others.” — Griffith

“Among thousands of comrades and 10,000 enemies, only you — only you made me forget my dream. I see it!” — Griffith

“I feel no responsibility to comrades who’ve lost lives under my command. Because they chose to fight in each battle — just as I chose this. But if there is something that — I can do for them. Something I can do for the dead — then it is to win! I must keep winning to attain my dream. The same one they clung to, and risked their lives for! To realize my dream, I will perch on top of their corpses. It is a blood-smeared dream, after all. I don’t regret or feel guilty about it. But to risk thousands of lives while never getting myself dirty. It’s not a dream that can be so easily realized!” — Griffith

“While many can pursue their dreams in solitude, other dreams are like great storms blowing hundreds, even thousands of dreams apart in their wake. Dreams breathe life into men and can cage them in suffering. Men live and die by their dreams. But long after they have been abandoned, they still smolder deep in men’s hearts. Some see nothing more than life and death. They are dead, for they have no dreams.” — Griffith

Griffith's quote: “Death on the battlefield comes regardless of class, royal or common. The loser must die!” | Image: AmoDays

Berserk quotes from Godo

“If you desire one thing for so long, it’s a given that you’ll miss other things along the way. That’s how it is — that’s life.” — Godo

“Swords are just large butcher knives, after all. Tools meant for killing people. And so I forged it, as it was described — a sword that could butcher a dragon.” — Godo

“Dragons are dragons because humans can’t beat ’em. So, what’s a man who beats dragons?” — Godo

“Mighty things, things that could kill, that’s all there was for me.” — Godo

“Hate is a place where a man who can’t stand sadness goes.” — Godo

Godo's quote: “If you desire one thing for so long, it’s a given that you’ll miss other things along the way. That’s how it is — that’s life.” | Image: AmoDays

“But you know, this ain’t even what you’d call a sword. It’s a meaningless slab of iron you can’t even lift, for killin’ dragons and monsters that ain’t even real. Your friend looks like he’s about to fight a dragon, though. Seems to want to fight even after losing his hand and eye.” — Godo

Berserk quotes from Schierke

“No matter how strong, for a human to fight a monster means he has submerged his humanity and transformed himself into a greater monster.” — Schierke

“To think that a senseless death can create this much malice.” — Schierke

“I will fight back no matter how many enemies there are!” — Schierke

Judeau's quote: “I realized that I could never be the best, so I decided to find the man that could and serve by his side.” | Image: AmoDays

“I have reached the station I have always dreamed about! I have become an unrivaled magician!” — Schierke

“I lost myself to the force. I still have so much to learn.” — Schierke

Berserk quotes from Judeau and other characters

“Whether it’s good or bad, it’s so unfortunate to wake up during a dream.” — Judeau

“I realized that I could never be the best, so I decided to find the man that could and serve by his side.” — Judeau

Schierke's quote: “No matter how strong, for a human to fight a monster means he has submerged his humanity and transformed himself into a greater monster.” | Image: AmoDays

“I’m a jack of all trades — a little better than most at everything, but I don’t shine at anything.” — Judeau

“You’re messing with our only woman — you’ll pay for that.” — Judeau

“The world is as moonlight reflected on the water’s surface.” — Skull Knight

“Fate is not a flat circle — it is a spiral.” — Flora

Judeau's quote: “Whether it’s good or bad, it’s so unfortunate to wake up during a dream.” | Image: AmoDays

“Berserk” is a series that combines a few themes that translate well into daily life. The main protagonist, Guts, is as complex as the antagonist and experiences immense character growth throughout the series.

Furthermore, the relationships between the characters blur the lines between good and evil, which makes for a thrilling journey through the series. If you haven’t yet tried anime or are new to the genre, “Berserk” is the perfect place to start.

If you loved these quotes, you’d enjoy these quotes from the wise Uncle Iroh from the series "Avatar: The Last Airbender."