The Manga. Avoid the 2016 CGI anime at all costs. Watch the 1997 anime if you need voice acting, but read the manga for Kentaro Miura’s insane detail. Why it’s popular: The "Golden Age" arc is arguably the greatest tragedy ever written. Guts, a mercenary with a giant sword, joins the Band of the Hawk led by the charismatic Griffith. The betrayal (known as "The Eclipse") is the most disturbing and iconic scene in manga history. Warning: Extremely violent and dark.
For a new viewer: or Death Note offer complete, tightly written stories. For manga-first readers: Berserk (art) or One Piece (long-form payoff). For 2024 trends: Frieren and Apothecary Diaries represent the shift toward slower, character-driven fantasy.