The legendary Berserk creator Kentaro Miura dies at 54, tragic news confirmed by the official Berserk Project and Oricon News.

While the news that Berserk creator Kentaro Miura died only surfaced today, Miura actually passed away back on May 6th at 2:48 PM due to acute aortic dissection, at 54 years old.

The official Berserk Project shared words of respect and condolences for Miura:

I would like to express my respect and gratitude to him and pray for his soul. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of our readers for reading his works, and we would like to inform you of his passing.

The entire Young Animal editorial department also commented on the news. The editorial department of Young Animal is deeply saddened by the sudden news of Kentaro Miura’s death. What should we do to accept this unacceptable fact? To be honest, I can’t find the words. All I can remember are the smiles on his face when I met people from the editorial department, and how he was always cheerful and happy to talk about his favorite manga, anime, and movies. We have never seen his angry face. He was always so happy and boyish.

He was always so happy and boyish,” he said. “I hope that all the fans and people involved can imagine Miura-sensei’s happy smile and join the Young Animal editorial team in praying for his soul to rest in peace. Please accept my best regards.

Mr. Miura’s masterpiece “Berserk” was first serialized in “Monthly Animal House” in 1989, and then moved to “Young Animal” where it is still being serialized, and has sold over 40 million copies in total. Set in a world of swords, magic, and demons, it depicts the fierce life of the protagonist Guts, and was made into a TV anime from 1997 to 1998, a trilogy of theatrical anime from 2012 to 2013, and another TV anime from 2016 to 2017.