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Hakusensha, the publisher of the iconic manga Berserk, issued a formal statement on Sept. 11, 2024, cautioning fans about an unauthorized animation project being promoted by Studio Eclypse.
Studio Eclypse had been generating buzz on social media, particularly on their X (formerly Twitter) account and website, advertising their animation adaptation of Berserk. Given the mixed reviews of recent anime adaptations, fans were hopeful this new project might finally do justice to Kentaro Miura’s masterpiece.
But here’s the catch!
- No green light: Hakusensha clarified that neither the late Kentaro Miura nor Studio Gaga—the team now overseeing the Berserk intellectual property—had authorized this project.
- Official statement: “The production of a Berserk animation is being announced on the following X account and website, but such production has not been authorized by Miura Kentaro (Studio Gaga), the copyright holder. In addition, the videos accompanying the announcements are being displayed without permission,” Hakusensha stated.
What is the significance of this matter?
Studio Eclypse has been raising funds from supporters through platforms like Patreon to support their animation projects financially. Even though fan-created initiatives sometimes fall into an area when it comes to copyright concerns; receiving monetary contributions without the right licensing infringes on copyright laws.
The history of Studio Eclypse is questionable, as they have been previously questioned for their actions regarding the Berserk IP without consent, and their failure to fulfill commitments, leading some users to question the legitimacy of the studio by referring to it as a “scam,” particularly about an unsuccessful Attack on Titan animation endeavor.
Fans are concerned that the studio may stop production, using Hakushesha’s cease and desist as a reason, leaving backers who financially supported the project with nothing.
Since its debut, in 1989, “Berserk” has taken the world by storm with, over 55 million copies sold and inspiring anime adaptations that fans cherish to honor Miura’s legacy.
The excitement for Berserk content is something many fans can understand and relate to on a level! It’s crucial for creators to respect intellectual property rights and ensure that fans support channels to contribute to the efforts, in creating more content.
Source: Official Anime X
Rajat, once an aspiring computer science engineer, transitioned into stand-up comedy, blending creativity with problem-solving. A huge anime and manga enthusiast, he also explores 3D design in Blender. Passionate about merging humor, design, and storytelling, Rajat is always ready to collaborate and create something unique.
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