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Anytime you’re watching anime or playing a video game and come across a sword that is way too big for reality, you probably have Berserk to thank for it. The Dragon Slayer, which is the iconic, massive sword that Guts uses for much of Berserk’s run, is one of the most famous weapons in fiction, something that series creator Kentaro Miura was uniquely proud of.

During an interview, Akira Shimada shared some insight into how Kentaro Miura came up with The Dragon Slayer sword. Shimada is the former editor of Berserk and is one of just a handful of people who know how Berserk is meant to end.

“Miura-san was very proud of The Dragon Slayer,” Shimada explained before diving into how the design for Guts’ iconic weapon came about. “He thought weapons like bows, guns, and rifles did not do a good job in expressing the handler’s emotions and inner thoughts. On the other hand, fists are by far the most expressive, but it’s been overdone by other manga series, so after my considerations, The Dragon Slayer ultimately came on top as the weapon of choice.”

The size and weight of The Dragon Slayer sword in Berserk have deep thematic meaning for the series. Unlike Cloud’s Buster Sword in Final Fantasy VII, The Dragon Slayer is never treated as if it is weightless or easy to wield. It is a heavy burden that represents both Guts’ guilt and pain as well as his drive to achieve his dream.

“Guts used a sword that was way too big for him since his adolescence, effectively training his entire life until he was able to properly wield it,” Shimada explained. “After versing 100 men, Guts spoke of having nothing but the sword, and I think that resonated with a lot of fans. I believe this message struck the chords of all the fans who similarly strive to realize dreams that are too big for them.”

Each week, Popverse's resident anime expert Trent Cannon runs down the latest and, dare we say "greatest," in anime and manga in Popverse Jump. Some recent columns have included... 

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