Sword and sorcery insanity and bloody medieval mayhem are the orders of the day in BERSERK - VOLUME 1: WAR CRY, the first DVD instalment of the shockingly violent and seriously adult-themed anime series about which Amazon.com declared ‘its grim earthiness sets it apart from run-of-the-mill chivalric tales.'

Based on the manga by Kento Miura, which, with over 29 million volumes sold worldwide is one of the most successful adult manga series of all time, BERSERK presents a gritty and brutal vision of medieval warfare as seen through the eyes of a gifted young swordsman in search of his destiny.

BERSERK - VOLUME 1: WAR CRY features the fist five episodes (The Black Swordsman; The Band Of The Hawk; First Battle; The Hand Of God; A Wind Of Swords) of the 25 episode series that has already become a firm fan favourite thanks to positive word-of-mouth, the reprinting of the original manga comics, plus a host of related spin-off BERSERK merchandise that includes video games and action figures.

Guts is a lone warrior, a fearless fighter armed with an enormous broadsword and known to those unfortunate enough to cross his path as The Black Swordsman. Haunted by the inner demons of his past, he has begun a journey he hopes will eventually reveal his true destiny. But along with way, he comes into contact with a fearsome band of mercenaries involved in the century-long conflict between the warring factions of Midland and Chuder. After being humiliated during a duel with the mercenary leader, Griffith, Guts is left with no option other than to join the Band of the Hawk and to fight alongside Griffith and his crack regiment of fellow bandits, including their one female member and second-in-command, Caska.

A sword and sorcery fantasy packed with plenty of gratuitous violence, gory bloodshed, nudity and profanity, BERSERK - VOLUME 1: WAR CRY is a refreshingly mature and fan-pleasingly adult alternative to the standard anime fare.

BERSERK - VOLUME 1: WAR CRY (cert. tbc) will be released on DVD (£19.99) by MVM on 3rd September 2007. Special Features include: production sketches; art gallery; outtakes; textless opening; Berserk trailer; English and Japanese language audio options; optional English subtitles.