Kentaro Miura, a Japanese mangaka known for his work on the long-running manga Berserk, has passed away at the age of 54. Miura died on May 6th as a result of acute aortic dissection, the editorial department of Young Animal Comics announced.

In the statement, issued on Thursday, the publisher wrote that "the news of Miura's sudden passing has blanketed the Young Animal editorial in deep sadness."

【三浦建太郎先生　ご逝去の報】
『ベルセルク』の作者である三浦建太郎先生が、2021年5月6日、急性大動脈解離のため、ご逝去されました。三浦先生の画業に最大の敬意と感謝を表しますとともに、心よりご冥福をお祈りいたします。
2021年5月20日　株式会社白泉社　ヤングアニマル編集部 pic.twitter.com/baBBo4J2kL

— ベルセルク公式ツイッター (@berserk_project) May 20, 2021

[Report of the death of Professor Kentaro Miura]
Dr. Kentaro Miura, the author of Berserk, passed away on May 6, 2021, due to acute aortic dissection. We would like to express our utmost respect and gratitude to Dr. Miura's painting work and pray for his soul.
May 20, 2021, Hakusensha Co., Ltd. Young Animal Editorial Department.

A native of Chiba City, Miura created his first manga at the age of 10. Miura is best known for his long-running critically acclaimed dark fantasy series Berserk that he started in 1989. The manga centers on the stories of swordsman Guts and mercenary band leader Griffith, with the series exploring themes of free will, destiny and resilience.

As of 2021, Miura released over 40 volumes of manga. In a 2012 interview, Miura estimated that the series was "60 percent done."

While Berserk, which was adapted in the 1997 and 2016 anime series, is Miura's best-recognized and most acclaimed work, he worked on a variety of other projects over the years. On social media, heartfelt tributes for Miura have been pouring in.

He will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/ETQoFvTXrS

— Dark Horse Comics (@DarkHorseComics) May 20, 2021

One of the greatest artists in the entire medium; rest in peace Kentaro Miura and thank you for BERSERK pic.twitter.com/ANsmagArYx

— Nibel (@Nibellion) May 20, 2021

I’ll forever be grateful I got to experience Berserk.

Thanks for creating an unforgettable, timeless, one of a kind manga, Miura.

Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/wOuLfNnUL8

— 2Spooky🐮 (@2SpookyTube) May 20, 2021

In the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, Dark Knights players held an in-game memorial for the mangaka.

Balmung's dark knight memorial to Berserk author Kentaro Miura. I love this community. pic.twitter.com/QYveSkQ9Go

— Oz! @ 5.5 (@localhyurzen) May 20, 2021

gathering of dark knights in memory of Kentaro Miura…a lot of my favourite games and series would not exist without his inspiration and amazing work on Berserk; rest in peace // #FFXIV pic.twitter.com/fup72eOWlL

— Koyorin 🍎 (@koyoriin) May 20, 2021

As Berserk's serialization was still ongoing, the manga, which at the time of Miura's death was in its fifth story arc, will likely remain unfinished.