I’d like to start doing more Anime reviews but given the amount of shows on my to-watch list that may or may not occur. Nonetheless, I wanted to take some time to discuss one of the more recent shows to air this year. Vinland Saga is a historical fiction series based on the manga of the same name written by Makoto Yukimura. Season one debuted in 2019 while season 2 just released early this year. I’ll be covering both seasons in this review. I intend to also review future seasons as they are released. If you’d like to watch the show yourself both seasons are streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

The story of Vinland Saga takes place at the height of the Viking age of Europe which is roughly 793-1066AD. Our major character is a young Icelandic boy named Thorfinn, son of the legendary Jomsviking warrior Thors.  Season one follows Thorfinn on his quest to take revenge for the murder of his father by a mercenary known as Askeladd. Ultimately, he finds himself in England and is forced to survive as a child soldier while being caught up in the political turmoil of the country.

As you may be able to tell from that initial premise, this isn’t a particularly happy story. It is grounded in the brutal reality of our own human history and deals with a lot of heavy topics. However, don’t mistake this show for a mindless bloodbath. There may be a lot of violence in the first season but it is never senseless and is always a vessel used to further develop our characters and emphasize core themes.

Speaking of characters, these are absolutely some of the best I’ve seen in an anime. For the most part, they behave more like real people rather than overexerted caricatures as is common amongst many anime casts. The real standout for this first season is the incredibly nuanced relationship between Thorfinn and Askeladd. In the absence of peace, these two form a warped familial bond that is both sad and fascinating at the same time. However, the supporting cast is also filled with interesting people from history such as Leif Erikson and Prince Canute, the latter of which has an amazing character arc as he learns to become a leader.

Another particularly strong aspect of the show is the symbolism and imagery utilized throughout. The cinematography and shot composition are generally fantastic and only improve as the episodes progress. Action scenes maintain a distinct anime style and are gorgeously animated with brutal choreography that favors spectacle over historical accuracy. Some might find this to detract from the setting, but with an animated show, I prefer more creative dynamic action that pushes the boundaries of reality.

Finally, I have to talk about the music and sound design which is one of my personal favorite aspects of the first season. The score ticks all the boxes for me with a mix of intense rock tracks and calming classical songs that enforce the key emotions conveyed by each scene. As good as season one is, season two somehow manages to be even better.

Where season one focuses heavily on questions regarding the nature of war, violence, and revenge, season two is about healing. Taking place a few years later, we find our main character Thorfinn enslaved to a wealthy Danish farmer. While he works to buy his freedom, he struggles to find meaning in his life once again and find forgiveness for his violent past. Episodes take a much slower pace here, with many feeling more like something out of the “slice of life” genre. The stakes are lower here as well, with more focus placed on individual struggles rather than the struggles of a collective.

Eventually, things escalate and our characters are once again tested in more life-and-death scenarios, but with a new twist. I really enjoyed the core themes within this season which include topics such as the impact of slavery, pacifism, forgiveness, depression, and more. Everything done right in the first season is even better in the second season.

There are some truly powerful moments in Vinland Saga that will have you thinking about them long after you have turned off the TV. Additionally, the new cast of characters is just as interesting, with a wide range of personalities and distinct character arcs.

The only real weakness within this arc is simply that the pacing can be a little slow and certainly might turn some viewers away. Additionally, there are some plot elements that drag on a little more than necessary. Finally, since this is an anime it contains some characteristic elements of the medium such as inner monologuing and extreme reactions that some may find silly.

Despite all of that, this is still an outstanding show. If you enjoy anime in any capacity I can’t recommend this enough. Though there are certainly tough scenes to get through at times, it’s a story that will eventually turn towards a message of hope and perseverance in the face of struggle. It’s this underlying message that I feel is the true strength of the show and something many viewers can relate to.

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Vinland Saga

10

Score

10.0/10

Pros

• Complex, nuanced characters
• Strong themes and symbolism
• Wonderful animation
• Interesting story
• Excellent Music and Sound

Cons

• Can be slow at times