Oct 8, 2022
Vinland Saga is a masterpiece for many reasons. I think the target audience of Yukimara with the series being Seinen is so blatantly apparent within the narrative. I would recommend Vinland Saga to young men, specifically those without a strong father figure, as what separates it from other animanga is that is genuinely life changing.
Story-
A deceivingly meaningful story, as what could be deciphered as a tale of revenge within the very early chapters blossoms into the struggle of morality dawning upon Thorfinn. Yukimara manages to bring a barbaric image of Vikings into a fleshed out story of revenge, sorrow, redemption, brotherhood, and guilt. Thorfinn
...
strives to reach his paradise where, and only there, can he bring peace to those he caused to suffer.
Art-
The artwork progresses masterfully as the series continues, with the characters retaining the charismatic expressions that contrast well with the violent depictions and backgrounds throughout. The battles are brutal and the peace is warm. The artwork demonstrates the pain and anguish of Thorfinn beautifully and provides tremendous support with the characterization throughout.
Characters-
The series really shines when it comes to the characters. Whether it's Askeladd, whom you love to hate with his twisted but valuable teachings to Thorfinn or Thorkell, that you love for his simplistic love of battle. In particular, Thorfinn who is ultimately the most relatable character I have come across in fiction. Conflicted with rage and anger, he learns to grow from the chains that bind him and has a redemption story that would hook anyone. Another great aspect of Vinland Saga's characters is the female cast, they all have such impactful roles within the story that don't feel forced at all. This really stood out to me due to the historical context of the manga where females roles in society could have easily been overlooked. Every female character creates a new and diversified dynamic to the story.
Themes-
The main themes I can identify within the story are religion/paradise, freedom, love, revenge, redemption, pacifism, masculinity/fatherhood, slavery, brotherhood, and violence. Religious discourse can be seen throughout, in particular Canute forsaking God's love (and Christianity) as well as questioning Norse mythology (mostly Valhalla). Canute and Thorfinn both seek to create paradise on Earth without the help of their God's or their requirements. Freedom is explored within Vinland Saga through Stoicism, by not allowing outside events and emptions warp ones virtues and being completely true to the person one aspires to be, they can truly be free of the chains that bind them. The priest Willibald is the one who incites the most discourse surrounding love, suggesting that love is prejudice and the only true love to be found in the world is death where a person gracefully assimilates back into nature without bias (this is what sparks Canute's anger towards the conditions God has put on Earth). Revenge is a huge part of Vinland Saga, and the main philosophy surrounding revenge is that it simply isn't worth the backlash; to forgive is to be forgiven (highlighted within Hild's acceptance of Thorfinn's repentance). Ideology surrounding Slavery is placed throughout the prologue in order to emphasize the Farmland Arc and the tribulations of Thorfinn and Einar to reach their goal of Vinland; Askeladd comments that "every man is a slave to something."
Criticisms-
Most peoples main criticism of Vinland Saga is that it is not faithful to the historical context of Norse life. Yukimura stated that the reason he chose to set his story within Viking culture is "the Vikings of this age had a society where it was common sense not to view those who enacted violence as even the slightest bit evil." To suggest the philosophy of a "True Warrior" is out of place is the whole point of Vinland Saga, it's pacifist philosophy is supposed to contrast Viking culture.
Conclusion-
I could speak forever about all the different characters, themes and motifs throughout Vinland Saga to explain why I love it so much. As well as refute every criticism someone could throw it's way. Vinland Saga takes the redemption seen in other Seinen such as Vagabond and Berserk and takes it one step further for me. This manga is best suited to people who have experienced a lot of violence and hardship yet still choose to have a mainly positive worldview. Thorfinn is based as fuck and is the best representation of the indomitable human spirit.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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