Vinland Saga: Is it worth watching?

This piece contains the writer's opinion. Readers are advised to use their discretion.

Vinland Saga is a popular manga series that gained a lot of recognition when the anime adaptation was first released. The manga first began its serialization way back in 2005. Since then, the series has released over 200 chapters, and the story is yet to be concluded. That being said, the manga series is nearing its end, and the anime is yet to adapt a good chunk of the source material. This has caught the attention of viewers who are new to anime, and they seem to have one question in particular: Is Vinland Saga worth watching?

Yes, Vinland Saga is exceptionally well-written historical fiction with some of the best character writing in anime and manga. There are many reasons why this title, in particular, has developed a massive following. It has some of the most compelling storytelling that one can experience, and the manner in which characters are presented seems very organic.

Those who love historical fiction should give this series a shot. It covers the conquests of Vikings, specifically one person who underwent something exceptionally traumatic at a young age. Vinland Saga explores various themes. Given the setting and the nature of the series, war and violence are constants.

Death is everywhere, and it covers the consequences of war on humanity. While perpetrating violence, the main character struggles with his attempt to find inner peace. The juxtaposition of war and peace is presented in a complex manner that is beautifully intertwined within the overarching story.

The dialogs in Vinland Saga are written with a lot of thought. Every interaction is rife with emotion, tension, pain, suffering, and love. From a technical standpoint, Vinalnd Saga is quite sound. The sound design is excellent, and the visuals on screen are aesthetically pleasing. Not only are they nice to look at, but they also truly capture the mood that the author is trying to portray. The highlight of this show is Thorfinn’s progression in the story.

Thorfinn is the protagonist of the series. He had to witness the death of his loved ones. He once started as someone blinded by rage and on a quest to avenge the loss of his dear ones. However, as the story progresses, his outlook on life changes, and he grows up to be an incredible human being. The ability to show empathy despite witnessing life-altering events makes him the man he is today.

Vinland Saga plot in brief

Born in the village of Iceland, Thorfinn grew up listening to the legends of old sailors finding the promised land - Vinland. This place was nothing like home. It was warm, beautiful, fertile, and full of life. Being a mercenary, the battlefield was Thorfinn’s only home. His father, an exceptionally skilled warrior, constantly preached the ill effects of war. He used to advise his son, stating that he had no enemies, and it was never okay to hurt someone.

However, the harsh reality of life seemed to contradict the one lesson that his father preached. England and the Danes were at war, while the Viking mercenaries would do anything to make a name for themselves. Amidst the war, chaos, and thirst for power, Thorfinn must kill Askeladd and avenge his father's death.

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In summation, Vinland Saga is an exceptional show, and every anime fan should give this title a chance. The visuals and storytelling are unmatched. Furthermore, the character development seen in Thorfinn is arguably one of the best we have seen in all of anime and manga. Fans often compare Thorfinn’s character development to Miyamoto Musashi in Vagabond.

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