Vinland Saga

It's a highly recommended manga for those seeking a more mature series, one where objectives aren't always achievable, showcasing the harshness of humanity and unafraid to delve into controversial themes. Vinland Saga, despite its numerous depictions of war and death, doesn't aim to narrate a tale of conquests or depict the protagonist's journey to become the greatest Viking or king. The storyline can be unpredictable; you might adore it initially but despise it later due to a significant shift occurring in chapter 54. Accompanied by a simplistic art style reminiscent of Shonen demographic mangas, yet with remarkable evolution, the current artwork features detailed and realistic drawings that imbue characters with distinct personalities. While the artistic quality is excellent, character development is equally strong, allowing ample time for characters to evolve authentically, thereby increasing reader credibility in their transformations. You may either love or loathe this series, but its undeniable uniqueness and transformative nature command respect.

This is an updated review, and I feel the need to share it because the reviews at the top of the page are over a decade old. Has it changed much in terms of how not only I, but people in general, perceive this manga? Let's examine that.

To get something off my chest, I LOVE the first two arcs of this manga. It’s one of the most moving stories about revenge, coming of age, and redemption out there. Easily a 9 or 10 for me. Unfortunately, from that point on, the manga takes a nosedive.

I'm not particularly fond of manga with pacifist messages; I believe they’re often executed poorly or end up being too childish. "Not all people understand with words" is as simplistic as it gets. Vinland Saga was initially a brilliant example of how to deliver a believable and touching pacifist message (similar to Gundam). However, after the second arc, this becomes absurd, slipping into the realm of sickening, idealistic, and childish storytelling.

The "Baltic Sea" arc, which started this decline, has MANY ISSUES.

Not only does this "pacifism" become utterly ridiculous—seeing Thorfinn sparing the lives of rapists, murderers, and psychopaths as if nothing happened, going to war WITH ONLY HIS HANDS—his attitude doesn't fit within the context of the manga. The uncomfortable truth is that Thorfinn wouldn’t be able to do ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING or live by his FOOLISH PHILOSOPHY if he weren't an absurdly powerful being (apparently possessing supernatural abilities).

But that, my friend, isn't the only problem. To avoid making this too lengthy, let's list them:

• A highly dissonant change in tone. It went from having a dense atmosphere with occasional comedic breaks to tons of slightly off-kilter humor, even including fart jokes. The exploration of themes has also been greatly diminished. One could argue this shift is due to Thorfinn leaving toxic environments and evolving, but the change is too extreme, especially considering we come from the farm arc, which handles this better.
• Humor that is VERY misplaced
• Mishandling of issues
• Unidirectional conflicts. There’s no longer any "grey" morality; now you're either on the side of messiah Thorfinn or the author will demonize you as a caveman.
• Introducing Hyld, who is a Mary Sue without any flaws—extremely intelligent and strong with the personality of a wooden plank. She only has ONE DIALOGUE throughout the entire manga, and it's highly irritating (her "best moment" isn't even her own lmao, but Thorfinn's).

And so on.

All these problems are deeply rooted in the CORE of Vinland Saga and the message it tries to convey, which simply DOES NOT WORK and nobody can apply it in real life.

In any case, although it may not seem like it, I do like this manga, and its first two arcs will always hold a special place in my heart. I just hate what it has become.

"God's divine creation is so brimming with love... and yet there is no love in the hearts of men." -Canute

I hold this work as the finest manga series currently running, backed by substantial evidence. 'Vinland Saga' is available from Kodansha Comics USA in 5 double-sized volumes (encompassing the first 10 Japanese volumes), with the 6th and 7th double-sized volumes slated for release later in 2015.

-Story-

This series is brutal and mature, but these qualities are distinct. Graphic carnage and gory battles abound, yet any competent mangaka can splash blood around and claim maturity. This story earns its praise for maturity through its handling of brutality. There’s no romanticization of the Viking Age; the Norse glorification of violence devastates not just those they encounter but their own culture too. If you’re a Dane who doesn’t want to murder and rape everything, you're an outcast at best. Each character reacts to the violent Norse culture, shaping their personalities. Some embrace it, some flee, others seek change through politics or find solace in religion, while some despise it, consumed by hatred. While many manga use brutality for shock value, 'Vinland Saga' integrates brutality into its central theme. It avoids nihilism, offering hope, though hard-earned and costly. The only thing preventing 'VS' from a perfect story score is its ongoing status. So far, it has been magnificent. 8/10

-Art-

Look at this manga! On a monthly schedule, Makoto Yukimura prioritizes quality over quantity. Early weekly chapters are less impressive compared to the jaw-dropping monthly ones. Extensive research is evident; houses, clothes, utensils, and weapons are highly detailed, avoiding medieval stereotypes. Panels are simple shapes with clear borders, occasionally broken by splash pages. Detailed images ensure easy flow. The aesthetic emphasizes realism, with minimal stereotypical manga influence. The art is stunning. 10/10

-Characters-

Engaging characters make a story. Thorfinn embodies rage and pain seeking vengeance for his father. Canute, a timid prince, must conquer or perish. Askeladd’s mind is intricate, more than meets the eye. Thorkell, while straightforward, serves his purpose. Even secondary characters have believable motivations and surprises. No one feels like a plot device; the cast seems real, flawed, interacting genuinely. 10/10

-Enjoyment-

Two reasons compel writing about a manga deeply: 1) It’s atrociously bad 2) It’s magnificently good. Guess my opinion.

-Overall-

The cast excels in development. The art is stunningly real. The story leverages its setting, subtly conveying depth and maturity. Only a poor ending could undermine this series. I admit a bias towards historical fiction, but given examples, I believe serious manga fans should read this. 10/10

First review, no spoilers. I'm writing this because it's such an incredible manga. Never have I come across anything quite like it. I can't wait to read more. It feels almost perfect to me. Highly recommended. If you enjoy Vikings and character development, you'll love this manga. Packed with action as well. The art is outstanding. The characters are really good too. The enjoyment factor is off the charts. Honestly, it's my favorite right now. I truly hope this manga evolves into an even greater masterpiece. Those who gave it lower reviews probably don't grasp the complexity of the story and might be thinking too simplistically. I'm just trying to extend this review since it was initially too short, so please stop reading here as the rest is just filler.

It's been quite a journey since I started this manga. There were two attempts on my part. The first time, I made it through six chapters, but the second attempt saw me pushing through to the latest chapter update with considerable effort and scrolling.

The manga spends its first 50 chapters setting up the prologue before diving into the main story. When it comes to detailing within the narrative, it rivals the depth found in thick fantasy books.

I don't mind this writing style; if executed well, it can be an engrossing read that pulls you into the world the manga creates. However, I've encountered similar storytelling before. While I can't name a specific series, it feels like I've seen this approach across many different media - series, movies, anime, books, etc. It all felt predictable, and reading so much just to reach an expected point wasn't enjoyable.

The one thing that should have kept me on edge was wondering who would die next. But let me tell you, almost every female character, child, or girl ends up killed or raped. Consequently, I couldn't bring myself to care about any new characters introduced, especially when they were often portrayed as whores, killers, or murderers.

== Story ==

The initial 50 chapters serve as a lengthy prologue centered around a boy seeking vengeance. He endures significant suffering, but given it's a prologue, you'd expect fewer characters to matter significantly. You'd be right; many get killed. Fifty chapters for a prologue? That's extensive. The protagonist embarks on a journey, neglecting his upbringing, and grows stronger over time. An unexpected event shifts the focus from brutality to teaching the value of life and repentance.

== Art ==

The artwork is gruesomely detailed, with a rugged drawing style. The main character’s face perfectly suits his role, looking cruel and bitter. Enemies are distinctly drawn, radiating malice at first glance.

== Character ==

The character development is predictable. His actions, expressions, and reactions follow a pattern. As a child among adults, we might expect this, but even as he matures, predictability remains. The arcs he follows are common enough to make his journey feel like a child's tale: brash, stubborn, and typical of someone who has endured hardship.

== Enjoyment ==

This series isn’t for me. Its brutality fits a savage era, but more than anything else, the story and arcs are too predictable. Though it offers some historical insights and life lessons, assuming accuracy, it may not suit everyone's taste due to its predictability. If you enjoy history, brutal encounters, and moral teachings, this could be your cup of tea, but be warned—it might still feel predictable to you.

To those interested in getting into it, I would recommend the series but only up to the first part, after the farmland arc there's a significant dip in the story quality, in my opinion. Here are the reasons:

The artwork deteriorates; the dark and gritty vibe completely disappears. The main character (MC) gets such a weird face, especially compared to other characters—it's like a JoJo character replaced him.

Some topics become immature. Characters that used to be multidimensional now seem to have just one trait that defines them entirely.

The MC becomes increasingly naive, which is incredibly frustrating for me. I understand avoiding violence can make for a brilliant story, like Rurouni Kenshin (though I haven't finished it yet). However, the male-female division is poorly executed. Even women of that time supported men going to war because it was crucial for survival, fame, and fortune—much like today’s YouTube. Overall, the MC worsens with time, while Hild quietly becomes the best character in the story right now.

The female lead (FL) is trash. Gudrid is a character I knew I'd hate from the start. As mentioned earlier, the male-female division is ridiculous. It’s as if every man is a war-loving moron doing everything for family when he’s actually doing it for himself. This portrayal is inaccurate since most families had to fight to survive.

The lack of women hunters or sailors is simple: they wouldn’t provide enough value. People forget this is set in 1000 AD, where issues like menstruation were major concerns due to infection risks—a leading cause of death back then. Additionally, women aren’t as physically strong as men, making men more efficient for labor-intensive tasks. Moreover, having women on board with several men could lead to pregnancy complications—an issue handled very poorly, as if men don’t allow women because men are bad and women are morally good.🤦‍♂️

I forgot about the virus plotline, but it’s still new, so I think it will take time to develop properly.

In summary, the first part is a 9-10/10, but the later part after the farmland arc is around a 6. I’m disappointed with its direction and wish something big happens to push the MC towards maturity, helping him understand not all violence is bad—otherwise, even police are portrayed as bad according to that logic.

This is the First Time I've Encountered the "BEST of the BEST"

-How it was done- 8

The story was told in a remarkable style. Never have I seen anyone place such an extensive prologue over 50 chapters or even 50 months; it's a bold move in manga creation. The artwork was exceptional, conveying expressions and messages without overwhelming scenes. The character designs aren't the most visually stunning but are superb at revealing their true nature. The backgrounds are outstanding, which is challenging to achieve.

So far, the only drawback of this manga is its chapter structure. This isn't for those who can't binge-read manga, but for readers willing to go through 50 chapters with inconsistent page counts, amounting to at least 1250 pages worth of content.

-Plot- 10

The plot isn't something to be taken lightly, as it's based on European history. Being knowledgeable about history, I can confirm the accuracy of the depicted events. I'm familiar with Vinland Saga in its original form, and it's true that Vikings were among the first to reach America.

Since I love history and strategic warfare, this manga exceeded my expectations by showcasing the Art of War rather than just strategic battles. It beautifully illustrated the honor of great warriors, emphasizing respect and understanding motivations behind conflicts. This manga excels at portraying why people become villains, presenting a nuanced view beyond simplistic good versus evil dichotomies, focusing instead on differing viewpoints that ignite battles.

Honestly, this is the only manga that accurately portrays the differences between atheists and Christians. It references biblical truths effectively. To sum up, this manga conveys: "Without God, there's glory and heaven, but with God, there's hell in this world." If you grasp this, you'll see the nuanced portrayal of good and bad, not easily discernible otherwise.

-Worth- This isn't just a 10/10, but a 10 x 10^9

If you seek the best way to live, read this. It's not your ordinary philosophical manga but offers life's proverbs. It's uniquely accurate in metaphysics, biblical messages, atheism, the art of war, proverbs, transformation, and more. Honestly, this is the only 10/10 in my experience reading manga and watching anime. This manga will enrich your daily life. It's not just a story but a guide for living.

UPDATE 30/10/2021

After 114 chapters, I can confidently say that the only GOOD part of this story is its prologue arc. Everything afterward goes downhill. It's incredible how bad it gets, yet people still like it. I have no idea what readers on this site are thinking, but Vinland Saga does not deserve an 8/10 rating. Honestly, it deserves a flat-out 5, maybe a 7 at best. The Farmland arc adds nothing except keeping Thorfinn STUCK as the story progresses beyond the farm. Canute's development is far more interesting than Thorfinn's garbage storyline. Canute has clear and compelling reasons for doing what he believes is right, and there's nothing to complain about here. Meanwhile, Thorfinn doesn't accomplish anything during the Farmland arc. This segment somewhat resembles a slice-of-life story, but watching Thorfinn cut trees offers no real engagement. He's neither plotting an escape nor reflecting on his past or relationships. One thing this arc does well is make you HATE Thorfinn or at least his actions. This character makes you believe he's just another slave without any meaningful growth. He fails to react appropriately to situations or engage with others. Throughout this entire slave arc, he feels utterly empty. Eventually, after countless BORING chapters, the story delivers a moment reminiscent of when Vinland Saga was good—a simple funeral scene. After Thorfinn endures beatings and humiliation for seemingly nothing, they manage to portray him as a NORMAL person again. I read through all of Farmland, waiting for Thorfinn to do something—anything—but he remained stagnant until the very end. This Arc isn't good; it has nothing special, precious, or noteworthy. It simply sucks. In chapter 114, which I last read, Thorfinn BEGS a bear not to attack him. I'm done with this series. If my curiosity doesn't give out soon, I'll drop it shortly. There are no interesting characters left. The author strips away whatever depth Thorfinn had and introduces FLAT new and old characters. There's no excitement anymore; this series is dead, take it from me.

This tale commences as a narrative of vengeance but evolves into something more profound, delving into the essence of existence, guilt, redemption, forging peace, conflict, and societal estrangement. It's an exploration of the suffering birthed from the cycle of revenge, the arduous path to redemption, and the burden of guilt. It contemplates the futility of war and mankind's violent nature, the discord between personal desires and societal expectations. It’s about character growth and development, ultimately striving for genuine peace—an endeavor whose feasibility is questioned—and various routes leading to a world devoid of warfare and enslavement.

The brilliance of this story lies in its thorough examination of themes. It doesn’t impose a singular viewpoint, dismissing alternatives as erroneous. Instead, it meticulously explores all possibilities, presenting robust arguments both for and against the author's stance. The author invites you on a journey to uncover answers to intricate questions and dilemmas that defy easy resolution.

This review is spoiler-free.

Just breathe.

So…

It…

Sigh

This series… I just… wow. This is one case where judging a book by its (beautiful hard) cover went completely right. It caught my eye while browsing the seinen manga shelves at my local library, and I picked it up without even glancing at the premise. I’ve been trying to summarize this series into a coherent review, but nope, I just can't right now. This is one of those rare series that makes you question the other books on your favorites shelf. Ugh, I feel… like… sigh.

No *metal slap*, I need to get serious here. I LOVE this series too much not to try my best to form an actual review.

Okay, so in short—this ongoing saga, which I have currently read every volume available in English (seven 2-in-1 omnibus volumes/100 chapters) as of today, is something I’d normally never touch: A historical fiction. Some of you might groan inwardly like I would have, but trust me, you'd be seriously missing out if you pass this up. For one thing, the art is a MASTERPIECE, and if you're even a halfway decent manga/art fan—or heck, even if you've never heard of manga (Japanese comics)—this series is a MUST. Overall, hands down TEN/TEN Unicorn Horns.

The long explanation:

The storyline? 8.5/10 and Brilliant. It’s like a masterful fantasy series in picture format, but without any actual fantasy—if that makes sense. It took me embarrassingly long to notice it was historical fiction despite the names, setting, and introduction—let's just not talk about that—but by then it was too late, and I was hooked. The story follows Thorfinn and the Viking band through epic battles, pillaging, and a bit of Game of Thrones-esque plotting. It also explores some complex themes (primarily morality, human nature, revenge, the (im)possibility of real peace/non-violence, etc.). It’s beautifully paced, surprisingly refreshing, sometimes brutal, sometimes sweet, and often profound in some ways.

The characters? 9/10 and Generally complex. Even after 14 volumes, I still don’t think I have a concrete understanding of most of them. They caught me off guard a few times, but not in a bad, wholly uncharacteristic kind of way, but in an unnervingly human kind of way. Though Thorfinn’s static character and single-minded drive for revenge can get pretty irritating at times (and is the reason it's not quite a 10), it's a necessary precursor for a fundamental mental shift and what I believe is part of the building blocks for future epic-ness. So for those who may be bothered by his tunnel vision, just bear with it. Besides, while Thorfinn may be the main character, you get quite a bit of depth from other major and minor characters as well. I’m still in awe at how enchanting and... full the characters are.

And of course, the artwork? 10/10: Sigh. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at manga art in quite the same way. Seriously. I’ve read a ridiculous amount of manga in the short time I've awakened to its existence, and Yukimura’s is very likely the BEST I’ve seen so far. It’s not the typical manga style, but it is f***ing MASTERFUL. The backgrounds and scenery, the fight scenes (which are remarkably easy to follow, btw), and the EXPRESSIONS. UGH. The amount of detail in each panel gives me delightful chills just thinking about it. Even if the storyline was just okay, I’d still buy it just for the art.

Recommendations? Everyone. Anyone. If you enjoy a gripping story, engaging, complex characters, and BEAUTIFUL art, this series is for you. Even if you don’t, this series is for you.

Mmm… That hardcover though…

A remarkable glimpse into the eyes of a young boy transitioning into manhood amidst the Viking-era invasion of England. The historical accuracy is striking, and I particularly appreciate how it portrays the Vikings authentically—not as glorious warriors but as mostly foolish and incompetent men. This manga shifted my interest from anime to manga. A pacifist narrative carries more weight in a world depicted as cruel and chaotic, like in Vinland Saga, rather than one already at peace; it speaks volumes when the protagonist defies societal norms and dives headfirst into the pursuit of a peaceful world.

The story is phenomenal—there's no other way to put it, simply amazing. The art is excellent, skillfully blending humor with seriousness at just the right moments. The characters are outstanding, each adding depth and complexity to the narrative. The enjoyment factor is high, making every page turn an exciting experience. Overall, it is an absolute masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression.

In a world dominated by violence, war, and betrayal, it's still possible to find your own glimmer of light. Vinland Saga transports you back to the 1000s, an ancient era long forgotten, where Vikings ruled the seas with their merciless raids and plundering.

The story's protagonist, Thorfinn, son of Thors, is one such Viking. Driven solely by revenge, he moves from battle to battle, day after day. However, as the narrative unfolds, you discover that each character has their own motivations and ambitions for walking the path of violence. Even among these ruthless warriors, there are exceptions like Thors, Thorfinn’s father, who serves as a moral compass.

Thors’ character may leave the most significant impression on readers, largely due to his skillful use of rhetorical questions that can provoke deep thought even now. Nonetheless, the story itself can be somewhat predictable and underwhelming at times. Characters occasionally act out of character, and the author's logic falters when failing to properly conclude plotlines. A prime example is Askeladd, one of the manga's most enigmatic figures, whose potential is sadly squandered.

Additionally, Thorfinn, the protagonist, sometimes lacks emotional depth. Another criticism is the poorly executed character development. Later in the story, a character will act against their principles, leading to death—an arbitrary decision that feels unjustified. I won't spoil it, but you'll see for yourself.

I enjoyed Vinland Saga up to a point, but I also found myself frustrated by the author's capricious decisions. There was untapped potential that went unexplored. Admitting Thorfinn as the protagonist was challenging; often, he seemed more like a sidekick without much relevance. This changes later as the story progresses. I could critique Vinland Saga all day, but it wouldn’t change the fact that it remains highly entertaining.

Vinland Saga is thrilling and thought-provoking, never becoming boring. See for yourself, and perhaps you’ll reach a different conclusion.