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Vinland Saga
Genre
Anime television series
Directed byShūhei Yabuta
Produced by
  • Naokado Fujiwara
  • Yōko Ueda (S1)
  • Mitsuhiro Sugita (S1)
  • Hitoshi Matsumoto (S2)
  • Masae Yamato (S2)
  • Akira Yonezawa (S2)
Written by
Music byYutaka Yamada
Studio
Licensed by
Original network
Original run July 7, 2019 – present
Episodes47 (List of episodes)

icon Anime and manga portal

Vinland Saga (Japanese: ヴィンランド・サガ, Hepburn: Vinrando Saga) is anime series based on Makoto Yukimura's manga with the same name. The first season was produced by Wit Studio in 2019 and the second one by MAPPA in 2023. They follow the life of a child named Thorfinn who becomes involved with Vikings following his father's death. The first season follows his exploits as revenge driven Viking while the season instead involves his life as a stoic slave who finds no reason to live.

Despite the two seasons being developed by two different studios, director Shūhei Yabuta and writer Hiroshi Seko worked together in both parts. They aimed to bring the adaptation more original content in order to further develop the characters like Thorfinn's transformation into a Viking, his nightmares that haunt him, and Einar's life before turning into a slave. The series were streamed by Amazon Prime and Netflix for a worldwide release.

Critical response to the series was positive for the handling of the Vikings' violence and fight sequences. The second season earned similar responses but for focusing on slavery and Thorfinn's mental state as he instead does mundane works rather than fights.

Series overview

Main article: List of Vinland Saga episodes

Season 1 (2019)

Thorfinn is a young Iceland villager who aims to participate in wars like his retired father, Thors. One day, mercenaries are hired to kill Thors for abandoning the forces and Thorfinn sneaks in his ship to accompany him. During the journey, the group is attacked by Askeladd's forces. Fearing his men and son's deaths, Thors offers his life for them and is killed. Enraged, Thorfinn starts training and working as a mercenary for the Vikings for several jobs during his growth as a teenager in order to get his proper revenge over Askeladd for killing father.

Season 2 (2023)

Einar is a farmer whose family is killed by Vikings. Despite surviving, he is taken and bought as a slave in southern Denmark by a man named Ketil. Upon his arrival, Ketil meets another slave, Thorfinn, who was exiled after the events of the first season. As time passes, Einar learns of Thorfinn's crimes but end up befriending as they work together to earn their freedom.

Production

Season 1

An anime television series adaptation of Vinland Saga was announced in March 2018. Produced by Twin Engine, Production I.G, Wit Studio and Kodansha, the series is animated by Wit Studio and directed by Shūhei Yabuta, with Hiroshi Seko handling series composition, Takahiko Abiru designing the characters,[1] and Yutaka Yamada composing the music.[2] The series ran for 24 episodes on NHK General TV.[3] The series premiered on July 7, 2019 with the first three episodes.[4] Due to the pending arrival of Typhoon Faxai on September 8, 2019, episode 10 was delayed due to broadcasting news, and instead premiered the following week.[5] Due to the airing of the World Para Athletics Championships sports tournament on NHK, episode 18 was delayed and resumed on November 17 of the same year.[6] The series finished on December 29, 2019.[7] The first opening theme is "Mukanjyo" by Survive Said the Prophet, while the first ending theme is "Torches" by Aimer.[8][9] The second opening theme is "Dark Crow" by Man with a Mission, and the second ending theme is "Drown" by Milet.[10][11]

Amazon streams the series worldwide on their Prime Video service.[12][13] Sentai Filmworks released the series on home video on August 31, 2021, with both a new translation and English dub.[14][15][16] A different English dub, produced by VSI Los Angeles, previously launched on Netflix in Japan.[17] MVM Entertainment licensed the series in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[18] It began streaming on Netflix globally on July 7, 2022,[19] as well as Crunchyroll and HiDive on select territories on the same day.[20]

When the anime finale aired in Japan, director Shuhei Yabuta wrote, "This big incident changed everything for Thorfinn, but his story will continue!".[21]

Yukimura's take on Thorfinn's growth is different from the one of the anime version as the manga stars as a flashback while the anime's take is direct.[22] In episode six, the staff revealed the process of how Thorfinn gained the ability to fight as well as his internal feelings in East Anglia. The staff thought the scene showed him truly stepping into the world of battle as part of Askeladd's band, showing his transformation into a warrior. Writer Hiroshi Seko enjoyed the first fight between Thorfinn and Thorkell as a result due to how action packed it was.[22]

Season 2

On July 7, 2021, Twin Engine announced that a second season was in production.[23] Shūhei Yabuta returned as director, and Takahiko Abiru returned as character designer.[24] The second season is animated by MAPPA, and premiered on Tokyo MX, BS11, and GBS on January 10, 2023,[25][26][d] running for 24 episodes.[28] The second season is being simulcasted globally on both Netflix and Crunchyroll, excluding China, South Korea and Japan.[29] The first opening theme is "River" by Anonymouz, while the first ending theme is "Without Love" by LMYK.[29][30] The second opening theme is ""Paradox." by Survive Said the Prophet, and the second ending theme is "Ember" by haju:harmonics.[31]

Director Shūhei Yabuta and writer Hiroshi Seko had a strong impression of Einar when first reading the manga and had no idea where did his strength come from. Upon discussing, they decided to change the way in which the Einar becomes Thorfinn's friend. They found it the key factor for the appeal of the anime's second season which led to several hours of planning. Yukimura kept reading the script as a result of their pressure from their work and looked forward to their portrayal. Despite several changes, Yabuta insisted that Einar was the same character featured in the manga. New scenes were added to explore more their friendship. Yabuta described Einar as softspoken, kind and strong but even in the cruel setting of the series, he retains his kindness.[32] Yabuta kept talking with Yukimura about how they should write Einar which led him to find the character realistic. Yukimura was surprised when talking with Yabuta about Einar's character to the point he realized that he might be superhuman-like. Yabuta found this level of strength in Einar upon seeing how he is able to live as a slave and befriend Thorfinn without problems.[32] The anime's second season added more content about Thorfinn's sins in the form of nightmares where his past persona committes murders and as soon as he enters into a house of his victims; He is replaced by his slave persona who is in shock upon seeing it due to the realization of his sins which was praised by Yukimura for how well did Mappa understand Thorfinn's mind.[33]

Reception

The anime adaptation of Vinland Saga was awarded Anime of the Year in the 6th Anime Trending Awards.[34] The anime series was selected as "Best Drama" while receiving eight other nominations including "Anime of the Year" at the 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards.[35] IGN listed Vinland Saga among the best anime series of the 2010s.[36] In a poll conducted by Kadokawa Game Linkage of the most satisfying series of 2019, Vinland Saga ranked in ninth place.[37] Several writers from Anime News Network also listed the series as one of the best ones from 2019;[38] with James Beckett listing Askeladd as best character.[39]

Rafael Motamayor of Polygon praised the anime series and compared it to Vikings. Motamayor commended the character development shown in its first three episodes and ultimately called it an epic story that shows "the horrors of being a Viking at the turn of the 11th century, while also serving as a coming-of-age tale set against the background of a bloody and thrilling war".[40] Gerald Rathkolb of Otaku USA called Vinland Saga a "story of a long, brilliantly written slow-burn revenge story" and named it one of the best anime series of 2019. Rathkolb wrote: "[It] is one of those rare anime that could have appeal outside of the anime sphere because of its setting and focus on complex characters and the excellent political intrigue ever-present in the show. It comes with my highest recommendation".[41] Nick Creamer from Anime News Network also delivered a positive review, praising the themes, action scenes and characters, stating "No one has any enemies, is one of Vinland Saga's principal lessons, a prayer of social goodwill that Thors complements with his dream of a distant, shimmering Vinland, a land free of strife and suffering. But Vinland Saga is not a sentimental work, and its conflicts stay mired in the blood and dirt of a country at war. Thors' idealistic prayer is quickly supplemented by a new moral, courtesy of the raider and mercenary lord Askeladd: "everyone is a slave, even if they can't see the chains." It's a story suffused with a thematic ambition and sharpness of perspective that raises it high above its genre peers. Populated with rich, sympathetic characters and adorned by breathtaking action highlights, it is a rich and rewarding adventure that might just inspire you to challenge the conditions of your own life. Beautiful, brutal, and fiercely intelligent. Succeeds effortlessly as a propulsive action vehicle, while also offering sharp commentary on human nature, remarkably characters, and a harsh yet beautifully realized world. Vinland Saga is one of the best anime of 2019".[42]Yukimura praised the adaptation, believing that it smoothed out pacing issues present in the original manga, and that anime's staff understood the story better than he did. He further recommended that people watch the anime before picking up the manga.[43]

The second season's premiere earned praised by several writers from Anime News Network for the focus on Einar's backstory for violent it is, fitting with the elements of violent displayed in the first season.[44] According to Escapist Magazine, Einar is part of the cycle of violence and revenge the series portrays as a theme due to how the anime further shows the downfall of his family at the hands of Vikings and starts hating warriors. While this initially causes his anger towards Thorfinn for being a former warriors, his avoidance from attacking him marks a departure of the theme in the series and, most notably, in Thorfinn.[45] Both Anime News Network and Fandom Post acclaimed the episode where Thorfinn realizes mistakes of his life as a Viking and makes an oath to never use violence again with the former site calling it the "defining episode of the entire series" due to the impact it has on the protagonist.[46][47] The Daily Star agreed and found that Thorfinn's mundane life as a slave brings intriguing stories about "redemption and self-discovery" even if it was imperfect.[48] Anime News Network found the early depiction of Einar as relatable due to his desire to earn freedom which causes him to contrast Thorfinn who barely expresses care about his status as a slave.[49]

References

  1. ^ Loo, Egan (August 20, 2018). "Vinland Saga Anime Unveils Main Staff, Visual". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  2. ^ Loo, Egan (February 6, 2019). "Vinland Saga Anime's 1st Animated Promo Unveils Main Cast, Additional Staff". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  3. ^ Loo, Egan (April 24, 2019). "Vinland Saga Anime's Subtitled Promo Reveals More Cast, 24-Episode Run, July 6 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  4. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 1, 2019). "Vinland Saga Anime Reveals 3rd Promo Video, 13 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  5. ^ 第10話「ラグナロク」放送休止のお知らせ - ツインエンジン ニュース. Twin Engine (in Japanese). September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  6. ^ 第18話放送休止のお知らせ. Twin Engine (in Japanese). November 5, 2019. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  7. ^ 【第24話カウントダウン】ビョルン役：安元洋貴さんのコメントが到着！. Twin Engine (in Japanese). December 25, 2019. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  8. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 18, 2019). "Rock Band "Survive Said The Prophet" to Perform Opening Theme for Vinland Saga Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  9. ^ Pineda, Rafael (June 9, 2019). "Aimer Performs Vinland Saga Anime's Ending Theme Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  10. ^ Loo, Egan (September 1, 2019). "Vinland Saga Anime's Latest Promo Video Previews Man with a Mission's New Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  11. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 8, 2019). "Vinland Saga Anime's Latest Promo Video Previews milet's New Ending Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  12. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (March 19, 2018). "Vinland Saga Manga Gets TV Anime by Wit Studio". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  13. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 10, 2018). "Vinland Saga TV Anime Premieres in 2019". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  14. ^ "Sentai Unveils "Vinland Saga" Home Video Plans". Sentai Filmworks. May 20, 2021. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  15. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 20, 2021). "Sentai Filmworks Licenses Vinland Saga Anime for Home Video This Summer". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  16. ^ "Vinland Saga Complete Collection". Sentai Filmworks. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  17. ^ Luster, Joseph (July 24, 2021). "Sentai Shares Vinland Saga English Dub Preview, Reveals Full Cast". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  18. ^ Osmond, Andrew (December 22, 2021). "MVM Schedule for Early 2022 (Updated 2}". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  19. ^ Hanson, Kwok-Wai (June 8, 2022). "Vinland Saga Season 1 to Stream on Netflix, HiDive, and Crunchyroll". AniTrendz. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  20. ^ Pineda, Rafael (July 3, 2022). "Vinland Saga Anime's 1st Season Streams on Netflix, HIDIVE on July 7". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  21. ^ Frye, Patrick (February 12, 2020). "Vinland Saga Season 2 release date: Sequel reportedly in the 'pipeline'". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  22. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference cruncy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  23. ^ 「ヴィンランド・サガ」SEASON2制作決定！ティザービジュアル公開. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 7, 2021. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  24. ^ Loo, Egan (July 7, 2021). "Vinland Saga Anime Gets 2nd Season". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  25. ^ 制作はMAPPA、新キャストに武内駿輔ら. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. June 8, 2022. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  26. ^ Mateo, Alex (June 8, 2022). "Vinland Saga Anime's 2nd Season Reveals Promo Video, Cast, January 2023 Premiere, Production by MAPPA". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  27. ^ "ON AIR". vinlandsaga.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  28. ^ "TV Anime 「VINLAND SAGA」SEASON 2 PROJECT MOVIE 特別鼎談インタビュー". YouTube. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  29. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 24, 2022). "Vinland Saga 2nd Season Anime's New Trailer Reveals January 9 Premiere (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  30. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (December 19, 2022). "Vinland Saga 2nd Season Anime's New Trailer Reveals Ending Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  31. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 31, 2023). "Vinland Saga Season 2 Anime Reveals 2nd Half Themes in New Videos". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  32. ^ a b "ENTREVISTA: El creador de VINLAND SAGA y el equipo del anime hablan sobre el regreso de esta épica historia". Crunchyroll (in Spanish). Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  33. ^ "Vinland Saga Anime Season 2 Streams Original 'Episode 6.5' Short". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  34. ^ Anime Trending Awards 2020にて三冠王達成！. Twin Engine News (in Japanese). February 23, 2020. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  35. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (February 15, 2020). "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Takes Home Anime of the Year at Crunchyroll's Anime Awards". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  36. ^ "The Best Anime of the Decade (2010 - 2019)". IGN. January 1, 2020. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  37. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu (February 27, 2020). "Anime Marketing White Paper 2020: The Most Satisfying Series in 2019 was Demon Slayer". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  38. ^ "The Best Anime Of 2019 Part I". Anime News Network. December 30, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  39. ^ "The Best Characters of 2019". Anime News Network. December 30, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  40. ^ Motamayor, Rafael (July 12, 2019). "Vinland Saga is the vikings-themed anime you didn't know you needed". Polygon. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  41. ^ Rathkolb, Gerald (August 9, 2020). "Vinland Saga [Anime Revew] [sic]". Otaku USA. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  42. ^ Creamer, Nick (January 6, 2020). "Vinland Saga - (Season 1) Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  43. ^ Cite error: The named reference AnN was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  44. ^ "The Winter 2023 Anime Preview Guide Vinland Saga Season 2". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  45. ^ "Vinland Saga Explores the Emptiness of Revenge". Escapist Magazine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  46. ^ "Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode 9". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  47. ^ "Vinland Saga Season 2 Episode #09 Anime Review". Fandom Post. March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  48. ^ "Vinland Saga is a Viking classic for the ages". The Daily Star. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  49. ^ "Vinland Saga Season 2 Episodes 1-3". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 31, 2023.


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