- Vinland Saga changed my life - I began reading it when the "I have no enemies" meme was big. With little to no expectations, I was thrust into a horrific world where war was used as a means of fun. A world much similar to our own. Vinland Saga is a means of seeing life—a story that teaches forgiveness, but also caution. Many hate the story because it seems too hopeful, or too "unrealistic," but that's because they miss the point. Vinland Saga wants to teach the reader that every person who has done wrong in their life can be forgiven. Anyone can change; you justneed to put your word into action. Vinland Saga touches on many philosophical themes, which allows the writing to feel thought-provoking. The art is out of this world, and I feel it truly peaks as early as chapter 40, from then on it just sharpens in style and quality. The art helps display not only Thorfinns but also the author's journey. Ignoring the negativity coming from many, if you truly invest yourself in this story, you will find yourself crying, frustrated, and in the right moments, happy. You will find yourself so invested in Thorfinns life that you may try to be like him. I'm sad it's over. But I'm proud to have been someone who enjoyed Vinland Saga as much as I did. It's a story so deserving of its status.

A manga written by a weak-willed 21st-century man. transferring and projecting his entire mentality onto Viking society. Comparing this to Berserk or Vagabond is a crime. A Manichean, manipulative, and childish manga, which, due to the public's lack of critical thinking, is considered one of the best in history. Don't be fooled by its fantastic art; analyze what's really behind it coldly. Realize that you're no less than 10 years old, like the son of the author to whom this is addressed; you're not a little kid. Have a critical sense. Don't let yourself be educated in such a forced and simplistic way, realize how stupid all thisis. The cheap attemps at trascendence and drama. Characters without the slightest interest or depth. The further this progresses, the more it becomes an ode to Thorfinn and an attack and ridiculization of anyone who doesn't share Thorfinn's or the author's ideals. Yukimura uses the worst tactic of all: the good guy is the one who thinks like me; anyone who doesn't is a bad person, a fool, etc. How are you going to defend others? Are you foolish, are you evil, are you cruel, are you a savage? Silly preschool pacifism dialogues and conversations. This is a manga made for children in how it tries to educate us on the good and on so much crap. Chapter 195 is the perfect example of Vinland Saga. That extreme manicheism to always dumb down to the extreme whoever is not in terms with Thorfinn, everyone who is not a viking hippie is portrayed as uuhuhh weapons, blood, kill kill, violence, kill, kill, i'm stupid uuuhuhh. Thorkell was the best example of this, who ended being portrayed as having mental problems and being clinical stupid to just making everyone who could agree in anything with him think hey man you think a guy who is not in his mind could be on point in anything?. The debate the characters have are absolutely terrible, so many subjects that are only taken into account in the 21st-century. With Thorfinn who is a Christ wannabe, but is just a straight up norweggian citizen time traveler from 2020 who doesn't have anything to do with Jesus, read the Bible and learn to diferentiate what Jesus said about putting the other cheek, understanding others motives and desires, looking for understanding and peace, and this Thorfinn guy who is one step away from entering in a toxic masculinity removal workshop… A pity because this has one of best drawing ever, and landscapes that are unparaled. And this is not necesarily that I don't agree with some of those ideas, but the fact of putting those ideas and that mentality in a viking era or situation, it's nonsense, I don't know what those hiatus Yukimura took for research are for, because everything it's just like when you want a kid to think like you, you use all of those manipulative tools to give you the reason without even needing to think too much about it; there is nothing to really research.

I’ll start by saying, I dropped Vinland Saga once before. To me, the ideals it tries to tell are foolish. I always thought Thors was an idiot for his extreme "we have no enemies" pacifism. It's a message I just couldn't resonate with. But I came back to it and what a journey it has been. This manga is, in many ways, a masterpiece, but it's a complicated one. The prologue is what everyone knows: a brutal, violent Viking epic. And it's great. The art is incredible, the writing is strong, and the politics are engaging. Askeladd is a fascinating, interesting scumbag of a character, andthe whole arc is a masterclass in setting a gritty, war-torn stage. It's everything you'd expect from one of the "seinen big three," and it's easy to see why it hooks people. But the true genius of Vinland Saga is the sudden, jarring shift it takes right after that. The story promises you one thing for 54 chapters, then turns everything around forever. I was skeptical, but thankfully, it felt completely natural. The "Farmland Saga" introduces some of the best characters, like Einar, and finally begins to flesh Thorfinn out beyond the empty, revenge-fueled husk he'd become. Watching him grow is so damn interesting and satisfying. Now, about the ideals. Like I said, I think the extreme pacifism is foolish and idiotic. For a long time, it annoyed me. Thorfinn's claims of "never using violence again" felt completely blind and idealistic. The famous "I have no enemies" panel is something I still hate, mostly because of the corny fanboys who quote it everywhere without understanding it. But Yukimura is a brilliant writer. He doesn't just present pacifism as an easy answer; he shows how hard it is. He shows it as something that tires Thorfinn, a constant struggle. And by the final arc, during the war between the Nords and the natives, for the first time ever, I was fully on board. I was rooting for peace. That's how good the writing is; it can make you agree with a philosophy you fundamentally think is stupid. But for all its brilliance, few of the author's choices are baffling. The manga has its flaws, and they are not small. The worst is when it randomly injects fantasy into its semi-realistic world. Why the fuck Yukimura thought it would be even slightly okay to put some sort of a gorilla humanoid in this manga, I will never know. It's just bad. Then, after showing us that Norse beliefs in Valhalla are false, he turns around and makes a tribal ritual that sees the future... real? It's bad writing that contradicts its own themes. But in the end, these are few and too little to say the writing was bad all around. Yukimura is a fantastic and brilliant writer who makes mistakes, like every human. The ending was pretty underwhelming. It wasn't bad by any means, it was very good, in fact, but it left a lot of questions unanswered. After a journey that long, you expect a bit more, but maybe for a story like this it was for the better. Even with its flaws, its frustrating ideals, and some truly baffling writing choices, Vinland Saga is an outstanding work. t's a monumental story about war, peace, love, and what it means to live. I'm kinda sad I missed out for so long just because I was hating on it for the spite of its fans. What a journey.

Masterpieces are works with the power to transform. They have the ability to change or challenge a person's views, beliefs and ideals. Seldom have I encountered such rarities in media: Devilman Crybaby, Omniscient Readers' Viewpoint, and Vagabond to name a few. Nonetheless, the first masterpiece I ever read; the first story to help mould me to who I am today was Vinland Saga. Every story has a purpose. Even the most degenerate of media is made with the intent to entertain someone. The finest works of art, however, not only offers its audience entertainment but serves as a conduit of thought, conveying a narrative ofmeaning. With all glaze intended, Vinland Saga is the latter. Its a story of deep and profound meaning. Suprisingly enough, it didnt start off like that. What began as a generic yet captivating narrative centered on Thorfinn's—the protagonist of this manga—quest for revenge, accompanied by amateurish art, eventually evolved into a poignant tale of redemption, complimented by gorgeous impactful panels and bewitching art. Makoto Yukimura weaves growth throughout the entirety of Vinland Saga. From the evolution of its story and the refinement of its art to the metamorphosis of characters like Thorfinn and Canute in ideals and appearance. Growth is intertwined with Vinland Saga. Media that can change. Its only so fitting that what tries to change you grows alongside you as well. "I have no enemies" —Thorfinn "God's works are so beautiful. And yet, there is no love in the hearts of man." —Canute Love and redemption are the profound themes that Vinland Saga explores and dissects with great care. The aforementioned quotes directly contrast each other. No one can have no enemies except they can truly love. Can man truly and unconditionally love all and be redeemed of his sins? How? The world of Vinland Saga actively rejects love. Vinland Saga preaches pacifism but shows the tulmotuous path in maintaining that love. Thorfinn was a man of wrath. He scarred lives. He caused pain. He passively observed human atrocities. But, eventually, Thorfinn grows to desire change. He desires the ability to truly love all and carry the weight of his sins. To become a true warrior. Character growth/development, most of the time, is far too linear. A character has an arc, changes and that's that. No. Characters are a reflection of people. People are ridiculously flawed. To err is to be human(if thats how the quote goes). Thorfinn is an inspiringly human character. He is flawed. On his path to redemption, he experiences setbacks. He experiences the wrath he runs away from at times. Sometimes, he feels it is impossible to atone. Yet what makes Thorfinn such an inspiring character is that he can overcome his flaws and continue to seek forgiveness. To pursue forgiveness and atonement is hard. To carry the weight of your sins and move forward is hard. To truly change at your very core and overcome your flaws is hard. I know that so much. Thorfinn knows that so much. But he does it anyway, despite how tiring and depressing it is. Because he truly desires change. And wants to bring peace through love in a world where love is not existent in the hearts of men. Did I already say Thorfinn was inspiring? His character arc is one of manga's most complex. Then again, Makoto Yukimura is a master when it comes to characterization. Characters are what make a story. They drive the narrative. They embody the message of that tale. They are what we emotionally get attached to. Characters make a story. Vinland Saga has arguably manga's best written cast. Canute and Askeladd are some of most complex antagonists in the medium of manga. Especially Canute. Canute. Oh Canute. I could dickride Canute ALL DAY. But I won't. What I will say is that, Canute's and Thorfinn's dynamic is an incredibly unique one. Their philosophies and ideas directly contrast each other. Yet they need each other to essentially to accomplish a goal both of them share. Its such an interesting relationship to watch unfold as the narrative progresses. I urge anyone with knowledge of Christianity to go re evaluate Canute's entire character arc. He's absolutely amazing. When you take a more theological perspective on Canute, his complexity shines. His internal conflicts and his beliefs are amazing. Askeladd is the more universally appreciated antagonist of the two. He embodies nuance of the human nature in Vinland Saga. Completely capable of good and sin. Incredibly charismatic. Its impossible to hate such a great antagonist despite how much of a scumbag he is. Hild is an amazing parallel to Thorfinn. Einar is a great and tragic deutaragonist. Gudrid is more than simply a damsel in distress, she has so much beauty and depth to her. Mf Halfdan has such an interesting look on life and it constrasts so well with Thorfinn. He's also just hella funny as well. Thorkell is a character rich in depth and is also hilarious. Its an incredibly likeable cast of characters. Its a cast I deeply resonated with. I found a piece of myself in each and every one of them and their stories. How beautifully these characters age over time, the character designs are progressive and exquisite. Their hands alone can tell a person their story. It's such amazing attention to detail. Vinland Saga feels so real because of the amazing characterization it boasts. I suppose I should talk about the narrative these characters drive as well. Vinland Saga is an overwhelming compelling story. Its world—from a Danish-invaded England to a seemingly peaceful Vinland—is a world of brutality and tragedy. 'Pointy objects make minced meat of men'. It perfectly applies to the feeling of despair in Vinland Saga(sorry I stole your line buddy). Weakness means death. Women are sexually abused and sold into slavery afterwards. Children are not spared from pain and suffering. Its a grim tale. Yet, Vinland Saga is a tale of nuance. It shows the peaceful life in farming. The world is drawn beautifully despite its underlying true ugliness. Peace through violence is maintained. War is meaningless in the sense that no afterlife exists and what people fight for and the suffering they cause is meaningless. And yet, meaning is given to war when peace is ordained through violence, communicating that there is a chance of the paradise that does not exist or cannot be entered to exist on Earth. A man kills someone. Someone gets revenge. The cycle continues. The more grevious the sin, the firmer the lesson. There is order. Vinland Saga preaches of a world where peace is obtained through love but knows that love does not exist in the hearts of most men...... "When they are three people, there is conflict." —Thorkell .....and it acknowledges the fact that despite the ugliness of the world, order and peace can be maintained yet only through violence. It knows that to achieve peace through love is a hard one. People are fools for complying with violence and perpetuating suffering. But in a world designed to do as such, what other choice is there? Vinland Saga portrays the difficulty of achieving peace through love; it communicates the positives of peace gained through violence while entailing the ugliness of it. Its a tale of nuance. But this is a manga that wants to preach peace. And it expresses while it is harder to gain peace through love and to really have no enemies, it would make the world all so much more beautiful. If people would just try to be stronger. Be kinder. Its ending perfectly encaptures that idea. That with time and effort, people can find peace through love. Its hard. The very nature of people goes against it. The world of Vinland Saga rejects it. Yet we should try regardless. To bring peace by loving one another. Vinland Saga is overwhelmingly compelling. Its action, married to simple yet effective free flowing panelling, engages a person effortlessly; the character conflicts, interactions, and dynamics, paired with powerful dialogue, immerses you into whatever page you read as the scene unfolds. It is masterful storytelling. When you can find dialogue between two characters more entertaining as an action packed spectacle, thats when you know you are reading something note worthy. I sat there for a while. Just processing the ending. There was more I wanted from this story. It could have been fleshed out more. I wanted to see more of Gudrid experiencing and seeing the world. But this story gave me enough and thats all I could ever really ask for. I wonder if when Makoto Yukimura began drawing Vinland Saga in 2005, if he expected the impact it would have. Maybe, the man is a genius. He made this manga to tell a message that could help people. Imagine the numerous lives Vinland Saga has bettered. It helped mine. If you're reading this review to know if to read Vinland Saga, then undoubtedly, Vinland Saga would do that for you too. "I want to be a stronger person" —Thorfinn Me too. And I'll try to everyday. Thank you Makoto Yukimura. You made the masterpiece of a lifetime.

'I want to be...a stronger person' A subtle quote, and quite surface level when read out of context. The ramifications of this quote though, would heavily impact not only my own personal life, but the fans of Vinland Saga for the foreseeable future to come. Vinland Saga is a viking tale, following alongside a true story (granted, some fictional spice) featuring Thorfinn Karlsefni and his journey to seek revenge. Similarly to the opening quote, the series has a much, MUCH greater depth to be explored than just those themes alone. Without diving heavily into spoilers, the arc directly after the prologue is my favourite arc in theentirety of fiction, closely followed by the closing arc of Vinland Saga itself. From my personal experience, Vinland Saga found me at a time where I was changing. My own personal demons were getting the better of me and I was unsure of how to continue in the future. A pathway led me to tackling the Vinland Saga anime again and from there, I've never looked back. If you're reading this and have the desire to become a better person, or even just tackle some of that inner filth that has plagued and disgusted you for so long - please give Vinland Saga a read. Depending on your preferences, you may find the prologue or just after the prologue a little slow, but if you're truly trying to change yourself, anybody can find something of worth from this masterpiece. Don't look at any spoilers and enjoy it at your own pace, there is no rush and the journey itself is the joy of this series. Upon finishing this series now, and writing this review alongside some self reflection and accountability, becoming a better, stronger person has always been a personal goal of mine. Making mistakes in the past does not and should not ever dictate the person you are today. We need to own those mistakes and move forward with grace and integrity in achieving a world of peace and harmony with not only ourselves, but those around us and nature itself. Travel the world of Vinland Saga, spread love where you can and find your own place that is- 'Somewhere not here'.

No, it didn't work. Why? Because it destroyed Thorfinn. How? The transformation from a killing machine to a complete pacifist came after the period of enslavement, but he didn't undergo sufficient psychological stages or internal conflicts to justify it. Instead of witnessing a prolonged internal struggle, it seemed as if Thorfinn woke up one day and said, "I will kill no more," and that was it. "I have no enemies" is a superficial idea in a bloody context: The idea is beautiful as a human principle, but its absolute application in a world filled with war, betrayal, and injustice sometimes made Thorfinn seem "naive" or "detached from reality." He couldhave adopted the same principle, but with tactical intelligence and realistic flexibility, as exemplified by Kenshin in "Rurouni Kenshin" or Miyamoto Musashi in "Vagabond." Destruction of Thorfinn's original identity: The author didn't give Thorfinn a balance between his past as a warrior and his newfound resolve; he completely ignored the past. His strength and old experience could have been used for defense or protection without falling into the cycle of violence. Instead, Thorfinn became "weak," with no ability or influence in the face of real-life challenges. The dramatic resolution of the final events was weak: The series finale was more like a political statement for peace, rather than the epic culmination of a hero's maturing journey through death and destruction. The ending wasn't psychologically or emotionally impactful; it seemed to convey the idea directly rather than allowing us to experience it through the story. As for the final chapter, it could be said that he returned to point zero, but as an adult with a family, tomorrow, his family will be attacked. What will he do? Will he let the criminals get away with their crime, given that he has matured intellectually, has no enemies, and is tolerant of violence, or will he defend them by violating his principle of not committing violence?

Vinland Saga is a work of art that depicts the true history of our world, from war to farming, love, children, violence and ambition. This manga series has a wide variety of themes and does it extremely well. First I'll start with the prologue, one of the greatest introductions to a series I've seen. It gets us hooked in the beginning by adding a cast of fun and interesting characters only to show the true reality of what's to come. Then, Thorfinn goes on his own journey of revenge and bloodlust only to learn what comes out at the end is nothing. From there Vinland Saga trulyshines, it has a massive genre switch and goes from a violent, bloody manga to one about growth, development, ideals, purpose and love. Thorfinn embarks on his new path of pacifism but it's a lot more complicated. He's forced into many situations and has to learn how to grow and never succumb to the vicious and bloody grasps of war. To me this is what Vinland Saga does extremely well, the truth of war. Many series have war or fighting in it but Vinland Saga doesn't only show just the fighting, they show the individual's reasonings and ambitions, they show the cross each warrior has to bear, it shows how war is not just a fight between people but a fight between you and yourself. After that comes the third part of Vinland Saga, from here on it's Thorfinn's final journey to build a village of peace and hope. While it is the slowest part this is also beautiful as well. It take real history and mixes fiction into it, the way they interact with the new people and try to strive for peace is amazingly done. The new characters and events that take place in this part are what really makes it good as it's different from what we know. Before it was all about fighting and war but now it's doing everything but that, to work towards living a life of non-violence and peace. Now, what's bad about Vinland Saga. Since the manga revolves around Thorfinn's journey many characters don't get enough time and are left to the reader's thoughts of their future. Another is that Vinland Saga goes down the average Seinen action path from a fighter to a peaceful man, it's not bad and was done very well but this has been done so many times that it's repetitive. Don't get me wrong, Thorfinn's growth was amazing but it was nothing crazy, this was many people's first Seinen so that might be why he is so popular but at the same time it's kind of generic. Finally the conclusion, it's basically an open ended one and I don't mind that for Thorfinn, however for every other character in his past just don't get any confirmation or mention. Personally, I would've liked a tiny message or something similar to Tomodachi game, not an entire chapter for them but a few panels. In conclusion, Vinland Saga is a really good Seinen, the main issue with it is that it's only that, it doesn't do much more but even if it's simple it's amazing because it does the simplicity really well.

There was this magical time in my life when I was reading both Vinland Saga and Bernard Cornwell’s England Saga. I think it’s been about three years since I left Vinland “on hold” at chapter 165 and today I finally caught up and read all 55 chapters that have come out since. Vinland has all the qualities that made me fall in love with historical fiction, especially stories set during the era of the Norse invasions: rage, hatred, hope, reunion, the journey, philosophy, discovery… all of it plays a role in this story. And I think the author has done a great job developing most ofthese themes, with excellent pacing and good use of time skips. And of course, the story is driven by unforgettable characters. It’s one of those works where you just can’t pick a favorite character to display... Canute? Yeah, I love Canute. Askeladd? Absolutely love him. Thorfinn? F*ck, I'm already without space. I'm not really into reading manga chapters on a weekly or monthly basis(like it is meant to be), even though I love the medium... it's a bit of a contradiction that I live with. Still, I’d recommend reading Vinland in short bursts, just enough to let the passage of time sink in with the story. I believe that those who read it monthly had a really great time.

Vinland saga feels very personal story, it is more than just a historical manga, it started as a brutal revenge tale about Thorfinn, a boy who loses his father to the mercenary Askeladd, slowly transforms into something much richer and profound. The story includes 4 major arcs: Prologue (War Arc)- It mostly revolves around Askeladd for the most part, he might be considered secondary MC here, where Thorfinn mainly feels as an edgy side character. The theme of false purpose is dominant here with Thorfinn’s gole of revenge. This arc is heavily carried by Askeladd, his actions are driven by a secret, tragic purpose: to protect hismother’s homeland, Wales, from the ever expanding Norse threat. This duality mercenary for survival, but secretly a patriot makes him deeply human. His speeches about humanity’s stupidity, his calculated murders, and his cold manipulation of Thorfinn all hide the fact that he is fighting for a cause far bigger than himself. His relationship with main character is the emotional and thematic core of the Arc and leaves lasting scars that drive Thorfinn’s later transformation. Some people even say he acted as father figure for Thorfinn in some ways, which is not a wrong way to say considering Askeladd gave him food, shelter, direction, even if that direction was poisoned by revenge. In a way, Thorfinn depended on Askeladd to stay alive, and subconsciously, even to have a reason to keep going. Slave Arc- Perhaps the most powerful part of Vinland Saga, the Slave (Farm) Arc, deals head-on with the themes of atonement, redemption, and true strength. The change in tone of the story can filter out a lot of fans that started this because of action or revenge driven Viking story, it might feel like reading a new manga. The violence stops. Battles are replaced with quiet farming, labor, and small conversations. There are no grand wars or kings just broken people trying to survive. Thorfinn reflects on his sins and guilt. Einar and Thorfinn discuss life, freedom, and dreams. The questions change from "How do I kill?" to "What does it mean to live without hurting others?" Canute also returns here transformed from the weak boy into a cold, calculating ruler who justifies tyranny to build a "utopia" by force. His arc is a dark reflection of Thorfinn. Canute believes that peace can only come through control and power, while Thorfinn believes in peace without violence It's here Thorfinn’s turn to complete pacifism, which can be uncomfortable for some readers. His decision to reject all forms of violence, feels extremely idealistic, even unrealistic in the brutal Viking world. And at times, this pure pacifism can indeed seem annoying or impractical. And yet... this extreme pacifism is exactly what shows how far Thorfinn has come. The Clash Between Idealism and Reality is shown many times in the manga. Yukimura does not pretend this is an easy path. Thorfinn's ideals are challenged constantly (especially in the Baltic Sea War Arc), Laughed at by warriors and kings alike, Proven dangerous when dealing with ruthless or pragmatic enemies. But this tension is what makes Thorfinn's story meaningful and inspiring. He knows this path may cost him everything, including his life, but he takes it anyway. Pacifism isn’t the only major theme in this arc, moving on from hatred plays a huge role too. For a long his hatred for Askeladd was the only thing keeping him going. It became his identity. He lived, breathed, and survived for revenge. But once that purpose was gone, he was completely lost and it consumes you slowly, and when it’s all you have, it leaves nothing behind when it’s gone. The story shows that hate isn’t something that just appears one day. It’s something you choose to hold onto. It demands constant attention. You have to keep replaying the same pain, the same anger, over and over. And the longer you hold onto it, the more it eats away at you from the inside. No matter what kind of hatred it is, toward a person or the world, it makes you shallow, hollow. Baltic Sea War Arc- This arc puts Thorfinn’s new ideals to the test. When he and Einar try to gather resources for their dream of Vinland, they get embroiled in politics and war between warring Viking leaders. it's about whether a man can truly break free from the cycle of violence. Even if you grow out of hatred moving on from the past requires more than that. A lot of amazing characters also shown throughout this arc(Hild, Gudrid and Sigurd). Yukimura did amazing job in handling all of the side cast, specifically Hild, which is hands down one of the best redemptions arc I've seen in fiction. Final arc (Vinland arc)- This is the arc where Thorfinn’s dream finally becomes real, reaching Vinland (the Americas). But even here, peace is not simple. Conflicts arise with the native inhabitants, misunderstandings build, and it becomes clear that building a true utopia requires patience, empathy, and constant effort. This final phase of the story reinforces that redemption is a journey, not a destination. It’s not enough to simply reject violence, you must actively create understanding between cultures, risking failure, betrayal, and your own fears. It feels like a satisfying conclusion to the themes of growth and purpose that began so long ago. So with the final chapter, we didn’t get some big, dramatic conclusion or a perfect, all-wrapped-up ending and honestly, that makes total sense. It actually fits really well with the kind of story this manga has been telling from the start. A lot of characters didn’t get any proper closure either, no final goodbyes, no epilogues but I think it works with the realistic nature of the series. Even in real life where people come and go. Sometimes you lose touch, sometimes their story just ends off-screen, and you’re left with only the memories. That’s the feeling I got when we didn’t see characters like, Canute, or others who played major roles in earlier arcs. The story was never really about tying up every loose end. It was more about the journey, the growth, the struggle. Thorfinn doesn’t exactly “win” or accomplish everything he set out to do, but what he does achieve feels meaningful in a quieter, more powerful way. Edit - I ended up reposting my review after reading the final chapter because I felt like I had more to say, especially after seeing how everything wrapped up. So, I made some changes, particularly about the Slave Arc and the overall message of the story(just wanted to share that little update) Peace

Great manga, cuckold protagonist. Android 16 made the call back in the 90s; violence is acceptable against those who won't listen to reason. Don't get me wrong, I understood the message and plot points of each character, and that the author based it on real events from the beginning of European/Norse colonization in North America, but I still can't swallow that Thorffin gave up on vinland so easily. Einar was the goat until the end, without a doubt. With that i think my biggest issue with the story is the fact that even when you chose to not have enemies at all it dosent mean thatthe other side will just let you live in peace. I really think that Thorfinn could fight back with the ainu in a non lethal way and still stick to his point. Besides that the art its great, it has evolved since early chapters and peaked in the war of northen sea arc, i lked the sense of movement, the overhall battles and close fights and stuff. in terms of character design it has a sense of realims to it, nothing like crazy outfits and stravagant haircuts with some exceptions. 9/10

Now that Vinland Saga has concluded with Chapter 220, I can confidently say it’s one of the greatest manga I’ve ever read. What begins as a gritty revenge tale set in the violent world of Vikings evolves into a deeply human story about forgiveness, peace, and personal growth. Thorfinn’s character arc is among the best in manga, transforming from a rage-filled child soldier to a man devoted to building a land free of violence. Few stories handle themes like trauma, redemption, and nonviolence with this much maturity and sincerity. The supporting cast, especially Askeladd, Canute, and Einar, are all memorable and meaningful, each playing a vital rolein Thorfinn’s journey. Yukimura’s art steadily improves over the years, blending intense action with beautiful, emotional storytelling. The final chapter doesn’t go out with a bang, but with quiet resolution and hope, perfectly in line with the manga’s message. It’s a bold and peaceful ending to a story that dared to challenge the cycle of violence from beginning to end. If you’re looking for a manga that offers both thrilling historical drama and profound philosophical depth, Vinland Saga is a must-read. Score: 10/10

I've been reading Vinland Saga for like a loooong time. I first started it when I was in secondary school. The first half is enthralling. Violent, exciting, tragic and also somewhat philosophical. Thorfinn's complex relationship with Askeladd is a big part of what makes this first arc so compelling and interesting. It gives Thorfinn internal contradictions that make him rich with complexity and also, humanity. Of course, all of the first half culminated into a heart wrenching end where Thorfinn has to confront all the bloodshed and lives he had played his part to end. It's truly compelling storytelling. It explores the effects and traumaof violence from a personal perspective while still being entertaining and not overly preachy. The second half is where the story takes an interesting, but I think detrimental turn. I won't explicitly spoil things here, but Thorfinn overall becomes a less interesting character. Yes, he carries the trauma of violence and its burdens, but he also has achieved new clarity and purpose in his life. This removes the interesting contradictions of Thorfinn and severely limits the interesting decisions that he could make as a character. Once we have went past the farm setting (that opens the second half), readers would pretty much know what decisions Thorfinn would make to achieve his goals. To the author's credit, many times, this was done very well and drawn very beautifully. But it gets really quite monotonous past a certain point. The philosophy underlying the story has always been quite simple. It deals with the effects of violence from a personal and individual perspective. Of suffering. Trauma. How it fuels hatred in individuals and begets more violence. This is an important insight. But I think the problem with Vinland Saga is that it doesn't translate this individualistic experience very well onto a systemic or societal point of view. This is partly because Thorfinn's historical narrative is limited and the perspective he lenses the story gives it a rather optimistic but simplistic worldview of preventing violence at all costs. Not saying there's anything wrong with this perspective, but from a storytelling point of view, it prevents the story from building into more interesting thoughts and ideas. I think, overall, with the excitement and unpredictability of the first half gone, I did feel rather muted emotions when I somewhat knew what to expect from the series. This also flows to the inevitably simple ending that I think will disappoint readers wanting a bigger or more emotionally poignant conclusion. Still, Vinland Saga is undoubtedly an amazing series. The story is beautiful and the art is incredible and detailed. It's not flawless and has an issue where the first half is a more interesting read, but I think in years to come it will definitely be known as a classic.