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Disclaimer: Although this review does not have any explicit spoilers, it does go through the first episode, various themes and the manga in a very detailed manner. I also talk about the ending very vaguely (still not explicit spoilers though). If you like to go into an anime with a fresh mind perhaps this review is not for you.
Summary
Vinland Saga is much like 91 days (If you haven’t read the review go check it out!). The premise is largely the same. While on a boating trip with his father, Thorfinn and his father’s crew are ambushed in an attack by Vikings. Vinland Saga is Thorfinn’s journey of revenge for his father and redemption for himself.
The story begins with Thors, a former viking who had deserted a sea battle on board a ship. Years later, he is living a fairly peaceful life in Iceland with his family. While growing up, Thorfinn (Thor’s son) takes an interest in the stories of Vinland, a land so green and full of life. A Viking named Floki arrives at their village and calls Thors into battle, however his true intentions were not so chivalrous and unbeknownst to Thors, Thorfinn sneaks upon their ship. Whilst sailing to their so-called ‘battle’, they are surrounded by a man called Askeladd and his band of vikings. Thors in a great act of sacrifice gives his life for his own crew members and for his son. Thorfinn watches on, and as he does his anger grows too. He is eventually captured by Askeladd as a prisoner of war and is taken to join Askeladds forces, compelling Thorfinn to learn the art of the Viking. But, Thorfinn in the back of his mind, can never forget the day his father was murdered, will he be good enough to infiltrate the Vikings? Will he avenge his father?
Anime thoughts and themes:
I’m a little biased here, I loved the plot for 91days so by default I already love Vinland Saga. Just for some context here, I took a very long break after watching 91days, maybe for around 2 years. I discovered Vinland whilst watching a video on upcoming anime and the moment I heard ‘Vikings’ and ‘Anime’ in the same sentence I was immediately interested.
As a history lover, I loved how the Anime made continuous historical references, with characters (like Leif Erikson the man who really discovered the Americas way before Chrisopher Columbus) and with events. For example the invasion of England, maps depicting the Dane law and the ruling of Canute. Even Thorfinn is based on a real man, called Thorfinn Karlsefni, an Icelandic man who followed Leif Erikson’s footsteps to Vinland in order to create a permanent settlement.
More historical examples include the Norweign folktale of Askeladd and my favourite: The Celtic tales of the Arthurian legend. Vinland saga portrays a very believable community, watching it, you almost feel like it’s taking you back in time.
One can say Vinland is also philosophical especially regarding Canute, a Christain viking who is also the son of a Norwegian king. He questions the morality of many characters, their bloodlust and the philosophy of Love. Just to touch upon the topic of love, one scene which is clearly etched into my mind when I think of Vinland is when Canute discovers the true meaning of Love. Love is not material. In fact non living things tend to cater for everyone, no matter who you are. But living things love only certain things, canute calls this ‘Discrimination’. Loving family members, spouses or even your pet is also discrimination since you only love them because you know them. He eventually comes to the conclusion that once you learn to love everything in the world, that is what you call true love. This totally brought another perspective to me.
I actually read the manga for this anime (it is still ongoing), and I’d say season 1 of the anime is nothing like the rest of the manga. In fact the last episode of volume 1 and the last episode of Vinland saga the anime are both called ‘The end of the prologue’. If you are looking for war, viking raids and blood shed, then Vinland saga will quickly not be suited for you the further on you get. Vinland saga is about redemption, Thorfinn has so much pent up anger and frustration, the trauma of having to fight those who are innocent has a lasting effect on him, so much so it deeply saddens me. A quote from Thorfinn shares his thoughts:
‘I want to be a kinder, gentler person…I want to be a stronger person.’
Islamic perspective
Let’s get this out of the way, there are some sexual depictions, however historically this is very accurate as even Ahmad ibn Fadlan, a famous Iraqi explorer described the Volga vikings as ‘shameless’. However it is not as bad as you think, it lasts for a couple of seconds and is nothing to worry about really. There is of course a lot of blood and gore so it won’t be suitable for very young people.
Good islamic aspects I’ll say relate to Canute, he converted to Christianity because of his Guardian and priest. He learns to love and show mercy upon his comrades and is also shown to move the hearts of steeled men. Thors (Thorfinn’s father) is also shown to do this, due to their deep philosophies.
In the manga, the story moves onto the redemption arc of Thorfinn as mentioned above, though he had led his early life with violence, he takes it upon himself to begin a good and kind life. I think we should all have an urgency to strive for goodness, and that goodness has to reside within yourself first.
Anime Scores
Animations: 10/10, Very crisp looking animations, I was blown away how clean it looked! Epic battle scenes too! What’s not to love?
Voice Acting: 9/10, Great voice acting, I don’t remember a single annoying voice in the anime which is great!
Plot: 9/10 Great plot, classic revenge story at the beginning, though later on in the manga (and in season 2+ If they get animated) It will turn into a redemption arc instead, which is just as great!
Ending: 7/10 A great twist to the ending, I’d say the creator was very brave to have this kind of ending to Volume1 /Season 1. It was not expected at all. Different people will feel differently about it, I found it okay, but I wish it didn’t happen so fast.
Intro: A great intro! Very relaxing and happy to watch (until it hits episode 3) after the intro, the story really starts to kick in. The opening songs are great too!
Epicness Score: 9/10
Originally published on Anime4Muslims. Source: https://anime4muslims.muslimmanga.org/2020/11/12/revenge-and-redemption-in-vinland-saga/.