Vinland Saga Review: Vikings, Revenge and Redemption
9/10 — Vinland Saga (2019)
Pros
- Strong characters
- Powerful themes
- Great action in season one
Cons
- Season two is slow
Thorfinn, a young Viking, joins the mercenary band of Askeladd, the man who killed his father, hoping to challenge him in a duel. The series is based on Makoto Yukimura’s manga, and a second season followed.
What works
The first season has epic battles and an engrossing relationship between Thorfinn and Askeladd, and the second season is a moving study of violence and atonement. The animation and music are strong.
Where it falters
The second season shifts to a slower, quieter farmland arc that may disappoint action fans.
Verdict
A deep, mature and powerful series.
