“I have no enemies at all” 


Vinland Saga is a beautiful and wise story about many things I struggle to find the words to convey. 

It’s about defining what true strength is, with masterful writing and every other aspect that makes up this masterpiece to deliver a pacifist message in a way that doesn’t come off as “corny” but rather wise. 

When a young boy named Thorfinn’s wise ex-warrior father is murdered we follow his life in this series as he goes on a painstaking revenge mission, and eventually through many hardships, achieving self discovery, and committing to a life of helping others and creating peace atoning for all his past destruction in the name of revenge, becoming an even wiser man than his father. 


(WiT studio) Season 1 was perfect, but during season 2 there’s a whiplash of difference in how the plot progresses. 

Season 1 was a action-filled revenge adventure, taking our characters on a long journey through many years and locations. 

While (MAPPA) Season 2 is a slow-burn story where we largely remain in one location as many characters old and new go through immense, masterful character development. 

At first this switch up in pace was a little jarring (because how could it not be) 

But as season 2 builds further and further it turns into a profound life-changing experience that could change the way you look at life. 
(It didn’t change mine because I have already agreed with the message of this story for years, that’s why I’m a Superman fan)


And the direction season 2 goes actively makes the rest of the show even greater as we get a full-circle story that leaves you fulfilled and happy you experienced it. 

Seriously anyone who says season 2 is bad just doesn’t understand what Vinland Saga is about, i feel like everyone upon finishing season 2 should be able to appreciate the story it tells. 

Season 2 should’ve opened with a disclaimer that just boldly says: 

This is not a fighting story. 
Because SO MANY people misinterpreted what it was about after season 1 and tried to claim season 2 was bad. 

Luckily now it seems we all agree those people are wrong but apparently when season 2 released people weren’t that happy. 

I think it’s because season 1 has so much action and people got into for that action/edgelord protagonist combo, and season 2 weeded out that audience by forcing them to see the story for what it is, it’s a lot more than an action viking show. 


This only covers half the manga, so I’m interested in everything that could possibly happen next. 

What makes Vinland Saga such a wise and masterful story is the type of messages it has to say such as “no one has enemies” and “a true warrior needs no sword”  


What John Wick for example had to say about revenge was “this is what you deserve” “this is cool” a glorification of the violence as an excuse to give us some really good action movies, but nothing deeper. 

Vinland Saga offers a more profound take, that revenge leads to cycle of hatred and more violence, we follow Thorfinn’s life as he learns this going through utter hell during his childhood, someone completely fueled by hatred because of a tragedy he suffered as a very young boy. 

Thorfinn’s character arc has him go from a boy who’s only motivation in life is hatred and revenge to someone who decides he would rather be punched by a warrior 100 times than fight him (and would easily win considering Thorfinn’s skill) 

He learns to be strong enough to not require violence to solve his problems anymore. 

Because that’s what it means to be a true warrior, the person strong enough to never resort to violence is the strongest person in the world. 

I would place that in the Hall of fame over The Bride fighting 100 assassins at once. 

I’ll probably read the manga now to see the extra 50% of story left, but wow this alone was one of the greatest I’ve seen.


Favourite episodes: 

Season 1 Episode 24 - End of the Prologue 
Season 2 Episode 23 - Two Paths 



Edit 14 September: So I finished the manga, it has about 28 volumes and is nearing it’s end… definitely peak fiction lol i did not know after such a great conclusion this anime had, that there would be so much great story left. 

This anime definitely deserves to get a season 3 and 4 because it’s simply worth telling. 

Reading through what the season 3 area of the story would be was my favourite part of the whole thing, and I read through the entire season 4 portion in one sitting. 

Right now as chapters are being released the season 4 area is nearing it’s climax and I can’t wait enough. 

If you watched this anime and really liked it I would highly recommend reading the manga as if I’m being realistic we probably won’t get new seasons of this anime for a long time because the animation studio takes on a million projects (currently focusing on Chainsaw Man this year I think?) at once so reading is the only way to fully experience this profound, life changing story any time soon. 


TLDR - this is one of the most touching, deep philosophical stories I’ve ever seen. 

it will make you think about life, what it means to be strong, and what you want to put out into the world. 

and this anime is a perfect adaptation of half the story, concluding at a satisfying point. 

Comments