Vinland Saga is an A-list anime when it comes to storytelling. The grand narratives of war and struggle are tied together masterfully by the personal battles of the characters involved. The subplots dealing with the development of heroes delve deep into the motivations and moral implications of their actions. Take, for example, the life of Thorfinn: an innocent child turned vengeful warrior who then turns into a pacifist. For those of you who are unaware of the details, this may seem like a contradiction. However, upon closer inspection and living Thorfinn’s life through his eyes, it is the most natural conclusion of those events.
Another aspect of Vinland Saga’s character arcs is that the heroes are ever-changing. They are not stuck with the same motivations or repeat a finite number of actions. Instead, we see them morph into newer versions of themselves, for better or worse.
Leif Erikson
Never Gonna Give You Up
Leif Erikson was a seafaring explorer who often visited Thorfinn’s village in Iceland, bringing stories of Vinland to tell young children. He is based on a historical figure with the same name and was the first human to set foot on continental America. When Askeladd kills Thors and takes his son Thorfinn, Leif promises to bring him home one day.
The journey to find Thorfinn was long and arduous, yet he refused to give up. When he found Thorfinn, he was incredibly traumatized and unwilling to come back. The second time they met was at Ketil’s farm. He offered him the much-needed warmth and kindness and the promise of a better life.
Olmar
The Naive Adolescent Faces Reality
Olmar is the second son of a wealthy farmer named Ketil. The young boy was set to inherit the farm, but he ignored his responsibilities and chased the wild dream of being a fierce warrior like his older brother. Due to his naivety, he was manipulated by Canute’s men into killing someone, and was hit with a startling realization drawing blood is not a child’s game. He later witnessed the annexation of his father’s farm by Canute and decided it was time to grow up.
These events developed in him a sense of justice and a willingness to stand up for others, something he lacked before. Olmar’s story is a compelling and realistic coming-of-age tale. It reminds us to face the harsh realities of life and to take our responsibilities seriously.
Einar
The Happy Go Luck Guy
Einar came from a humble background. He worked as a farmer in Northern England before soldiers destroyed his village and sold him as a slave. He worked with Thofinn on a farm after being bought by Ketil, who promised their freedom if they worked hard enough. While working on the farm, Thorfinn and Einar develop a close friendship, sharing their experiences and what they taught them.
In comparison to Thorfinn, Einar is much more sociable and forgiving. He keeps a jolly attitude and treats everyone fairly. His personality traits are why he forgave and forgot the men who did him wrong. He seeks no revenge, only to build a life worth living. In the end, he leaves the farm with Thorfinn on a seafaring adventure to the west.
Prince Canute
Cautious Prince To Determined Leader
Vinland Saga’s most staggering transformation arc is that of Prince Canute’s. He was an inexperienced and rather shy prince who took refuge behind his caretaker, Ragnar, and rarely spoke to anyone. The grief of Ragnar’s death awakened something within him, as he no longer feared death and spoke with courage, influencing the likes of Viking warriors to follow his command.
Later, Canute becomes king with the help of Askeladd and Thorkell. He has one mission only: to create a paradise on Earth by uniting people under a single ruler. Canute’s story is an intriguing tale of growth and rebirth. We hope to see more from him in Vinland Saga Season 3.
Askeladd
The Jester Who Wore A Crown
The unspoken king of Wales, Lucius Artorius Castus, more commonly known as Askeladd, was a cunning leader of 100 mercenaries. He used underhanded means to subdue his enemies and wasn’t a stranger to flattery. His apparent bloodlust knew no bounds, but his true motivations were a secret.
He was the son of Olaf, a Danish pillager who kidnapped his mother, a Welsh royal. Askeladd’s warmongering days ended when he met Prince Canute, who he believed would respect the wishes of the Welsh people. So, he helped Canute ascend the throne and ultimately gave his life for him, thereby securing the safety of his mother’s people.
Thorfinn
Vengeful Warrior Turned Pacifist
Thorfinn’s life is one tragedy after another. His father dies at the hands of a ruthless mercenary, who then kidnaps him and uses him as a soldier. He is dragged across the kingdoms, helping Askeladd rob villages and kill innocents – in return for a duel to avenge his father, one which he never won.
Askleadd’s last words to Thorfinn were to abandon the land filled with bloodshed to explore the world like his father did and become a true warrior. After this, Thorfinn worked as a hand at Ketil’s farm, where he learned to settle disputes without violence. Not long after, he leaves with his dear friend Einar to explore the west through the sea, looking for new lands to inhabit.
Who Is The Strongest Character In Vinland Saga?
The strongest character in Vinland Saga is the one who needs no sword. Jokes aside, the strongest is of course Thors Snorresson. He was a commander in the Jomsviking army and defeated Thorkell with a single punch. In terms of strength alone, Thorkell would probably beat anyone, but Thors is an all-rounder in terms of combat.
Who Is The Main Character In Vinland Saga?
Vinland Saga has many great characters and the show plays their plots simultaneously. However, the protagonist is undoubtedly Thorfinn. We see the story through his eyes mostly and watch him grow from a fierce young warrior seeking revenge to a peaceful farmhand who swears never to hurt anyone again.
What Arc Is Season 3 Of Vinland Saga?
Although there is no official news, Vinland Saga season 3 will most likely adopt the Easter Expedition Arc from the manga. In the final episode of season 2, we saw Thorfinn leave the Ketil farm and his home in Iceland with Leif Erikson and his new friend, Einar. They are on a boat ready to take a journey towards West to find new land to inhabit, one which is free from all the bloodshed.
