Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga is a celebrated Viking epic that has left its mark on both manga and anime enthusiasts. Its manga counterpart stands out for its exceptional artwork, rivaling the likes of Kentaro Miura’s Berserk and Takehiko Inoue’s Vagabond. Yukimura’s storytelling and artistic prowess shine through, offering a rich tapestry of emotions and action, making Vinland Saga a truly exceptional masterpiece.
Vinland Saga masterfully portrays various elements, from serene landscapes to intense violence, all with meticulous detail. While the anime adaptation by Wit Studio and Mappa does justice to the source material, the manga’s panels hold their own, captivating readers with their artistry and depth of meaning.
In this article, we delve into some of the most impactful moments in the series, shedding light on the profound character development and emotional depth that defines Vinland Saga.
Table of Contents
15. Childhood Lost: Thorfinn’s Shattered Innocence
Similar to other seinen manga like Berserk, Vinland Saga is no stranger to showing profound tragedy, even when it’s not as grim. Undoubtedly the most defining moment of Thorfinn’s childhood was watching his heroic father die in front of him.
It’s a powerful panel, as even in death there’s an air of dignity and strength to Thors. The negative space around him and Thorfinn makes an otherwise populated scene of characters capture the loneliness Thorfinn is already going through. It’s even more devastating in the context of Thors’ backstory, namely in seeking redemption for his violent past.
14. The Origins Of A New King: Canute’s Journey
Throughout its run so far, Vinland Saga‘s writing has prided itself on rewarding character development. Thorfinn is, of course, a key figure in this department, but Canute has carried another compelling arc on his shoulders. The young prince is the son of a neglectful, cruel king and the only true father he’s ever known was murdered.
However, Canute’s epiphany moments in their escape from Thorkell’s forces were a definitive part of his journey. Seeing Canute take a stand against the religion he once held fealty toward and quell a rage-fueled Bjorn with nothing but his sheer presence was a milestone moment in his growth. Though his political machinations proved grim, for better and worse, this scene showed he had the conviction to become king in this unforgiving world.
13. A Life Without Purpose
After Thorfinn’s descent in the wake of Thors’ death, he based his life solely on vengeance. Trauma and rage compelled him to sacrifice his childhood to kill the man who took his father away from him.
And in the climactic moment of Askeladd’s execution, fans see something break psychologically on a fundamental level within him. Yukimura does an exceptional job of emphasizing this, with Thorfinn’s face more expressive than anyone’s ever seen him. This marked the day he realized that Askeladd’s execution took away the shred of purpose he had left.
12. The Martial Pacifist: Thorfinn’s Transformation
Part of what makes Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga among the best seinen manga is how he develops Thorfinn. He went from a happy-go-lucky boy to a vengeful teenager, and the Slave arc saw another milestone in his development.
A major moment was when he and Einar fought their abusive farmhands, where something snapped within Thorfinn. He swore off violence in hopes of atonement, which made his lightning reflexes to literally beat Einar to the punch so stunning. Aside from the incredible detail and kinetic feeling, it marks the moment Thorfinn begins to reexamine and ultimately resolve his position on violence to that of a martial pacifist.
11. Cracking King Canute’s Tough Exterior
Canute’s surprising reaction to Thorfinn’s dramatic stand is just as important. But it’s not for the reasons the reader might initially think at this point since the king’s reaction is to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Crucially, though, is that it isn’t a reaction of condescension, as King Canute was sincerely shocked at the lengths that Thorfinn went to make his point.
It’s the first time this otherwise cunning monarch — who’s done some grim things in the name of his greater justice — let his guard down. Even after the years they’ve spent apart, this moment is a testament to their strange friendship and is a feeling only Thorfinn can inspire in him.
10. Thorkell The Invincible
Even in the manga now, Thorkell is easily Vinland Saga‘s physically strongest character. Admittedly, he doesn’t have a deep personality as someone, but he manages to be one of the most entertaining supporting characters.
Thorkell is a monstrous force of nature in battle, tearing through enemies while hardly taking a scratch, and shrugs off what damage he does take. But nothing represents his imposing presence on the battlefield better than his encounter with Torgrim. Seeing the threat he poses through someone infinitely weaker like Torgim portrays him as a demonic figure, conveying the gravity and futility of facing him.
9. No Enemies
More introspective, quieter story arcs in anime and manga are underrated compared to tense action. The aforementioned Slave arc in Vinland Saga is one of the most vital to the series, even more than the action, showing the strides in growth and revelations Thorfinn discovered.
It makes his long-awaited reunion with now-King Canute that much more impactful, especially how Thorfinn was willing to take the ultimate beating to prove his convictions. His declaration to Canute that he has no enemies is a powerful contrast with the bloody physical state he was in. At this moment, Thorfinn fully embodied his father’s lessons of peace.
8. The Hunter
Before the incredibly rewarding full circle of Hild and Thorfinn’s character arcs, the former had one of the most intense introductions to the cast of Vinland Saga. Revealing her origin story through a lost chapter of Thorfinn’s bleak Viking past was ingenious as a storytelling device and Yukimura flexed his visual storytelling skills in the process.
While their pasts with respect to the plot are intrinsically tied, Hild is presented as a powerful character on her own terms, and the boiling vitriol she feels during her “reunion” with Thorfinn is palpable. The striking sense of depth and the daggers she glares at the now-reformed Viking express more emotions than any dialogue could.
7. Forgiveness
Hild is consistently one of Vinland Saga‘s most compelling characters in the supporting cast. Similar to and because of Thorfinn, she lives her life as a battle-hardened warrior clinging vengefully to the past. It’s revealed that Thorfinn murdered Hild’s father in an invasion during his Viking days.
But during the Vinland arc in a chapter characterized by thoughtful self-reflection—and years spent living with a redeemed Thorfinn—she manages to find it within herself to let go of the past and forgive him. It’s one of the most emotionally profound panels for both characters and a beautiful scene to end the chapter on.
6. “Far To The West…”
As crushing as Arnheid’s death was, her character arc was thoroughly engrossing to her own merit while also helping to champion Vinland Saga‘s overarching anti-war themes. Her final moments beside Einar and Thorfinn before succumbing to her wounds are one of several testaments to this, with the latter offering Arnheid words of comfort before her time comes.
These panels are deeply effective for conveying two key elements of the story, the first of which echoes Thors’ iconic words to his son years ago that gave an anchor to Vinland Saga‘s plot. It also symbolizes a milestone in the story and Thorfinn’s growth, as this marked the moment where Thorfinn and Einar’s mission becomes the sole focal point.
5. Becoming A Warrior
Before Einar came into his life, Thorfinn’s life as a slave was strictly defined by self-imposed punishment, guilt, and mind-numbing loneliness. But as the Slave arc progresses and Thorfinn starts to take a harder and deeper within himself, he finally faces the roots of his nightmares and takes meaningful steps toward atonement.
Thorfinn’s paralyzed by the weight of those he killed, but Askeladd lights a fire in his heart. It’s a cathartic panel, showing Thorfinn making another major step toward progress. He can’t undo his bleak past, but he can live for the future so that their deaths aren’t meaningless and fulfill his father’s teachings.
4. A Promise To Arnheid
The importance of the Slave arc can’t be understated thanks to its resonating character writing. It’s simultaneously one of the most touching and heart-wrenching storylines in the series, namely for the plot surrounding Einar and Thorfinn’s friend and fellow slave Arnheid.
Season 2 of the anime did a phenomenal job of adapting this arc and her journey as a whole, and while devastating, Arnheid’s death carried immense weight and meaning, as shown when Einar and Thorfinn pay their respects. Another powerful and brilliantly framed panel that needs no dialogue to convey its message, Arnheid’s passing would become another pillar of their bond and their mission of peace.
2. The Weight Of The Dead
Much of Thorfinn’s character arc has been defined by redemption. As a slave, he’s been forced to confront the reality of the lives he’s taken. Guilt isn’t all that drives him, as Thorfinn proves over time that his goals are altruistic, but the weight of the dead is heavy on his mind.
The panel of Thorfinn somberly trudging forward as corpses hold him down is a vivid representation of his guilt. Visual metaphors are often used to portray a character’s mental state, and Yukimura does his best to create something that would feel at home within the pages of Berserk.
These breathtaking panels from Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga showcase the manga’s depth, emotion, and visual storytelling prowess. From intense battles to moments of reflection and redemption, the series weaves a rich tapestry of characters and themes that continue to captivate readers and viewers alike. With its stunning artwork and compelling narrative, Vinland Saga stands as a testament to the power of manga as an art form.
As the story of Thorfinn and his journey unfolds, fans can eagerly anticipate more breathtaking moments and stunning panels in the pages of Vinland Saga.
2. The King’s Execution
Though his presence was primarily in Vinland Saga‘s early years, Askeladd was the series’ best antihero. He’s a fascinating character both in his motives and how cunning he is in battle. However, he’s rarely seen as angered or rash, with nearly all of his actions cleverly thought out.
That’s part of what makes Askeladd beheading the vile King Sweyn so memorable. This double-page spread is equal parts gruesome and kinetic, hammering the feeling of how shocking and sudden it was. And despite what he might say, it’s also a rare instance of Askeladd taking a hardline stance on something personal.
1. Thorfinn’s Fathers
Thorfinn’s grueling childhood made what remained of his familial relationships strained. Even so, the found-family theme does blossom as he matures, to the point where he finally acknowledges Leif as the best father he could ask for now. Ultimately, the trials and tribulations in between made this growth that much more impactful and well-earned.
Thorfinn’s since realized that Askeladd was a sort of paternal figure in Thors’ absence. And as dark as that seems, the complex antihero made all the difference in shaping him into the man he is now. Naturally, seeing an elderly Leif call Thorfinn his son, with Askeladd and Thors envisioned behind him, makes for a touching scene.
Final Thoughts
In the world of manga, few series can match the artistic brilliance and emotional depth of Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga. Through stunning panels and a compelling narrative, Yukimura explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the human spirit’s enduring resilience.
Whether it’s the intensity of battle scenes or the quiet moments of introspection, each panel in Vinland Saga is a work of art that leaves a lasting impact on its audience. As we follow Thorfinn’s journey of self-discovery and growth, we are reminded of the profound power of manga as a storytelling medium. With every turn of the page, Vinland Saga continues to be a captivating and thought-provoking epic that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
