(Nitsuj): Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. Where we’re continuing our look at the Viking epic known as Vinland Saga.
(Seras): When we last left off our characters, we saw them on the run from Thorkell with the young prince Canute and his retainers.
(Mira): In order to escape, they fled to Wales where they find themselves surrounded deep within enemy territory.
(Seras): How will they get themselves out of this sticky situation? Let’s find out. This is the second half of Vinland Saga.
Opening and Ending Theme
(Nitsuj): For the second opening we have “Dark Crow” by Man with a Mission. Yeah, now we’re talking. Fans are torn between this opening and the first opening, but in my opinion, this opening is way better. The beat, the lyrics, it’s all great stuff and gets a rush going through my system. The song also does a great job of summing up the characters of Thorfinn and Askeladd. It starts off with a great quote that sums up Thorfinn’s character perfectly: “Like rowing a boat, we enter the future backwards. All we see are the scenes of the past”. As for Askeladd, let’s just say this song becomes more about him as the episode progress.
(Mira): For the second ending we have “Drown” by milet. Following Aimer is never easy, but milet delivers with this song. The whole song just feels like a warrior’s final moments before he’s taken to the gates of Valhalla. Milet’s voice sounds angelic hear and the beating of the drums sounds like a heartbeat slowly dying and matches up with the time period of the anime.
Episodes 13-16
(Isis): If you were expecting the second half to start with a bloody battle then prepare to be blue balled as there’s no fighting in this (Nitsuj: Noooooo~! My balls). Instead, all we get is talking but it’s still a very good episode (Seras: Would have been better with a little blood). Asser, a representative of the other people won’t let them through as the Danes are known not to uphold their treaties and can’t be trusted. Askeladd tries to get Canute to speak to them, but he’s too much of a coward to talk (Seras: Fucking coward). This forces Askeladd and Gatianus to go speak to Asser themselves and reveal Askeladd’s grand plan to him. It gets revealed that Askeladd is actually half Welsh half Danish and is actually a descendant of the legendary Lucius Artorius Castus, commander of the Britannia army who defeated the Saxons and English at the Battle of Baden Hill and brought peace to Britannia (Mira: Have you heard of King Arthur? This is the guy who many believe King Arthur is based off of). Askeladd’s plan is to make Canute into the next king of Denmark and then force him to sign a non-aggression treaty with Wales which will keep the Danish out of Wales (scene here: https://youtu.be/-dl91SOB1Bw). This manages to win Asser over, however, in order for them to pass through Asser’s kingdom they have to pretend to be prisoners in order for Asser to save face. As they pass through the kingdom, we actually get to hear Canute speak and argue with Thorfinn as to why he didn’t speak earlier (scene here: https://youtu.be/KRohxb43-pw).
Episode 14 is a rather dark episode. Askeladd and his men find themselves up in the mountains and in the middle of a snowstorm. Luckily (and unfortunately for some), they come across a village of farmers (who are Christians) where they steal their food and kill everyone. The only one left alive is a young girl who stepped away from her supper to gaze at a ring that she stole from the market. While she’s sad that her family is gone, she’s elated to know that such evil men exist yet they don’t fear the wrath of God (Mira: And if such wicked men can get away with this and have no fear then why should she live in fear over the act of stealing a ring? (Nitsuj): Because the girl’s act of sin can be forgiven. She still has time in her life to confess and ask God for forgiveness. Askeladd and his men don’t want forgiveness nor will they ask for it. Scene here: https://youtu.be/eDoU6tDLPIQ).
In episode 15 the English army finds out where Askeladd and his men are hiding thanks to the girl who stole the ring last episode (divine intervention). While the English army isn’t big, Askeladd says they have to leave (Seras: Because Thorkell is coming) and tells everyone to prepare. Once Ragnar hears about this he demands to speak with Askeladd but Askeladd refuses to come so Ragnar goes to give him a piece of his mind (Nitsuj: Do you see anything Miss Mira? (Mira): Ay captain, a white flag of death). Askeladd’s men take Ragnar to a place away from the battle where they stab him and give a fatal wound which will kill him in a matter of minutes. Before dying, Ragnar tells Askeladd that Sweyn bought Canute out into this war to see him die. Apparently, the Danish have split into factions with one faction supporting Canute (Seras: Why? He’s proven he’s a weakling) and the other supporting Harald the eldest son of Sweyn. However, Sweyn has already chosen Harald to be the next ruler and wanted to get rid of Canute to let him die with valor as a means to quell a possible rebellion. This means that Askeladd’s enemy is not only running from England but also Sweyn himself. Ragnar tells Askeladd to put Canute in exile but he says no as he intends to keep traveling to his destination all while using Canute as his puppet to achieve his goals. Ragnar finally dies at the end of the episode (scene here: https://youtu.be/ldrD7yIDrFs).
(Nitsuj): We start episode 16 with Canute seeing the dead body of Ragnar and becoming paralyzed with fear and sadness. Unfortunately, he’ll need to mourn Ragnar’s death later as Thorkell will be at the village soon, so they have to flee. Some of them desert Askeladd and chose to side with Thorkell in order to stay alive but Thorkell kills them as he has no need for traitors (Mira: Those who betray once will betray again and can’t be trusted). As Askeladd and his men march through the snow running away from Thorkell, mutiny is in the air and Askeladd can sense it. He knows everyone is scared and it’s only a matter of time before they all turn on him as they can’t take it anymore. Askeladd’s luck finally runs out when Thorkell catches up to them and the only thing separating them is a shallow creek (Seras: Don’t eat the red snow unless you want AIDs).
Episodes 17-21
Episode 17 finally gives us the action I’ve been craving for. The mutiny finally takes place with Askeladd staying behind to fight while Thorfinn and Bjorn escapes with Canute and the priest. Their wagon gets destroyed and Thorfinn knocks out one of the pursuers to go back and save Askeladd (Seras: Just so he can kill him later. (Mira): The drive for revenge runs strong with this one) while Bjorn berserk defending the prince (scene here: https://youtu.be/87VjTq4JxnA). Back with Askeladd, the numbers (Isis: And age) catch up to him as he becomes wounded and surrounded with no way out (scene here: https://youtu.be/8TH74jtB-ak). Luckily, Thorkell and his men finally catch up to them where they spare Askeladd and kill everyone else for betraying their leader. Thorfinn arrives where he gets forced into a formal duel with Thorkell for the right of Askeladd’s life (doesn’t Askeladd get in a say in this matter?).
In episode 18 Canute’s personality finally takes a 180 (in other words, he manned up). After talking to the priest about love, Canute comes to the conclusion to reach God’s love on Earth is impossible therefore salvation is impossible, so he’ll instead create a paradise on Earth to reach salvation (scene here: https://youtu.be/FPWdjAPyfks. (Isis): Did he just become an atheist? (Mira): Maybe. (Seras): Either way, he’s becoming more attractive as a character). Meanwhile, Thorfinn fights against Thorkell where he’s surprisingly holding his own against the monster among men thanks to his speed, but Thorkell’s power and experience catches up to him and sends Thorfinn flying (scene here: https://youtu.be/7CdsLEPFDmg. (Mira): Oh I am calling so much BS. He should of died from the impact).
Episode 19 is a great episode. After being sent flying into the air (Mira: Bullshit) Thorfinn’s arm gets broken and Askeladd tends to him. As Askeladd makes a sling for Thorfinn we find out that Thorkell is actually Thorfinn’s great uncle as he was Helga’s uncle (Seras: Mind blown~). After Askeladd finishes the sling for Thorfinn, he tells him how to beat Thorkell in one shot, aim for the jaw (Seras: Yep. It’s true, a well-placed hit on the jaw can take down anyone no matter how tough, strong or big they are. (Isis): But how is that possible? (Mira): A good question Isis. You see a strong enough blow to the jaw sends an immense shockwave to your brain that it stimulates that of a concussion. Your brain is so overwhelmed by the hit that it basically shuts down on you and has to restart itself. (Isis): So it’s basically like doing a hard reset on a laptop? (Mira): In a way, yes). Thorfinn follows Askeladd’s advice as Askeladd provides the necessary distraction for Thorfinn to kick Thorkell in the chin and knock him out (scene here: https://youtu.be/Wtd2cGhgIpI). Of course Thorfinn being the angsty teenage boy that he is isn’t satisfied and gouges out one of Thorkell’s eyes for good measure (Isis: That boy is bloodthirsty). Thorkell’s men attempt to kill Thorfinn but Thorkell regains consciousness and orders them to stop saying he lost the duel fair and square (Seras: Well not fair, but square in the jaw). Canute shows up to put an end to the fighting as well as get a sled from Thorkell but Thorkell has no intention of letting his captive go. Canute explains to Thorkell it would be pointless as his life means nothing to Swayn. Instead, it’s better to let Canute go as he plans to join up with the main army and kill his father for the throne (balls! Brass balls on that kid). This manages to win Thorkell over so much that he decides to fight for Canute (Seras: Holy shit! Canute just gained a strong ally). Askeladd also decides to fight for Canute and even confesses that he killed Ragnar knowing full well that Canute won’t kill him but instead have him serve in place of Ragnar as repentance (scene here: https://youtu.be/Qkifi7_8cjM. (Isis): Askeladd is back on a winning streak as everything pays off).
(Seras): In episode 20 Canute and the others make it to Gainsborough much to the shock of everyone (Nitsuj: They all expected him to die in the snow like Jack Nicholson from The Shining). Canute, Askeladd, and Thorfinn go to meet Sweyn where it’s obvious that Sweyn was planning to kill his son but Askeladd uses his silver tongue to talk Sweyn out of it as killing him would only divide the troops up as Canute managed to pull Thorkell to his side (Isis: That is very praiseworthy). Sweyn decides that it’s not the right time to kill Canute and Canute comes to the same conclusion about Sweyn, so the two just go their separate ways for the time being (Mira: This was a good father/son talk).
In episode 21 Canute makes it to the town of York where a war council will be held. Rumors are circulating that Sweyn will most likely take Thorkell from Canute and send him either to the frontlines or somewhere else where he’ll have an assassin kill him and just say the enemy killed him (what a very strategic Game of Thrones they are playing). An assassin shoots Canute only to discover that it was a double and the real Canute is fine. While in York, Thorfinn runs into Leif who begs Thorfinn to leave and return to Iceland but Thorfinn says no as he won’t leave until he kills Askeladd (scene here: https://youtu.be/b5PrdAieeEY. (Nitsuj): Sorry Leif, but the bright and cheerful boy you knew is dead and all that remains is an angry and vengeful man who wants blood). That night, talks about the assassination attempt begin to spread around town just like Askeladd wanted. We find out that he was the one who hired the assassin and the double in order to put Sweyn in a complicated spot. If Sweyn sends Canute away or takes Thorkell away from him after this assassination attempt it’ll only look like he’s setting his son up to die in the public eye. He’ll lose face with the public and they’ll quickly turn on him (Mira: A brilliant move. Say what you want about Askeladd but that man is smart). The next morning it’s time for Thorfinn and Askeladd to have another duel. Even though Thorfinn’s arm is still broken he still wants to fight, but Thorfinn will have to wait as Bjorn gets to fight Askeladd first. After ingesting so many mushrooms over the years, Bjorn’s body has become weak and frail. He doesn’t have much time to live, so he wants to die in an honorable fight against his captain. Even though he knows Askeladd hates him deep down, he can’t help but respect him and want to be his friend as well as feel sorry for him for hating everyone including himself (Isis: It can be rather exhausting). Askeladd kills Bjorn with ease where he calls Bjorn his only true friend in life (scene here: https://youtu.be/A1_pcOea62Q).
Episodes 22-24
(Mira): Episode 22 is a really good episode. Askeladd quickly beats up Thorfinn and he does it bare-handed (Nitsuj: Damn, he made that kid humble). After that, Askeladd takes a seat and talks about his past and how he killed his own father. As a kid Askeladd worked in the stables and blacksmith to earn money to take care of his ill mother. His dad Olaf (Nitsuj: Fighting the urge to make a Frozen joke here) was a proud and respectful Viking who kicked Askeladd’s mother to the side when she became ill and didn’t even know Askeladd was his son (deuce). Askeladd’s mother would tell him the story about Atroius, the man who would come to free them from slavery and sickness (Isis: So, Jesus?). One day, her mind just finally snapped and she mistook Olaf for Atroius who took offence to this and tried to kill her. Askeladd came to his mother’s rescue by fighting Olaf despite never holding a sword in all of his life. Askeladd lost (obviously) but Olaf came to recognize him as his son and took him in where he learned swordsmanship and strategies, and even befriended his half-brothers. However, he was biding his time and waiting for the right moment to kill Olaf. Askeladd finally killed Olaf in his sleep (Isis: As well as a sex slave) and pinned the murder on one of his brothers. Askeladd finishes up his story by saying Vikings are ugly creatures and that if we want something we can’t wait around for God or others to deliver it to us, we have to take it ourselves (Nitsuj: This story also shines light on why Askeladd has been putting up with Thorfinn for so long. They’re the same. Askeladd knows what Thorfinn is going through and is showing him how his blind rage for vengeance has made him into a fool who can never beat Askeladd the way he is now. Thorfinn may have grown physically but mentally he’s still an angsty child who’s just chasing his dad’s murderer. (Isis): You could even argue that this isn’t about vengeance anymore. This is about Thorfinn being afraid to admit that he’s the one who got Thors killed. If he hadn’t been on that boat or was a little stronger all of this could have been avoided. But nope, his naiveite about what a warrior is and the world caused him to lose his dad and he’s too much of a child to accept blame for it). As Askeladd leaves to give Bjorn a proper burial (Seras: Plant him by a patch of mushrooms), Thorfinn thinks about the last 10 years of his life and realizes how Askeladd was right about him. He’s not a warrior he’s an ugly Viking (probably even lower than that. Scenes here: https://youtu.be/8c3MCbUrZR4 and https://youtu.be/jcNCIVdCO8k).
Episode 23 is a slow episode, but still an interesting one. The episode can be split into two stories. The first one is Thorfinn’s story. After losing to Askeladd (Seras: Like a bitch) he roams the streets depressed where he gets into a fight and thrown in jail (Nitsuj: Gotta love how this group of people who love violence and war have jail at their disposal. (Isis): Oh please, it’s not like they’re complete barbarians). He gets a visit from Leif who vows once again to return Thorfinn to Iceland and then take him to Vinland to live in peace (scene here: https://youtu.be/r5sG34Z8BEI). The second story is at the war council which is the best story in the episode. Sweyn announces that come spring they’re going to attack Wales and Askeladd is panicking internally on what to do to save his homeland from doom.
In final episode (which I think we can all agree was a great episode? (Isis): Of course! (Seras): Hell yeah! (Nitsuj): This episode was awesome) Askeladd openly protests Sweyn’s attack on Wales saying it would be pointless and at first Askeladd seems to get through to him, but Sweyn gives him an ultimatum, Canute or Wales (Nitsuj: Man, it’s like deciding between a pack of Reese’s or a king size pack of Reese’s. Both our equally good however one satisfies you longer). After Sweyn insults his mom, Askeladd goes with option 3, kill Sweyn. He manages to cut Sweyn’s head off cleanly and then proceeds to feign madness all while killing everyone. Thorfinn arrives just in time to witness Askeladd’s final (Isis: And best) moment. Canute delivers the killing blow to Askeladd to ascend the throne and become the new king (Nitsuj: That magnificent bastard just save us all). Thorfinn of course not seeing the big picture here and only caring about revenge demands that Askeladd not die, but Askeladd tells him to move on with his life and find a true purpose in life. Askeladd dies and in a fit of rage Thorfinn tries to kill Canute (Seras: It is ironic that the weakest character in the show would kill the best character in the show. Like watching a zebra kill a lion) only to fail and get taken down. Canute orders him not to be killed (Isis: That boy is lucky) and dismisses everyone. As Thorfinn is being dragged away we see him desperately trying to break free to reach Askeladd’s body (Nitsuj: Get over it) to end the season (scene here: https://youtu.be/RMHQZgcZnvM).
Final Thoughts
(Nitsuj): Holy shit. Where do we begin?
(Seras): Well, let’s start with the first half. The first part is mostly focused on Thorfinn, his growth, and his quest for revenge. We see his father try to teach him the right way to live only for Thorfinn to ignore his father’s teachings and become obsessed with vengeance. Becoming the one thing his father didn’t want him to become. While he claims he wanted to avenge his father and it may have started off like that in the end all he really cared about was himself and he was doing this for his own selfish reasons. He may have the body of a young man but in truth, he’s just a child who could never move on and is too afraid to accept that his father died because of his own naivete. He becomes Askeladd’s tool of battle. Askeladd knows Thorfinn won’t just straight-up kill him, won’t use any sneak attacks, and won’t allow anyone to kill him. It’s quite sad in the end. He’s a slave of Askeladd and when he dies he loses his purpose in life.
(Isis): The second half mostly focuses on Askeladd as we learn the truth about his past, what his goals are, and how he plans to achieve them. He really takes center stage in the second half with the way he manipulates and uses everyone around him to get closer and closer to his goal and at the end just when you think his back is against the wall he manages to achieve his goal and help the person he was backing up achieve their goal as well. He’s a great character from beginning to end and his death served as a great catalyst for the main story. Oh yeah, this season was just the prologue.
(Nitsuj): There’s not much to say for the rest of the characters aside from Canute and Thorkell. Canute’s growth from a sheltered boy to a tough prince was good. Askeladd created the perfect scenario and situations for him where he has no choice but grow up. They were harsh but needed to happen for him to take the throne and lead the people. Thorkell was the best. There’s nothing else I need to say. He’s the best. Every time he’s on screen is always a delight. He is the perfect example of what a Viking is.
(Mira): Makoto does a great job showing the harsh reality of this time period while showing respect to the people and their culture as well. The detail of their clothing, houses, weapons, ideas, and thoughts is all great stuff to see and something I wish Hollywood would take a page from.
(Nitsuj): While the animation and fights are great, one thing I don’t hear a lot of people praise is the music. The music in this anime is incredible. It’s beautiful, it matches up with the animation, and it never feels out of place. It sets the mood perfectly with what’s going on and only enhances the scene. It conveys the emotions of the characters and the rush they feel when they’re in battle.
Final Score
(Nitsuj): My final score for Vinland Saga is a 10/10.
(Seras): I’m giving it 9/10.
(Isis): I’m also giving this anime a 9/10. Mira?
(Mira): Yes. I can’t deny it. 10/10. Averaging out our scores we end up with a 9.5/10 as the final score for Vinland Saga.
(Nitsuj): And add in a must-watch stamp of approval. If you’re looking to get into Vinland Saga definitely watch the anime. I recommend watching the anime first and reading the manga second. Even Makoto recommended everyone watch the anime first before reading the manga as the anime does a better job introducing you to the series. It’s essentially one of those rare moments where the anime managed to do a better job than the manga. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next season and with MAPPA heading up the project I think it’s going to be a potential AOTY candidate.
(Isis): Well, thanks for reading everyone.
(Seras): Happy New Year to everyone out there.
(Mira): And we’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.