Vinland Saga

[Haak]

So I finally managed to watch the first three episode and I have to say, my God that was amazing. There were so many moments that simply took my breath away. Thors was responsible for most of them: Him buying the slave at deaths door and the words he gave to Thorfinn when he picked up the blade were so amazing. But then there's Leif and his harrowing tale and pretty much all the other characters who had so much personality (including the antagonists), and that's not to mention the amazingly well crafted setting that is so atmospheric (great visual and soundtrack) and so meticulously developed right down to smallest details (like how they started getting sores on their arses and hands from the exhaustive rowing).

Moar.

[Blaat]

We finally have 'Moar.' and it was another fantastic episode, Shizuka Ishigami nailed it at the end and I'm really loving Naoya Uchida as Askelad.

[Kanon]

It was a long wait, but this episode fully delivered. I really liked how they managed to convey Askeladd's true feelings with slight changes in his facial expression. He was totally serious when he offered Thors to become their leader, and he regretted having to kill a man as exceptional as him. Proof of the latter is the fact he kept his promise.

[serenade_beta]

Spoiler for ep4:

Huh, I can't really say that was too interesting. I guess it was too obvious that OP-Dad was going to die from some "sneaky" method because it would be too hard to write a story when one character is able to superman himself throughout history. Yeah, I'm sure the Vikings really wished they had OP-Dad on their side like this anime did.

[FlareKnight]

Well RIP for the best character in the show. The real question going forward is whether this angry kid is going to be a tolerable main character or not.

[TheForsaken]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

Spoiler for ep4:

Huh, I can't really say that was too interesting. I guess it was too obvious that OP-Dad was going to die from some "sneaky" method because it would be too hard to write a story when one character is able to superman himself throughout history. Yeah, I'm sure the Vikings really wished they had OP-Dad on their side like this anime did.

If you think that Askeladd wants Thors just because of his strength, you must have not paid enough attention.

[Wandering Soul]

It was obvious Thors was going to have to bite the dust and have his son become the angry jaded man he is in the opening. The episode was well worth the wait and I'm looking forward to more.

[Blaat]

Images

Episode 5 preview video

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The youtube channel has interviews with various production staff members and the mangaka with official English subtitles, There are no story spoilers, but they do mention a character who hasn't appeared yet (he is mentioned in one of the PVs though) and a country we haven't seen seen yet. So depending how sensitive you are to spoilers e.g. you want to be totally blind for the anime and not have a single thing spoiled, it might be better to avoid it till the series is over. If not it's definitely worth checking out.

Spoiler for episode 5 preview:

As revealed from the cast interview it's an anime original episode, I hope us manga readers will give it a fair chance... REEE FILLER IT SUCKS! (just joking ) Considering the adaptation of the first four episodes have been superb, it would be quite silly not give this episode a fair chance.

[AntonKutovoi]

I mean, with 24 episodes, there's only one place of the story, where they can stop. If they can add more content and keep the quality and pacing the same, I won't complain.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

Well RIP for the best character in the show. The real question going forward is whether this angry kid is going to be a tolerable main character or not.

The real best character of the show is still alive though.

[Nivek von Beldo]

Thor died faster i expected,i thought he would die when everyone was flying to canada....seems i got it wrong.

and we got blonde Asta already

[TheForsaken]

Why do people keep comparing Thorfinn with Eren or Asta or whatever?
He WAS NOT a teenager like them! He was just 6 year old at this point.

[Jaden]

I never knew about Vinland Saga until now, since I don't pay attention to manga very much. This one hit me like Thor's hammer.

3 episodes to set up Thors as this living legend that transcends the setting with his brain and brawn, just so he can be killed off to set things up for the actual main character, that is some ambitious writing. Reminds me of GoT but even bolder in some ways.

I just hope the anime keeps going for as long as it needs to.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Jaden

3 episodes to set up Thors as this living legend that transcends the setting with his brain and brawn, just so he can be killed off to set things up for the actual main character, that is some ambitious writing. Reminds me of GoT but even bolder in some ways.

It should be noted the manga starts with teen Thorfinn attacking a fort and basically most of the stuff you see in the OP. It's only after that that we get his backstory and we're introduced to Thors, who we knew from the get go would be killed by Askeladd. I think the anime team has made an excellent choice by starting with the flashback. They should have gone all the way and not show the OP until episode 5, since it gave away a lot.

I don't know about Asta, but it's obvious why Thorfinn is being compared to Eren (it should be the other way around): same studio animating the series, the characters both lose one of their parents as a kid and swear to get revenge no matter what, displaying pure rage. I think Thorfinn's scene was more intense though.

[Grifis]

Loud mouth son was the cause of badass daddy's death. I can't forgive his loud mouth unless he will grow into a really good looking man. But from the OP, I don't recall seeing any good looking man. Hmm....

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by TheForsaken

If you think that Askeladd wants Thors just because of his strength, you must have not paid enough attention.

I'm referring to the real Vikings
Also, I haven't invested in this anime enough to remember any of their names, so I don't know who Askaladd is. The baddy from this episode, one of the baddies that were talking at the tent 3 weeks ago...

[TheForsaken]

Originally Posted by Grifis

Loud mouth son was the cause of badass daddy's death.

He was not actually. Bjorn could have just grabbed someone else if Thorfinn wasn't there.
Thors's fate was sealed the moment the group ran into this trap.
He could only survive if he was willing to abandon his friends.

[Chosen_Hero]

Man, I really hate that stupid kid, it's his fault his father had to sacrifice himself.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Chosen_Hero

Man, I really hate that stupid kid, it's his fault his father had to sacrifice himself.

No, it’s really not. This would have ended the same way no matter what happened, and Thors knew it. There’s no way he could defeat all of Askeladd’s men and protect two boats worth of farmer’s sons with no fighting experience. Askeladd was too smart to let this end without getting his prize - the rest of the crew was unimportant to him.

However, I do think his offer to Thors to become the leader was sincere. He knew there was almost no chance Thors would agree, but it was offered seriously.

[Frontier]

I love how Thors was cutting a swath through Askeladd's crew without killing anyone. He even threw one guy an oar to keep him afloat .