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Star Rating:
Vinland Saga is about a Viking boy living in Iceland who wishes to travel to Vinland, a warmer, greener land. However, war is on the horizon, and a death sends Thorfinn, the young boy, on a quest for vengeance that leads him into the middle of the conflict.
This anime is beautifully written and animated. The story keeps you interested throughout, and the combination of historical facts and fiction creates a compelling story. The majority of the characters are based on real historical figures, but the writer took many liberties when creating the characters. While it may not be historically accurate, it is still fascinating to use real historical figures.
The plot begins fairly simply as a revenge story. However, Vinland Saga delves far beyond the typical revenge plot. War throws Thorfinn into a completely different world, which changes him. The story is extremely emotional in many ways, including political conflicts, how people treat one another, different cultures, religions, and so much more. It’s a complex and in-depth story.
In my opinion, the characters are one of the show’s highlights. They are very well written and very likeable, even when they do horrible things and should be viewed as the bad guys in the story. To be honest, that’s one of the best parts of the show. Each character is teetering between right and wrong. Even when one of them does something wrong, you can’t help but hope for the best for that character when they’re in trouble. Eventually, you’re left wondering about your own morals for still caring about certain characters, even after they do things they shouldn’t.
The animation is excellent. The faces, in particular, stand out. There’s just so much emotion there, especially in the main character. Simply by looking at him, you can physically feel Thorfinn’s pain. The action scenes are well executed and well thought out. It’s an anime where you think you know how a fight will go, but you’re always left wondering who will win or lose and what will happen to certain characters.
Vinland Saga is a good anime. It’s emotional, complex, has a variety of tones, and is fun to watch. I highly recommend this anime not only to anime fans but also to anyone interested in Vikings. I’m looking forward to the second season.
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