Rewarded Revenge
Alongside the medium’s way of enticing me with its fantastical flourishes, expression and fluency in the unique animation style it so proudly bestows, another manner in which anime has always appealed to me is its craft in story-telling and how there are a plethora of different sub-genre of anime which allows audience to look at specific contexts from a differing view. The most prominent example of this comes in the form of historical anime; a certain sub-genre which rather depicts a particular age of history in a streamlined yet familiar way – akin to what you may see in the Shōnen strain of the medium. Uncommon to the average anime viewer, historical anime are inspired by classic literature but some tell entirely new stories or create unique timelines for viewers to explore. Indeed, They very much shine a light on important or forgotten periods of time, all the while delivering engaging, enchanting, or traumatic stories. Where you have Isao Takahata produce a heart-wrenching film in the form of Grave of the Fireflies which the depicts the tale of two young children trying to survive on their own following an American air bombing near the end of World War 2, you also have a series such as Baccano! which rather covers so many different time periods throughout its story due to its own interconnected mysteries. For sure, its clear to see just how these many different historical anime occupy their own distinct narrative style which, again, provides these instances of perspectives that makes you ponder. This was certainly true when I came to view the first season of Vinland Saga for the first time; a Wit Studio series that despite having a rather simple premise of revenge on the surface, flourishes in weaving audiences expectations with deep story motifs that seamlessly works with the archaic backdrop of the Viking era…
Vinland, an area of North America, was once home to Vikings following explorer Leif Erikson’s landing there around 1000 AD. Chronicling these adventures are the Vinland Sagas, two Icelandic texts written in the 13th century: The Saga of Erik the Red and The Saga of the Greenlanders. From the beginning of the 11th century with the Viking invasion of England, it follows a young boy named Thorfinn Thorsson who grows up under the tutelage of his father Thors Snoresson. Thors fought in the famed Battle of Hjörungavágr and thought he’d live to enjoy a peaceful life with his wife Helga and their children. But the war changed things, and when Thors falls, it’s up to his son Thorfinn to carry on his lineage.
Filled with gratuitous, grisly violence that’s neatly juxtaposed with meaty character drama, there’s more than meets the eye of Vinland Saga and how it very much uses its striking yet macabre Viking setting to enhance the central drama that centres around the protagonist of Thorfinn. Indeed, It’s difficult to watch Thorfinn deal with sorrow and frustration, but this plotline sets up the foundation for a saga spanning years and years, all based in historical record. It’s not stuffy or boring, as you might be inclined to assume upon first watch, but every bit as rugged and wild as a Hollywood blockbuster, only more visually striking. It’s a dark tale that deserves to be told, and one that you’ll find yourself sucked into rather quickly. From looking at the series from an outside perspective, and how many episodes there was to view in Season 1, I naturally conjectured that this aforementioned series would be nothing but a slow-slog that acutely appropriated towards its central drama like a moth drawn to a flame; how wrong I was. Without knowing the full extent of the synopsis initially going into watching the series, I was met with a premise that not only attunes its central drama with adhered narrative techniques, but is then threaded through a grandiose historical plot which brings all the central players towards a savage fray. A clear moment where the series hornswoggles you, is the moment in which Thorfinn witnesses his father’s demise by the hands of Askeladd and the rest of his Viking band. It’s a significant moment that you don’t necessarily expect to happen and rather subverts your expectations; how this merry fellowship of Thors, Thorfinn and the other men from the village isn’t all plain-sailing. It’s a dramatic moment which, in turn, reminds you of the sub-text in which this story is taking place and how truly unfairly vicious the Viking age is perceived to be. Much of this moment is amplified through the animation techniques itself and how it poignantly creates scenarios of raised-emotions – such as where we see Thorfinn crying and holding his father in a singular space that subsides the setting in which this dramatic death took place. In many ways, this sudden and tragic revelation for Thorfinn very much reminded me of the sudden narrative and emotional shift that takes in the middle of Gurren Lagann where Simon’s father figure in Kamina unexpectedly dies; creating an appropriate story-arc for the former character who proceeds in becoming a similar figure-head to his friend/idol. Much of the same can be seen in Vinland Saga where Thorfinn, following his father’s tragic passing, undergoes a path of war and revenge in the hopes of challenging Askeladd to a duel and revenge. As events transpire however, what seems like a revenge story is going to blossom in its purest way, actually turns into a far more grander scenario following the rise of Prince Canute’s ascendency in becoming King of England and Denmark. Vinland Saga could have been a by-the-numbers story that relies too much on its historical roots to be of interest to mainstream viewers. Instead, it centres what will be a lengthy ride on a sympathetic cast of characters that it’s ridiculously easy to quickly fall in love with. From the opening moments showcasing heroic Thors in the midst of battle to his family dynamic, this series is kind to its players, even when they’re killers who have no trouble cleaving others in half. There’s a lengthy tale here that will unfold to much fanfare, and it gives every single player their fair due. If you’re curious about how a certain character fits into the narrative, you get enough information about them to understand their motivations. And with animation this impeccable and a voice cast this fantastic, it’s such an easy watch, even if you’re squeamish, that you’ll melt from one episode to the next, though the first one is gripping in such a way that you may very well wish to watch it again. Thematically, Vinland Saga directly articulates the inherent tragedies of human society, and yet Yukimura’s story is still filled with hope. It is precisely Vinland Saga’s acuity of perspective, both in terms of individual actors and the structures they occupy, that make its tragic moments hurt so deeply, and its joyous moments inspire such hope for tomorrow.
Vinland Saga also benefits from appealing character and background design. Thick-lined, expressive faces capture the individuality of Yukimura’s characters, while lush painted backdrops lend a majestic dignity to all the show’s drama. At certain times, particularly during the utterly stunning fourteenth episode, Vinland Saga rises from faithful adaptation into breath-taking elevation, intimately capturing the sorrow and desperate hope of a life in chains. That said, outside of the big action set-pieces, the show’s direction is generally conservative. Most scenes stick to relatively flat panel-by-panel adaptation, and the show’s animation flags considerably during its second half. The winter march that consumes much of that second half is a slog in both visual and narrative terms, while also featuring the show’s most pronounced character-writing hiccup. At one point, we’re essentially forced to accept divine inspiration as the motivation for a character to shift his personality entirety – an act of audience faith that felt like the one point where Yukimura’s thematic ambitions demanded a concession in terms of convincing, gradual characterization.
Vinland Saga is a gorgeously animated historical series that introduces an entire cast of sympathetic characters whose personalities and actions keep you watching at every turn. The first episode delivers impressive visuals, voice acting, and an impactful story that help push it miles ahead of its genre peers. It’s rewarding in ways you wouldn’t expect from a series of this ilk, and there’s a raw beauty hidden within its brutality. If you’re looking for a breath-taking character study fused with some of the most chilling battles you’ll ever see this side of Berserk, Vinland Saga is well worth diving into immediately.
On that note, it’s time for me to end this week’s Anime Review. As always everyone, thank you for reading my latest Anime Review of Vinland Saga and I hope you’ve all enjoyed the read! Thank you for reading this week’s Blog Post and I’ll be back next week! Have a nice day! Adieu!
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ – Alex Rabbitte