Warning! Contains spoilers for Vinland Saga Part 2!
Vinland’s story just ended its stunning second season by showing what made it one of the best shows of 2023 so far. The anime produced by Studio Mappa and based on Makoto Yukimura’s manga may not have as much action as fans would expect, but instead it brilliantly reflects the cycle of violence and horrors of war. paintings, expressed through missionary activities. the transformation of the main character, Thorfinn. The final episode introduces this in a particularly poignant way.
At the end of Vinland Saga Season 2, “Home” features Thorfinn finally returning to his village in Iceland. After being apart for so long, most people didn’t even recognize him, but his mother hugged him in tears and he was accepted by the villagers. This leads to some beautiful moments of kindness and joy that they feel deserved after the suffering Thorfinn and Einar endured as slaves on Ketil’s Farm. However, the most important part of the episode is when Thorfinn tells his family about his journey and his goal of creating a land of peace in Vinland. The story features clips from various seasons of the show that reveal how Thorfinn’s total experience has shaped him into the man he is.
Vinland Saga Part 2 Has One of the Best Characters in Anime History
While some might call it an extra movie montage, in Vinland Saga it makes you immensely satisfied. Anime has changed genres many times, from stories of war and bloodshed to political thrillers to slice of life about farming, all set in Viking Culture. Connecting these seemingly disparate stages of the story is Thorfinn’s journey into adulthood, starting as a child obsessed with vengeance and growing up to be the only true pacifist. best of anime. Season 2 is basically the story of Thorfinn’s drastic change. After living most of his life as a killing machine obsessed only with avenging his father, the death of his target, Askeladd, plunged Thorfinn into a deep indifference, at the same time. with being sold into slavery. However, this proved to be Thorfinn’s ultimate salvation.
At Ketill’s ranch, Thorfinn meets people and things that fill the void in him. Einar, a slave friend who became Thorfinn’s best friend, as a non-Viking, gave him an important outside perspective on the horrors of war. The old owner of the farm, Ketill’s father, showed Thorfinn the beauty and value of hard work. Ultimately, Arnheid’s story and tragic fate spurred Thorfinn to shape his new beliefs in pacifism into a concrete force for world change. The final episode of the season introduces Throfinn’s growth, ultimately the crystallization of his life philosophy and goals.
Vinland Saga is one of the best shows of the year
In addition to the story and the incredible characters, Vinland Saga is technically impressive. While it may not have as many flashy action scenes as other Mappa series, its animation is always subtly brilliant, from its hauntingly iconic depiction of slow death. from Gardar and Arnheid to the grounded character design of the Vinland Saga, nearly every aspect of the show’s design is flawless. This combined with excellent voice acting and music allows the anime to deepen the impact of the story it is adapting.
Of course, given the nature of the second season’s plot, the show isn’t for everyone. While the Vinland Saga did a great job of keeping viewers interested in farming, the slow pacing of some of the arcs in the season isn’t for everyone. The film also has some scenes that may be difficult for some viewers to watch, such as the scene where Arnheid is brutally beaten. But for fans willing to be patient with the show, Vinland’s story easily the best cartoon of the year so far, telling a complex and powerful story of character growth and preaching pacifism in a medium that often glorifies violence.
Vinland Saga season 2 available to watch on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
