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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The gospel of ‘Vinland Saga' and its life-changing meditations on pacifism
By the time Japanese author Makoto Yukimura's seminal seinen manga publishes its 220th and final chapter today, it will have spanned two decades, 28 collected volumes, and two critically acclaimed seasons of anime. Widely considered as one of modern manga's most influential and evocative stories, Vinland Saga has sold over seven million copies, won the prestigious Kodansha Manga Award, and built a global congregation of devout fans. Despite its success, it still resists easy summary. It presents as a Viking epic of blood, vengeance and conquest, but harbours a stirring moral parable about remorse, forgiveness, and the long, difficult work of laying down one's sword. Inspired by the real-life Norse explorer Thorfinn Karlsefni, who led an expedition to North America around the turn of the 11th century, Yukimura set out to reconstruct the world of medieval Scandinavia with fastidious detail. He read Icelandic sagas — Erik the Red, The Greenlanders, The Flateyjarbók — though he later confessed that the source material was too long and dense to fully absorb. Instead, he travelled to Scandinavia, studied Viking law and shipbuilding, consulted anthropologists, and even created full-scale models to ensure historical fidelity with near-scholarly devotion. But the facts were never the point. The real Thorfinn's journey ended in failure, and Yukimura wanted to imagine what it would look like if it didn't. As a child, Thorfinn watches his father die and is consumed by a Hamletian thirst for revenge. By the series' midpoint, hollowed by grief, he finds a new vision: a vow of nonviolence, and a dream of a land where no one owns another, and no one draws a sword. This becomes the essence of Vinland — a utopia worth striving for, even if never found. Yukimura has rarely drawn attention to his influences, but his story hums with echoes of the great moral epics that preceded it. He has often cited Fist of the North Star as his entry point into manga, but Vinland Saga draws from a broader lineage of Dostoevsky's psychological torment, Kurosawa's tragic grandeur, and the lyrical, spiritual minimalism of Terrence Malick and Shūsaku Endō. At first, the story seduced readers with brutality. In its early arcs, Vinland Saga offered the baity spectacle of Nordic warbands slashing their way through medieval England. But as the chapters wore on, Yukimura gradually subverted the expectations he had so carefully cultivated. The swordplay gave way to introspection, and the battlefield faded into farmland. The manga became slower, quieter, and immeasurably deeper. The phrase 'I have no enemies,' first spoken by Thorfinn's father and later claimed by Thorfinn himself, has become the story's most striking refrain. It appears on posters, surfaces in comment threads, and circulates online like a secular prayer; emblematic of the story's moral arc. Though it sounds simple, in the context of the story, it marks a hard-earned philosophical commitment. In Buddhist thought, it echoes metta, or the cultivation of boundless goodwill toward all beings. In Christianity, it recalls Christ's command to love one's enemies. In Stoicism, it aligns with Marcus Aurelius' belief in understanding over judgment, and action guided by reason rather than impulse. In postcolonial thought, it resists the machinery of 'othering' that makes violence seem natural. Yukimura draws on this rich theological lineage to suggest that 'I have no enemies' doesn't deny conflict, but rather rejects the moral architecture that makes violence seem inevitable. Yukimura, a self-avowed pacifist, has said he would sooner go to prison than take up arms, even under government coercion. That conviction gives Vinland Saga its definitive force as a story set a millennium ago that speaks directly to the carnage of now. With clannish bloodlust and righteous warfare currently fueling the most defining atrocities of our time, Vinland Saga's radical, almost naive faith in a world without violence feels more vital than ever. That its titular utopia would later birth one of history's most brutal empires only deepens the irony. And yet in its belief in redemption, it insists a better world is still worth the reach. The parallels may not be precise, and Vinland Saga does not offer prescriptive solutions to modern crises. But its questions linger: How do people break free from cycles of violence? What does justice look like when forgiveness is possible, but memory endures? Can a society built on conquest ever truly become peaceful? The story doesn't pretend these are easy questions, and Thorfinn's path is full of doubt and contradiction. But Yukimura insists, again and again, that refusing to dehumanise others is the first step. Over time, Vinland Saga has cultivated a devoted, soul-searching following. Many have turned to it for solace in depression or as a catalyst to let go of rage. Its hopeful creed offered a blueprint for a kinder, gentler way of living, and nurtured one of the most thoughtful, generous fandoms in contemporary pop culture. As online spaces grow louder with manospheric posturing, Thorfinn has fostered a countercurrent of healthy masculinity, encouraging a generation of men to pursue empathy, accountability, and emotional growth over dominance or vengeance. That a slow, meditative story could thrive alongside testosteronic shounen offerings is a testament to its emotional gravity. YouTube essays, Reddit confessions, and blog threads have long extolled the virtues of this beautiful alchemy Yukimura has achieved. Vinland Saga is often grouped with Berserk and Vagabond as part of a loose cannon of modern seinen — three extraordinary, long-running epics centred on men forged in violence, each quietly threaded with pacifism. Today, it will become the only one of the three to reach its intended conclusion. As the final chapter approaches, there is a palpable sense of farewell in the air. Fans across the globe are bracing for the inevitable goodbye, already penning long letters of gratitude to a story that helped them survive the years. A millennium ago, a Norse explorer imagined a land without swords. In our time, a Japanese mangaka handed us that dream again. Now it's ours to carry forward, as far as it will go. Vinland is somewhere just past the horizon.
Business Upturn
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
When is Vinland Saga season 3 releasing? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on July 15, 2025, 16:56 IST Vinland Saga has captured the hearts of anime fans with its gripping tale of vengeance, redemption, and Viking lore. After two critically acclaimed seasons, fans are eagerly awaiting news about Vinland Saga Season 3. While official details remain scarce, here's a comprehensive look at everything we know so far about the release date, plot, cast based on the latest updates and speculation. Vinland Saga Season 3 Release Date Speculation Without an official announcement, we're stuck guessing, but let's break it down. The gap between Season 1 and Season 2 was about three and a half years, thanks to the switch from Wit Studio to MAPPA and some pandemic-related delays. MAPPA's got a stacked lineup in 2025, with stuff like Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 and Lazarus in the works, so a release this year feels like a long shot. Some fans are hopeful for a late 2025 or early 2026 premiere, especially if MAPPA's already quietly working on it. Others think we might be waiting until 2027, given how busy the studio is. On X, I've seen wild guesses ranging from a 2024 announcement to a release as far out as 2030—yikes! Those are just fan theories, though, so take them with a grain of salt. For now, late 2025 to early 2026 feels like a safe bet, but we'll need MAPPA to spill the beans to know for sure. Vinland Saga Season 3 Expected Cast We don't have official casting news, but it's hard to imagine Vinland Saga without its core voices. Based on Seasons 1 and 2, we're likely to hear: Thorfinn voiced by Yuto Uemura (Japanese) and Aleks Le (English dub) Canute voiced by Kensho Ono Einar voiced by Shunsuke Takeuchi Leif Erikson voiced by Yoji Ueda What Will Vinland Saga Season 3 Be About? If Season 3 happens (and we're all praying it does), it'll probably dive into the Eastern Expedition Arc, covering manga chapters 100 to 166. This part of the story follows Thorfinn as he tries to fund his dream of reaching Vinland. Expect some epic adventures in the Byzantine Empire, with a mix of trade deals, new allies, and a few tense battles. It's less about all-out war and more about Thorfinn wrestling with his no-violence vibe in a world that's not exactly peaceful. There's also a chance the season could start touching on the final Vinland Arc, where Thorfinn works to build a new home in Vinland. The manga's endgame, with heavy moments like Einar's death and the struggles of Thorfinn's village, sets up a super emotional finale. Fans love how the story blends action with deep themes about finding peace, so Season 3 is bound to hit us right in the feels. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Anime scripts real-life lessons for Gen Z
Chennai: For many teenagers and young adults, watching anime is not just a hobby. A growing number of Gen Z in the city are building identities around the anime characters they admire. These characters may be fictional, but the influence is very real. They speak like them, dress like them, and in some cases, even try to live like them. Whether it's Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan, Thorfinn from Vinland Saga, Naruto or Sung Jinwoo, these characters serve as emotional anchors and tools for self-reflection for many. During a conversation with TOI, Class VIII student R Monika, who wants to be an IAS officer, says anime helps shape her worldview. She calls her sister "Anita-san," using the Japanese honorific, and slips in words such as "konichiwa" while talking. "When Eren Yeager's true intentions are revealed in Attack on Titan, I realized how cruel and oblivious people can be. We must try to make the world a better place to live for everyone irrespective of the race, religion, caste and culture. I will try my best to make that a reality." A recent study shows that for many in the 18–28 age group, anime is now a lifestyle. Japanese words such as "senpai" and "arigato" find their way into everyday conversations. Some wear anime-themed shirts while others proudly call themselves "otakus" or "weebs". For one teen, the anime Naruto offered comfort and clarity. "My brother topped his school, he's always been a bright student. I was not so. I wanted to get validation from my parents, much like Naruto," he said. "The character is energetic, brave, and never gives up, even when people around him doubt him. Naruto dreams of becoming the strongest ninja, the hokage, to earn respect." Adults, too, are inspired by these stories. M Karthik, a 24-year-old MNC employee, said anime helped him manage his anger. "I used to be short-tempered," he said. "I've lost my cool and even gotten into fights. A college friend introduced me to anime, and the first one I watched was Vinland Saga." The story of Thorfinn, a young Viking on a journey of revenge and eventual redemption, made him rethink his views on violence. "The story shows how violence affects people and questions the meaning of true strength. As Thorfinn grows, he dreams of a peaceful land called Vinland," Karthik said. Psychologist Shrishti Yadav says this connection has roots in behavioural science. "A theory by Albert Bandura explains this. Compared to those who watch soap operas, anime viewers often adopt behaviour, appearance and moral framing of characters they admire," she said. "However, over-reliance on anime for emotional regulation can hinder the development of real-world coping skills," Yadav said. "Addictive viewing patterns might contribute to issues such as depression and anxiety in vulnerable individuals, and in extreme cases, blur lines between fiction and reality," she added. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is Vinland Saga manga finished or on hiatus? Explored
Vinland Saga finished or not? Vinland Saga established itself as one of the most amazing manga, and its anime adaptation also became a hit. This was the first time that we got to see something like a manga or an anime taking a deep dive into the way of the Vikings. Now, one of the most asked questions around the manga is if it is over or still in works. Moving forward, we will discuss the status of the manga in brief, followed by what the expectations are from it, and when we can get to see the third season of Vinland Saga anime. Vinland Saga story status and other details The one-word answer to the most asked question is No, the manga is not finished yet. To be precise, the manga is in its last phase with the Vinland Arc in action and around 167 chapters live. This arc revolves around our main protagonist Thorfinn, and his vision to build a community with peace at its core. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 這款全新的農場遊戲掀起熱潮中... Taonga Farms 立即播放 Undo He aims to make the land free from any kind of violence and threats. Thorfinn had been dreaming of a place where there is no fear of attacks and everyone lives in harmony. And he is trying his best to achieve that from the very moment when he set foot in Vinland. Now, with all this in action, we can say that the manga is soon coming to an end. However, when we talk about the anime, the story is moving at a slow pace with only two seasons in action. There are chances that if the content of anime stays loyal to manga, then we will get to see at least three more seasons of Vinland Saga. As of now, there is no official announcement related to the release of Vinland Saga Season 3. Speculations are that it will be launched somewhere around the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. Also Read: Is the Nara clan in Naruto one of the most intellectual to ever exist? Explored
