Vinland Saga – 11 [A Gamble]

I want to say this is a more philosophical week for Vinland Saga. As we spend half of it bantering about religion, the foolishness of war and what it does to a person. Yet Thorkell moving like a meat-blender across the screen sort of takes away from the statement. So instead, how about we just dive right in like we always do? With production.

This week had some nice scenes going for it, with even the CGI seeing a bit of an improvement. Of course the environments stayed top notch, but specifically I want to talk about how the characters interacted with it. The small things, like the soldiers stomping on the leaves, Thorkell blowing one or them falling around him during his talk. It’s small things sure, but they are things that help the great backgrounds feel like more than just window dressing. Going back to the CGI for a minute, while it wasn’t perfect, there was an improvement for the large battle. Some of it was hidden with clever smoke, fire and camera angles. But if that is what they need to do, then I don’t mind much. I think the opening shots of the big battle looked fine. Still, you can see all this with your own eyes. Onto the meat.

This week opened up with a big focus on religion, both Christian and Norse. Though it doesn’t view either in a particularly pleasant light. Lambasting Christianity for its failure to protect its followers and its myriad of rules. Mocking it from the perspective of a Norseman. Meanwhile Norse religion doesn’t fare much better. Taking shots at its warmongering and the absurdity of it all. How they throw their lives away to die on the battlefield, for a “better life” after death. More specifically though Vinland Saga uses this commentary to further its anti-war themes. Really going in on Thorkell’s motivations behind fighting and the pointlessness of it all. As the character who embodies war in the series, everything admirable and terrible about it, this is a clear assault on the concept of war itself.

Not satisfied with this though, Vinland also takes shots at faith in general as well. Not really calling it futile, as we will see later on. But more critiquing the reasons people have for adhering to a faith. This is done through the Priest, though his purpose will change as we go. Screaming about his faith, effectively mad while sober. Using the alcohol to cloud his mind and keep him away from the questions that shake his faith. Eventually espousing that he follows whichever God invented beer. All of this is mostly just introduction to his character though. As he becomes the central focus for the religious themes moving forward. While Thorkell and Thors continue to dominate the topic of war and what it means to be a warrior. It’s rather hard actually to comment on it with what’s at hand, since I know what comes later.

Moving on to something a bit easier to digest, let’s focus in a bit on Thorkell. As we begin to see just how… well rationally crazy the man is. Whether this is because of his previously espoused faith, or just his inner nature, we will learn eventually. But the fact is the man loves to fight. So much so that he will insult and push enemy soldiers, putting himself in a vulnerable position, just to do so. Such as giving his opponents his only hostage and insulting them to convince them to engage in melee. Attacking their honor, their own religion which he also holds, so they forgo their advantageous position. After all they had archers and the high ground. Had they sat back, even with less numbers, they could have done a lot more. But this misguided idea of Norse “honor” caused them to give it all away.

Through this Vinland continues its critique of war. First showing its horrors and effects on men by literally burning many of them alive. Having characters specifically commenting on it as a terrible death, even those who believe in Valhalla. All that is made plain. My favorite part of this sequence though is that with the 2 warriors from the 2 sides. Walking side by side, until one says the wrong word, revealing they are enemies. It’s a demonstration of the greater war as a whole. As they have no differences, they could have been friends and allies without this war. With no defining features or reasons to kill each other beyond their allegiance. Yet the moment they do, they are cut down by a third party. Denied even their honorable death in battle by an opportunist. Vinland really likes to hit on the “futility” of war.

The last thing I want to touch on, since everything else is obvious like Thorfinn’s dad, is Canute and Thorfinn. This is more of a “what is going to happen” type section, but the juxtaposition should be obvious. As both Thorfinn and Canute are the same age, both shoved in a war they don’t want to be in. Both now under Askeladd’s thumb with very different circumstances. You can even see their juxtaposition in their design. Thorfinn being given that edgey and classic “male protagonist” sort of design, while Canute has a much more feminine and soft design by comparison. They are, compared to many other characters, 2 different extremes on the spectrum. Neither of them in a particularly good place in their lives. Suffice to say, pay attention to them, their relationship and where they go. Because they are the focus moving forward.

So all in all, how was Vinland Saga this week? For me, I continue to love the series. It’s a slow burn, yes, but a very dense burn. With layers on layers of themes, both in its characters and its setting. Yukimura, the author, clearly put a lot of effort into his research for the series. As all the locations and people can be found, in one form or another, in history. Whether it be myth with Askeladd, legend with Thorkell, or history with Sweyn. And all of that is starting to come to a head now. As all of our major players have met up in one way or another. Thorkell as dropped the bomb ensuring Thorfinn meets him again, Askeladd set his plan in motion and Canute has… existed. Makes me look forward to what is to come.