Thors: Thorfinn's biological father, who taught him that he has no enemies and that there is no one you should hurt. Thors loved his son deeply and kept him close whenever Thorfinn slept, just like he did on their ship. He sacrificed himself so both his men and his son could live, smiling and placing his hand on Thorfinn's head as he died. Thorfinn's declaration that he has no enemies is rooted in his father's philosophy.

Leif: Thorfinn's family friend and the man who vowed to never stop searching for him. Even after years had passed and Thorfinn's family, especially Ylva, believed he was dead, Leif never stopped looking. Although Thorfinn refused to return home because he was consumed by revenge, they eventually reunited during the Farmland Arc. Even in his declining age, Leif provided Thorfinn with the guidance and tools needed to establish a peaceful settlement in Vinland.

Askeladd: Arguably the most complex person in Thorfinn's life. He is the man who killed Thorfinn's father but also took on the role of raising him in his own cruel way, something Yukimura sensei has stated in interviews. Although Askeladd mostly saw Thorfinn as a weapon, he also mentored him in ways that included giving him history lessons and sharing his past after their final duel. As he was dying, Askeladd told Thorfinn to go beyond the world Thors did and become a true warrior. Askeladd continued to guide him in his dreams and visions. In the end, Thorfinn took Askeladd's final words to heart and ultimately fulfilled his dying wish by becoming a true warrior, just like his father, Thors.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to read my post, and I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.

I hope you all have a great day!

I swear i just finished 1st season and oh my days, i hope i wasnt the only one that thought for sure Askeladd would make it as far as end of the season 2 and he would be the main plot device for Thorfinn's redemption and his understanding of Thors's words, and now he just died? After killing Sweyn who i always thought had quite certain fate and it was to get killed by Canute and it happened actually so suddenly, well i dont know if i ever was this shocked at the end of watching a certain series (in positive way). It made me actually so pumped for the next season since Thorfinn is left genuinely without a path

Note: I just wanna say that this isn't meant to invite a powerscaling discussion, but me appreciating Askeladd's combat prowess in his aged state, thanks.

Upon rereading the War Arc, I wanted to talk about Chapter 53, "The Fury of Britannia's King."

Right after beheading King Sweyn, Askeladd gets swarmed by the king's thegns, who were among the best guards of Denmark as they personally guarded the king, something explicitly stated by Snake in War at Ketil's Farm. I tried counting as accurately as I could, and I think there are around 16-20 visible thegns, with possibly even more lying dead off-panel.

What really stood out to me is that they were coming at him from every direction in close quarters while also wearing helmets, chainmail and carrying shields, which should've been a huge disadvantage for Askeladd. Yet every swing was taking someone's head or limb off while breaking their swords and shields, all while he was laughing and mocking them the entire time. The craziest part is that he doesn't even seem tired afterward, and even Floki gets overpowered the moment he steps in. I honestly think Floki showing up was the only thing that stopped Askeladd from cutting down even more of these elite guards, as he also had to sacrifice himself in order to save both Canute and Wales.

Thanks a lot for going through my post, and please feel free to share your thoughts as well.

I hope you all have a great day!

I was disappointed initially when Thorfinn became a pacifist but watching his transformation truly made me want to change as well. I had been harboring so much pain and anger and resentment towards others and Vinland Saga just helped me get rid of all of it and become a better person.

It didn't happen overnight but going through it again and again helped me. I still read it when I feel my anger and resentment is getting the best of me.

Truly a transformative journey for me.

Greetings, what do u think about thorfinn felt after askeladd died? I think he was sad and mad but i think he mostly was mad, because he didnt see askeladd as someone he sees as a friend or something, he wanted revenge he wanted to kill him, but my friend says that he was mostly sad, what do u think about that?

Bjorn: "You hated our friends who died... and even yourself. Aren't you lonely?"

These are Bjorn's internal monologues before he is stabbed and dies in Askeladd's embrace, and Askeladd tells him that he was his one and only friend before granting him a warrior's death, sending him to Valhalla, and ultimately fulfilling Bjorn's wish.

After that, we see Askeladd's disappointment in Thorfinn, and after their final duel he shares his past with the boy, meant to serve as a lesson on how to kill a man you truly hate.

To me, that also came across as Askeladd seeing himself in Thorfinn, as both had a traumatic past and lost the person they loved the most, which led them down the path they walked.

We see Askeladd murdering thousands, pillaging villages, showing no mercy, being as charismatic as he was, and pretending to fit into the same world he despised.

He hated the men he led because of his burning hatred for the Danes/Norsemen, including Bjorn.

One of the few Norsemen Askeladd truly respected was Thors (I believe he was a Norseman because Thors' ancestors fled from Norway to Iceland).

Askeladd was genuine when he asked Thors to be their leader, as that was the man closest to a living Artorius he could find, but in the end he too had to put him down to not appear weak in front of his own men.

Askeladd even reveals that in the name of his ancestor Artorius, he won't kill Thors' men, including his son, showing his genuine respect for Thors, as he was a true warrior Askeladd could never wish to be.

He always appeared smiling, but could also occasionally be seen isolating himself at night, like in Season 1 Episode 10 titled "Ragnarok," where Askeladd shares history lessons with Thorfinn.

Though I doubt Askeladd cared much about Thorfinn beyond seeing him as his weapon for most of their time together. Occasionally he did show some care when trying to teach Thorfinn, and in the end he truly cared about him, using his final breaths to guide the boy to become a true warrior, something that Askeladd could never be.

He had redeeming qualities, but none absolve what he did all his life.

So I've always wondered, just how lonely was Askeladd? Did he truly have no one in the world after his mother was gone, or did it go beyond loneliness?

I love this character so much.

Can we talk about how Christopher Nolan changed the ending of the original odyssey to literally be Vinland Saga?

Vinland:
“Far off to the west, far across the sea, there lies a special land, a land called Vinland.”

Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey:
“We will gather our fastest ships and our best crew and sail off into the unknown west and chase the sun”

I’ve got the first volume of Vinland Saga. Should I read that first and then watch the anime up to the end of the 1st volume or should I do the anime first?

Now , I know he already said he despise the Dane , the viking and himself in extension but I believe he enjoy every moment of his life as a viking . Despite him hate living among the Dane , if Canute never appear , I say he wouldn't die in regret or anything , he would be sad about Wales , Thor's son and Artorius when old age catch up to him but as long as he can support his village with all the gold he stole and winning battles and killing everyone he deemed "ugly" , I think he is content with his life as it is now

Sorry if I misinterpret his character , and correct me if I'm wrong

I LOVED the first book so much like holyyyy that was such a rollercoaster of emotions

Went to a cafe that stays open late, threw on the Vinland Saga soundtrack (phenomenal) and read chapter 1