Warning! Serious spoilers for Vinland Saga’s first season finale will be discussed!
Vinland Saga had one of the biggest shocking finales of any anime franchise not only for 2019, but perhaps for all time. With Askeladd killing his only friend Bjorn after a debilitating wound, and easily defeating Thorfinn in a one on one fight, the old warrior continued to work as the right hand to the young prince of the Danes, Canute. When Canute’s father, the current king, stated that he would attack Wales as a clear message to Askeladd, the viking found himself a tight pinch.
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With no other option, Askeladd decided to kill the Danish King in front of the nobles and soldiers of the kingdom, deciding to effectively give up his life to allow Canute to move forward and become the new king of the realm. With Askeladd killed, the season ends with Thorfinn having been denied his vengeance and numerous Vinland Saga losing their minds as a result.
Originally created by Makoto Yukimura for Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine,, Vinland Saga has been collected into 21 volumes and has more than five million copies in print as of 2018. Kondansha USA Comics has licensed the series for an English release and describes Vinland Saga as such: “Thorfinn is son to one of the Vikings’ greatest warriors, but when his father is killed in battle by the mercenary leader Askeladd, he swears to have his revenge. Thorfinn joins Askeladd’s band in order to challenge him to a duel, and ends up caught in the middle of a war for the crown of England. From the creator of the classic Planetes manga, comes this epic, highly-anticipated tale.”
Best Anime This Year
Vinland Saga really just did that. Really one of the best anime this year if not the best.
— YonkouProductions (@YonkouProd) December 29, 2019
Long Live The King
King!!!! #VINLAND_SAGA pic.twitter.com/z9rBgOpXZ6
— Sozaiko 🍰 (working on comms) (@admiral_aishii) December 30, 2019
Become A True Warrior
Last episode of vinland saga hits hard 😩 I need a season two pic.twitter.com/TwjPV23rUl
— rubber girl (@yonko_luffytaro) December 29, 2019
Still Losing
#VINLAND_SAGA
— eren stan (@melaa2255) December 29, 2019
Still losing a lot……💔 pic.twitter.com/vUmMMl7AZb
Crying
#VINLAND_SAGA
— ⚡ (@illugioni) December 29, 2019
“Move forward already. Don’t stay stuck in a damn boring place like this forever.
Go far ahead , go beyond the world where Thors went. You’re Thors’ son. Go. That’s your real fight.. become a true warrior, son of Thors.” pic.twitter.com/H9OTCBDWT5
The MVP of 2019
There was so much I loved about the narrative punches and thematic notes in Vinland Saga’s finale, but an understated element of it was Thorkell’s role. He was mature, deadly serious and empathetic, and I ADORE what it added to his character. pic.twitter.com/2jTBngmAxW
— AJ☃️ (@Aleczandxr) December 30, 2019
Anime Of The Decade
#VINLAND_SAGA
— 𓆩ꜱʜᴀᴅᴇɴ𓆪 (@Shoo_9999) December 30, 2019
This is what we called “Anime Of The Decade” pic.twitter.com/kyQq3shyxp
Action, Drama, Animation, It Has It All!
Vinland Saga was fucking incredible. Action, drama, gorgeous animation and well developed characters an absolute masterpiece. Also Askeladd is one of the best anime characters in recent memory. pic.twitter.com/jxe2EvnHc7
— Chrollo Lucilfer (@MiloticSama) December 30, 2019
No One Comes Close To His Level
Just watched Vinland Saga episode 24 and Askeladd is a top teir character
— ♣️Mitch♣️ [reading Berserk and Vinland Saga] (@Mitch__Jaeger) December 30, 2019
No one comes close to the level of Askeladd
He’s one of the best written characters I’ve ever seen definitely in my top 5 best characters ever pic.twitter.com/IYXI8F88M0
Expectations Exceeded
And with that, Vinland Saga has come to an end. My expectations for this adaptation were high as soon as it was announced, but I never once thought that it would be as good as it has been. A 10/10 adaptation of a 10/10 manga, an exemplary adaptation and an absolute masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/quraeEm5SR
— ⚔️iCaRuS⚔️ (@IcarusAnime) December 30, 2019