| Vinland Saga | |
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| ヴィンランド・サガ (Vinrando Saga) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Makoto Yukimura |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint |
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| Magazine |
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| Demographic | Shōnen, seinen |
| Original run | April 13, 2005 – present |
| Volumes | 28 |
| Anime television series | |
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Vinland Saga (Japanese: ヴィンランド・サガ, Hepburn: Vinrando Saga) is a Japanese historical manga series written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura. The series is published by Kodansha, and was first serialized in the boys-targeted manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine before moving to Monthly Afternoon, aimed at young adult men. As of June 2024, its chapters have been collected in 28 tankōbon volumes. Vinland Saga has been licensed for English-language publication by Kodansha USA. The story is a dramatization of the story of Thorfinn Karlsefni and his expedition to find Vinland, with the majority of the story covering his fictional counterpart's transition from a bloodthirsty, revenge-filled teenager into a pacifistic young man; juxtaposed against this is the rise to power of King Canute, the journey of his own counterpart directly contrasting with that of Thorfinn's.
Inspired by the King of Norway Olaf Tryggvason, Yukimura decided to write Vinland Saga as a story about slavery. Yukimura's editor was against the original idea of Thorfinn being a slave; so the character was changed to that of a Viking. The author agreed, as he wanted Thorfinn to come to understand the tragedy he causes as a Viking in later parts of the narrative. Yukimura's sensation during the Cold War and the September 11 attacks was projected on Thorfinn's character, who is traumatized by his actions as a warrior and thus decides to find Vinland in order to establish a place where people from different races are able to live together peacefully.
By August 2022, Vinland Saga had over 7 million copies in circulation. The series won the Grand Prize of the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2009 and the 36th Kodansha Manga Award for Best General Manga in 2012. A 24-episode anime television series adaptation, animated by Wit Studio, aired from July to December 2019. A second season, animated by MAPPA, aired from January to June 2023. The manga has been critically acclaimed with praise given to the story, art, characters, themes, and setting.
- ^ Creamer, Nick (January 6, 2020). "Vinland Saga - Review". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "Vinland Saga extras!". Kodansha Comics. February 5, 2013. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
it follows a band of Viking warriors through an epic story of vengeance, blood, tragedy, royal intrigue and more blood.
- ^ Garrity, Shaenon K. (March 19, 2015). "Vinland Saga - House of 1000 Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
Makoto Yukimura's Vinland Saga, a true manga epic, captures the contradictory aspects of ancient Norse culture
- ^ Chapman, Paul (March 19, 2018). "Vikings Seek New Land in "Vinland Saga" TV Anime". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.