Vinland Saga, written by Makoto Yukimura, undoubtedly is one of the most renowned seinen mangas* to be published. The story takes place in England during the 11th Century centering around a young boy named Thorfinn who embarks on a quest to seek revenge in pursuit of his father’s death.
Vinland Saga is not just a story based on historical events but is a remnant of a more profound message. It is a story that delves into existential themes about life’s quintessential purpose. From a young age, Thorfinn’s motivation is fueled by his strong desire to avenge his father’s death, but as he becomes a slave to the battlefield in desperation to seek fulfilment, he descends further into a cycle of relentless suffering and violence.
Thorfinn’s father, Thors, was a Jomsviking general who earned the epithet “The troll of Jom”. Undeniably, due to his phenomenal combat prowess, he was known as the strongest warrior but in essence he was a “true warrior”. Thors embodied a philosophy of pacifism, reinforcing the idea that “a true warrior needs no sword”. Despite being possessed under the spell of war, Thors advocated for peace and rejected violence.
During Thorfinn’s years of childhood and adolescence he steers away from his father’s philosophy of pacifism, walking down a dark path but as the narrative progresses, Thorfinn starts to contemplate and his new meaning of life becomes more refined. His search for meaning evolves from revenge to seeking a life of peace in Vinland, a utopian land free from slavery and the ravages of war. After his experiences as a slave, Thorfinn chooses to atone for his sins by setting on a journey to creating Vinland.
The Vinland Saga isn’t just a story but a symbol of peace. We are exposed to harsh themes of violence, war and revenge which resemble life’s modern issues. Through Thorfinn’s experiences it teaches us that even when we are shackled down by the chains of life’s hardships or weighed down by a heavy burden, we are still provided with an opportunity to find meaning and purpose in small things. We are not expected to set a grand goal for ourselves but instead we are expected to build and improve ourselves. It teaches us about adulthood and enforces a mindset to view things in a rational and positive light.
In summary, through Thorfinn’s barbarous experiences, Yukimura is able to advocate his message of peace, he is able to create a story that conveys messages about revenge, the cost of violence, the value of human life and the search for meaning in a cruel and unforgiving world. This manga is a must read as it explores complex themes, has well written characters but most importantly we are rewarded with the astonishing development of Thorfinn as a protagonist.
* Editor’s note: “In Japanese, the word seinen means “youth,” but the term “seinen manga” is also used to describe the target audience of magazines like Weekly Manga Times and Weekly Manga Goraku, which write on topics of interest to male university students and workingmen.” (“Seinen manga.” Wikipedia)
