It's been more than two years since I quit watching movies and TV shows on a regular basis. In the meantime, I have watched only a few, and completly new to the anime world. Before this, I had finished Death Note and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which hooked me into being an anime fan slowly but steadily. So, from a die-hard anime fan, got pushed towards Vinland Saga as I was a great fan of Vikings tv-series which includes Vikings and wars like that, and so here I am, completed watching the first season of Vinland Saga.
My plans were different before I started. I didn't want to complete all the episodes in one go, but when I started, I controlled myself. Each and every episode is filled with a new turn, a new twist, a plot, a decision, a war, and whatnot. I couldnt pause, they were going one after another.
At the center of the Vinland Saga: Season One, we would see a young boy named Thorfinn, son of a great warrior. We would see him growing up in the midst of war, bloodshed, and all, with a view to seeking revenge. In season one, it's not about the story of a hero but the story of making a hero, how Horfinn grew up skilled, ruthless, and towards the greater goals while seeking for revernge with his heart and soul.
Throughout the whole season, I was looking for the meaning of Vinland, as if it's just a location to battle for, but no, it's a whole concept or dream completely opposite to the world and wars we will be seeing in season one. This would make sense at the very end of the season. Battles, war strategies, political tactics, and conversations all come to you on each and every episode, so you never feel bored or get the chance to pause and walk away; that's how I was hooked into starting the next episode in no time of ending one.
Could be a spoiler ahead,
As the story develops, we will be leaning towards two prime characters, one our protagonist or hero, Thorfinn, and the other Askeladd, who comes to us as the villain but later turns into something else. At the end of the season, you would be perplexed to level him as the villain or the guy who made Thorfinn the hero. He is the kind of antagonist who is cruel, smug, and a betrayer, and you will be cursing him to be dead, yet you will find him being the charismatic, strategic, and powerful character; you won't be bored to see him talking or plotting against the opponents. Askeladd's story with Thorfinn is very ironic; in each and every scene, you will see him seeking revenge. You may want Thorfinn to win, but again, his defeats will be telling you that it's making him even stronger, better, and more powerful. That's how things have been developing, thoughts and views from the initial episodes get changed as the story passes and ends season one.
At the very end of season one, its very clear that its not about showcasing how violence it can be, rather it showing a desire, an idea, a concept about to escape for a dream place where the war can not reach, where violence has no place, greenary and peaceful living is the ultimate destination, thats what vinland is all about, not just a location to search for but an escape from these messy war, bloodshed, and battles. Yes, season one is filled with thrills; these wars, battles, and deaths brought me thrilling moments, but at the same time, it did develop a sense of escape for a better life that should be the ultimate goal instead of victories on the battlefield.
At the end of the season, I'm thrilled to start the next one. The story ended in such a way that now I too have the concept of Vinland, where wars won't reach, bloodsheds wont take place. Even though the second one was filled with these, the whole concept kinda shifted. Now it's time to see if it's really possible to have that Vinland or not.
Really excited to start the next season and share with you guys.........